Tourism in Thailand

Tourism in Thailand

In the middle of the reasons for the raise in tourism in the 1960s were the constant political atmosphere and the development of Bangkok as a junction of international air transportation. The hotel industry and trade industry both expanded speedily due to tourist demand. It was also boosted by the presence of US soldiers who started to arrive in the 1960s for Rest and Recuperation (R&R) during the Vietnam war period. Coinciding, international mass tourism piercingly increased during the same time due to the rising ordinary of living, more people acquiring more free time and due to improvement in technology making it possible to travel further, faster, cheaper and in greater numbers, epitomized by the Boeing 747 which first flew commercially in 1970. Thailand was one of the major players in Asia to capitalize on this then-new tendency.

Tourist numbers have grown from 336,000 foreign visitors and 54,000 R&R military in 1967 to over 14 million international tourist visiting Thailand in 2007. The average period of their stay in 2007 was 9.19 days, generate an predictable 547,782 million Thai baht, roughly 11 billion Euro. In 2007, Thailand was the 18th most visited country in the World Tourism rankings with 14.5 million visitors. France, equivalent to Thailand in land area and population, lead the list with almost 82 million foreign visitors.

In 2008 Bangkok ranked 3rd in the wake of London and New York in Euro monitor International's list of "Top City Destinations" with 10,209,900 Tourist, Pattaya 23rd with 4,406,300 visitors, Phuket 31st with 3,344,700 tourist, and Chiang Mai ranked 78th place with 1,604,600 tourist.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, 55% of the visitors  in 2007 came from the Asia Pacific county, Japanese and Malaysians forming the two largest groups. The largest group of Western tourists comes from the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, the United States and Scandinavia. The number of visitors  came from the Middle East and Russia is on the grow. Approximately 55% of Thailand's tourists are return visitors. The maximum time is during the Christmas and New Year holidays when Western tourists flee the cold situation.

Conjugal tourism has also grown radically in the past decade. Revenues from conjugal tourism have gone from 187,898 million baht in 1998 to 380,417 million baht (approximately 7.8 billion Euro) in 2007.

Asian tourists mainly visit Thailand for Bangkok and the historical, natural and cultural sights in its locality. Western tourists not only visit Bangkok and environment but in addition many travel down to the southern beaches and islands. The North is the most important area for trekking and adventure travel with its various ethnic alternative groups and forested mountains. The area receiving less tourists is Isan in the north-east. To make easy foreign visitors, the Thai government recognized a separate tourism police with offices in the most important tourist areas and its own central emergency telephone number.

Red World

Sex tourism also contributes to arrival numbers. Although formally illegal, prostitution in Thailand is monitored and keeping up by the government to stem the spread of STD's and to stop excesses. Prostitution catering to foreigners is believed to be approximately 20% of the total prostitution scene in Thailand, and is concerted in a few major red-light districts such as Pattaya, Patpong and Patong Beach.

Thailand has been receiving increased opposition ever since Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam opened up to international tourism in the 1980s and 90s. Destinations like Angkor Wat, Luang Prabang and Halong Bay now contest Thailand's previous domination in the Indochina area. To counter this, Thailand is keenly targeting place markets such as golf holidays, or holidays shared with medical treatment. Thailand has also plans on becoming the hub for Buddhist tourism in the area. Approximately 2 million foreigners visiting Thailand for medical cure are estimated in 2009, more than 3 times the quantity of tourist visiting for that rationale in 2002. According to Lonely Planet, Thailand ranks second of "Best-value destinations for 2010" after Iceland; the latter having been hit very inflexible by the subprime advance dilemma.

Attraction

Highland offers a great diversity of attractions. These consist of diving sites, sandy beaches, hundreds of hot islands, varied night-life, archaeological sites, museums, hill tribes, outstanding flora and bird life, palaces, a huge amount of Buddhist temples and several World Heritage sites. Many visitors follow courses during their stay in Thailand. Popular are classes in Thai cooking, Buddhism and traditional Thai massage. Thai national festivals range from the fun-for-all water splashing Songkran to the approximately fairytale like quality of Loy Krathong. Many area in Thailand also have their own festivals. Famous are the "Elephant Round-up" in Surin, the "Rocket Festival" in Yasothon and the curious "Phi Ta Khon" festival in Dan Sai.

Thai food has become deservedly renowned worldwide with its excited use of fresh herbs and spices. From an low-cost plate of delicious Som tam at a simple street stall upcountry to a modern take on Thai food in the gourmet restaurants of Bangkok, it's very hard not to eat well in Thailand.

Only the most severe ascetics can resist shopping when in Thailand. Bangkok is famous for its main shopping malls city center, offering an astounding multiplicity of international and local brands. Towards the north of the city, and easily reached by sky train or underground, is "Chatuchak Weekend Market". It is probably the biggest market in the world, selling everything from family items to live, and sometimes rare, animals. The "Pratunam Market" downtown, is nearly totally specialized in fabrics and clothing. The night markets in the Silom area and on Khaosan Road are mostly tourist orientated, selling items such as T-shirts, handicrafts, counterfeit watches and sunglasses. In the locality of Bangkok one can find several visually stunning floating markets such as the one in Damnoen Saduak. The "Sunday Evening Walking Street Market", held on Rachadamnoen road surrounded by the old city, must be the shopping highlight of a visit to Chiang Mai up in northern Thailand. It attracts many locals as well as foreigners. The "Night Bazaar" is Chiang Mai's more tourist orientated market, extensive over several city blocks just east of the old city walls towards the river.