Koh Samui and the virus: What happens to stranded tourists if hotels are ordered to shut?

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Koh Samui and the virus: What happens to stranded tourists if hotels are ordered to shut?

 

Picture: Manager Online

 

Manager reported that tourism on Koh Samui is completely devastated by coronavirus. 

 

Locals wanted to shout out that the island is not in lock down and only two foreigners have tested positive.

 

And not a single Thai is infected on one of Thailand's foremost holiday paradises. 

 

But the facts speak for themselves. 

 

About 80% of hotels have shut down and sent their staff home. 

 

The 1% of tourists that are left are scattered about various hotels. Many of these are stranded in Thailand. 

 

Operators at a crisis meeting at a Bo Phut university campus on the island wanted the government to announce what they are supposed to do with them if and when hotels are ordered to close. 

 

Source: Manager Online

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-04-02

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[Canuck1966]

And not a single Thai is infected on one of Thailand's foremost holiday paradises????

[jimmjam]

11 minutes ago, Canuck1966 said:

And not a single Thai is infected on one of Thailand's foremost holiday paradises????

Scratched my head while reading this, only 2 foreigners. No one else infected. So its not so contagious after all. What is everyone worried about.????

[marko kok prong]

This is really getting my goat today,just about every story points the finger at or emphasises foreigners,like it is us who have given it to them,makes me feel angry.

[Tchooptip]

When I go shopping for food at Tesco Lamai I still see a lot of foreigners!

Edited April 2, 2020 by Tchooptip
foreigner(s) lol

[rasmus5150]

41 minutes ago, Tchooptip said:

When I go shopping for food at Tesco Lamai I still see a lot of foreigners!

They are probably local residents and not tourists, and have their own home to go back to.

 

Why not do like Singapore and keep one hotel open for stranded Tourists, close the rest down?

[Tropicalevo]

2 hours ago, Canuck1966 said:

And not a single Thai is infected on one of Thailand's foremost holiday paradises????

 

2 hours ago, jimmjam said:

Scratched my head while reading this, only 2 foreigners. No one else infected. So its not so contagious after all. What is everyone worried about.????

Be careful what you wish for. From another thread

 

2 hours ago, churchill said:

Koh Samui Hospital Announcement of strict control measures
Prevent COVID-19 after finding the 3rd patient

 

Thai community news is saying that it's a doctor, though they haven't said from which hospital, according to my wife.

[Tidybeard]

People really are stupid. There are hundreds of houses and condos to rent by the month for way less than a hotel room. Can also save on food, as a quick trip to the supermarkets ( still fully stocked on the island ) will enable a range of great meals. 

 

Seems like people have no brains on how to look after themselves these days !

[Tropicalevo]

Quite a few stranded tourists on Samui now staying in private villas. Probably a lot more than are staying in hotels.

[spidermike007]

Lots and lots of places for rent on Samui. Low season combined with Covid means prices are likely lower than ever. With or without the hotels this will not be an issue for anyone. 

 

However, this will be a huge issue for millions, who were employed in the tourism sector, many making just enough to live, with no savings. And since a total lockdown has never been done before, what are the expectations for a recovery in the tourism sector? Does anyone think it will just "bounce back" to 38 million arrivals? I for one believe tourism will never be the same here. Perhaps a total of 11 million arrivals in 2020 and a slowdown to 20-25 million arrivals in 2021 and 2022. After that it is anyone's guess. The industry is decimated. And not just Covid. It was in a slow decline already, for a dozen good reasons. 

 

Expect a real spike in unemployment here that will last for years. 

[Canuck1966]

38 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Lots and lots of places for rent on Samui. Low season combined with Covid means prices are likely lower than ever. With or without the hotels this will not be an issue for anyone. 

 

However, this will be a huge issue for millions, who were employed in the tourism sector, many making just enough to live, with no savings. And since a total lockdown has never been done before, what are the expectations for a recovery in the tourism sector? Does anyone think it will just "bounce back" to 38 million arrivals? I for one believe tourism will never be the same here. Perhaps a total of 11 million arrivals in 2020 and a slowdown to 20-25 million arrivals in 2021 and 2022. After that it is anyone's guess. The industry is decimated. And not just Covid. It was in a slow decline already, for a dozen good reasons. 

 

Expect a real spike in unemployment here that will last for years. 

To be fair they deserve it. Tourists have been treated poorly and taken for granted for years now.

[Tropicalevo]

34 minutes ago, Canuck1966 said:

To be fair they deserve it. Tourists have been treated poorly and taken for granted for years now.

I largely agree with spidermike's views, but I am not so sure about your words above. Quite a large generalisation.

I have worked on the edge of the tourism business here for the last 20 years. On the whole, guests that I interact with leave with a very positive view of Samui. Many guests return year after year and many were unhappy at having to cancel their 2020 holidays.

There are some that stuck here, and about half of them even prefer being here rather than in their home country.

"With or without the hotels this will not be an issue for anyone." This is definitely true.

[khunPer]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

Lots and lots of places for rent on Samui. Low season combined with Covid means prices are likely lower than ever. With or without the hotels this will not be an issue for anyone. 

