Bangkok (People's Daily) - Thailand welcomed more than 7 million tourists between January 1 and October 26, with the full year target for 2022 being between seven and 10 million visitor arrivals.

Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand (Photo by Sun Guangyong/People's Daily)

Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said, “With the difficult times now behind us, Thailand is seeing its efforts across the board – from ongoing tourism marketing and promotion, to the Amazing Thailand SHA health and safety standards put in place – paying off, with more than 7 million foreign tourists having already returned to our shores so far in 2022.”

The total number of visitor arrivals for the January 1 to October 26 period was 7,349,843. The top five source markets were Malaysia, India, Laos, Cambodia, and Singapore. Tabulated by the TAT Intelligence Center based on data from the Immigration Bureau, these totals do not include migrants, United Nations officials, and people without nationalities.

The top five points of entry to Thailand were Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok (3,891,196 arrivals), Phuket International Airport (958,027 arrivals), Don Mueang International Airport (564,008 arrivals), Sadao Border Checkpoint (451,578 arrivals), and Nong Khai Border Checkpoint (225,859 arrivals).

Thailand no longer requires tourists to show proof of vaccination or test results, and a longer length of stay than before is being offered. The period of stay is extended to 45 days (from 30 days) for tourists from countries and territories entitled to visa exemption, and to 30 days (from 15 days) for those eligible for a visa on arrival (VOA) until March 31, 2023.

Major international and regional airlines are resuming flights to Thailand from countries around the world. .

More international events and local festivals are again being held throughout Thailand, including the popular Loi Krathong annual festival in locations nationwide in the first part of November, and the Bangkok Art Biennale, which is taking place through until February 23, 2023, at various locations across Bangkok featuring works by 73 local and international artists.

Also, as the host of APEC 2022, a number of APEC meetings are taking place in Thailand.

Yuthasak said, “Looking ahead, TAT is actively working to ensure Thailand remains a top-of-mind destination for tourists from around the world.”