Koh Chang: Thousands set to flock to holiday island as TAT promises "stay one night, get one free"

 

Picture: Manager Online

 

Thai media reported that as soon as Trat province on the eastern seaboard opened its doors to tourists again the visitors were flooding back. 

 

But they are a new breed of tourist, according to a local tourism official who has a hotel on the province's famed Koh Chang (Elephant Island). 

 

And they look set to soon benefit from a Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) proposal to get free nights of accommodation. 

 

Secretary of the tourism association of Trat and executive at the Siam Royal Ville on Koh Chang, Saksit Mungkarn told Manager that the Phase 3 rush saw 200 tourists arrive yesterday to add to the 1,000 stranded ones who have been hunkering down in paradise lockdown. 

 

Picture: Manager Online

 

But he said that by the weekend there would be 5,000 visitors.

 

However, they would not be tourists like the island had before. They would be more health conscious and interested in the environment than fun seekers. 

 

And there would be more families. 

 

There was one word of caution about the impending explosion of tourism on the island - many hotels would not be opening until October because they had to get their staff back after sending them home during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. 

 

Meanwhile 77kaoded reported that a meeting attended by over 100 Trat and Koh Chang operators and the local TAT had resulted in dozens of hotels signing up to a scheme to boost tourism in the province and on the island. 

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

There will be a low season "buy one night's stay, get one free" promotion the details of which will be announced next Wednesday. 

 

So far 50 hotels offering rooms priced from 800 - 5,000 baht a night have signed up to the scheme. 

 

Koh Chang was so named after a famous visit by Thai King Chulalongkorn (Rama V from 1868-1910) who it is claimed saw an elephant on the island. 

 

Sources: Manager Online | 77kaoded

 

 

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TAT back in the game with inflated estimations. 

9 minutes ago, webfact said:

However, they would not be tourists like the island had before. They would be more health conscious and interested in the environment than fun seekers. 

so not Thai then. 

Why go when you can't have a beer at a beach-side restaurant? They're delusional if they think tourism will return while alcohol bans are in force.

It will be interesting to watch.

It's like watching someone using their right hand to signal people to 'come on over' and then punching them repeatedly in the face with their left-hand.

"Oh Thai People.  Come enjoy, enjoy at Koh Chang."

"Oh Thai People.  Wear a mask, maintain proper social distancing, no drinking, no smoking, no socializing, no gatherings, no dancing, heck...no singing (spreads viruses) and wear a N95 mask if you have sex with your partner, and stay in separate rooms (we're given you a discount, no?).  Follow the rules - don't have fun!  But enjoy your stay!!!" 

The New Normal Thai Tourism - "Thousand" will flock. 

1 hour ago, Thomas72 said:

Why go when you can't have a beer at a beach-side restaurant? They're delusional if they think tourism will return while alcohol bans are in force.

They are environmentally and health conscious so they can't even go to the beach and drink and eat then leave their rubbish on the beach in traditional Thai fashion.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

TAT promises "stay one night, get one free"

is it a "fully" furnished room ? (with free drinks and girls)

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Thousands set to flock to holiday island as TAT promises "stay one night, get one free"

Stay a Week get a week Free or just One Day ? Click bait ? ????

No tourist bus going to Koh Chang Yet.  When buses will be made available to the pier.?

1 hour ago, yimlitnoy said:

No tourist bus going to Koh Chang Yet.  When buses will be made available to the pier.?

I'm sure Trat bus station full of willing songtaew drivers.

9 hours ago, Thomas72 said:

Why go when you can't have a beer at a beach-side restaurant? They're delusional if they think tourism will return while alcohol bans are in force.

 

Believe it or not, there are people who would pay extra for a destination where there's no obnoxious drunks or puke puddles to step around.

 

8 hours ago, Mavideol said:

is it a "fully" furnished room ? (with free drinks and girls)

Have you seen the state of the 'furnishings' that are available during the 'off season' - god knows what will be on offer following a lockdown. ????

So basically 50% off.   Is that discount based on the “rack rate”?  If so, I’d be better off booking on Agoda where my preferred Koh Chang hotel (Awa) is offering 79% off their beachfront rooms.

15 hours ago, webfact said:

But they are a new breed of tourist

This isn't any ordinary tourist.  The new breed are made up of high-class travellers with money to spend, they're just not coming to Thailand.  

19 hours ago, webfact said:

There will be a low season "buy one night's stay, get one free" promotion the details of which will be announced next Wednesday.

Immediately after the price rises.

The boat in the photo is not one of the regular ferries, it is used for group tours. 

☔ * Enjoy your stay on Koh Chang, bring a Sou'wester outfit and a brolly, it's been hissing it down now for 3 days ☔ ⚡and will continue, take care not to catch the flu as we only have a small hospital and you must go back to the mainland for major treatment. happy hols all. In another thread someone said; nothing to do in Trat . Also note unless it has changed ferry's only running every 2 hrs at present 

^Thanks for the news. ???? Booked in there for 4 days next week. Repeating the mantra: I am determined that we will enjoy ourselves..

On 6/3/2020 at 12:03 PM, NCC1701A said:

so not Thai then. 

Sheep, possibly!

Are they offering the promotion at normal low season prices?