Thailand goes from 19 million to 20 million arrivals in just 10 days

Bangkok, 26 August, 2015 – Thailand’s visitor arrivals count surged by one million in only ten days with the arrival of the country’s 20 millionth visitor today. This indicated that the widely projected temporary downturn in arrivals following the 17 August attack in Bangkok had failed to materialise.

The 20 millionth visitor, Mr. Shoji Omori, from Japan, was given the traditional surprise welcome at Suvarnabhumi Airport today by the executives and representatives of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Thai Airways International Public Co., Ltd., the Immigration Bureau, the Airports of Thailand Public Co., Ltd., and True Corporation Public Co., Ltd.

20-millionth-visitor-of-Thailand-in-2015_01-680x300 — H.E. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Thailand Minister of Tourism and Sports (seventh from left) along with Thai tourism industry executives, including Ms. Dalad Asaves, Deputy General Manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport – commercial operations, (seventh from right), Pol.Moj.Gen. Suwichpol Imjairach, Commander of Immigration Division 2 (fourth from right), Mrs. Juthaporn Rerngronasa, TAT’s Acting Governor and Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Europe, Africa, Middle East and Americas (fifth from left), Mr. Suvadhana Sribunruang, Director of Marketing Development and Commercial Communications Department, Thai Airways International (fourth from left), Mr. Sugree Sithivanich, TAT’s Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications (sixth from right), and Mr. Piroon Paireepairit, Director of Government Business Sector, True Corporation PCL (fifth from right), congratulate Mr. Shoji Omori (sixth from left) upon announcing him as one of Thailand’s luckiest visitors for this year.

The 19 millionth visitor was welcomed at Phuket International Airport on 16 August, 2015.

As part of a “Green Season” marketing strategy that began 30 June, every millionth visitor to the country is being welcomed at Thailand’s international aviation gateways, until 30 September, 2015.

The lucky visitors are being pleasantly surprised to receive two economy-class return air tickets from their international port of origin to Thailand along with a five-night accommodation voucher, a “Thailand’s Luckiest Visitor” certificate as well as other prizes from TAT’s project partners. The trips have a validity period of one year.

20-millionth-visitor-of-Thailand-in-2015_02-500x300 — Mr. Shoji Omori, from Japan, holds his “Thailand’s Luckiest Visitor” certificate and TAT’s mascot Nong Sukjai.

The activity is designed to support the “2015 Discover Thainess” umbrella campaign, which aims to highlight the endless charm of Thailand, the diversity of destinations, the flavours of Thai cuisine, fascinating uniqueness of the traditions and culture, as well as the friendliness of its people.

Thailand’s Luckiest Visitor	Date of arrival	Number of days between every millionth visitor
13^th million visitor	13 June 2015	–
14^th million visitor	21 June 2015	8
15^th million visitor	5 July 2015	14
16^th million visitor	15 July 2015	10
17^th million visitor	28 July 2015	13
18^th million visitor	7 August 2015	10
19^th million visitor	16 August 2015	9
20^th million visitor	26 August 2015	10

Mrs. Juthaporn Rerngronasa, TAT Acting Governor and Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Europe, Africa, Middle East and Americas) said, “Hitting the 20^th million visitor mark is particularly important because it clearly indicates that arrivals have been virtually unaffected by the 17 August attack. This is a very good sign indeed.

“If this pace continues, we are likely to exceed our projection of 28.8 million visitors in 2015. As always, we extend our warm thanks to all visitors for their continued confidence in our country and our people.”

Contact Information
International Public Relations Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.tatnews.org
Facebook: TAT Newsroom
Twitter: TAT Newsroom