Khao San reopening: Most of the tourist street remains shuttered - response to opening lukewarm

[webfact]

Picture: PPTV 36

 

Thai media PPTV 36 went to Khao San Road in Bangkok yesterday ahead of the much heralded "reopening of Thailand to foreign tourists" today.

 

They found it mostly shut. Even Chatuchak market was a shadow of its former self.

 

Normally Khao San would have been doing a great trade for Halloween with Thais and foreigners rubbing shoulders.

 

The media reported that very little had been done to spruce up the street or individual bars or restaurants.

 

Bucking the trend was Rocco Bar (1976) who had an ad on Facebook announcing they would be open at 5 pm today.

 

They posted pictures of better times online.

 

Their boss Thanupong Paemsitsaicharoenkij said people just wanted to go out and eat and drink.

 

He complained that the regulations surrounding 9 pm closing were unclear. 

 

Would he have to turf out patrons at 9 pm, could he seat new ones walking in the street at that time - he appeared to have no idea blaming the BMA and the government for a complete lack of clarity and creating confusion.

 

He noted that SHA establishments that could serve alcohol might be ready - many were not.

 

PPTV said that there were 1,350 such establishments in Bangkok.

 

They needed to follow lots of Covid protocols - SHA+ establishments faced even more draconian restrictions to get their accreditation.

 

They also went to Chatuchak weekend market - in pre-pandemic times bustling with mostly foreign clientele and shoppers.

 

It was half open but traders reported 10-20% of peak income after some opened in October.

 

They were hoping for the best if and when foreign tourists return. 

 

Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2021-11-01

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

 

Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

[mokwit]

Having revamped it to make it more suitable for Chinese tour groups they will now have to await the return of the Chinese.

[Thailand]

20 minutes ago, mokwit said:

Having revamped it to make it more suitable for Chinese tour groups they will now have to await the return of the Chinese.

1 to 2 years according to friends in Beijing and Xian. Still 3 weeks quarantine on return in most places.

[samtam]

39 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thai media PPTV 36 went to Khao San Road in Bangkok yesterday ahead of the much heralded "reopening of Thailand to foreign tourists" today.

Quote

They found it mostly shut. Even Chatuchak market was a shadow of its former self.

 

Maybe because the "reopening" is 1 November, not 31 October?

Edited November 1, 2021 by samtam

[khunPer]

I might be wrong, but it's my impression that Khao San Road is mainly an attraction for young folks and backpackers. Bothe change of appearance of Khao San Road, and the entry procedure combined with domestic restriction, won't make amazing Thailand such an amazing destination for the usual Khao San-crowd.

 

For the first, that kind of crowd plans their travelling ahead, it,s not something impulsive move where they are jumping to buy a ticket for Thailand next week, because the country suddenly is partly reopening for foreign entries.

 

Secondly, when applying for the typical 60-days tourist visa accommodation confirmation for the whole period is mandatory, and that's not how the Khao San-crowd travels; they'll decide ad hoc to stay in an exiting place - like walking down the beaches to find a nice affordable bungalow, not too far from affordable diners and some party area, and if more loaded youngsters of today it's a similar procedure, just in upend aircon accommodation and with trendy cafés and pubs nearby - and when they get bored of said place they'll just move and and find another...????

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Normally Khao San would have been doing a great trade for Halloween with Thais and foreigners rubbing shoulders.

Yeah the massage parlours must be missing the tourists.

[Tropposurfer]

Umm ... poor response you say, maybe take a look at the calendar its only the 1st of November.

[Denim]

19 minutes ago, Tropposurfer said:

Umm ... poor response you say, maybe take a look at the calendar its only the 1st of November.

Yup, just wait until Guy Fawkes night. It will be heaving. Obviously, people are just saving themselves for the big bang.

[billd766]

6 hours ago, khunPer said:

I might be wrong, but it's my impression that Khao San Road is mainly an attraction for young folks and backpackers. Bothe change of appearance of Khao San Road, and the entry procedure combined with domestic restriction, won't make amazing Thailand such an amazing destination for the usual Khao San-crowd.

 

For the first, that kind of crowd plans their travelling ahead, it,s not something impulsive move where they are jumping to buy a ticket for Thailand next week, because the country suddenly is partly reopening for foreign entries.

 

Secondly, when applying for the typical 60-days tourist visa accommodation confirmation for the whole period is mandatory, and that's not how the Khao San-crowd travels; they'll decide ad hoc to stay in an exiting place - like walking down the beaches to find a nice affordable bungalow, not too far from affordable diners and some party area, and if more loaded youngsters of today it's a similar procedure, just in upend aircon accommodation and with trendy cafés and pubs nearby - and when they get bored of said place they'll just move and and find another...????

None of the so-called leaders of Thailand have ever been a tourist staying in an area similar to Khao San road nor have they ever tried to run a country. They are laying down rules and regulations military style and woe betide those who fail to obey those rules.

 

I don't think that they deliberately set out to destroy the economy of Thailand but they are making a good job of it.

[spidermike007]

If you shoot an animal a hundred times, it will eventually succumb to it's wounds. Thailand is that animal. Tourism has been massacred. The industry is now permanently dead. Sure, a few hundred thousand will show up. Maybe even 3 to 5 million, by 2026. Maybe. 

 

They just keep forgetting. 

 

1. Thailand needs foreign tourism 100X more than tourists need Thailand. 

 

2. Thailand is NOT the center of the known universe. 

 

3. Thailand is not the most desirable nation on earth. 

 

4. Thailand is not what it used to be. Alot of the character is disappearing. 

 

5. Thailand is run by idiotic and arrogant children. 

 

6. The confused and long muddled policy has turned off 99% of tourists. Thailand has been forgotten. 

 

These are not appealing qualities. Weakness and child like cowardice has it's price. 

 

 

[2long]

1 hour ago, billd766 said:

None of the so-called leaders of Thailand have ever been a tourist staying in an area similar to Khao San road nor have they ever tried to run a country. They are laying down rules and regulations military style and woe betide those who fail to obey those rules.

 

I don't think that they deliberately set out to destroy the economy of Thailand but they are making a good job of it.

I think that half of the problem with Pinnochio and his goons is that unlike western cultures when it's ok to challenge or question authority, here it's not ok. Not even to suggest an idea to the boss and have him/her think about it.

To make things worse, in the military it's also not ok.

So we have a military Thai government trying to run a country, but both the military and national cultures aren't favourable to new or fresh ideas or senior ideas being questioned.

[2long]

But I plan to maybe visit KSR on Saturday afternoon, that's a week into the 'open country' period and being a Saturday might mean there are more people around. I'm talking about people who live here, as I certainly don't expect to see more than a few tourists.

[it is what it is]

 

the article is pretty much hot air and a waste of space as it's clearly too early to tell what the thailand pass uptake will be.

 

however, despite recent investment and upgrading of accommodations khao san road remains primarily a backpacker/budget traveler destination, and a lot of fun it can be for those types - as it was for me 25/30 years ago. these tourists are probably not going to be impressed with the compulsory expensive two night quarantine stay or the mandatory insurance.

 

the article would have more value if it delved a little deeper.