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Little Malaysia in Thailand … 4.6 million Malaysians visited Thailand last year. - NSTP FILE PIC. For image info, go to https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/12/1152660/hatyai-transforms-little-malaysia-500000-malaysian-tourists-expected
Thailand registers 35m tourists, including 4.6m Malaysians
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1, 2025: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced an update to the figure and proudly revealed that it has reached its target of welcoming at least 35 million foreign tourists into the Kingdom last year.
That includes the more than one million Malaysians who cross the borders to spend their holidays!
Why are Malaysians flocking to Thailand for their holidays? Go ask the racial and religious bigots who are not only undermining the country’s economy but also threatening national unity.
TAT also reported that six million tourists from China contributed RM234.6 billion to Thailand’s tourism!
From January to September 2024, over 3.7 million Malaysians visited Thailand, making Malaysia Thailand's second-largest source of tourists after China.
Well, that is Malaysia’s loss in losing out to attracting tourists, especially those from China, and even Malaysians!
No News Is Bad News reproduces below news reports reposted by The Coverage:
6 Million China Tourist Bring In RM234.6 Billion Revenue To Thailand Tourism In 2024 – PN Overreaction Over Flag & Signboard Will Scare Away Tourists
31 December, 2024
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced an update to the figure and proudly revealed that it has reached its target of welcoming at least 35 million foreign tourists into the Kingdom in 2024, so read on to find out more!
In a press release, TAT revealed that Thailand welcomed a whopping 35,047,501 foreign tourists from 1 January to 27 December 2024, surpassing its target of 35 million international tourists this year with 4 days left to spare.
Moreover, TAT also announced that the country generated a staggering THB1.8 TRILLION or approximately RM234.6 BILLION in tourism revenue during the same period.
Chinese visitors to Thailand between January-November top 6 million
Foreign tourist arrivals in Thailand from January 1 to December 1, this year reached 32,020,169 visitors, generating approximately 1.5 trillion baht in revenue, the Tourism and Sports ministry reported last week.
China ranked as the top source of tourists with 6,214,226 visitors, followed by Malaysia (4,506,898), India (1,915,152), South Korea (1,685,600), and Russia (1,503,312).
“We welcome more Chinese tourists and also worldwide tourists to visit Thailand,” TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said.
During the National Day Golden Week, the number of direct flights — a total of 1,097 from China to Thailand — has improved by 70 percent compared with the same period last year, according to TAT.
Meanwhile, the number of flight bookings from China to Thailand during the holiday period has increased 250 percent year-on-year, according to travel data firm ForwardKeys.
Of the 43 Chinese cities offering direct flights to the kingdom, Shanghai ranks top in terms of numbers, followed by Guangzhou, Chengdu, Kunming and Beijing.
“We will keep encouraging airlines to increase flights between China and Thailand, providing more convenience to travelers from different regions of China to visit Thailand. This will also help to bring more Thai tourists to China at the same time,” said Thapanee.
Tiong: Overreaction over Chinese flag incident may scare away tourists
Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the “overreaction” by some quarters over the waving of Chinese flags at an event in Teluk Intan, Perak recently could have a negative impact on tourism.
Tiong, who is Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, said the overreaction by some quarters not only contradict Malaysia’s values of moderation, but can also give the impression that Malaysia does not welcome foreign tourists to join cultural events.
“Before this, flags of other countries were flown in events organised in Malaysia without criticism. So why are the critics practising double standards in this case,” he said in a Facebook post today.
He said the unity government consistently stresses the need to respect all cultures, with the aim of fostering unity and harmony among all Malaysians.
He claimed some individuals were taking advantage by worsening the situation.
The International Guan Gong Cultural Festival, he said, was an international cultural event which features participants from countries such as Vietnam, Thailand and China.
“The Chinese participants could have flown their flags as a sign of support and in the spirit of celebrating the event with those from other backgrounds, especially in view of the 50th anniversary of Malaysia – China ties,” he said.
He said although the celebration is held in a similar fashion in neighbouring countries, they were not mired in controversy.
Tiong said he backed Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad’s view that the act wasn’t a crime.
“If those flying the flags weren’t Malaysians, it shouldn’t be a problem.
“The fear is that if we continue to harp on this, it could scare away tourists from visiting Malaysia, thus affecting the tourism industry,” he said.
The minister took aim at Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.
“He appears to be setting barriers and obstacles which could hamper the nation’s development and growth. What are his true intentions?”
Akmal Saleh had previously called on the government to mete out stern action against the event organisers following te flying of the Chinese flags by some participants.
Akmal said he did not accept the organisers’ apology and has asked Perak Umno Youth to lodge a police report.
The Guan Gong Cultural Association of Malaysia had previously apologised to all Malaysians for the incident involving the waving of China flags during the festival in Teluk Intan on Oct 24.
Its chairman, Soon Boon Hua, said that the act of waving the flag of another country was never planned in the existing programme itinerary prepared by the organisers.
from 17 Chinese nationals involved in the festival, held at Dataran Menara Condong.
Police said they were also working to identify other foreign flags displayed in the parade, noting that the viral video which sparked the incident also showed Thailand and Vietnam flags.
Tiong hits out at Dr M for criticising Chinese signboards
Tourism, arts and culture minister Tiong King Sing has hit out at former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his criticism of signboards in Chinese.
He said such criticism could affect the country’s diversity and tourism industry.
Earlier this week, Mahathir claimed that Malaysia was unlike other Southeast Asian nations as it allowed shops to display Chinese characters prominently, acknowledging that this could be due to the numerous tourists from China.
Tiong said Mahathir’s statement did little to foster unity nor contribute to the economy’s development. He added that it also negatively impacts the country’s multicultural social fabric.
“As a (senior) statesman, Mahathir should support and work with the new generation to ensure stable national development instead of clinging to outdated views,” Tiong said on Facebook.
“But in recent years, all we’ve heard from Mahathir are statements (that) are not constructive and do not contribute to economic growth or social harmony.
“Raising such issues threatens the very foundation of our cultural diversity.”
On Nov 18, Mahathir questioned why shops were allowed to install signboards which did not use the Malay language after visiting one of the newer shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur.
He maintained that using Chinese characters on signboards was fine, but said this should be limited to translations in smaller characters.
“Is this Malaysia or have we become part of China?” he said in a post on X.
Meanwhile, Tiong also disagreed with Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) recent enforcement against shop owners who did not prioritise the national language on signboards.
Last month, DBKL said it had issued 20 fault notices and 10 enforcement notices to shop owners for “using languages other than the national language in an excessive manner” from January till Oct 16 this year.
In his Facebook post, Tiong said the enforcement has resulted in “emotional reactions” and crossed “unnecessary boundaries”.
He added that a negative perception of Malaysia would impact the country’s reputation among tourists, especially in view of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
Tiong claimed that tourists have questioned Malaysia’s openness and inclusiveness as a result of DBKL’s actions.
“I suggest DBKL work closely with (Tourism Malaysia) for the Visit Malaysia Year (2026) campaign by improving the city’s basic infrastructure and creating more new and exciting tourist attractions.”
Last month, DBKL reiterated its call for shop owners to prioritise the use of the national language on their signboards, warning of consequences for non-compliance.
DBKL clarified that while registered brands do not need to be translated, other signboard texts must be presented in the national language with a larger font size.
The Advertisement (Federal Territory) By-laws 1982, which mandates that all advertisements be primarily in Malay, allows the inclusion of other languages.
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