The History About Bangkok Tourism Essay Example

same year. East Asia accounted for around 52.37% of international tourists in 2008, with Malaysia and Japan being the largest contributors; it can be assumed that many Malaysians took short trips across the Thai-Malaysian border. The high number of Malaysian visitors may inflate the overall count of international visitors.
In 2008, Europeans accounted for approximately 27.22% of all visitors to Thailand, totaling nearly four million tourists. Conversely, there were fewer visitors from the Americas, South Asia, and Africa. However, it is important to note that despite Australia's relatively small population, almost 700 thousand Australians visited Thailand. During the first eight months of 2009, there was a decrease in foreign tourist arrivals compared to the previous year due to the Songkran riots in April led by anti-government red-shirts and the A (H1N1) influenza pandemic. Nevertheless, there is optimism for improvement in the fourth quarter as foreign arrivals are on the rise.

Table 1 titled "Tourist Arrivals In Thailand 2007-2009" provides data on visitor numbers during the first and second quarters of 2009 which amounted to 3.64 million and 2.96 million respectively. These figures are lower than those recorded in both 2007 and 2008 for the same periods; however, visitor numbers in the third quarter of 2009 are similar to previous years indicating a potential upward trend. Preliminary data for October 2009 also suggests an increase in visitors compared to October 2008.

Our project focused on evaluating the shopping experience at Emporium Shopping Mall and Siam Paragon Shopping Mall; it was successfully conducted with a report submitted containing analysis and discussions based on survey findings.

Table 1 TOURIST ARRIVALS IN THAILAND 2007-2009

Beginning: ThaiWebsites.co

For our literature review,

we collected information from books obtained from libraries and local bookshops about Bangkok's history, culture, religion, traditions, etc. One of the books used was 'Eyewitness Travel Guide to Thailand' by Philip Cornwel published by Dorling Kindersley Publishing. This book is a practical guide priced at $17.50 and consisting of 504 pages. It provides easy access to various topics such as Thai history, politics, music festivals, sports culture, hotels and restaurants, shopping places, golfing spots. It includes images and maps related to the provided information.

The second book mentioned is 'Lonely Planet Thailand', authored by Joe Cummings, Sandra Bao China Williams,and Steven Martin. It was purchased from Amazon for $18.19 and serves as a comprehensive resource on Thai spas,resorts,culture,and essential phrases/words one must remember—a survival guide.

Additionally,the writer found value in "Alone Planet Bangkok," part of the series called "Lonely Planet." Published by Michelin Publications with a 4-star rating on Amazon,this book contained 148 easy-to-follow maps and offered extensive information about Bangkok and Thailand as a wholeThe text discusses a range of topics related to Bangkok, such as food options, night markets, bazaars, festivals, cultural celebrations, and attractions. It also offers recommendations on the best time to visit these places. The writer found physical travel guides with maps more convenient than relying solely on online resources during their trip. These books even helped them learn common phrases used in the country's language, which delighted locals. Overall, these books enhanced the writer's trip and made it more memorable and vibrant.

Additionally, the text mentions a previous study conducted by Alisa Nilawan on customer satisfaction at Metro Mall At Sukhumvit Subway Station. The study identified various factors that influenced customers' satisfaction

including food and drink stores, reasonable prices for quality products, a modern atmosphere and convenient location of the mall, positive word of mouth, availability of discount vouchers, and prompt and attentive service from sales representatives. According to Nilawan's research findings overall customer satisfaction with the service and performance of Metro Mall at Sukhumvit station was satisfactory.The text discusses various aspects of shopping experiences in Bangkok, particularly focusing on the quality of products, interior design, speed of service, cleanliness, sales representative uniforms, productivity and quality, store discounts, and reasonable prices. A survey conducted by Rajagopal further highlights the appeal of shopping promenades in terms of their atmosphere, variety of shops and products, sales promotions, and economic benefits for both foreign and domestic shoppers. The survey encompasses approximately 19 modern mega promenades located in Bangkok. Notable examples include The Emporium and Siam Mall which offer a wide range of fashion shops featuring global brands bookstores specialty shops luxury designer goods. These shopping destinations are renowned in Southeast Asia for their unique offerings. The Emporium is described as a vibrant magazine brought to life with multiple floors dedicated to fashion and exclusive brand names dominating each level. In contrast, Siam Mall is distinguished by its selection of luxury goods and is widely recognized as a prestigious shopping complex in the region housing over 250 renowned international and local luxury brands across five floors spanning 500000 square meters since its opening in December 2005 at a cost of 15 billion tical (US $375 million).We conducted our survey on prominent malls by carefully selecting them as major locations and creating a structured questionnaire (found in Annexes 1 & 2). We

