Tourism / Kazakhstan

Tourism 

Report: Chatrudee Theparat

A comeback of Kazakhstan travelers in hope to help energize Thai tourism

Thailand’s tourism is expected to become more energetic by the end of this year with a rising number of travelers from Kazakhstan after the two countries has strengthened economic ties in different areas.

Kasakhstan Ambassador to Thailand Armen Issetov (left) yesterday met Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha (right), prime minister in a bid to strengthen economic cooperation at the Government House

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha said Thailand and Kazakhstan will strengthen economic relations in different dimensions including tourism, investment and trade. Kazakhstan is one of the potential countries in Central Asia to show its economic growth.   

Yesterday, Kasakhstan Ambassador to Thailand Armen Issetov met Gen Prayut in a bid to strengthen economic cooperation.

Gen Prayut said the number of Kazakhstan visitors to Thailand will continue increasing after a relaxation of Covid-19 measures, and the charter flights from Almaty to Phuket is launched. Daily flight from Almaty to Bangkok will be operated this October 30.  

He said Thai government will promote tourism between the two nations in order to help boost tourist numbers of the pair. The two countries also agreed to strengthen the economic cooperation on food supply and trade volume, as well as investing in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the ministry planned to launch promotional campaigns to draw foreign travelers from Central Asia, especially Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, which show economic prosperity. Central Asia, including countries as part of the former Soviet Union, now is the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

“Thailand is a destination among people from Central Asia due to offering more attractive tourism spots and taking only a 6-7 hour flight to here.’’

The cabinet has approved to extend visa on arrival to 30 days from 15 days, taking effective from October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023. Kazakhstan nationals can apply the new visa extension rule.    

Air Astana, the national airline of Kazakhstan, will launch daily flight from Almaty to Bangkok this October 30. Currently, there are only three charter flights of Airbus 320 per week from Almaty airport to Phuket. Daily flight from Almaty to Phuket will be launched this October 30, carrying about 1,162 passengers.

Kasakhstan Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Mr. Armen Issetov 

SCAT Airlines or Sunday Airline, based in Shymkent, also announced to launch charter services from Almaty, Astana, Kostanay, Shymkent and Uralsk to both Phuket and U-Tapao airports.

In September, Thai and airline operators urged Thai government to waive visa fee on arrival and launch marketing campaigns to promote the country in the coming high season.

Mr Phiphat encouraged Thais to travel to Kazakhstan because its   travelling cost is 50% cheaper than travelling to Japan, which is the most popular destination among Thais.

Tourism and Sports Ministry reported travelers from Kazakhstan to Thailand totaled 56,529, as the highest number among the CIS region. Its average expenditure is 4,365 baht per head/day and its spending in totaled 3.46 billion baht in 2019.

Source: Ministry of Tourism and Sports

From January to September this year, the number of arrivals from Kazakhstan totaled 21,917, and 19,891 and 4,608 from Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan respectively. The tourism and sports ministry projected its number would reach 55,000 this year, almost similar to 2019, a year before the Covid-19 started.

Currently, Uzbekistan tourists are allowed to stay in Thailand for 30-day on visa arrival, but there are no direct flights to Thailand at the moment.

Kasakhstan Ambassador to Thailand Armen Issetov (left) yesterday met Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha (right), prime minister in a bid to strengthen economic cooperation at the Government House