Thailand Positioned as Attractive Market for iPhone Sales
Tourism Expected to Bolster Thai Economy
The Thai government’s plan to revive the tourism sector with a new visa exemption policy seems to have already started bearing fruit. While the visa-free measure is yet to be implemented, Thailand has emerged as a Tier-1 market for the sale of Apple’s latest flagship smartphone, the iPhone 15. This achievement highlights the country’s market potential and its ability to attract foreign investment.
Thailand’s Rise to Tier-1 Status
For years, Thai Apple fans eagerly awaited the day when their country would become a Tier-1 market for iPhone sales. Previously relegated to Tier-2 or Tier-3 status, Thailand finally moved up the ranks with the launch of the iPhone 14 in 2022. With the release of the highly anticipated iPhone 15 this year, Thailand solidifies its position as a top market for Apple products.
Eager Fans Line Up for iPhone 15
The iPhone continues to captivate Apple enthusiasts worldwide, with many eager to be part of the “First Wave” of users to experience the new model. Every year, eager fans can be seen lining up outside Apple Stores in Tier-1 countries, waiting anxiously for the official launch day.
During a recent survey conducted by the Prachachat Turakij reporters at the Central World branch, it was observed that foreign customers had already started queueing outside the store on the night of September 21st, despite heavy rain. The following day, both Thai and foreign customers flocked to the store, eager to catch a glimpse and get their hands on the new iPhone 15. Despite the early morning rush for walk-in purchases, many visitors were also enquiring about pre-orders and upcoming batches of the device.
Similar scenes unfolded at the Icon Siam branch, where numerous people began queuing outside the store in the early morning hours. The first person to purchase an iPhone 15 at this location was Dinh Thi Anh Thuy, a young woman from Vietnam.
Factors Influencing Foreign Interest in Thai iPhone Market
An Apple Store employee at Central World indicated that the significant influx of foreign customers seeking to purchase the iPhone 15 in Thailand may be driven by the weakened value of the Thai baht. The launch price in Thailand remains the same as previous models and is relatively cheaper than in other countries. This perception of better value, coupled with the country’s Tier-1 status, further entices foreign customers to choose Thailand as their preferred destination for purchasing the new iPhone.
One employee stated, “The iPhone buying atmosphere this year seems livelier compared to last year, possibly due to the subsiding of COVID and the depreciating Thai baht. This depreciation means that for every dollar, foreigners receive more baht when exchanging currency, therefore reducing the initial cost of buying an iPhone in Thailand, compared to their home countries.”
Furthermore, Thailand’s Tier-1 status has attracted “carriers” who purchase iPhones in Thailand to sell them to eager customers in their respective countries, where the new model has not yet been released. These carriers capitalize on the high demand for the latest Apple devices from customers who are impatient to get their hands on them.
Boosting the Thai Economy through iPhone Sales
Becoming a Tier-1 market for iPhone sales not only benefits Apple enthusiasts but also provides a positive impetus to Thailand’s economy. Foreign customers who travel across borders to purchase iPhones in Thailand contribute to economic growth through their spending, making them part of the highly coveted group of initial iPhone 15 consumers.
Although there is no “visa-free” measure yet, tourism is busy as “Tier-1” in selling the new “iPhone” model for 2 consecutive years from “Thailand” as likely to attract money from foreigners to the country
On September 24, 2023, reporter “Prachachat Turakij” reported that although the measure “free visa” or the visa exemption for tourism (VISA Exemption) for Chinese and Kazakhstan tourists that the government hopes will help to stimulate the Thai tourism sector back to business. It will come into effect on September 25, 2023, but it appears that there are already things in place that are helping to stimulate the attraction of money from foreign tourists. That is, Thailand is a “Tier-1” country for the sale of the “iPhone 15”, the latest flagship smartphone of the giant “Apple” (Apple).
Being Tier-1 or the first country to sell an iPhone reflects the market potential in each country. Whether it is the popularity of the product the purchasing power of the population and others, which in the past Thai Apple fans are waiting for Thailand to become a Tier-1 country for selling iPhones after being in the Tier-2 group or Tier-3 for a long time. Until the launch of the iPhone 14 in 2022, Thailand has moved to Tier-1 and beyond. Due to the launch of the iPhone 15 this year
As the iPhone is a product that many Apple fans have been waiting for. Especially the group that wants to be the “First Wave” or the first person to use the new iPhone model. This makes the fact that people from all over the world line up in front of Apple Stores in Tier-1 countries the night before the first day of official product sales a scene that is so familiar to the eye every year.
From a survey of the Apple Store area, Central World branch on 21-22 September 2023 by reporters. “Prachachat Turakij” discovered on the night of the 21st, there were people starting to line up in front of the shop. Although it was raining heavily But people were still queuing until the surrounding area was full of people. Most of them are foreigners who come to buy as walk-ins and receive the machines they have ordered. On the afternoon of the 22nd, many Thais and foreigners were still coming to the front of the shop. to see and touch the actual iPhone 15, including continually asking employees for details on ordering new batches of products. Although products for walk-in sales are sold early in the morning.
In addition, the reporter “Prachachat Turakij” also reported on the situation of the Apple Store branch in Icon Siam that Many people queued in the branch since the early morning of the 22nd, and the first person to receive the device in the branch was Dinh Thi Anh Thuy, a young woman from Vietnam.
An employee of the Apple Store in Central World told reporters that The large number of foreigners who come to buy iPhone 15 in Thailand may be a factor related to the weak baht. The iPhone 15 launch price content in Thailand is still the same as the launch price of the previous model. which is cheaper than some countries This makes some foreigners feel that buying in Thailand will not only get the device quickly, but also Because it is a Tier-1 country, you also get good value in terms of price or exchange rate.
“I feel that the iPhone buying atmosphere this year is more lively than last year. It may be because Covid has already subsided. Including now that the Thai baht depreciates, its 1 dollar can be changed to several baht in Thai baht. It makes him feel that buying an iPhone in Thailand requires less initial cost than buying it in his own country.”
The same employee continued that The fact that Thailand is Tier-1 in selling iPhones makes some foreigners who do “carry” business decide to come and buy the device in Thailand. To sell to customers in their own countries who want to use the device since the first iPhone was launched.
“Some people want to use the new iPhone model from the early days, but their country doesn’t have it yet and they have to fly to Thailand or neighboring countries to buy it. Some people carry them and release them in the country. Because it has a real group of customers waiting to use the latest machines.”
However, it cannot be denied that being Tier-1 in Thai iPhone sales can have positive results in stimulating the economy through spending by foreigners who are willing to fly across the sky to buy iPhones in Thailand to become consumers. The first group of iPhone 15 events as you wish.
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