Indian tourists arrive at Bali Hai pier in Pattaya, Chon Buri (Photo source: bangkokpost.com)

Bangkok – At least 600,000 Indian tourists are expected in Thailand's Pattaya beach town this year, similar to the level before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

According to Anoma Vongyai, director of TAT’s Pattaya office, more than 900,000 Indian tourists arrived in Thailand in the year before the pandemic, and about 600,000 of them visited Pattaya. They were the third-largest group of foreign visitors in 2019, behind Chinese and Russians.

She said since the country reopened to tourists last year, Indians were returning in droves, more than those from other countries. Many were again visiting Pattaya.

There were two main groups of Indian arrivals in Pattaya - those attending seminars and groups of free independent travellers (FITs). Independent travellers arrived all year round, and seminar groups mostly from May to August. Towards the end of the year, Indian tourist arrivals would decrease.

Anoma revealed that aside from spending money on accommodation, meals and visiting attractions such as Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, Alcazar cabaret and Koh Larn, Indian tourists in seminar groups also visited entertainment venues. Average spending of this tourist group is about 2,000-3,000 THB (59.12-88.69 USD) per head per day while FITs group spend about 1,000-2,000 THB (29.56-59.12 USD) per head a day.