BANGKOK: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) today announced the 14 most popular tourist attractions and activities as well as medical and wellness services in Thailand among Chinese tourists, as a result of the much anticipated “2017 People’s Choice Awards Thailand Voted by Chinese Tourists” campaign.

H.E. General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, and H.E. Mrs. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism and Sports, presided over the “2017 People’s Choice Awards Thailand Voted by Chinese Tourists.”

Thailand announces 14 Thai tourism favourites as voted by Chinese visitors

H.E. General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, expresses his heartfelt appreciation to the winners of 2017 People’s Choice Awards Thailand Voted by Chinese Tourists at the awards presentation ceremony, held in Bangkok

The winners of the 2017 People’s Choice Awards Thailand Voted by Chinese Tourists are:

1: Luxury Hotel: Rayavadee Krabi

2: Boutique Hotel: Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort

3:City Hotel: Centara Grand at CentralWorld

4:Beach Hotel: Banyan Tree Samui

5:Airline: Thai Airways International

6:Show and Entertainment: Muay Thai Live: The Legend Lives

7:Medical and Wellness Service: Samitivej Hospital

8:  Restaurant: Baan Rim Pa Phuket

9: Spa: Let’s Relax Spa

10: Golf Course: Gassan Khuntan Golf and Resort

11: Shopping Centre: Emquartier

12:Tourism Activities/ Theme park: Vana Nava Hua Hin

13: Attraction: Pattaya Floating Market

14: Destination: Pattaya

The contest was a continuation of a project carried out successfully in 2015 and 2016 to enhance Thailand’s tourism profile and brand image via social media networks, which are frequented by millions of Chinese every day. It also helps support the many Thai tourism products and services seeking more exposure in the Chinese market.

TAT organised the voting campaign in partnership with Tencent, which owns a number of Chinese online channels; such as, WeChat (570 million users per day), QZone (330 million users per day),   QQMusic (70 million users per day) and Tencent News (27 million users per day).

Chinese who have travelled to Thailand were invited to vote via the website www.peopleschoiceawardsthailand.com between 26 May to 8 June, 2017, in 14 categories; such as, tourist attractions, hotels, restaurants, medical and wellness services, spas, shopping centres, golf courses, etc. The voting attracted a total of 3.7 million votes, and the publicity given to this activity was estimated to reach an audience of 45 million.

They were enticed to participating in the voting activity with a lucky draw prize. The first prize is a five-day holiday for two in Thailand, including return air tickets on Thai Airways International and accommodation. The next five prizes are also return air tickets for two to Thailand on Thai Smile Airways, NokScoot Airlines, Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways and Thai Lion Air. Over 100 other prizes are also being offered.

During the first four months of this year, Thailand welcomed 12 million visitors, spending around 620 billion Baht, an increase of 4.71% from the same period last year.  China remained the leading source market at about 3.2 million arrivals, who   generated 161 billion Baht in tourism revenue