15 Million International Arrivals by Mid-Year
Thailand has witnessed a significant increase in foreign tourists, with 15 million international arrivals within the first seven months of the year, according to deputy government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek. The school summer breaks in northern hemisphere countries have contributed to this rise in international tourist numbers.
Amazing Thailand Health and Wellness Campaign
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has introduced a new campaign titled “Amazing Thailand Health and Wellness: New Chapters New Experience” to promote medical tourism and attract wellness tourists with high purchasing power. The campaign is part of the country’s efforts to diversify its tourism offerings and capitalize on the growing demand for health and wellness experiences.
Focusing on Domestic Tourism
In addition to targeting international travelers, TAT also aims to promote local attractions across all regions of Thailand. This initiative seeks to disperse tourism-generated income to locals throughout the country, ensuring that the benefits of tourism reach as many people as possible.
TAT expects tourism revenue to reach three trillion baht next year, with 1.92 trillion baht coming from international tourists and 1.08 trillion baht from domestic travelers.
Thailand as a Filming Destination
Thailand has also seen a surge in popularity as a filming destination, with the Department of Tourism’s Thailand Film Office (TFO) reporting that 246 productions from 32 countries used Thailand as a filming location in the first half of 2023. This is a notable increase from the 143 foreign films shot in the country during the same period the previous year.
The United States, China, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and Germany are the top countries investing in filmmaking in Thailand. The Thai government, led by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, offers incentives to foreign filmmakers, such as a 15%-20% cash rebate for those who invest at least 50 million baht while filming in the country.
To further encourage film production, the process of granting work permits to foreign filmmakers has been streamlined, with visa assessments taking just three days for advert or music video productions and 5-10 days for films, series, or reality show productions.
Popular Productions Filmed in Thailand
In 2023, Thailand served as a shooting location for the hit Korean TV series King the Land and the Chinese variety show Keep Running.
In Summary
Thailand has experienced a surge in foreign visitors and has become a popular filming destination for international productions. The country’s tourism industry continues to flourish, with new initiatives focused on both international and domestic markets.
