Into the southern seaside resorts Thailand, such as Krabi, Phuket and Samui remain the most popular holiday destinations for international tourists. With an occupancy rate of 78%, hotels in this region have by far the most guests. This is according to figures for the first quarter of 2014 from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
The hotels in Krabi and Phang Nga report an occupancy rate between 75 and 78 percent, these figures are in line with the same period last year. Especially the islands in Krabi such as Ao Maya, Ko Hong and Hat Railay are very popular.
Phang Nga, just an hour from Phuket, recorded an average length of stay of 5,81 days. About 90 percent of visitors to Phang Nga come from abroad. Most tourists here come from Germany followed by visitors from Scandinavia and other European countries.
Phang Nga has the highest number of day tourists: no fewer than 5.000. Ko Khai has 3.000 visitors per day and Ko Ta Chai about 400 visitors per day. The Similan and Surin islands can welcome 200-300 visitors daily. On the mainland, the recently opened Dairy Hut Farm on Phang Nga-Tubpud Road has been a huge success and is particularly popular with families and teenagers.
In Krabi, which has its own airport, but can also be reached from Phuket (about 176 km or 2 hours by car), community-based tourism activities are popular, such as those in Ban Ko Klang, Khlong Prasong and Ko Poo and Ko Jum. Activities here include bike rides with views of the limestone rocks or rubber plantations. Tourists can also visit palm plantations and take boat trips to learn about ecology and the mangrove forests.
Chumphon, another southern Thai province on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, also remains popular. It is the gateway to the islands of Ko Tao and Ko Nang Yuan. In the Chumphon province itself, Hat Sairee, Hat Tung Wua Laen and the Shrine of Krom Luang Chomphon are favorite destinations for local travelers.
Nearby Surat Thani is attracting more and more travelers who stop over on their way to Ko Samui, Ko Phangan or Ko Tao. Surat Thani's Ratchaprapa Dam and the overnight stays in local farms are very popular with tourists here.
Source: TAT News
The hotels in the southern seaside resorts have RELATIVELY the most guests with an occupancy of 78%. The absolute number of hotel rooms in Bangkok is greater than that of the southern seaside resorts. So with a lower average occupancy, Bangkok still has ABSOLUTELY the most guests.