Brand Expedia released findings from its 2018 Global Flight and Hotel Etiquette study, an annual survey that looks at the flight and hotel etiquette habits of more than 18,000 adults around the world. Featuring insights from over 600 adult travellers in Thailand, the study found that Thais are the most frequent travellers in the region, with an average of 10.1 flights per year, followed by Japan and India travellers coming in at 2nd and 3rd.

Conducted on behalf of Brand Expedia by Northstar, the study serves as a reminder that even though travel is generally enjoyable, annoying behaviors and gross encounters can quickly ruin the good vibes when travelling. The survey was conducted online from February 22 to March 19, 2018 across North America, Europe, South America and Asia Pacific using an amalgamated group of best-in-class panels among from across 23 countries.

Thai travellers the most tech savvy globally

On average, travellers are taking 5 one-way flights per year, with personal flights (3.2 per year) accounting for two-thirds of these flights and another third being business trips (1.6 per year). Business travel is particularly high in Thailand (4.5), Japan (3.9) and India (3.6). Economy class travel predominates, especially for personal trips, with US and Thai business travellers being the most likely to travel in premium economy or above.

Most travellers still prefer a printed boarding pass, with nearly half (47 percent) using print only, and a third (32 percent) using a combination of both print and mobile boarding passes, while over one fifth (21 percent) would use a mobile device. Americans (28 percent) and Italians (27 percent) along with select markets in Asia (Thailand 30 percent, India 29 percent, South Korea 27 percent) lead the way for chosing mobile-only boarding passes.

When it’s time to snooze, who loses?

When it comes to passing a sleeping passenger, most say they would wake them and ask them to move (42 percent), a third would climb over (20 percent) with their back to them and facing them (15 percent), while nearly a quarter (23 percent) would just wait.

Travellers in Asian markets tend to be more likely to wake them: led by Hong Kong (60 percent), Thailand (59 percent) and Singapore (58 percent).

When it’s time to buckle up, Thais would keep their shoes on.

Nearly a third of passengers (30 percent) say they take off their shoes but not their socks, with just 7 percent who go barefoot on airplanes. Japanese were the most likely to go barefoot (16 percent), while Swiss (48 percent) and British (43 percent) travellers were most likely to take off their shoes but keep on their socks. Mexicans (85 percent), Thai (81 percent), Italians (80 percent), Indians (77 percent) and Spaniards (77 percent) were most likely to say that shoes should remain on.

In-flight and hotel stay pet peeves for Thai travellers

Though continents apart, Thais’ pet peeve when it comes to most annoying in-flight habits do not differ much from other travellers from other parts of the world. As far as annoying passengers go, the worst in most markets are the seat kicker/bumper/grabber, chosen by a majority (51 percent) of global travellers (Thailand 37 percent), followed by the Aromatic Passenger (43 percent globally vs Thailand 42 percent), the Inattentive Parent (39 percent globally vs Thailand 34 percent), Personal Space Violator (34 percent globally vs Thailand 43 percent) and the Audio Insensitive (29 percent globally vs Thailand 31 percent).

When checking into their hotel rooms, guest are mostly annoyed to find bed bugs (61 percent globally vs Thailand 34 percent), a used condom (55 percent globally vs Thailand 52 percent) or a cigarette smoke or foul smell (46 percent globally vs Thailand 59 percent).

The most annoying guests include: The Inattentive Parents (45 percent globally vs Thailand 40 percent), The Hallway Hellraiser (41 percent globally vs Thailand less than 30 percent) and the In-Room Revelers (41 percent globally vs Thailand 40 percent).

Making travel decisions

Travellers are closely divided between booking a flight first and then a hotel (43 percent) compared to a travel package with a flight and hotel (38 percent), while relatively few would book a hotel first (9 percent). Singaporeans (64 percent), Malaysians (64 percent) and South Koreans (63 percent) travellers are most likely to book a flight first, with Thais at 37 percent.

Choosing to stay at big chain hotels seem to dominate in most markets as a first or second choice (69 percent globally vs Thailand 52 percent), with boutique hotels (51 percent globally vs Thailand 44 percent) and vacation/holiday rentals (34 percent globally, Thailand 33 percent) as the next most popular option.

