Despite the introduction of direct

Despite the introduction of direct flights to the
two latter centres, Bangkok continued to reap the benefits of tourist expansion
in the 1980s, since over 90 per cent of tourists by air entered the
country through its airport (Economist Intelligence Unit 1984: 25).
Although the average length of stay of tourists in Bangkok was lower than
other key destinations (e.g. Chiang Mai, Phuket and Pattaya), the number
of tourists staying in the city was over four times the number at any other
single place in the country (Alpha Research 1994: 121).