More than 82,000 foreign tourists, mainly Chinese, visited the Grand Place and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaeo) in the first 10 days after they reopened on Nov 1 following the passing of King Bhumibol, according to the Department of Tourism.
Many of the tourists also made additional visits to the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) nearby, the department said.
According to statistics collected by the Bureau of the Royal Household, 75-85% of the 82,154 visitors to the temples from Nov 1-10 were guided tour groups from China. The rest were independent travellers, mainly from Europe and North America, said Wanasiri Morakul, the department’s director-general.
To serve tourists during the current busy time in Bangkok, four service points have been set up in the area. Officials are also stationed at the tour bus drop-off point in front of the Royal Rattanakosin Hotel near the Chang Rongsi Bridge to regulate traffic.
Because traffic has been so heavy, some tour groups reportedly have switched from bus to boat transport when travelling to the historic Rattanakosin quarter of old Bangkok, using the Tha Chang and Tha Maharaj piers.