Khao San and Chinatown: Readjusting to cater for the Thai market in the absence of foreign tourists

[webfact]

Khao San and Chinatown: Readjusting to cater for the Thai market in the absence of foreign tourists

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Thai media Daily News reported on the devastation caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the recovery attempts at two of Bangkok's leading tourist areas: Khao San Road and Yaowarat or Chinatown. 

 

Their detailed report provides a window into how both areas are shifting their emphasis away from catering to foreign tourists towards a Thai domestic clientele.

 

Nobody is expecting foreign tourists to come back any time soon so businesses must adapt or go under.

 

Some traders are even being encouraged to lower their prices to make them more compatible with the Thai market. 

 

Both Khao San and Yaowarat have been severely hit by the pandemic and though lockdown has been eased to allow the opening of restaurants, street food, massage/spas, bars and karaoke they are still in dire straits. 

 

In Khao San road the media spoke to Sanga Reuangwattanakul the chief of the street's traders' association. 

 

He said that the almost complete lack of tourists means that many businesses with high overheads were not even bothering to open.

 

There was some hope that the opening up of flights at Suvarnabhumi would help in some sectors.

 

Picture: Daily News

 

He said that Thai traditional massage and foot massage businesses in the area were particularly badly hit. The more than 20 shops employed 500 people and all of these are out of work as the businesses catered solely to foreign tourists.

 

Restaurants were suffering with the limits placed on the number of patrons and the 12 midnight closing. The previous revenue of 100 million baht a month has all but vanished. 

 

The association is trying to do what they can to revive the area. But Sanga said that in the high season (fourth quarter October to December) he was not expecting any foreign tourists. The continuing situation of the pandemic around the world would see to that.

 

He has encouraged operators to remodel their business plans and appeal more to Thais. They have encouraged room promotions at the area's hotels.

 

The association is offering bus trips at night to see the lights of the Phra Nakhon area and attractions such as the Grand Palace.

 

This is being accomplished at a Thai friendly price. 

 

Picture: Daily News

 

To aid in the recovery of Khao San the association is encouraging the concept of "Khao San Walking Street" and "Entertainment Road" with Thai artists, light and sound shows and markets. 

 

He hoped that students would showcase their talents in the area. 

 

But he appealed to the government to extend the closing hours at night by one or two hours.

 

In Chinatown, where cheap and delicious street food is abundant, things seemed a little bit more positive especially as food is likely to attract Thais. At the right price.

 

Samphanthawong district director Arthitaya Khokkitmanatchai said that since the release of lockdown people have slowly been returning to eat in the area set aside for street food.

 

There were no foreigners but Thais were coming especially as the MRT and bus routes make travel to the area convenient.

 

Restaurants and more upscale eateries - especially those that would normally cater to foreigners - are being encouraged to lower their prices.

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Businesses are working with the Bangkok Metropolitan Association and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to convince Thais of the safety and cleanliness of food and have confidence in the Covid-19 measures in the area.

 

Nathapong Ratchayom at the Pornlamai Restaurant said that during the height of the pandemic his revenue had gone down from 20,000/30,000 baht a day to just 1,000 to 2,000 baht. They had just offered home delivery. No staff had been laid off though. 

 

He said things were slowly improving and he encouraged his compatriots to get out and stimulate the economy and have confidence in the Covid-19 measures that have been put in place. 

 

Source: Daily News

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-07-29

 

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[JonnyF]

18 minutes ago, webfact said:

Some traders are even being encouraged to lower their prices to make them more compatible with the Thai market. 

 

Hey you, Noi and Lek. Farang not here. Remove double pricing until they back!

 

Seriously though, Koh San looks devoid of any character now with all those bollards and no stalls. Looks like a shopping area in Farang Land (minus the farang). Should have left it alone.

[nausea]

That's Khao San now? Wow! Talk about souless. 

[mokwit]

6 minutes ago, nausea said:

That's Khao San now? Wow! Talk about souless. 

They redid it for coach loads of Chinese.

[dddave]

This past long weekend, the majority of people on Walking Street in Pattaya it the evening appeared to be Thai.  Very unusual.

[steven100]

Khaosan Road is dead now.  No tourists so no shops or bars or markets.

Many of the traders have gone home upcountry to work on Papa's farm.

The days of high tourist numbers for Thailand have gone forever. 

[Justgrazing]

50 minutes ago, webfact said:

 

Some traders are even being encouraged to lower their prices to make them more compatible with the Thai market

With no tourists collared to be un-dollared not a lot to look forward to for the bollards .. 

[holy cow cm]

What is the difference between Khaosan rd. and the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar? Answer? Nothing! Dead as a decaying beat to death elephant. 

[rasmus5150]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The association is trying to do what they can to revive the area. But Sanga said that in the high season (fourth quarter October to December) he was not expecting any foreign tourists.

He should give TaT a call, I'm sure that their prognosis is much better ????

[phantomfiddler]

Get your cash register greased up, the locals are heading your way ????

[Redline]

Where are all the rich tourists?  Even if they were in Thailand, they would likely only make the rich, more rich

[FritsSikkink]

15 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Hey you, Noi and Lek. Farang not here. Remove double pricing until they back!

 

Seriously though, Koh San looks devoid of any character now with all those bollards and no stalls. Looks like a shopping area in Farang Land (minus the farang). Should have left it alone.

It isn't an island.

[hotchilli]

17 hours ago, webfact said:

Some traders are even being encouraged to lower their prices to make them more compatible with the Thai market.

Yeah the cash cow has gone, now reality of the real world has kicked in !

[BritManToo]

18 hours ago, webfact said:

Some traders are even being encouraged to lower their prices to make them more compatible with the Thai market. 

 

Restaurants and more upscale eateries - especially those that would normally cater to foreigners - are being encouraged to lower their prices.

hotchilli beat me .............. makes me go hmmmmmmmmm.

Edited July 29, 2020 by BritManToo

[mr mr]

who's the old clown in the pic without the mask on ?  

[Moo 2]

What are they crying about? According to the survey, 90% said they don't want foreign tourists to come to Thailand, here we go, they are getting their wishes! The problem is, Thais can't cheat Thais when it comes

to PRICING!

[daveAustin]

^^That is all gov bs polls, and as we know the current 'government' opinion accounts for around 0.001% of populace.

The KS Prays for the World is nice.

[JemJem]

Khao San has sadly been in decline over the past decade or so. I fear that the pandemic might be the final nail on the coffin for there, because even if Thailand opens up to general tourists later in the year, there will most probably be that new health insurance requirement, and I doubt very much that many of the budget travellers will be able to afford it. 

 

Sad!