Wi-fi connection is by far the most important hotel amenity for global travellers and is the top hotel amenity for Thai travellers at 71 percent, followed by complimentary toiletries (34 percent globally vs Thailand 46 percent), an in-room fridge (34 percent globally vs Thailand 45 percent), along with freebies such as spa credits and food/beverage credits (Thailand 47 percent).

“Thai travellers are no doubt frequent travellers who love to stay connected to their friends and families back home. It thus comes at no surprise that Wi-Fi emerged as the most important hotel amenity among Thais, ahead of even price and location”, said Lavinia Rajaram, Regional Head of Communications for Brand Expedia in Asia.

Despite being a price-sensitive group of travellers, it was surprising to see that only 38 percent of Thai travellers book their flights and hotels together as a package.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched its new Amazing Thailand’s ‘Open to the New Shades’ guide book covering five main travel sectors to help international visitors experience the Kingdom from a new perspective.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said that one might need an entire kaleidoscope of colours to measure the slight nuances for all of Thailand.

“The Amazing Thailand’s ‘Open to the New Shades’ communication concept captures distinct Thai characteristics by taking the reader on a journey from the North to the South to cover what the entire country has to offer. In doing so, we try to open a new world of shades covering the variety, diversity and complex assortment of experiences travellers can explore, especially for repeat visitors,” Mr. Yuthasak, added.

The five main travel sectors, covered in the Amazing Thailand’s ‘Open to the New Shades’ concept include: Gastronomy, Arts and Crafts, Thai Culture, Nature and Thai Way of Life.

As an example, the Gastronomy chapter includes sections titled ‘Shades of Rice’, ‘Shades of Noodles’ and ‘Shades of Curries’ that introduce travellers to the subtle nuances of Thai cuisine.

The chapter on Arts and Crafts covers sections called ‘Shades of Textiles’, ‘Shades of Porcelain’ and ‘Shades of Wall Art’.

Thai Culture has entries titled ‘Shades of Sanctuary’, ‘Shades of Architecture’ and ‘Shades of Thai Cultural Museums’.

The Nature chapter includes passages called ‘Shades of Natural Wonders’ and ‘Shades of Wetlands’.

Thai Way of Life covers ‘Shades of Local Communities’ and ‘Shades of Festivities’ and ‘Shades of Health and Wellness’ to name just some of the content covered in the comprehensive book.

The Amazing Thailand’s ‘Open to the New Shades’ guidebook offers: “To look at the world through a coloured lens that always give us new and different perspectives. The colours of life, that we are all seeking, can be hidden at perhaps real general and ordinary places, or things, or people, or events that at first glance seem a bit mundane. As we all know, life depends pretty much on how we choose to look at it.

“New perspectives in life can be garnered from a new journey. And we hope that you can find millions of them throughout the magnificent country of Thailand,” it concluded.

Songkran Festival, which takes place nationwide in Thailand, 12 to 16 April, is an event where boisterous fun and ancient traditions go hand-in-hand.

For tourists, the event offers a chance to enjoy a huge celebration where water parties break out in the streets of Thailand’s towns and villages.

For locals, it is a time when they can spend precious time with families and visit the temples to observe ancient rites and make merit. There’s no doubt that it is a fascinating time to be in Thailand wherever you travel.

Songkran in Bangkok

Grand Songkran Celebration 2018 at Lumpini Park (12-15 April).

The famous Phra Buddha Sihing image from the National Museum will be taken on a parade to be installed at Lumpini Park – this tradition only takes place once a year (normally to Sanam Luang).

During these dates, the public will have the chance to Song Nam Phra or purify Phra Phuttha Sihing image with scented water. There’s also a mass alms-giving ceremony to mark the beginning of the Thai New Year, as well as the Thai tradition of being blessed by elders or Rot Nam Dam Hua.

Ayutthaya

Songkran at the ancient capital (13-15 April).

Thailand’s former capital – Ayutthaya is another place worth visiting during the Songkran festival. The province is inviting both local and foreign tourists to celebrate Songkran in the most unusual exotic way – water splashing with the elephants in the very Thai environs of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ayutthaya Historical Park.

Tourists can celebrate Songkran with the elephants along the road in front of the TAT Ayutthaya Office. Several cultural activities will also be held such as pouring water over the sacred Buddha images, sand pagoda building, and the chance to enjoy the traditional Thai dances with the locals.

