High hopes on tourism boom as Thailand cheers Chinese tourists' return

STORY: High hopes on tourism boom as Thailand cheers Chinese tourists' return DATELINE: Jan. 31, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:19 LOCATION: Bangkok CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Chinese tourists 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LIU LINGLING, Chinese tourist 3. various of tourists 4. various of Chinese New Year elements in downtown Bangkok 5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Thai): NUTTHAPORN, Restaurant chef 6. various of tourists 7. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): CHANAPAN KAEWKLACHAIYAWUTH, Vice president of the Thai-Chinese Tourism Alliance Association 8. various of tourists STORYLINE: After a three-year lull, Thailand is welcoming back Chinese tourists to help restore its pandemic-battered tourism sector. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LIU LINGLING, Chinese tourist "I haven't been abroad since 2019. This outbound trip is the first one since the pandemic. We can feel the hospitality and warm welcome to Chinese people. We're so happy." In downtown Bangkok, shopping malls are decorated with Chinese New Year elements to cash in on an influx of Ch