Tourism is a major economic contributor to the Kingdom of Thailand. Estimates of tourism revenue directly contributing to the Thai GDP of 12 trillion baht range from one trillion baht (2013) 2.53 trillion baht (2016), the equivalent of 9 per cent to 17.7 per cent of GDP.[1][2] When including indirect travel and tourism receipts, the 2014 total is estimated to be the equivalent of 19.3 percent (2.3 trillion baht) of Thailand’s GDP.[3]:1 The actual contribution of tourism to GDP is lower than these percentages because GDP is measured in value added not revenue. The valued added of the Thailand’s tourism industry is not known (value added is revenue less purchases of inputs).
Tourism worldwide in 2017 accounted for 10.4 percent of global GDP and 313 million jobs, or 9.9 percent of total employment.[4]:1 Most governments view tourism as an easy moneymaker and a shortcut to economic development. Tourism success is measured by the number of visitors; the more, the better.[5]
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) uses the slogan “Amazing Thailand” to promote Thailand internationally. In 2015, this was supplemented by a “Discover Thainess” campaign
Thailand has the distinction of being one of the leading tourism destinations in the world, renowned for its vibrant cultural heritage and natural beauty.[52] Thai culture features a number of performing arts including drama, Thai dance. Variety shows that feature a number of different theatrical arts are common in Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. The “Siam Niramit” show is the most popular Thai cultural show among tourists visiting Thailand. The Siam Niramit show attracts more and more tourists visiting Thailand each year. Theatrical performances of ancient Muay Thai boxing matches, Thai tribal dances, and puppet shows are also popular cultural attractions of Thailand.[53]
Thai officialdom’s claim that foreigners visit Thailand primarily for “cultural tourism” has been mocked by critics who ask “…do we really think tourists are going to Pattaya or Phuket to watch traditional Thai dance or visit temples?… Do we really think women in revealing outfits who sit in front of the bars in Patpong would move inside and change to traditional costumes to perform Thai dances with poles?”[54]
As of 2019, with 64 accredited hospitals, Thailand is currently among the top 10 medical tourism destinations in the world. In 2017, Thailand registered 3.3 million visits by foreigners seeking specialised medical treatment. In 2018, this number grew to 3.5 million.[55][56] As of 2019 Thai medical centres are serving increasing numbers of Chinese medical tourists in tandem with increasing overall Chinese tourism.[57] All numbers reported by the government must be viewed with some skepticism according to the authors of a 2010 study. The Thai government reported that in 2006, 1.2 million medical tourists were treated in Thailand. But the 2010 study of five private hospitals that serve more than 60 percent of foreign medical tourists concluded that there were 167,000 medical tourists in Thailand in 2010, far below the government estimate. Most came for minor elective
The governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said the agency aims to increase income from the gastronomy business from 20 percent of total tourism income forecasted for 2017 to 25 percent in 2018. In 2017, TAT aims for 2.77 trillion baht in tourism revenue, 20 percent of which is projected to come from gastronomy. In 2018, tourism revenue is expected to climb to three trillion baht, with gastronomy accounting for 750 billion baht.
TAT, in early-2017, approved a budget of 144 million baht to commission the Michelin Guide to rate restaurants in Thailand for the five-year period 2017–2021. The first guide, Michelin Guide to Bangkok, was released on 6 December 2017. It bestowed Michelin stars on 17 Bangkok restaurants, ten of which do not serve Thai food.[58] Guides to other cities will follow.
In 2016, gastronomy was Thailand’s fourth-largest tranche (20 percent) of tourism income, after accommodation (29 percent), transport (27 percent), and shopping and souvenirs (24 percent). TAT estimates that Chinese tourists spent 83.3 billion baht on food in Thailand in 2016, followed by Russians at 20.8 billion baht, Britons at 18.4 billion baht, Malaysians at 16.1 billion baht, and Americans at 13.9 billion baht
Elephant trekking has been an attraction for tourists in Thailand for decades. Ever since logging in Thailand was banned in 1989, elephants were brought into camps to put on shows for tourists and to give them rides. The Asian elephant is the main species found in elephant camps, being native to Thailand and found in the wild there. Despite this elephant being classified as endangered since 1986,[60] it continues to be an attraction for tourists
Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand, and a trip to a stadium to witness the ‘science of the eight limbs’ is an essential experience for many tourists.[68] Studying Muay Thai is a main activity for Thai sports tourism, which the government promotes.[69]
In 2016, there were 11,219 British people, 6,800 Australians, and 5,852 French nationals who visited Thailand to take lessons in the classical martial art. Other significant numbers came from Germany (4,688), Sweden (4,253), Russia (2,183), Denmark (1,855), Japan (1,841), New Zealand (1,781) and Spain (1,633). Thirty-eight percent of all people signing up for Muay Thai classes chose Phuket as their study destination, twenty-eight per cent chose Bangkok, and sixteen percent chose Surat Thani.[70]
There are two main stadiums in Bangkok, Rajadamnern Stadium and Lumpini Stadium, with the stadium champions at each generally considered to be the best in their weight class in Thailand. The fights at both venues are usually well-matched, featuring two highly skilled fighters of similar weight. Like most modern stadiums in Thailand, Rajadamnern allows women to fight, although Lumpini still prohibits female fighters
Noatech Pvt Ltd 
You must be logged in to post a comment.