North Thailand

Chiang Mai Paweni Pi Mai Muang Chiang Mai Songkran Festival 2017 (12-15 April).

The best-known Songkran celebrations in the whole of Thailand take place in the northern city of Chiang Mai. Here you’ll find a wonderful balance of water-based fun and sacred ceremonies that show the religious importance of this festival to the Lanna people. In Chiang Mai,

Songkran is often called Paweni Pi Mai Muang. Highlights include the procession of Chiang Mai’s prominent Phra Buddha Sihing image as well as bathing the image, and taking part in a parade bringing sand and Sali (the Bodhi tree) clutches to temples, cultural events and performances.

Salung Luang Songkran Festival in Lampang (9 – 13 April). Experience the Lanna tradition of Songkran in Lampang, at Khelang Nakorn Park on Tha Kraw Noi Road.

Enjoy a huge parade called the Salung Luang procession featuring floral horse-drawn carriages competitions, cultural shows and local performances.

Northeast

Songkran Thailand-Laos’ New Year, Nakhon Phanom (13 – 15 April).

Organised in Nakhon Phanom with activities taking place at Laan Phanom Naga in Muang district, the event is based on the traditions of seven tribes who traditionally settled in this area.

Many of the traditions mirror those found in the rest of the country including almsgiving for local monks and the building of sand pagodas. But there is also the chance to take part in religious activities that originate in Laos such as the Bai Sri Su Khwan spirit blessing ceremony believed to bestow happiness and prosperity on others.

South

Phuket Grand Songkran Celebration 2018 on the beach (11-13 April).

Join local people at Phuket for “Songkran on the Beach” at Phuket’s famous Patong beach. There will be several merit-making activities such as Rot Nam Dum Hua ritual, the parade of Phra Budha Sihing image, cultural shows, and various competitions and fun-filled entertainments. In Phuket town there are floral parades, dancing and cultural shows.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Amazing Thailand’s ‘Open to the New Shades’ marketing concept is at the heart of its ‘Grand Songkran Celebrations’ in Bangkok and 12 major tourist destinations around the Kingdom.

These include festivities in Samut Prakan, Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Chon Buri, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Lampang, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Khai, Khon Kaen, Phuket, and Songkhla with event dates varying, with some starting as early as 7 April and running until 20 April.

In addition, TAT is also supporting the Amazing Songkran 2018 events in five emerging secondary destinations known for unique traditions in celebrating the Thai New Year: Sing Buri, Chanthaburi, Kamphaeng Phet, Kalasin, and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Dates also vary between 11 and 17 April.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said: “Songkran is one of Thailand’s most important festivals. It is a time when families celebrate with centuries-old traditions, returning to their family homes for three to five days of making merit and water splashing ceremonies, which invokes sins being washed away with scented water.

“The main activity is pouring this scented water on sacred Buddha images of local temples in a ritual called Song Nam Phra. Lustral water used to clean Buddhist statues has been regarded as a form of spiritual cleansing since ancient times. It is collected and then gently dripped over the hands of senior family members for luck in a ritual called Rot Nam Dam Hua.”

At the five emerging secondary destinations, locals and visitors can ‘Open to the New Shades’ and celebrate the Amazing Songkran 2018 Festival with nostalgic time-honoured rituals.

In Sing Buri, the celebration is centred around the ancient Ban Bang Rachan, an important settlement during the Ayutthaya period. Chanthaburi’s Wat Tapon Noi and Wat Kwien Hak annually hold a unique procession of decorated ox-carts parading sacred cloth of the Buddha to warn off bad luck.

In Kamphaeng Phet, where retro-traditions for Songkran are held along the Ping River, there is another Buddha image wrapping procession. The Phrae Wa silk city and dinosaur excavation sites in Kalasin are prominently featured as its two time-honoured symbols of the Songkran tradition.

In Nakhon Si Thammarat, the religious element of the celebrations takes on a distinctly Hindu feel, with Brahmin ceremonies and rituals as well as the must-attend Nang Dan parade.

