Friday, August 16, 2024
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Malaysia Airlines celebrates a new milestone with the launch of its first direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai, improving connectivity between the two cities.
Malaysia Airlines’ Flight MH 772 from Kuala Lumpur was warmly welcomed at Chiang Mai International Airport with a spectacular water cannon salute. Arriving passengers were treated to a traditional Thai welcome with fresh flower garlands and an enchanting Northern Thai dance performance.
The welcoming ceremony at the airport was presided over by Mr Worawit and included the presence of distinguished guests including Ms Phimpha Ratanapruk, Deputy General Manager for ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific at TAT, and Ms Emily Tan, Head of Global Marketing at Malaysia Airlines.
Malaysia Airlines has started operations on the Kuala Lumpur-Chiang Mai route, offering five flights per week with its spacious 297-seat Airbus A330neo.
This service complements the approximately 39 daily international flights between Thai and Malaysian cities operated by AirAsia, Thai AirAsia, Firefly, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways International and Batik Air in 2023.
Malaysia remains one of the top five source markets for tourism in Thailand. In 2023, Thailand generated 92 billion baht from over 4.6 million Malaysian tourists, of whom more than 1.5 million arrived by land across the Thai-Malaysian border.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) continues to see significant growth potential in this market and is actively working with partners to promote Thailand as a top destination for Malaysian tourists, with the aim of attracting over 5 million Malaysian visitors in 2024.
From 1 January to 12 August 2024, Thailand welcomed 3,029,594 Malaysian tourists, an increase of 27.65% compared to the same period in 2023.
The most popular destinations for Malaysian travelers in Thailand include Songkhla, Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai and Surat Thani. Their preferred activities often include enjoying Thai cuisine, massages and spa treatments, exploring the nightlife, visiting historical sites and relaxing on the beaches.
