Thailand invites Chinese tourists to record-breaking sticky rice mango feast

Some 10,000 Chinese tourists attended a feast in Thailand that has broken the Guinness World Record for the biggest sticky rice mango banquet ever.

The dessert, featuring 6,000 mangoes and 15 tons of sticky rice was announced the world biggest one in an event themed “We Care About You” near Bangkok. The feast was held on January 20 by the tourism panel of the National Legislative Assembly and was coordinated by the Association of Thai Travel Agents.

Chinese tourists were invited to enjoy the most famous Thai dessert along with Thai food and fruits as well as Thai-Chinese performances.

Organizers said they want to build up a good image of Thai hospitality through this event.

“Considering there was a sharp drop of Chinese tourists to Thailand, we’ve been making an effort to improve the country’s safety standards, expecting to restore the confidence of tourists from China and let them know Thailand cares about them,” explained Pichit Kuandachakupt, chairman of the committee of religion, art, culture and tourism of the National Legislative Assembly in Thailand.

Chinese arrivals, which were booming in early 2018, were stunted by a deadly ferry sinking in July 2018 which killed 47 Chinese tourists.

Thailand has exceeded the waiver on the on-arrival-visa fee for 20 countries and regions including China, the kingdom’s biggest tourism contributor that accounts for more than a quarter of its international arrivals.