Malls report no impact on shoppers from bomb blasts in Bangkok

[webfact]

Malls report no impact on shoppers from bomb blasts

By KWANCHAI RUNGFAPAISARN 
THE NATION

 

 

Major shopping malls have stepped up their security measures to deal with the recent blasts in Bangkok while also expressing confidence that the impact will be limited as people continue to spend normally.

 

Nataphong Kitnitchiva, chief operating officer of the Mall Group, told the media that the level of security during the day had been raised at all of its shopping malls, with checks of vehicles, baggage and belongings put in place at all vehicular and pedestrian entrances,.

 

“We have instructed our cleaners to collect garbage in the mall area every hour. Patrol officers will check all the car park areas hourly while K9 officers and their dogs will walk around the building and all risk areas every three hours,” said Nataphong, adding that an administration unit staffed by 191 and firefighting officers has been set up and is on standby at its shopping malls, and will check the entire area around the clock. 

 

Steel panels will be installed to prohibit any people from outside entering the shopping mall at night. All vehicles entering and exiting the shopping mall at closing time will be carefully checked.

 

“From our observation over the past week, we found that most people are carrying on as normal. They are showing strong interest in our promotional activities and have joined the marketing events and concerts at our malls,” added Voralak Tulaphorn, chief marketing officer of The Mall Group.

“However, we will not be careless, but intensify our security measures around the clock to raise confidence and ensure the safety of all customers coming to our malls,” she said.

 

 

Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana, executive vice president for marketing, Central Pattana (CPN), also said that no significant impacts had been noted as a result of the Bangkok blasts and that shopper traffic was normal.

 

He added that the company had no intention of postponing upcoming activities, such as the rotation of its creative lifestyle events like Japan Week, which is slated for Chiang Mai from August 16 to 18, and Nakhon Ratchasima from August 30 to September 1.

 

Nattakit said that CPN has intensified its security measures at all shopping complexes both in Bangkok and on the outskirts, in the south and in all tourism cities throughout the Kingdom, such as in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Pattaya.

 

“We have prepared our security staff and instructed them to carefully check all vehicles moving into our mall buildings and will also provide information on the action plan to all our retail tenants so that they can prepare to react in the event of an unexpected incident.”

 

“The safety of our customers and our colleagues is our top priority,” said Salinla Seehaphan, corporate affairs director at Tesco Lotus.

 

“Tesco Lotus has implemented several security measures to protect customers and colleagues in our premises. Due to the recent incidents, we have stepped up security measures at our retail stores and premises and these include more frequent patrols by our security teams along with wide coverage of CCTV technology for enhanced surveillance,” she said.

 

 

Kiatanantha Lounkaew, a lecturer at the Faculty of Economics, Thammasat University, said that the effect of recent blasts on Thai economy, especially the tourism sector, would be limited in scope. “This is because the incidents are believed to be politically motivated. If this is just a one-off event, it should not have a discernable impact on investment and tourism market. The challenges for authorities are to ensure that such incidents will not be repeated in the near future. Security measures must be heightened and made visible. News on the progress of the investigation should be released in a timely fashion to keep tourists and general populace informed,” said Kiatanantha.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30374294

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-08-06

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[RotBenz8888]

Of course Mr Donut, Swensen, Mc Donalds won't be impacted, people have to eat!

[Somtamnication]

Please don't close Krispy Kreme!

[kotsak]

On my way early yesterday to my local Central mall (before opening time) they were already checking vehicles entering the carpark which had caused a considerable queue and after 10 minutes they gave up. What pissed me off was the fact that motorcycles were zipping through the traffic cones and were entering the parking area unchecked.. I was like 'w*t*f' is the point of the security check when motorcycles can go in unchecked.. Anyway.. TIT

 

[moontang]

No one buying anything before, no one buying anything now... No change. Had some great chicken wings out in front of Gateway, yesterday. Kind of aggravated about the excessive numbers of moto on the sidewalks around there, as countless Brown do nothing. 

[observer90210]

Naturally, because the malls are mostly catered by the wealthy locals (because for tourists,  the BKK malls have no good deals, too expensive in compare to the prices in Europe)

 

But wait to see the figures of arrivals till the end of the year. Many people here in Europe have plainly banned Thailand from their winter escape.

[moontang]

12 minutes ago, observer90210 said:

Naturally, because the malls are mostly catered by the wealthy locals (because for tourists,  the BKK malls have no good deals, too expensive in compare to the prices in Europe)

 

But wait to see the figures of arrivals till the end of the year. Many people here in Europe have plainly banned Thailand from their winter escape.

Used to be a high, low season in August caused by European summer vacationers in Chiang Mai, but they are rare nowadays.  The Brits were absent from Sukhumvit last week, but the Arabians are more than ever.  A friend in HH predicted this year will go down as a bust for tourism.  Free TVs next year, perhaps. 

[RocketDog]

Like the proverbial tree falling in the forest, if there was no impact on shoppers then maybe the bombs never really went off?

 

Just a thought.

 

Only an extraordinary mind like mine sees the things that less gifted folks miss entirely.

 

It's a quantum theory thing that very few people will ever grasp I'm afraid.

 

I think most of you will agree that you are lucky to have me around.

????

[gunderhill]

Ah the old "look  like we have tight security BS"...... went to Market  Village  Hua  Hin, got those dumb metal detectors  you walk thru,  only on the ground floor, not  manned till after 9.30 am so can be avoided totally  by entering before 9.30 am or  going up half a  floor..................or  in my  case  simply  walking in the wrong side with the "security"  guy there.

Looks  good  though, I felt so much safer.

[gunderhill]

On 8/6/2019 at 3:29 PM, moontang said:

Brown do nothing

How dare you insult the proud BIB, theyve increased the fine dont ya  know.....thats showed em!!

[observer90210]

On 8/6/2019 at 11:43 AM, moontang said:

Used to be a high, low season in August caused by European summer vacationers in Chiang Mai, but they are rare nowadays.  The Brits were absent from Sukhumvit last week, but the Arabians are more than ever.  A friend in HH predicted this year will go down as a bust for tourism.  Free TVs next year, perhaps. 

Well all the better regarding the fall in tourist numbers....it may teach a lesson to the greedy businesses and the arrogant Immigration fellows.....one always ends up in getting what one deserves.