On 4 February 2013, Mr. Manasvi Srisodapol, Director-General of the Department of Information and spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded to a question from the media on the readiness of Thai agencies in receiving foreign tourists during the Chinese New Year. Gist as follows: 

1. The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) estimates that during the Chinese New Year celebrations, which fall on 9-14 February 2013, well over 100,000 tourists from the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong (SAR) and Taiwan as well as from Malaysia and Viet Nam will visit Thailand, arriving on some 18,000 flights and contributing an expected 4.2 billion baht to the country’s tourism industry.

2. In preparation, Thai agencies have taken the following preliminary measures:

2.1 The Bureau of Prevention and Assistance in Tourist Fraud, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, has doubled the number of Chinese-speaking officers on duty at international and regional airports throughout Thailand;

2.2 The Office of Immigration has assigned additional immigration officers to international and regional airports to reduce the waiting time at immigration checkpoints for foreign tourists. The Office has also streamlined immigration formalities, shortening the time required to obtain a visa upon arrival from a 7-step, 15-minute process to a 3-step, 3-minute process, and providing one-stop service at the checkpoints.

2.3 The Airport Authority of Thailand (AOT) has assigned additional officers to facilitate the arrival of foreign tourists and more parking spots for Chinese tour buses at major international and regional airports. AOT officers will host a welcoming ceremony and hand out souvenirs for Chinese tourists upon their arrival at the major airports. In this regard, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports will host an inter-agency consultative meeting on 5 February 2013 to introduce additional measures to be put in place in preparation for the Chinese New Year.

3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs invites all Thais, especially those living in popular tourist destinations, to give a warm welcome to foreign tourists and see to their safety.

The public is advised to take note of the following contact information for Thai agencies that have set up call centers for foreign tourists:

                              Tourism Authority of Thailand Call Center # 1672
                              Thai Tourist Police Call Center # 1155
                              Bureau of Prevention and Assistance in Tourist Fraud,
                              Ministry of Tourism and Sports (operating hours: 08.30 – 16.30 hrs)
                              Tel: +662 356 0650 email: [email protected]
                              Bureau of Prevention and Assistance in Tourist Fraud,
                              Suvarnabhumi Airport (operating hours: 24 hours daily)
                              Tel: + 662 134 4077

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