Cambodia News: As per the Ministry of Tourism's report, Cambodia has witnessed a remarkable surge in international tourist arrivals during the first nine months of 2023, welcoming 3.92 million visitors. This figure represents an astounding 211% increase compared to the previous year.

Within the realm of international tourist arrivals, Thailand has emerged as a prominent source of tourists to Cambodia. Thai tourists have risen by an impressive 189%. Vietnamese tourists have icreased 156% as well. Chinese tourists have also increased with a staggering surge of 549%.

In terms of transportation methods, 1.34 million international tourists arrived in Cambodia by air, marking an 186% increase. Meanwhile, land arrivals reached 2.58 million—an increase of 186%—and by sea arrivals experienced a 224% growth.

HE Top Sopheak, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Tourism, expressed optimism as Cambodia anticipates a minimum of 5 million international tourists this year. Furthermore, the recent opening of the new Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, which took place on October 16, is expected to further attract international tourists to Cambodia.

That's a lot of border casino visits, can't remember the last Thai I met in PP!

A couple of months ago there was a news report of a meeting of restauranteurs who were discussing tourism developments. They implied when they look at the tourist numbhers, they only look at the airport arrival numbers, disregarding land entries.

Alex wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 9:02 am

Spigzy wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 8:54 am That's a lot of border casino visits, can't remember the last Thai I met in PP!

I see Thais in Phnom Penh all the time, but for some strange reason, I have an eye (and an ear) for them.

Most of them don't seem to be tourists, but then again, do they even make this distinction when they count visa exempt arrivals? I suspect not.

Where do youi spot them? I only ever knew one (and I can also tell Thais by their speech). That one was a wife of a barang who had (rather involutarily) resettled here. She constantly complained that Khmer people assumed she was Khmer and obviously considered that an affront to her dignity. She lasted about a year before they split up.

Phnom Phen Post made a post on their FB yesterday saying that 70% of arrivals are from the 3 bordering countries and China so mainly Gambling and work/business related arrivals. I can assure you absolutely nobody is delighted in siem reap

They never did give a before and after number, just a % increase. Exactly how many Thai tourist are we talking about?

Last week at Oscars there was a group of Thai drinking and celebrating, i think at least a group of 6, had no idea they were Thai as the house-band did, the singer Sreyka asked them were they come from and they said Thailand, she spoke better Thai then i do and special started some very known Thai song. But its indeed the first time i met some Thai in PP, even i can very well hear the difference in language but i dont see the difference between them. I remember in Poipet they found years ago a dead body and the Khmer olice had no idea it was a Khmer or a Thai national. If they dont see the difference, how would we do ?? !!