During 12-16 April, 2018, TAT expects tourism spending from foreign and Thai travellers to amount to 19.8 billion Baht, up 18 per cent over the same period last year. Of the total, 9.4 billion Baht will be spent by an expected number of 530,000 foreign tourists, representing an increase of 21 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively. Meanwhile, domestic tourism spending is estimated at 10.44 billion Baht (up 15 per cent) from Thai travellers making about 3 million trips (up 12 per cent).

Phuket will increase the number of hotspots for free Wi-Fi Internet connection to 1,000 around the island as part of its ambition to turn the island into a “smart city”, according to Thailand’s digital economy minister.

The province may also develop an electronic wristband system for foreign tourists so their identity and location would be known in case of untoward incidents, said Digital Economy and Society Minister Picket Durongkaveroj.

Pichet was speaking to a group of reporters and local officials during his trip to the Phuket Command Centre at the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Centre for Zone 18 yesterday (Friday).

Pichet made the visit to be briefed briefed by deputy Phuket governor Thawornwat Kongkaew on progress in the implementation of the smart-city plan for the tourist-destination province.

During the briefing, Thawornwat said the implementation had progressed greatly to achieve the measures of a smart economy, including tourism, health, education, safety and the environment in accordance with the government’s Thailand 4.0 policy.

After the briefing, Pichet said smart-city developments included the installation of 1,000 free Wi-Fi hotspots, up from the current 200 hotspots. He said the province also has planned to develop the uses of wristbands to track tourists and to use Big Data to analyse information about tourists’ habits.

He said the Phuket command centre would also link to all CCTVs on the island to work with face-recognition software to guard against crimes as well as to collect the data of tourists who use public boat services.

“This would be done for the sake of their safety.”

Pichet said the government would provide financial support to the Phuket Smart City project but the province must ensure that each project would be worth the investment. He said some work could be carried out with cooperation from private firms instead of sole investment by the government.

Thailand’s tourist arrivals reached 7.11 million during the first two months of 2018, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ latest tourism performance data.

Over the first two months arrivals grew 14.94%, but a word of caution as the arrivals data includes all travel purposes counted at immigration checkpoints and not just tourism related trips.

The checkpoint count, including air, sea and land, was up by 19.29% in February alone, due to the Chinese New Year falling in February as opposed to late January in 2017.

The top three supply markets were China, Malaysia and Russia,  generating revenue of THB 382 billion an increase of 16.38% year-on-year.

The ministry claims tourism will generate THB 3 trillion baht in revenue this year, THB 2 trillion from foreign tourists and THB 1 trillion  from domestic tourists.

During a meeting of the National Tourism Board, earlier this week, tourism officials said building tourist confidence in the country and ensuring security and safety measures were  priorities.

With more than 3 million tourists in the country every month, safety and raising the standard of land and sea transport was a priority. The ministry is also expanding its role in destination management, starting with comprehensive carrying capacity studies for all major destinations.

At the same meeting, the board revived a project known as the “Royal Coast or Thailand Riviera” a reference to a stretch of the Gulf of Thailand from Hua Hin to Chumphon province, just north of Samui Island.

Studies dating back to 2006 identified potential a string of resorts along the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand that would require improvements to infrastructure to become popular beach destinations. The term ‘Royal Riviera’ was coined as some of the resorts had historical links to Kings of the present Chakri Dynasty.

The government has now decided to resuscitate the plan and is also identifying so-called tourism clusters in its plan to push tourism to 55 provinces beyond the country’s main destinations.

In its 50th year anniversary, Bangkok Airways will continue to focus on growing its Asian network while reaching out to new target markets around the world, with sights set on growing total revenue by 10 per cent this year.

Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, Bangkok Airways president, further shared that the airline expects passenger volume to increase by seven per cent in 2018, given an estimated load factor of 70 per cent.

In terms of its network strategy, the airline will continue to focus on “the most important destinations throughout Asia”, said Puttipong. For example, it is expected to commence Chiang Mai-Hanoi services from March 25 and Phuket-Yangon in 4Q2018.

For Samui, the company plans to offer new charter services to high potential cities in China such as Xian and Changsha. In addition, the airline will step up frequency on popular domestic and international routes such as Bangkok-Phuket, which will be increased to 66 flights a week, Bangkok-Vientiane to 14 flights a week and Bangkok-Mandalay to 11 flights a week.

