Lost and found in Thailand

For me, and many Chinese people, the 2012 comedy movie Lost in Thailand was a wonderful introduction to the country. The film grossed more than 1.2 billion yuan ($181 million) at the Chinese box office, becoming the highest-grossing movie ever in the country, according to reports in the Beijing News.

The movie also served as a springboard for Chinese tourism to Thailand. Last year, the number of Chinese visitors to the "Land of Smiles" was 8.77 million, almost four times higher than in 2012.

Indeed, the country is all smiles to Chinese visitors.

The friendly, welcoming people, comparatively low prices and picturesque scenery make it easy to understand why Chinese people like Thailand. When I made my first trip, I found myself surrounded by Chinese tourists at shopping venues. However, I was welcomed by guides speaking fluent Chinese.

During my five-day trip, I was surprised by the methods Chinese companies were using to make their presence felt.

Cellphone makers, such as Huawei, Vivo and OPPO, have extended their ad placements from airports to metro stations and major commercial areas.

Online payment platforms, including Alipay and WeChat Pay, have expanded their coverage to Bangkok's convenience stores, pharmacies and major shopping malls to accommodate the needs of the growing number of Chinese tourists.

The rising Chinese presence has seen Thai students eagerly learning more about China and her culture. Their excitement is palpable.

I spoke with the head of an education agency that sends more than 600 Thai exchange students to China every year. He said learning Chinese will help them find work, and his agency is planning to raise the number of exchange programs to meet the rising demand.

As Chinese tourists find themselves happily "lost" in Thailand, there are also welcome signs that Chinese companies are adapting well to conditions in the Southeast Asian country.

(China Daily 04/27/2017 page6)