determined that gathering insights from a random sample of customers would provide valuable data. I completed the study by interacting with cooperative tourists who willingly participated at two malls - Emporium Shopping Mall and Siam Paragon Shopping Mall. After collecting data, we analyzed why people visit Bangkok and their preference for luxury malls. In addition, we gathered online data on tourist flow over the years to supplement our findings. Unfortunately, local residents did not cooperate as well as foreigners, with some even refusing to participate. However, staff members and store owners were friendly and interested in our study's purpose. It was valuable to interact with local business people and discuss how the economic downturn has impacted tourism in Bangkok this year, resulting in fewer visitors.The decline in business has affected their own businesses, as they sadly explained. Overall, we learned a lot from this experience about effective interaction and communication with people. We encountered both positive and negative aspects in malls and addressed them through polite communication. Moving on to 4 Information Analysis And Discussion Of Findings: 4.1 Analysis of Questions - The first question asked if respondents were residents of Bangkok. Around 80% of participants responded affirmatively. In the graph provided above, among the 20% who were non-residents, 90% were first-time visitors to Thailand. They indicated this when asked if it was their first visit to Bangkok. The third question focused on how they learned about the mall. During our investigation, we found that travel sites were not effective in finding the best shopping malls in Bangkok. Instead, people relied more on recommendations from friends, online forums, and social media for assistance. A significant

number of respondents mentioned enjoying the service and atmosphere at Emporium Mall. While some felt the prices were high, they still considered it worth the money spent there. Although the food court at the mall left something to be desired, overall it was mainly exceptional service that attracted visitors to shop there. When asked to rate their experience at Emporium Mall, all 30 respondents stated that it was either great or good.
Shoppers had a positive perception of Emporium Mall, appreciating its interior design and atmosphere. The mall's spaciousness and large area attracted even those who weren't particularly interested in food or other aspects. Approximately 95% of respondents expressed a desire for another shopping experience at the mall.

However, it is disheartening to note that about 95% of foreign shoppers felt that Emporium Mall resembled malls in their own countries, suggesting it may not be as unique as initially perceived with similarities to malls in other foreign states.

According to both domestic and foreign visitors, approximately 90% of them expressed satisfaction or were impressed with the available items. Many found the combination of Western and Eastern ambience appealing without perceiving it as solely old-fashioned or catered towards one culture.

While some individuals were bothered by the large crowds, many others enjoyed them without any irritation. Cabs were the primary mode of transportation to and from the promenade, followed by public transportation such as coaches and metros. Tuktuks were also popular among many people for getting around the city.

People living nearby found the promenade easily accessible and often walked there. For many visitors, this promenade served as a comprehensive destination fulfilling all their needs; however, others believed they had other

options and only visited for specific reasons.The promenade at Siam Paragon Shopping Mall was most frequently visited by individuals aged 20-30, followed by those aged 40-59. There were not many people under 20 or over 60 seen around. Both men and women visited without any significant gender bias. Married couples appeared to visit more often than singles, possibly because it is considered a sophisticated venue that may be less preferred by singles due to its crowded nature. About 90% of visitors belonged to Asian ethnicity, with Americans closely following suit. Other nationalities made up a smaller portion of the visitors. The majority of people who visited were either employed in the private sector or owned their own businesses. Students also frequented the mall more often than government employees, and the majority of visitors came from the public sector.

The graph shown indicates that respondents were asked if they were residents of Bangkok in an initial survey question. It was found that 10% of those surveyed were residents, while approximately 90% of non-residents answered a subsequent question about their first visit to Bangkok. Around 90% of tourists stated that it was indeed their first time visiting the city. The third question asked how visitors learned about Siam Paragon Shopping Mall.
According to the survey, online information and travel sites, along with friends, online forums, and social media networks, played a significant role in helping people discover top shopping malls in Bangkok. One of these malls is Siam Paragon. Many visitors mentioned enjoying the service and atmosphere at Siam Paragon Shopping Mall. Despite some considering it expensive, they still found it worth their money. However, opinions on the mall's

food court varied and were not particularly impressive. Overall, Siam Paragon's success can largely be attributed to its inviting atmosphere.

