TRAVEL TITBITS
Visitor numbers down
The total number of international tourists visiting Thailand in 2014 was short of the 25 million target, at 24.7 million visitors.
According to Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangku, the major reason for this was the political unrest.
When compared to the 26.5 million visitors in 2013, total foreign arrivals in Thailand decreased 6.7% last year and earnings also fell to 1.13 trillion baht, or down 5.8%. However, individual spending per trip increased by 2.3% to 46,541 baht on average.
The minister established the aggressive target of increasing the number of foreign tourists in 2015, aiming to achieve 13% growth or 28 million visitors and 1.4 trillion baht revenue, up 16% compared to last year. One of the actions they are looking at is to promote multiple visas to encourage repeat visitors, she said.
The ministry has recently kicked off the “2015 Discover Thainess” campaign and joined forces with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to host the Thailand Tourism Festival during Jan 14-18 at Lumpini Park.
The event started yesterday evening with the 3.5km-long parade of cultural performances from the National Stadium at the Pathumwan intersection to the Ratchaprasong intersection and ended at Lumpini Park.
The five-day festival showcases five traditional Thai villages in each part of the country, performances, models of floating markets and shops selling local and Otop products.
The gate is open from 4pm to 10pm on Jan 14-16 and will be open from midday to 10pm during this weekend. Admission is free of charge.
Visit tourismthailand.org.
Retire to Thailand
Thailand is ranked 10th in the world’s 25 best places to retire according to International Living’s Annual Global Retirement Index.
The list was based on the input of the magazine’s team of correspondents on eight major factors including healthcare, cost of living, entertainment, infrastructure and climate.
Top of the list is Ecuador, followed by Panama, Mexico, Malaysia, Costa Rica, Spain, Malta, Colombia, Portugal, Thailand, Italy, Uruguay, Belize, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Brazil, France, Ireland, Honduras, Chile, The Dominican Republic, Guatemala, the Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam.
According to the report, Thailand has become a popular destination among people in North America, thanks to its cuisine, culture and hospitality. Expat communities already exist in the larger cities such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Hua Hin.
Thailand has a high score for entertainment and amenities, acceptance of locals, cost of living and healthcare, but lower score for buying or renting accommodation, infrastructure and climate.
According to Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Thawatchai Arunyik, Thailand is regarded as a welcoming country for people to retire on a longterm basis.
Statistics from the Consular Department show that long-stay visas (one-year visa with multiple entries) are issued to at least 2,000 foreigners yearly. Those who want to apply for the visa must be at least 50 years old.
They must also have proof of income, including at least 800,000 baht in a bank account or a monthly income of at least 65,000 baht or a combination of savings and annual earnings of at least 800,000 baht.
Visit www.internationalliving.com/ 2015/01/the-best-places-to-retire-2015 for more information.
Airlines update
Nok Air has added one more daily flight to its Bangkok and Chiang Rai route.
The service is now available seven times a day starting from 7.30am to 6.10pm daily. The new flight takes off at 2.40pm from Bangkok and the return trip is at 4.35pm. The Boeing 737-800 has a capacity of 189 seats.
Also offered to its passengers are complimentary services such as seat selection, in-flight snack, 15kg of luggage and on-board Wi-Fi. Visit nokair.com. Thai AirAsia will launch twice daily flights from Bangkok to Nan, Loei and Roi Et on Feb 9.
“We believe the new services will create new opportunities for leisure and business travellers as our flights will be available in the morning and evening,” said airline CEO Tassapon Bijleveld.
The promotion prices for a oneway ticket start at 690 baht excluding surcharges.
Visit airasia.com.
Hotels update
Courtyard by Marriott South Pattaya has been opened at South Pattaya.
The seven-storey hotel features 132 rooms including two-bedroom suites, a function room which can accommodate up to 150 guests, a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, fitness and spa.
The hotel is located on Pattaya Sai 2 Road and about a 10-minute walk from Pattaya Beach and street market.
The property is the second Courtyard branded hotel in Thailand after the first Courtyard Bangkok hotel in Lumpini. Visit www.marriott.com. Four Seasons Bangkok will be rebranded to Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel & Spa this March.
Owned by Minor Hotel Group, the property was built in 1978 as the Peninsula Hotel before being renamed Regent Hotels around the 1990s, becoming Four Seasons in 2003.
Located on Ratchadamri Road, the hotel offers 354 rooms including 35 suites, six function rooms, ranging from 52.5m² to 814m² to serve 14-1,000 guests, restaurants and bars, swimming pool, spa and gym.
The luxury Anantara brand was launched by Minor in 2001 through Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa. The brand reached out to the global level in 2006 through a property in the Maldives and has gradually expanded to 37 hotels across Asia and the Middle East.