Bangkok, Thailand, February 11, 2002 - Chinese New Year celebrations got off to a superb start on Chinese New Year’s Day, February 11, 2002, when the first group of Chinese visitors arriving in Bangkok by Thai Airways International, flight TG 663 from Shanghai, at 12:20 hours, were warmly welcomed at the airport.

The Chinese visitors were received at Bangkok International Airport by a special meet-and-greet delegation led by Minister to the Prime Minister's Office and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Chairman H.E. Mr. Somsak Thepsutin. A Chinese traditional lion dance was also performed.

According to the Airports Authority of Thailand (AAT), during February 9-20, 2002, the Chinese New Year period, Bangkok International Airport will see a total of 399 flights by 17 airlines including regular flights from Hong Kong and Taiwan serving Chinese visitors.

Of these, 252 regular flights will be coming to Bangkok from major cities of mainland China. It is forecast that the load factor will be about 70% or 300 passengers per flight. This will bring over 75,600 Chinese visitors to Thailand during Chinese New Year.

TAT, with strong support from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and businesses along Yaowarat Road, has organised the biggest Chinese New Year festival ever held as part of efforts to promote Chinese- Thai culture and boost tourism between February 12-13, 2002.

Yaowarat Road, known as one of the world’s oldest Chinatowns, is recognised as a centre of local and international business and one of Thailand’s best-known tourist destinations.

Some of the themed activities planned for the two-day festival include photo and gold jewellery exhibitions, cultural performances like Chinese opera, musical bands and outdoor cinemas, as well as a food festival and demonstration of Chinese health products.

The event is also part of the TAT’s tourism promotion campaign, Thailand Grand Festival, designed to boost domestic and international tourism by creating a wider range of activities for visitors to enjoy, no matter which part of the year they choose to travel.

China is one of the fastest growing markets for Thailand. Tabulated by nationality, Chinese visitor arrivals to Thailand totalled 801,362 in 2001, an increase of 6.31% over 2000. This made China the third biggest source market for Thailand with a 7.96% market share.

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