In comparison to Emporium Mall - which received an excellent rating from 60% of respondents with only 1% giving it a poor rating - Siam Paragon had generally positive evaluations from respondents. The feedback regarding the shopping experience at this mall differed significantly; many found it enjoyable and satisfactory (37). Visitors particularly liked the atmosphere, interiors, and spacious area of the mall. The food also attracted others. Almost 90% expressed a desire to return for the same experience (38). About 95% felt that this mall could be compared to malls in other countries which is concerning because it suggests that this mall may not be as unique as it appears; there are similarities with others.Despite the fact that 90% of people were still satisfied with their experience and found impressive aspects, it was surprising that there was a perceived combination of Western and Eastern influences in the mall. Not many thought it was old-fashioned or specifically Eastern or Western. Although some individuals found the large crowd irritating, many others loved it and had no complaints. Taxis were the main mode of transportation to and from the mall, followed by public transportation such as buses and metros. Additionally, many people enjoyed taking tuktuks around the city. Those who lived nearby often walked to the mall due to its convenience.

Many visitors considered this mall a one-stop place for all their needs but also acknowledged having other options available to them; therefore, they only visited for specific items. People in the age range of 20-30 frequented the mall most

often, followed by those aged 40-59. There were few children under 20 present and not many elderly individuals above 60 seen around. Approximately 42% of mall visitors demonstrated no preference for any specific gender, with both men and women attending. However, there were slightly more men than women, although this difference was not statistically significant.

Married individuals seemed to visit less frequently compared to singles, making it an ideal place for singles to hang out. Asians constituted the majority of promenade visitors, followed by Americans, Africans Latinos, and othersAmong visitors, students were the most common group who enjoyed socializing with friends at the location. The number of government and public sector workers as well as business professionals visiting the promenade was lower. A comparison of shopping experiences in both malls showed a significant difference based on data from questionnaires. The results varied in some aspects but were similar in others. Emporium Mall attracted more local residents while Siam Paragon Shopping Mall appealed to a larger number of foreigners. Most visitors in both places enjoyed the atmosphere and services provided. Both malls had high costs associated with them and showed a significant variation in visitor profiles. Many young people and singles preferred Siam Paragon Shopping Mall while senior individuals favored Emporium Mall. This information about the malls was obtained by analyzing respondents' age and occupation.
The role of online media in supporting tourism is highlighted by the fact that many people found information about the two shopping promenades online, including forums, social media networking sites, and travel sites. This also indicates untapped potential for the tourism industry as Asians visited more frequently than Westerners. To attract tourists from

European and American countries, it is suggested that Bangkok should be promoted in the Western world.Despite encountering limitations such as reluctance to fill out questionnaires and unresponsiveness from some local residents during the study at the two promenades, it is concluded that Bangkok tourism should have unique websites created to promote it. The tourism department needs to develop an effective publicity strategy to attract foreigners. Additionally, the government should take steps to preserve its rich tradition and culture as some places are not well-maintained. It is also noted that entrance fees for historical sites and Buddha temples are excessively high and should be reduced. In conclusion, my trip to Bangkok was successful as I not only enjoyed with my friends but also gained new knowledge that enriched my understanding.

We conducted a survey in two famous shopping malls using a designed questionnaire to determine what makes Bangkok a preferred tourist destination. After analyzing the results, we discussed certain issues and limitations. In general, this trip greatly benefited my studies and boosted my confidence in exploring new countries and interacting with people from diverse backgrounds.

Bangkok is known for its vibrant culture, religion, tradition, and even Western influences. Aliens prefer coming here to experience Eastern tradition, learn more about Buddhism, visit historic landmarks in and around Bangkok, and taste the famous Thai cuisine.The purpose of our project was to evaluate the shopping experience at two malls: Emporium Shopping Mall and Siam Paragon Shopping Mall. We have successfully achieved our goal and are confident in conducting further studies and surveys in the future.

