Chinese visitors to Thailand this year outnumbered every other countries with more than 2.5 million, a 56 per cent increase from last year’s 1.7 million. Their traditional and favourite destinations are Bangkok, Pattaya, Ayutthaya and Phuket.

Thailand’s northern city of Chiang Mai is expected to attract an increasing number of Chinese tourists in the foreseeable future now that a Chinese comedy shot on location in Chiang Mai has become a blockbuster in China.

For the first time in the history of Chinese cinema, a one billion yuan movie was born. Lost in Thailand (2012) is the first Chinese movie to gross over 1 billion yuan (US$161 million) in box office receipts. Just ten years ago, the entire country’s box office revenue totaled 900 million yuan.

Three Bouddhas at Wat Jedyod in Chiang Mai
Three Bouddhas at Wat Jedyod in Chiang Mai

According to Kasian Watanachaopisut, president of the Thai- Chinese Tourism Alliance Association, the Chinese film entitled ” Lost in Thailand” has reportedly made up to 700 million yuan (111 million U.S. dollars) since it premiered in the world’s most populated country earlier this month.

Produced with a 30 million yuan (4.7 million U.S. dollars) budget and directed by Chinese movie star Xu Zheng, “Lost in Thailand” might probably become China’s most-viewed comedy of all time.

Kasian said the film has drawn the attention of Chinese viewers to the fascinations and tourism qualities of Chiang Mai and many are interested to visit it some day.

The Sino-Japanese conflict has diverted travelers from both countries to Thailand

According to him, a total of 2.5 million Chinese tourists are estimated to visit Thailand throughout 2012, and only a meager 2 percent of them are reported to have been somehow attracted to Chiang Mai or other northern spots.

“But that comedy is believed to be drawing a lot more of the Chinese tourists to Chiang Mai where local villagers, cultural heritages and scenic, natural spots are so inviting and well- preserved,” he said.

“With the help of ‘Lost in Thailand’ which is now a Chinese box office smash featuring Chiang Mai as a beautiful tourist spot worth visiting, we do hope that the number of Chinese tourists to Chiang Mai will substantially increase from this year’s 50,000,” he said.

According to a local tourism official, Chinese tourists spend an average of 3,750 baht (125 U.S. dollars) each in Chiang Mai per day.

Political stability and the increasing popularity of tourist attractions in Thailand have contributed to the tourism boom, while the ongoing Sino-Japanese conflict has diverted travelers from both countries to Thailand.

Number one ranked in numbers of visitors to Thailand this year is from China with 2.5 million travelers.  Russia placed second with one million visitors, while India, South Korea and Japan each produced almost one million people from each country.

About the author

Bangkok Correspondent at Siam News Network

Bangkok Correspondent for Siam News Network. Editor at Thailand Business News

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get notified of our weekly selection of news

You May Also Like

TAT promotes fully reopened and ‘Always Warm’ Thailand

Strategic marketing campaigns will be launched to bring more visitors from existing markets like the UK and Europe, as well as new markets like Saudi Arabia and large secondary cities in the USA through partnerships with airlines.

Thailand fully reopens with free visa waiver extended to 45 days

As Thailand prepares to welcome tourists back in droves and without any restrictions, the free visa exemption has been extended from 30 to 45 days, which allows (after a 30-day extension) to carry out a stay in Thailand 75 days without a visa.

Thailand prepares for influx of Chinese tourists

With the restrictions to be lifted on 8 January, visitors from China will start arriving in large numbers from 15 January.