Popular Post webfact Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 File photo for reference only A key figure in Thailand's tourism industry pulled absolutely no punches when commenting on the country's supposed "reopening". Thanet Supharothatrangsi, chairman of the Chonburi Tourism Business Association, echoed what people online have been saying for weeks if not months. In an interview with business media he said there are virtually no tourists coming into Thailand despite the rhetoric of the government after their much vaunted reopening claims. The only arrivals are not true tourists at all. Just business people, property owners or those with families. The tourism industry is hardly benefitting at all. He blames all the obstacles put in the way of potential tourists, says Thailand shot itself in the foot when it had the opportunity to do better and now is even lagging behind neighbor Cambodia. He slammed the petty and baffling alcohol and nightlife restrictions saying tourists couldn't even celebrate New Year with a drink. Thanet's comments come as leading ministers wax lyrical about 50,000 visitors since November 1st and millions more to follow praising their wonderful Thailand Pass scheme as a simple panacea to reignite the tourism industry. Thanet says it's all smoke and mirrors. "The reality," he said," is that tourism recovery is slight in the extreme. In Chonburi we are seeing 200-300 tourists a day. "Not even 10,000 have arrived - normally pre-pandemic it would be a million. "Thailand has shot itself in the foot despite being the first country in SE Asia to open its borders to international tourists". Opening up should have meant really opening up, not this half baked reopening, he said. An RT-PCR test from their home country within 72 hours would have been sufficient not being tested again on arrival, he said. They should have been allowed to come in and go anywhere immediately without restrictions, he noted. Instead ridiculous obstacles have been put in their way with all the Thailand Pass documentation and tests on arrival and one day quarantine to wait for results. He said that Cambodia opened up after Thailand but they had no silly obstacles so people were going there instead. "Real tourists are not bothering to come to Thailand", he continued in a controlled and measured set of statements completely mirroring what netizens have been saying. "You can see by the hotel bookings. They are just staying one night in a hotel to wait for their test result then they are going elsewhere. "They are not tourists, they are business people, home and condo owners or people with families in Thailand". Apart from a few souls "tourists are simply not coming to Thailand" said the business leader. He called for the hoops and hurdles facing potential tourists to be removed but especially the on- arrival RT-PCR test. He said the country's tourism businesses were ready for visitors and it was time for the authorities to get real, stop making the big claims and get people visiting Thailand again. They were ready since the start of the Phuket Sandbox months ago but since then there have been delays after delays as the authorities chopped and changed their minds confusing everyone. He also attacked the decision not to reopen nightclubs, pubs and bars and the issue of not allowing alcohol to be served or having drinking restricted. "Tourists won't even be able to have a drink to celebrate the New Year," he continued. "They have been told they can't do that until at least January 15th". He cited the Pattaya Music festival with all its restrictions and banning of alcohol as yet another pathetic example of the obstacles in place. "People can't have a drink and can't even get up out of their seats to dance to the music," he said pointing out that such restrictions only applied inside the restricted area. Outside this people were buying alcohol and enjoying the sounds. "What sort of control is that?" he fumed clearly exasperated by his country's measures. As further evidence of his claims he pointed to a leading German tour company that would normally be sending 3,000-4,000 tourists a month. He said they were sending just 20 a day and not to Pattaya - they were nearly all going to Phuket, he lamented. Visa-compliant insurance plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-11-18 - 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 79 39 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ThailandRyan Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 The majority of us knew this already. Many friends I have have returned after being gone for a long time in order to return to family with less restrictive measures put on them that create financial hurdles. 67 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post norfolkandchance Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 He should get a job at TAT. 40 14 27 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post JCP108 Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 He speaks the truth. 78 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jingthing Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 Obviously! 21 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Zark Muckerberg Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 21 minutes ago, webfact said: Thanet says it's all smoke and mirrors. Smart guy this Thanet! 31 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Karma80 Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 24 minutes ago, webfact said: "They are not tourists, they are business people, home and condo owners or people with families in Thailand". Apart from a few souls "tourists are simply not coming to Thailand" said the business leader. Give that man a prize. I feel sad for anyone genuinely sucked into coming here for a short visit. You need to be very very motivated. 48 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Captain Monday Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 My THAI friends in the US have not been to Thailand in 2 years. They are not super wealthy they come once a year maybe. If I did not have a home and friends no way I would have come to Thailand this year, twice. First time 15 nights in a room. Allowed 1 hour "relaxation" after about a week poolside on a lounger separated from the dirty farang inmates by red tape lines. Think Hannibal Lechter in a 5 star prison, dry. 24 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kevin612 Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 This is true, why tourists visit Thailand when entertainment is closed? 