6.1.Appendix A

Dear sir/Madam,

I am Ram Vignesh, a student from Management Development Institute of Singapore. We

kindly request your assistance in completing a small questionnaire about your shopping experience at Emporium Mall as part of our course. Please share your feedback by answering the following questions:

Part 1 About your trip to Bangkok

- Are you a resident of Bangkok? (Yes/No)
- Is this your first visit to Bangkok? (Yes/No)
- How often do you travel?

...

- Purpose of travel.

...

- Length of stay.

Part 2: About Alone Experiences in Emporium Shopping Promenade

- How did you find out about the Emporium Shopping Mall? (Friends, Online Travel sites, Other)
- What sets Emporium shopping promenade apart from others? (Cost, service, atmosphere, food, other)
- How would you rate your overall experience at the promenade? (Great, Good, Bad, Not bad)
- Share your shopping experience in the promenade. (Great, Not bad, Very bad)
- What impressed you the most about the promenade? (Atmosphere, Interior design,
Size of area , Food court options,others)
Did you find what you were looking for at the promenade? (Yes slightly / No)
How would you classify the stores in the promenade? (Western/Eastern/Mix of Western and Eastern/Old-fashioned)
What was your biggest annoyance during your visit to the promenade? (Large crowds / Difficulty finding parking / Long store queues / None of these issues bothered me).
How did you travel to the promenade?
Taxi rides public transportation options such as buses or trains tuktuks and various other modes of transportation were utilized to reach the destination.
Was it easy to access via public transportation?
Additionally, did it meet all your requirements and expectations while visiting?
Demographic information, including age groups (below 20, 20 to 39, 40 to 59, and 60 and above), gender (male and female), marital status (single and married), ethnicity (Asiatic, African, American,

Latino, Multi - Cultural), and occupation (Government Sector, Private Sector, Own Business, Student, Others) were collected.
Some unspecified remarks were also mentioned in the text.
The text concludes with a request for cooperation from Ram Vignesh pupil from Management Development Institute of Singapore to fill out a small questionnaire on their shopping experience at Siam Paragon Mall during a trip to Bangkok.
It asks if the respondent is a resident of Bangkok or if it's their first visit there along with questions about travel frequency and purpose of travel.

Length of stay...

Part 2 About alone Experiences in Siam Paragon shopping Promenade

How did you discover the Siam Paragon Shopping Mall? Was it through friends, online sources, travel sites or another means?
What makes the Siam Paragon shopping promenade unique? Is it its cost, service, atmosphere, food or something else?
In general, how would you rate your experience at the promenade? Would you say it was excellent, good, bad or not bad?
Specifically regarding your shopping experience at the promenade - was it excellent, not bad or very bad?
What aspect of the promenade impressed you the most? Was it the atmosphere inside its spacious area to explore or perhaps its food court? Or maybe something different?
Would you consider visiting this promenade again in the future? Are you certain (yes definitely), unsure but open to considering (I might), decided against it (no I won't), or unable to say at this time (can't say)?
Can you compare this specific promenade with malls in other countries? Is there any similarity between them (yes), are they completely different from each other (no), do they share some similarities but differ in others ways (in some ways yes), or is

there no comparison at all (not at all)?
Did you find what you were looking for and desired when shopping at this promenade? To what extent did things match your preferences - somewhat close to what you wanted but not exactly (yes slightly) or did they fall short completely and disappointingly so (no)?Please categorize the stores within this promenade: Western-style shops only, Eastern-style shops only, a mix of both Western and Eastern styles, or more old-fashioned in nature. What was the most irritating thing for you at the promenade? Dealing with large crowds, struggling to find parking for your car, waiting in long lines at stores, or none of these things bothered you? How did you travel to the promenade? Did you take a taxi, use public transportation, ride a tuk-tuk, or some other means of transportation? When using public transportation, did you find it easy to reach the promenade? Yes or no answer only. Is this promenade the ultimate destination that fulfills all your shopping needs and requirements? Yes No

Part 3 Demography

Age: Below 20, 20 to 39, 40 to 59, 60 and above Gender: Male Female Marital Status: Single Married Ethnicity: Asiatic African American Latino Multi - Cultural Occupation: Government Sector Private Sector Own Business Student Others Other Remarks

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