On 20 September 2024, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hosted the “Amazing Thailand, Mid-Autumn Night” event at Siam Paragon shopping complex in Bangkok. The show forms part of a series of special events and promotions planned for September and October, in the build-up to a year-long celebration to mark the 50th Anniversary of Thailand-China relations in 2025.
The show featured a range of performances and activities that showcase cultural ties between the two nations, including Chinese cultural workshops focused on making paper lanterns, DIY crafts, and calligraphy; and classes on traditional Thai skills such as weaving, jewellery making, and Thai herbal inhalers. There was an appearance by famous Chinese actor Luo Yunxi, and special performances by popular Thai stars DaOu Pittaya Sae-chow and Mai Davika Hoorne. The show provided a colourful microcosm of ongoing China-Thailand relations, which are key to the ongoing tourism revival.
“Stimulating the international market is one of the key approaches to reviving tourism revenue, particularly the Chinese tourist market,” said Mr. Sorawong Thienthong, Thialand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports. “Today’s event celebrates the time-honoured tradition of the Mid-Autumn Festival and strengthens cultural and tourism ties between Thailand and China. The event will indeed help pave the way for mutually beneficial tourism cooperation between two countries in the next decade and beyond.”
Mr. Wu Zhiwu, Minister at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Thailand, also shared this sentiment, adding that “The Mid-Autumn Festival symbolises people coming together. The joint organisation of the ‘Amazing Thailand, Mid-Autumn Night’ event between China and Thailand allows both nations to celebrate together as one close and warm family. This reflects the long-standing close relationship between the people of both countries.”
Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, added that “through content shared with followers of the participating KOLs via various online platforms in China, we hope the special activities at the “Amazing Thailand, Mid-Autumn Night” will further promote Thailand as a cultural tourism destination for Chinese tourists.”
Supported by mutual visa exemptions and promotions, Thailand has seen increased tourism traffic from China in the past 9 months. From 1 January to 8 September 2024, the Land of Smiles welcomed a total of 4,895,707 tourists from China, the kingdom’s number-one source market for international visitors. There has also been a major boost in flight capacity, with 8,588,274 seats available in 2024 – a 65% increase compared to 2023.
Supported by promotional events such as ‘Amazing Thailand, Mid-Autumn Night’ and the recent ‘Amazing Thailand Road Show to China’, tourism officials expect to reach their target of 7.3 million Chinese visitors to Thailand in 2024.