25 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post GeorgeCross Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 ..and all predicted weeks before opening by expats already here. did they bother to consult with any of us? no, of course not. they know everything. ???? 35 3 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Andycoops Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 Thailand hasn't shot it's self in the foot, it's shot it's self in both feet. 21 5 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Misterwhisper Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 How horribly un-Thai of Mr. Thanet. Speaking the truth, I mean. 37 5 21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bkk6060 Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 He is right, but these folks coming have/do spend money. In fact, their investment in many cases is/will be much larger then the 2 week tourists. They should be thankful any of them are returning at all. 18 3 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post smedly Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 1 hour ago, webfact said: A key figure in Thailand's tourism industry pulled absolutely no punches when commenting on the country's supposed "reopening". Thanet Supharothatrangsi, chairman of the Chonburi Tourism Business Association, echoed what people online have been saying for weeks if not months. well said and 100% correct and for those that have failed PCR tests on arrival - I'd be willing to bet they are from only one or two countries that should now be red listed for producing fake test docs 27 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post doctormann Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 5 minutes ago, Andycoops said: Thailand hasn't shot it's self in the foot, it's shot it's self in both feet. Continually! 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post JonnyF Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 Good to see that someone finally gets it. Better late than never. Let's hope this insight catches on. 15 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post khunpa Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 OMG! Finally someone with common sense, who is not afraid of speaking out. Hope he does not end up in attitude-adjustment camp, because he surely qualifies. 17 1 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ThailandRyan Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 9 minutes ago, Misterwhisper said: How horribly un-Thai of Mr. Thanet. Speaking the truth, I mean. Waiting for him to be called into the principals office and made to wai and apologize..... 10 4 1 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gsxrnz Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 This guy will be branded a heretic and fired or demoted. The few bureaucrats and politicians who speak the obvious are not destined for long and illustrious careers. 20 6 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gsxrnz Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 20 minutes ago, Andycoops said: Thailand hasn't shot it's self in the foot, it's shot it's self in both feet. ...with a .50 cal full auto and an ammo belt that is as long as infinity, and that's pretty long. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gandtee Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 34 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said: Waiting for him to be called into the principals office and made to wai and apologize..... It could be worse. He could be picked up, bundled into a car and never seen again.???? 4 6 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jambo55 Posted November 18, 2021 Share Posted November 18, 2021 1 hour ago, Captain Monday said: My THAI friends in the US have not been to Thailand in 2 years. They are not super wealthy they come once a year maybe. If I did not have a home and friends no way I would have come to Thailand this year, twice. First time 15 nights in a room. Allowed 1 hour "relaxation" after about a week poolside on a lounger separated from the dirty farang inmates by red tape lines. Think Hannibal Lechter in a 5 star prison, dry. Not even a Chianti :( 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post gearbox Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 I'm currently in Phuket and there are tourists coming....just not enough. Once the figures are collected for a month or two I expect the Thailand Pass and the PCR test on arrival to go away. The risks seems to be too small to be worth handling with obstacles like these. My prediction is Jan 2022 for proper reopening. 9 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post yogi yogi Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 i can go to cambodia easily from thailand now? via plane. no cambodian restrictions? what about coming back to thailand after going to cambodia.? i have to do one night quarantine again? what about if i come back via land? same one night quarantine required? so many questions, no answers? 11 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post frankie machine Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 isn't it way against the law for a thai official to tell the truth? computer crimes, or insulting the government, something like that? 3 1 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Henryford Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 No tourist in their right mind would come now. Imagine Christmas and New Year without a drink. 7 2 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post GeorgeCross Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 2 minutes ago, Henryford said: No tourist in their right mind would come now. Imagine Christmas and New Year without a drink. oh god.. the horror. 3 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mavideol Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 2 hours ago, JCP108 said: He speaks the truth. thus should not expect a job from TAT or from any other Thai government agencies 555 5 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post IamNoone88 Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 I like this guy already! 11 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Eric Loh Posted November 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 2 hours ago, JCP108 said: He speaks the truth. Obviously self interest on his mind. Soft pressure on the government to lift alcohol restriction for his fellow bars and clubs businessmen. 3 4 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now