Real estate developer Central Pattana Plc (CPN) is joining hands with online travel platform Klook to provide shuttle bus services from Bangkok to Pattaya to facilitate foreign visitors and promote tourism.
Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana, executive vice-president of marketing for CPN, said the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reported more than 6.4 million foreign tourists entered Thailand in the first quarter, generating more than 2.5 billion baht in revenue.
The top five foreign tourist nationalities visiting Thailand comprise Malaysian, Russian, Chinese, South Korean and Indian.
The TAT expects China to rank as the top source market for tourists in Thailand this year with at least 5 million arrivals.
Bangkok is the most-searched destination in Thailand, followed by Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Krabi and Phuket, according to Klook.
To support the increasing number of tourists visiting Thailand from around the world, Mr Nattakit said CPN is allocating space at its malls in strategic locations that are popular with tourists, such as CentralWorld, Central Village and Central Pattaya, in order to operate shuttle bus service that facilitates transport.
The service is easy to book, fast, convenient and safe, he said.
The collaboration is part of the company's "Stimulate Spending & Spread Income" strategy and highlights the group's malls as hubs that connect the retail and tourism ecosystems, said Mr Nattakit.
"We designed customers' journeys from the pre-arrival stage to mall arrival, distributing income to all relevant parties in the ecosystem, as well as boosting tourism in local communities and neighbouring provinces," he said.
Alex Wang, business development director of Klook Thailand, said the shuttle bus service makes tourist travel between Bangkok and Pattaya easier.
CPN has a number of "tourist malls" that support these cities.
Klook said the bus service is convenient with ample space, comfortable seats and reliable drivers for a safe journey.
Passengers can either purchase tickets online or book and purchase a ticket on the day they wish to travel by confirming the order two hours in advance.
