2.7 million in Thailand’s tourism sector redundant by September – TTIC

[webfact]

2.7 million in Thailand’s tourism sector redundant by September – TTIC

 

 

Confidence among Thailand’s tourism business operators fell to the lowest level in a decade during the second quarter of 2020, with about 2.6 million workers already out of work and about another 100,000 expected to be laid off in the third quarter of this year, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Mr. Chairat Trairattanacharasporn, president of the Thai Tourism Industry Council, on Tuesday.

 

The gloomy forecast for Thailand’s travel industry is the result of a survey of 770 tourism business operators between May 10th and 25th.

 

He admitted that the sector has been hard hit by the lockdown measures, imposed by the Government to stem the spread of the contagion, starting with the imposition of a national state of emergency and the closure of many business and leisure activities. The impacts have caused domestic tourism to contract by about 99%, “because all tourist destinations were closed and there are no foreign tourists at all,” he said.

 

Source: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/2-7-million-in-thailands-tourism-sector-redundant-by-september-ttic/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2020-07-01

 

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[ThailandRyan]

Now that is about as truthful about job losses as I have seen.  It is a ballbuster that's for sure. 

[JensenZ]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

He admitted that the sector has been hard hit by the lockdown measures, imposed by the Government to stem the spread of the contagion, starting with the imposition of a national state of emergency and the closure of many business and leisure activities

Talk about understatement. Is the total closure of businesses only a "hart hit"? I would say they have been wiped out completely, absolutely. A "hard hit" would suggest they are still in business. Are the people writing these articles fast asleep and oblivious to reality?

 

How is the hotel industry going to recover from this "hard hit". Hotels require over 50% occupancy just to break even so opening their doors to a few tourists here and there will cost more money than staying closed. I don't know how they will survive.

Edited July 1, 2020 by JensenZ

[rasmus5150]

These numbers are much higher, since many people in the tourist business is hired as freelancers.

 

That also means that the freelancers are not covered by the governments economic aid package.

 

Tough times ahead - it's only just getting started.

[Guderian]

It's particularly bad for somewhere like Pattaya that only exists because of tourism. I think domestic tourists accounts for around 30-35% of Pattaya's visitors, so as long as they keep coming it's not quite Armageddon, but it's pretty disastrous for the city and for many people living in it and dependent on tourism for their livelihood.

[hotchilli]

18 hours ago, webfact said:

Confidence among Thailand’s tourism business operators fell to the lowest level in a decade during the second quarter of 2020, with about 2.6 million workers already out of work and about another 100,000 expected to be laid off in the third quarter of this year, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Mr. Chairat Trairattanacharasporn, president of the Thai Tourism Industry Council, on Tuesday.

Very bleak.

[Elkski]

To open up a restaurant or a hotel properly requires quite a bit of expenditure so this may be throwing away money they dont have.  will they  take out loans? sell off shares? or close until there is strong  demand.  The first to reopen need deep pockets. 

[Knocker33]

More like 10 million as was being reported a few weeks ago

[Mr Meeseeks]

It'll be like the 90's all over again. 

 

I'm handsum man again! 

[spidermike007]

As usual the numbers are low. As tourism and all of its related industries comprises nearly 20% of the economy, one has to assume it is closer to 6 to 8 million, in the sector, when you consider there are about 38 million working people here. Most remain unemployed. 

[bodga]

Ah yes  as  my old  staff  simply ran away  a  few  days ago you'd  think at this  present  time they w0uld  have a bit more  sense, nah as  stupid  as  ever.

[bodga]

I  noticed a  newish  Toyota  dealer by me  had  also closed  down today on the Phetkasem Road  close to  hua  Hin.

[Blumpie]

This is the way it is all over the world.  

It's bad.  

[Blumpie]

4 hours ago, bodga said:

I  noticed a  newish  Toyota  dealer by me  had  also closed  down today on the Phetkasem Road  close to  hua  Hin.

For sure.  

30-40 million people suddenly not coming to a country for tourist purposes is one of the biggest blows you can have.  Throw in a worldwide recession and this is what we see.  

Not nice for Thais.  

[ratcatcher]

Fear not, the rich will be arriving by the squadron in their private jets to be whisked off to 6 star resorts and pampering like nowhere else on earth. Aviation salvation.

[Airalee]

Do those figures only include unemployed workers who receive social security payments similar to the U3 unemployment figures in the US which only include those receiving unemployment compensation?  If so, I suspect that the numbers are much higher.