What a surprise! A large number of Thai tourists have poured into China under the "guise of tourism", but in fact there is another purpose

Text: Ling's message

Sources: All of the information stated in this article is based on reliable sources, and is detailed at the end of the article

Since the start of the visa-free policy, a large number of foreigners have poured into China.

Among them, there are as many as 300,000 tourists from Thailand alone, but their behavior is incredible.

After coming, I rarely visit the attractions and don't eat the food first.

Instead, they did one thing together, even a little crazy.

It turns out that they are under the "guise of tourism", but in fact they have another "purpose"!

Not for tourism, only for it

Since the beginning of the visa-free policy, Shanghai has been flooded with a large number of foreign tourists.

With more than 6.7 million people, an increase of more than 2 million from the previous year, it can be said that Shanghai is crowded with foreigners.

Among them, 300,000 Thai tourists flocked to Shanghai, but they didn't come to Shanghai for tourism.

Instead, go straight to the well-known blind box toy store Bubble Mart and go on a shopping spree.

Don't look at Bubble Mart in China, it has become purple and popular.

But its popularity in Thailand can be described as "crazy".

New styles are sold out as soon as they hit the shelves.

This kind of hot scene, it is not an exaggeration to say that it is the "top match" in the Thai fashion industry!

Bubble Mart has exploded in China since its launch.

With the cute appearance of LABUBU and the surprise nature of the blind box, it has gained a lot of fans.

In 23 years of sales, the sales volume of this model alone exceeded 100 million.

And in 2024, the experience hall of Bubble Mart will be opened abroad.

Among them is Thailand.

Thai people were immediately attracted by this cute IP image and began to buy like crazy.

It's not just the big stars in Thailand who use LABUBU dolls as decorations.

Even the monks in the temple lined up in front of the shop.

In China, the price of a blind box of 99 yuan has made many consumers hesitate.

But what is even more surprising is that after the same goods drifted across the ocean to Thailand, the value skyrocketed to more than 400 yuan!

This price difference is so large that it is equivalent to the money that can buy four blind boxes in China, but only one can be exchanged in Thailand.

Even so, Thai fans are still flocking to it and are willing to pay for their favorites.

Even so, this blind box was snatched up.

Many people couldn't buy it, so they began to buy it at a high price, and finally speculated for more than 700 yuan.

Even so, many Thais still haven't bought it, so they can only seek purchasing agents online.

Or buy it on the Chinese website, and then ask someone to send it to China from China.

It's just that it's very tedious and often takes a long time.

You can't get your favorite doll all at once.

So the Thais finally chose to travel to China.

Then go to the specialty store of Bubble Mart to sell special sales, if you don't bring one back to your home, it will be in vain.

Crazy to spend money on it

Some tour guides said that now they are taking a Thai group whether it is a day trip or an in-depth tour.

One of the links must be Pop Mart shopping.

There are even some Thai tourists who simply come for the blind box.

They apply for Chinese visas, book air tickets and hotels, just to be able to go to the Bubble Mart store to sweep the goods in person.

The person in charge of the store also said that if the store receives more than 300 customers during peak hours.

66% of the customers are Thai, and they are different from the younger generation of domestic customers.

Thai customers buy at a wide range of ages, from a few years old children to the elderly.

The scene of Thai tourists shopping at Bubble Mart is spectacular, and almost everyone returns home with a full load.

Carrying heavy shopping bags in both hands, some even so many that they have to use a cart to transport goods.

Tired customers are not particular about shopping, and sit directly on the floor in the corridor of the mall, surrounded by loot.

Some Thais in an interview,

It directly means that LABUBU is a star-like existence in Thailand.

Ask these customers why they are buying,

It's very simple, it's cute, and I want to buy it when I see it.

In addition to the short supply of Bubble Mart in Thailand, Thais come to China specifically to buy,

It is also because many styles sold in China are not available in Thailand.

After a Thai customer bought a blind box, he exclaimed that he was the first in Thailand.

Another customer said that he was obsessed with Bubble Mart, and he bought many series by himself.

Not only are there many styles bought in Chinese stores, but they are also cheaper than those in Thailand, which makes him unable to stop.

Now buying Bubble Mart as a souvenir has become the first choice for Thai tourists.

Bring it back and have face, and friends still like it.

Except for Thai tourists.

Pop Mart is also very popular in other countries in Southeast Asia, and it is almost a snap away.

Because the place where the Bubble Mart store is located happens to be a business district.

After visiting Bubble Mart, Thai tourists will also visit some nearby shops.

Many of the trendy brands here are also popular with Thai tourists.

Some of them found that these trendy products were very fashionable after shopping, so they placed an order to shop;

Some people like a certain brand before they come to China, because they will see other foreign bloggers sharing it, and they will like it.

I thought that when I could go to China, I would come to buy it specifically, and I couldn't help but go once, and I wanted to go the next day.

According to statistics, the daily spending power of Thai tourists is more than 3,000 yuan per person on average.

I have to say that Thai tourists' desire to shop is still very strong.

Food is the second choice

In addition to shopping, food is also a place for Thai tourists.

The taste of Thai people is more similar to that of Yunnan and Guangxi in China.

They don't like overly oily food, and Shanghai's food tastes are more suitable for them.

But most Thais choose more popular stores.

This is because they travel and search for strategies on the Internet.

Someone shares which store is more delicious, and after it becomes popular, these Thais will also check in.

It's good that they didn't step on the thunder.

Many Thai people feel that it is very good after eating Chinese Chinese food.

Eating, drinking, and shopping have become the characteristics of Thai tourists' trips to China.

A reporter also interviewed why Thai tourists choose Shanghai as a place for their trip to China.

Many people say that there are a lot of trendy toys here, and they can't buy them in Thailand.

When you come to travel, you should not only buy it for yourself, but also bring it to your family and friends.

Another Thai tourist, who is traveling with a family, said she had planned to come to China for a long time.

However, in the past, the visa application process was too cumbersome.

Now, after the visa exemption, you only need to buy a ticket.

After another 4 hours of flight, you can land in Shanghai, which is so convenient.

brief summary

Bubble Mart is out of the circle, and it also allows us to see the new trend of transnational consumption:

It turns out that a small trendy toy can become a "secret weapon" to attract foreign tourists!

With the convenience of the visa-free policy, it is believed that more international tourists will come to China in the future to unlock a different travel experience.

Resources

Newsroom, 2025-03-31, "Accident! 300,000 Thais gathered in Shanghai to "roll and make trouble"! It turned out that it was all for these ↗."

Guangming.com, 2025-03-05, "Why Chinese Trendy Toys Become the "Top Stream" in Thailand"