 

However, this will be a huge issue for millions, who were employed in the tourism sector, many making just enough to live, with no savings. And since a total lockdown has never been done before, what are the expectations for a recovery in the tourism sector? Does anyone think it will just "bounce back" to 38 million arrivals? I for one believe tourism will never be the same here. Perhaps a total of 11 million arrivals in 2020 and a slowdown to 20-25 million arrivals in 2021 and 2022. After that it is anyone's guess. The industry is decimated. And not just Covid. It was in a slow decline already, for a dozen good reasons. 

 

Expect a real spike in unemployment here that will last for years. 

Agree, there are lots of accommodation available on Samui and Phangan right now, and also some at almost cost price, as some resort owners just try to survive, and not loose everything.

I think that "recovery in the tourism sector" is not only for Thailand, but for many countries around the World; it might take some time to recover as many people are, or will be, hit financially, and therefore forced to skip a holiday trip or two.

[spidermike007]

54 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

I largely agree with spidermike's views, but I am not so sure about your words above. Quite a large generalisation.

I have worked on the edge of the tourism business here for the last 20 years. On the whole, guests that I interact with leave with a very positive view of Samui. Many guests return year after year and many were unhappy at having to cancel their 2020 holidays.

There are some that stuck here, and about half of them even prefer being here rather than in their home country.

"With or without the hotels this will not be an issue for anyone." This is definitely true.

Obviously there are major exceptions to every generalization. I have met some lovely resort owners and some who took us for granted. It is the army, immigration and this heinous administration that are largely responsible for the major drop in "quality tourist" arrivals. Their pursuit of sheer numbers was the height of hubris and inane policy. 

 

I too would rather be here, than have to go back to the US or Europe now, and even before. I am thrilled to be in Thailand right now and am not buying into the Zombie panic on any level. 

[ronaldo0]

Well they can stop gloating as the third case is a hospital worker that works in X-ray dept .

[marko kok prong]

6 hours ago, marko kok prong said:

This is really getting my goat today,just about every story points the finger at or emphasises foreigners,like it is us who have given it to them,makes me feel angry.

Huh,i bet that guy who gave me a hard time when i was talking about them making a monk,and sharing bottles of hong tong is grinning on the other side of his teeth now.

[Ron jeremy]

If they would have left when their government told them to get home ASAP they wouldn’t have an issue.

no pity here.

[marko kok prong]

6 hours ago, marko kok prong said:

This is really getting my goat today,just about every story points the finger at or emphasises foreigners,like it is us who have given it to them,makes me feel angry.

In fact if i could use my daily mail handle of 'disgruntled of Cheam' i would that's how angry i am!!!!!

[Burma Bill]

8 hours ago, marko kok prong said:

This is really getting my goat today,just about every story points the finger at or emphasises foreigners,like it is us who have given it to them,makes me feel angry.

Yes indeed,  possibly instructed to do so by that idiot Anutin!!

[Iron Tongue]

Have any areas ordered their hotels to close -or are they voluntarily closing from lack of business?

[Sydebolle]

15 hours ago, jimmjam said:

Scratched my head while reading this, only 2 foreigners. No one else infected. So its not so contagious after all. What is everyone worried about.????

Those two foreigners must be among those "dirty farang" as so wisely mentioned by no-one else than the land's minister of health. Proves him right, it seems ......... 

[huberthammer]

5 hours ago, Iron Tongue said:

Have any areas ordered their hotels to close -or are they voluntarily closing from lack of business?

so far they only closed due to lack of business and not ordered.

 

it will be interesting to see how they treat staff, I understand that for small hotels without cashflow it will be impossible to pay staff. However, 5 star places letting people go on unpaid leave after a month only is despicable. Would expect a bit more loyalty to especially their low paid workers. The "we operate in a social responsible way" phrases they all use in their advertising clearly is no more than just PR.

 

One to remember in the far future when friends will come back and asking for hotel recommendation. I am sure there will be exceptions who will do the right thing and hopefully karma will apply.

[khunPer]

5 hours ago, huberthammer said:

it will be interesting to see how they treat staff, I understand that for small hotels without cashflow it will be impossible to pay staff. However, 5 star places letting people go on unpaid leave after a month only is despicable.

Staff with Social Security, i.e. from larger resorts and compaies, will be paid unemployment support. People without any source of support, i.e. staff from for example small resorts and self-employed, can seek for a 5,000 monthly support from the government, so far for 3 month; some 4 million have used that possibility according to news articles a few days ago.

[baansgr]

Hopefully Samui will return to its former glory of 20 years ago..all the new backpackers can squat in the abandoned beach front hotels, playing guitars around campfires...be great

[PatOngo]

If Koh Samui sinks into the ocean

Like the mystics and statistics say it will

I bet your hotel will stay floating

Until you pay your bill!

[connda]

On 4/2/2020 at 1:01 PM, Canuck1966 said:

And not a single Thai is infected on one of Thailand's foremost holiday paradises????

And should a Thai become infected, then every remaining farang on the island will be suspected of being a dirty, Covid carrier and will become a target.

 

On 4/2/2020 at 1:27 PM, marko kok prong said:

This is really getting my goat today,just about every story points the finger at or emphasises foreigners,like it is us who have given it to them,makes me feel angry.

And all foreigners, especially from European decent, are set up to be the whipping boys and scapegoats for all infections on the Island as well as the mainland.

 

Edited April 7, 2020 by connda