In a recent press conference, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed to the nation and broader global community that the visa exemption plan set in place for Chinese tourists is here to stay, undeterred by the multiple flight slot cancellations from several Chinese airlines. The surprising cancellations were fueled by a diminished demand in passenger flights to Thailand.
It appeared that airlines anticipated a higher demand when they acquired slots for flights to Thailand and subsequently procured ground handling services for their aircraft. However, faced with less than satisfactory flight subscription rates, these airlines had to relinquish their rights to land and take-off. The unforeseen slump in demand is generally traced back to China’s less than perky economic bounce back post-pandemic and the Chinese government’s ongoing campaign to endorse local travel over international journeys.
Prime Minister Srettha, 61, remains steadfast in his conviction, highlighting the importance of the visa exemption arrangement for Chinese and Kazakh visitors amidst the current economic climate. The absence of such a policy, he implies, could potentially exacerbate the ongoing crisis plaguing Thailand’s tourism industry.
This exclusive policy championshiped by PM Srettha, which formally commenced on September 25, allows Chinese and Kazakh tourists to make the trip to Thailand without a visa, until February 29 of the coming year. As the global pandemic incites tourists to be more frugal, the government is strategizing to amplify tourism promotion in other markets and extend visa waiving benefits to other countries such as Taiwan and India, as reported by PM Srettha in the Bangkok Post.
Despite concerns of a potential onslaught of criminals hailing from China seizing this opportunity to enter Thailand, this hypothesis was diplomatically dismissed by the Bangkok-born Prime Minister, undeterred by a recent incident involving Chinese nationals begging in the heart of Bangkok city.
The Prachachart Turakij newspaper recently covered a report suggesting that the government-initiated visa exemption initiative has not sparked a considerable increase in tourist arrivals as first imagined. Consequently, certain airlines have retracted their flight slots at Suvarnabhumi airport.
The breakthrough scheme brought a short-lived influx of Chinese tourists during China’s Golden Week holidays, characterized by daily arrivals peaking between 17,000 and 18,000. Post the holiday period, however, there was a precipitous dip to an estimated range of 8,000 to 9,000 daily, followed by a humble rise to daily figures of 10,000 to 11,000 in November. Kirati Kitmanawat, the director-general of Airports of Thailand Plc, provided insight into the current scenario, revealing that flights from China operate at a scaled-down capacity, roughly 60% of the pre-Covid levels.
Kitmanawat further added that other countries are also battling similar situations, reporting about half of the pre-apt 2019 arrival numbers.
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