CHIANG MAI, Jan 28 (TNA) – Chinese tourists flock to Chiang Mai, the hub of northern Thailand, to celebrate their Spring Festival holidays.
Huge crowds of Chinese tourists are gathering in the Thai northern province in the lead-up to the Lunar New Year and hotels
with 3-5 star ratings were fully booked. 
Tourist attractions in downtown Chiang Mai were crowded with
Chinese visitors. They include Wat Buppharam where Chinese tourists were
worshipping holy spirits and admiring the beauty of Thanaret Sakchai
Paireepinat Buddha image made from teakwood with a 79-inch-wide base.
Tour guides normally brought their Chinese customers to the
Buddhist temple on Tuk Tuk taxis every day. The management of the temple also
raised posters of the Lost in Thailand movie there.
Tour guide Chindanai Sae-oo said the temple was a favorite
destination of Chinese tourists because it was a setting for the movie.
Chiang Mai was also popular among Chinese tourists by word
of mouth because they were discussing about convenient tours there on rented
motorcycles and cars as well as elephant shows, the guide said.
Chinese tourists also liked to visit many other places
including Wat Chedi Luang and the Tha Phae Gate where they could feed birds and
take photos, Mr Chindanai said.
Wipawan Woraputthipong, chairperson of the Chiang Mai
Chamber of Commerce, said local hotels with 3 and 5-star ratings had been fully
booked in the lead-up to the Lunar New Year.
Besides, a floral festival was set close to the Chinese New
Year festival and the chamber of commerce expected at least 5 billion baht
would be spent during the two connecting festivals, Mrs Wipawan said.(TNA)
