Thai Airways defies Chinese tourist slump with global growth strategy

Thai Airways International's diversified global markets are buffering Thailand 's national carrier from decreasing Chinese tourists to the Southeast Asian country, according to Chief Executive Officer Chai Eamsiri. Advertisement "It is a different picture between Thailand and Thai Airways," Chai said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. Lingering safety concerns stemming from news of a failed kidnapping near Thailand's border with Myanmar of Chinese actor Wang Xing early this year continue to weigh on Chinese tourists. Wang's ordeal went viral on the mainland, prompting thousands of cancellations as mainland tourists opted for other destinations. In July, Chinese arrivals plunged 39…