International visitor arrivals at Suvarnabhumi International Airport totalled 3,413,197 in January-April 2007, an increase of 2.61% over the same period of 2006.

These figures only include those who arrived in Bangkok as the first point of entry and not those who flew directly to other points in Thailand, such as the popular beach resort island of Phuket, or those who crossed over through the overland border checkpoints. However, as roughly 70% of total Thai visitor arrivals make Bangkok their first point of entry, they are fairly indicative of the general tourism performance.

Arrivals at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in January-April 2007 from major markets included East Asia (1,525,989), Europe (1,114,770), the Americas (267,965), Oceania (161,097), South Asia (187,526), Middle East (124,863) and Africa (30,987).
All of the regions reported strong growth except East Asia which declined by 6.65% (largely because many tourists are now flying directly to Phuket, thanks to the increasing number of direct flights from many regional cities.

Arrivals from Europe were up by 12.94% over the corresponding period of January - April 2006, from South Asia +8.44%, the Americans +0.09%, Oceania +16.51%, Middle East +24.84% and Africa +20.96%.

EAST ASIA (includes ASEAN)
Arrivals from East Asia declined by 6.65% to 1,525,989, largely from Japan, China and Malaysia. However, other source markets showed good growth, e.g., Korea +4.10%.

Arrivals from ASEAN countries declined by 5.42% to 374,469. However, arrivals from neighbouring countries were up significantly: Myanmar +40.22%, Lao PDR. +4.83%, and Cambodia +7.76%.

EUROPE
Arrivals from Europe rose by 12.94% to 1,114,770. Russia was the best performing source market, +42.83% during this period. Other main markets such as the UK were up 1.46%, Germany +5.14%, France +28.80%, Sweden +15.81%, and Norway 11.18%.

THE AMERICAS
Arrivals from this region were up by 0.09% to 267,965.

SOUTH ASIA
Arrivals from South Asia market totalled 187,526, up 8.44%. India, the main source of arrivals from this market was up 10.92%.

OCEANIA
Arrivals from Oceania were up to 16.51% to 161,097. Australia, the main source market in this region, was up 18.12% to 136,877.

MIDDLE EAST
Arrivals from the Middle East market were up 24.84% to 124,863. Arrivals from the UAE were up by 17.74%, Saudi Arabia +25.38% and, Egypt +12.40%. The Middle East market is important to Thailand because the visitors are high spenders.

AFRICA
Arrivals from Africa were up 20.96% to 30,987.

TAT projects that visitor arrivals to Thailand will total about 14.8 million in 2007, bring about 547.5 billion baht revenue to the country’s economy.

Mrs. Phornsiri Manoharn, TAT Governor said, “Due to the unpredictability of global and local events, we have given up setting lofty targets. Instead, we are trying to set more realistic and conservative targets given the fact that there is no predicting what will happen next somewhere or the other“.

International PR Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
1600 Petchaburi Road, Makkasan, Rajatevee
Bangkok 10400
Thailand
Tel: 66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 1574-78
Fax: 66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: prdiv3@tat.or.th