Bangkok: Deputy Prime Minister Thammanat Prompao has engaged in discussions with Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jianwei to tackle the concerning decline in Chinese tourists visiting Thailand. The meeting, held at the Chinese Embassy, focused on strategies to enhance tourism by upgrading infrastructure, ensuring safety, and developing attractions to entice 3 million Chinese tourists back to Thailand within three months.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister Thammanat, alongside Minister of Tourism and Sports Atthakorn Sirilathayakorn, addressed the significant drop in Chinese visitors, which has fallen to fewer than 300,000 annually. The Chinese ambassador expressed a desire for Thailand to expand its tourism offerings beyond traditional spots like Wat Phra Kaew and areas prone to flooding, such as the Chao Phraya River and Ayutthaya Island. Safety concerns, crime, and perceived negative attitudes from Thai officials towards Chinese tourists were also highlighted as factors impacting visitor numbers.
During the discussions, China indicated its willingness to support a sharp increase in tourist arrivals, contingent upon improvements in infrastructure and tourist services. Lt. Col. Thammanat emphasized the need for Thailand to develop quality tourism areas, particularly focusing on managing the Chao Phraya River and transforming Ayutthaya into a cultural and economic hub instead of allowing recurrent flooding to cause ongoing issues.
Lt. Col. Thammanat stressed the urgency of these developments, urging civil servants to prioritize national progress. He highlighted the importance of moving beyond bureaucratic complacency, noting that successful enhancements could revitalize Thailand’s tourism sector, boost national income, and create sustainable opportunities for local communities, aligning with the Prime Minister’s national development goals.