Malaysian tourists return to South for Songkran

NARATHIWAT: -- Malaysian tourists increasingly reluctant to visit Thailand's deep south out of safety concerns have apparently set aside their caution and are returning to Sungai Kolok district during the Thai new year Songkran festival.

The vistors from Malaysia are likely to leave behind over Bt100 million expected to change hands during the festive occasion, according to a provincial tourism executive.

Abdul Aji Awaesumae, president of Narathiwat Tourism Business Association, said more Malaysian tourists have now returned to visit Sungai Kolok and over 60 per cent of hotel rooms in the province had been booked during the Songkran water festival, Thailand's traditional New Year.

More than Bt100 million is anticipated to change hands during the festival, he said, adding that the tourism business in this province should boom again soon if peace is restored.

Tourists from Thailand's neighbouring countries have decided to stay away from the deep South, that is the three provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, due to fears for their safety following renewed violence in the region some three years ago.

Over 2,100 people have been killed in the South since suspected militant insurgents raided an army camp and arms depot in Narathiwat in January 2004 and made off with weapons and ammunition stores.

Mr. Abdul Aji said his association planned to invite representatives of private sector and government officials for talks on how to lure tourists from neighbouring countries to visit the deep South.

The local association planned to close one road to vehiclular traffic in Sungai Kolok and turn it into a walking street which could generate a higher income for local people, he said.

--TNA 2007-04-14

In Ontario, Canada, 40 years ago, the government was concerned about road deaths on Highway 401, which is the major highway between Toronto and Montreal. They painted white markings on the road and purchased 6 small single-engine planes to act as spotters for police in standard patrol cars. The pilots of the planes would watch for speeding cars, time them as they passed over the white markings, then radio the information to the police on the ground. They called this program "eye in the sky".

It was quite effective, partly because there were a lot more than 6 planes flying around. Since you can't read the plane markings from the ground if the plane is high enough, whenever someone saw a small plane, people assumed it was a police eye in the sky.

Seems to me this approach would work in the deep south as well. Put up half a dozen single engine planes with cameras, and publicise the fact that they are filming constantly, and that it will now be possible to backtrack those 2-on-a-motorbike killers to where they came from.

Mr. Abdul Aji said his association planned to invite representatives of private sector and government officials for talks on how to lure tourists from neighbouring countries to visit the deep South.

Maybe they should secure the situation before trying to lure unsuspecting tourists in?

No need to go to Thailand.

On Friday they were celebrating Songkran at Lorong Bangkok, here in Penang.

No need to go to Thailand.

On Friday they were celebrating Songkran at Lorong Bangkok, here in Penang.

Cool.. Thai town, LA will be playing too...