Thailand is likely to accept Mir cards and direct flights from Russia
On September 9, Moscow hosted the first TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) event after the pandemic. As part of the Amazing Thailand Workshop, TAT Executive Director Titiporn Manenate appointed a direction in the kingdom of maps “Mir”, answered journalists’ questions about direct flights in Thailand and spoke about the strategy for promoting the kingdoms for 2023.
THAILAND HELD THE FIRST POST-PANDEMIC EVENT IN RUSSIA
On Friday, September 9, major tourism experts from Thailand arrived in Moscow. Representatives of the tourism industry of the kingdom, led by TAT, arrived in Russia for the first time after the pandemic. Travel companies of Thailand, hoteliers participating in large companies.
More than 50 companies were represented at the Amazing Thailand Workshop, which took place in Moscow on September 9, 2022.
Interest in the event among Russian tour operators and travel agents was high. More than 25 Russian companies and the same number of Thai companies were represented at the Amazing Thailand Workshop.
The mood of the audience – both the Thai entrepreneurs and their Russian colleagues – was upbeat. After all, the return of TAT events to Russia speaks, of course, of the high interest of the Thai tourist industry in the restoration of the Russian tourist flow, the active development of relations with the Russian tourist market as a whole.
RUSSIA TAKES 7TH PLACE IN TOURIST FLOW TO THAILAND ON THE RESULTS OF 8 MONTHS OF 2022
As part of the event, the Managing Director of TAT Titiporn Manenate took the time to reporters to answer the most exciting questions.
Ms. Manenate reiterated that Thailand always looks forward to the Russians and knows that the Russians love Thailand.
Titiporn Manenate, Executive Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Photo ATOR
The continued interest of Russians in Thailand, even in the current conditions, is official statistics. Despite the fact that Russians in Thailand are now significantly smaller than before the pandemic, Russia, according to the results of 8 months of 2022, ranked 7th in terms of the number of tourists (83,414 Russian tourists) arriving in Thailand.
The top five according to the results of 8 months of observation of the year looks like this: Malaysia, India, Laos, Singapore, Cambodia. By the end of the year, Thailand can take 250 thousand tourists from Russia.
DIRECT FLIGHTS TO RUSSIA FROM THAILAND CARRIERS SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTED YET
The main blocker to the growth of Russian tourist traffic is the lack of direct transportation, says Titiporn Manenate. Even at the beginning of the summer, the executive director of TAT believed that soon Thai airlines would fly in Russia. However, there is no such certainty now.
“Thai Airways is more likely not able to fly in Russia yet. And here the point is not only that the planes are being restored after the covid downtime, plus there is a problem of lack of crew. But we continue to study, all possible options are being worked out,” said the executive director of TAT.
Titiporn Manenate, Executive Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Photo ATOR
Also, TAT is of particular importance with the joint responsibility of S7 and Ural Airlines to attract charter flights to Thailand from Vladivostok and Novosibirsk.
“We also talked with Mongolian Airlines. On their flights, tourists could also fly to Thailand. That is, now we are making deliveries, including for connecting flights,” Ms. Manenate said.
WORLD CARDS CAN START ACCEPTING IN THAILAND ALREADY IN 2022
Two more negative preferences that affect the desire to relax in Thailand are the inability to pay in the country with Mir cards and limit covid restrictions.
Obama asked, according to Titiporn Manenate, will soon be resolved. Russians may have the opportunity to pay with Mir cards in Thailand in 2-3 months.
“The Mir card is an unfamiliar banking product for us, this card has never been mentioned in international payment processes. Therefore, it is not so quick and easy to withdraw it. The topic of the consumer card has been discussed in Thailand for 3 months now and the process is well advanced. According to official forecasts, the Russians will be endowed with Mir cards in Thailand no earlier than in 2-3 months, if everything goes well,” Ms. Manenate said.
The Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) will probably cooperate with Mir, and other banks will also increase in the future. In the meantime, tourists from Russia can buy baht, including for rubles.
FROM OCTOBER 1, THAILAND MAY LIFT ALL ENTRY RESTRICTIONS
In terms of lifting entry restrictions, according to Titiporn Manenate, in Thailand, consideration is being given to returning to pre-Covid entry conditions as early as October 1.
However, mass decisions on this matter are not taken. Inside the country, all covid restrictions have already been lifted. Tourists can easily relax in any province of Thailand.
THAILAND BETTER ON DIVERSITY OF TOURISM
At the end of 2019, Phuket, Chonburi Province (Pattaya), Bangkok, Surat Thani Province (Samui), Krabi, arrived in the top consumption among Russian tourists, the head of the marketing management service of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) orientated Konstantin Kinel.
Konstantin Kinel (left) and Titiporn Manenate (right), representatives of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
According to Thailand’s promotion strategy for 2022-2023, the kingdom makes an offer for family tourism, health and gastronomy.
“It’s always about the rest of the rest. If a beach holiday, then with a rich natural environment, if gastronomic, then in interesting places, if family, then in the brightest places for the whole family,” said Mr. Kinel.
WHERE TO GO IN PHUKET FOR CUISIOUS TOURISTS
In Phuket, TAT recommends visiting a fishing village and a pearl farm, strolling through the Old Town, visiting water and theme parks, and wellness resorts.
Fans of haute cuisine should definitely go to PRU restaurant, the first restaurant in Phuket awarded with a green Michelin star. Also 72 restaurants in Phuket were huge Bib Gourmand awards.
These restaurants return a quality menu for no more than 1,000 baht ($41). Michelin recommends in Phuket, for example, these cafes: One Chun, Go Benz, etc.
TOP BRIGHT LOCATIONS IN PATTAYA
In Pattaya, tourists with children should pay attention to the aquarium with rare natural inhabitants Underwater World of Pattaya, the Dolphinarium, and the Khao Kheo Zoo.
Adults and children love Alieks in Pattaya Ramayana Water Park, Space Water Park, and the Optical Illusion Museum. choice in Pattaya, it is worth going to the floating market, it is the most in Thailand. It’s colorful and delicious, of course.
For the best beach holiday in Pattaya, you need to go to Wong Amat Beach. It is suitable for family and romantic holidays. Jomtien Beach offers sunbathing, water sports or boat trips. Excellent seaside options are offered by Ocean Marina Yacht Club.
Curious tourists in Pattaya are waiting in the coconut community of Ta Kien Tia. There you can try coconut delicacies and have a spa session with coconut oil. For fruit lovers, TAT recommends going to the market in Rayong province, as well as Nong market events. On the latter, in addition to fruits, there are delicious squids, shrimps and other seafood.
WHERE TO EAT DELICIOUSLY AND TO MAKE BRIGHT SHOT IN BANGKOK
In Bangkok, due to the large locations and significant volumes, it is necessary to go to the small Taland Noi market, where the spirit of crop loss reigns.
History lovers, families and romantic couples should visit the Temple of the Reclining Buddha Wat Pho and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha Wat Phra Kaew.
For street food and souvenirs in Bangkok, you need to go to the authentic local Tha Chang market, located near the temples of Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew. Or you can go to Yaowarat Road (or Dragon Street), there is a paradise for street food lovers.
Alexandra Polyanskaya
Photo: ATOR