Bangkok Airways also plans to sign codeshares with another four to six carriers this year, adding to the 24 airline partners globally, including its latest, El Al Israel Airlines. Bangkok Airways also signed codeshare agreements with Xiamen Airlines, Thai Airways, Vietnam Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines last year.

“As for aircraft delivery plans, we currently have a total of 38 aircraft in our fleet. We are expecting to receive two Airbus A319 aircraft and we are planning to adjust our ATR72 fleet by removing six of our ATR72-500 and replacing them with the brand-new aircraft ATR72-600s which will continue the total number of 38 aircraft for 2018,” said Puttipong.

Among development plans are the addition of new international passenger lounges at Suvarnabhumi airport as well as the launch of a new version of the airline’s mobile application.

On the airline’s efforts in key markets, Varong Israsena Na Ayudhya – vice president-sales revealed: “This year, Bangkok Airways will concentrate on CMLV (Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam) as we foresee that these countries (will undergo) notable economic growth and high travel demand.”

Other target markets include those in China – especially Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Chongqing. Bangkok Airways currently operates Samui-Hong Kong, Samui-Chengdu, Samui-Guangzhou and Samui-Chongqing, and is planning to launch new charter services to Xi-An and Changsha in the near future.

“We still remain interested in other continents such as the Americas, South Africa and Europe, especially Russian-speaking countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan that project high spending power, has encouraged us to appoint sales representatives in these countries,” Varong said.

Meanwhile, the airline plans to increase its OTA revenue by 30 per cent. After signing an MoU with Expedia, the airline is now eyeing partnerships with more global OTAs as well as local ones in non-English speaking countries such as Spain and Russia.

In 2017, Bangkok Airways reported revenues of approximately 28.5 billion baht (US$909.5 million), up 6.5 per cent from the previous year, and 846.4 million baht in net profit. Number of passengers in 2017 also grew by five per cent to reach nearly six million.

Thailand has won kudos from travellers, with two beaches in the top 10 in the latest “Top 25 Beaches in Asia” survey. The survey is based on comments from Trip Advisor’s 300 million users – or at least those who visited a beach in Asia and took the time to leave a comment.

The top three beaches are Agonda Beach in India at number one, with White Beach in Boracay and Ngapali Beach in Myanmar filling out the podium spots.

Fourth place goes to Radhanahar Beach on Havelock Island in the Nicobar Islands, while fifth is the first of two Thai beaches in the top 10 – PhraNang Cave Beach in Ao Nang, Krabi.

Benton Beach in Sri Lanka is next, with Phuket’s southern Nai Harn Beach in seventh place.

Nacpan Beach in El Nido, Philippines, Nusa Dua Beach in Bali, Indonesia and Veligandu Island Beach in The Maldives fill out the top 10 attractions.

Three other Thai beaches follow in 11th, 12th and 13th spots – Karon Beach, Phuket, Thong Nai Pan Noi on Koh Phangan and Kata Noi Beach, Phuket – giving Thailand a respectable five positions in the popular vote of Trip Advisor users.

The list includes a list of all the available hotels, along with recommendations for the best time of the year to visit.

Myanmar National Airlines has opened bookings for a new service linking Yangon with Phuket a popular holiday island in South Thailand.

Heading for a 25 March launch and bookable now for flights through to the end of the year, the airline will use an 100-seat Embraer E190 aircraft for the new service.

According to Airlineroute’s timetable information, flights will depart Friday and Sunday at 1755 and arrive in Phuket at 2015.  The return flight will depart Phuket at 2115 and arrive in Yangon at 2235.

The timing and frequencies suggest the sales pitch will target residents in Yangon, who want to book a weekend holiday departing to Phuket island late Friday and returning from Phuket late Sunday evening.

Flying the route through the summer timetable could be a challenge to fill up 100 seats twice weekly. Phuket shifts down a gear for the low season (rainy season) May to October, but that might not be an issue for Yangon residents.

Phuket is home to a number of international hospitals and medical tourism from Myanmar to Thailand is a strong source of business for airlines.

International travellers can book and pay fo a flight on the airline’s website and for them the Sunday evening flight to Yangon with a return flight to Phuket on Friday would give them ample time to explore Yangon and take a trip to Bagan.  It might be a popular option mid-April during the annual Songkran Festival also celebrated with great fervour in Yangon.