Thailand scrambles to bring back Chinese tourists after 40% drop
YUICHI NITTA
BANGKOK -- From priority immigration at airports to subsidies for charter flights, Thailand is implementing a series of measures to bring back Chinese tourists, whose numbers have declined more than 40% over the past few months, in a bid to revitalize the country's lackluster travel industry.
On July 12, Thai immigration authorities launched the Happy Chinese Summer Channel, a priority lane for Chinese families with school-age children. The program began at four international airports -- two in Bangkok, one in Phuket and another in Chiang Mai -- and will continue through September.
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