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Thai PM chairs “Amazing Thailand 10 Million Celebrations” at Suvarnabhumi Airport

Thailand reaches 2022 international arrivals target today, 10 December, with celebrations held at key airports and border checkpoints to welcome passengers arriving in the kingdom on momentous day.

Bangkok, 10 December, 2022 – Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over the “Amazing Thailand 10 Million Celebrations” welcome ceremony at Suvarnabhumi Airport, one of key airports and border checkpoints holding momentous events to mark tourist arrivals from around the world reaching the 10 million mark – the target set for 2022.

PM Prayut said “On behalf of the Thai Government, the Thai people and Thai entrepreneurs in the travel and tourism industry, I wish to extend a warmest welcome to all visitor arrivals. I hope you will take this opportunity to experience Thailand in many aspects including charming tradition and culture, beautiful nature, and delightful food. The Thai people is ready to be a good host to all travellers who are the guests of Thailand.”

The achievement of reaching the 10 million visitor mark before the end of the year is a clear sign of visitor confidence in Thailand as a preferred tourist destination, and symbolises the kingdom’s well-established status as one of the world’s most popular holiday spots.

H.E. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports, said “The target of 10 million arrivals in 2022 has been met, as was promised to the Thai government. It is a milestone achievement that reflects the successful restoring of Thailand’s tourism industry, an achievement which has come about from the concerted efforts of all stakeholders in the public and private sectors.”

Mr. Phiphat highlighted how Thailand’s carefully planned road towards the full reopening to international tourism on 1 October, 2022, had begun with the launch of the Phuket Sandbox in July 2021 and culminated in today’s milestone achievement of 10 million arrivals.

The ‘Visit Thailand Year 2022-2023: Amazing New Chapters’ campaign was at the forefront of the tourism industry’s efforts to drive the Thai economy forward, and in a new direction towards more sustainable and responsible tourism.

The Amazing Thailand 10 Million Celebrations, organised by TAT in cooperation with public and private sector partners, were held at seven key international and regional airports in Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang), Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai, U-Tapao, and Samui, as well as two border checkpoints in Songkhla (Sadao) and Nong Khai.

Events at all nine locations showcased Thailand’s soft-power foundations – including Food, Film, Fashion, Fight, and Festival – which are being used to promote Thailand in source markets around the world. This included cultural shows and souvenirs unique to each location presented to arriving passengers on the designated flights or land border crossings.

Particularly, the welcome ceremony at Suvarnabhumi Airport welcomed arriving passengers on two designated flights – Thai Airways International (THAI) Flight TG923 from Frankfurt, Germany carrying 348 passengers landing at 13.45 Hrs., and Saudia Flight SV846 from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia carrying 357 passengers landing at 15.00 Hrs.

Special prizes were presented to the luckiest family –  Mr. Hetham Almdlj and Mrs. Njood Alkhuwaiter – on Saudia Flight SV846 from Riyadh, and who will be visiting Phuket for 10 days.

The prizes included AOT Limousine transfer from Suvarnabhumi Airport, air tickets from Saudia Airlines, gift vouchers from Andamanda Phuket, Vana Nava Hua Hin, Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers, and Hanuman World, medical check-up privileges from Bumrungrad Hospital and MedPark Hospital, shopping vouchers and gift items from CPN, Central Group, King Power, The Mall Group and Siam Piwat, and virtual land from Bitkub. 

The event Suvarnabhumi Airport at was held in collaboration with Suvarnabhumi Airport, Siam Piwat, The Mall Group, Central Pattana (CPN) and Central Group, King Power, Terminal 21 Asok shopping centre and Terminal 21 Rama 3 shopping centre.

Thailand’s total visitor arrivals for 2022 will exceed 10 million with over 500 billion Baht in international tourism revenue generated. The target for 2023 is 20 million arrivals, and international tourism revenue of 1.5 trillion Baht – representing a return to 80% of the pre-pandemic level seen in 2019 – out of a total 2.38 trillion Baht in overall tourism revenue.

Photo gallery: Amazing Thailand 10 Million Celebrations

Suvarnabhumi Airport

Presided over by Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, the grand occasion was also joined by H.E. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Prof. Thosaporn Sirisumphand, TAT Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Abdulaziz Abdullah  Alkhudhayr, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia to Thailand, Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, Mr. Kittipong  Kittikachorn, General Manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport, Mr. Chaipot Charoonpong, Vice Governor of Samut Prakan Province, Pol. Lt-General Sukhun Prommayon, Commissioner of Tourist Police Bureau, Pol. Col. Rungsak Saengsiengfa Deputy Commander of Immigration Division 2.

Sadao Border Checkpoint

H.E. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports, presided over the event at Sadao Border Checkpoint in Songkhla province. Joining him in welcoming some 400 arriving travellers during the event time were Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaiboon, TAT Deputy Governor for Domestic Market, and officials and figures from public and private sectors.

Don Mueang Airport

Mr. Nithee Seeprae, TAT Deputy Governor for Digitalisation, Research, and Development, together with officials and figures from public and private sector partners welcomed arriving passengers on Thai Lion Air Flight SL117 from Jakarta, Indonesia.

Phuket Airport

Mr. Narong Woonciew, Governor of Phuket Province, and Mrs. Numfhon Boonyawat, TAT Deputy Governor for Policy and Planning, as well as officials and figures from public and private sector partners welcomed arriving passengers on TUI Airways Flight BY086 from London, UK, and IndiGo Flight 6E1763 from New Delhi, India. The welcome ceremony was also be held for passengers on Delta Air Lines Flight DL7929 (KE 663) from Seoul, South Korea.

Krabi Airport

Officials and figures from Krabi Province, TAT, and public and private sector partners welcomed arriving passengers on AirAsia Flight AK868 from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Chiang Mai Airport

Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing Asia and South Pacific, together with officials and figures from public and private sector partners welcomed arriving passengers on Thai AirAsia Flight FD907 from Danang, Vietnam, and Hong Kong Express Flight UO754 from Hong Kong.

U-Tapao Airport

Presided over by the Governors of Chon Buri and Rayong, the event at U-Tapao Airport welcomed arriving passengers on Azur Air chartered flights from Russia – Flight ZF2847 from Novosibirsk and Flight ZF3711 from Moscow. Also present were Mr. Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Europe Africa Middle East and Americas, as well as officials and figures from public and private sector partners.

Samui Airport

Presided over by Mr. Witchawut Jinto, Governor of Surat Thani Province, the event at Samui Airport welcomed arriving passengers on Bangkok Airways Flight PG968 from Singapore. Also present were Ms. Somradee Chitchong, TAT Deputy Governor for Administration, and officials and figures from public and private sector partners.

Nong Khai Border Checkpoint

TAT in cooperation with the province of Nong Khai held the “Amazing Thailand 10 Million Celebrations” event at Nong Khai Border Checkpoint, and welcomed some 300 arriving travellers during the event time.

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The TAT International Public Relations Division works with traditional and online media channels to promote Thailand as a tourism destination for travellers worldwide.

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