Chiang Mai: Tourism is lively despite Omicron fears

[webfact]

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thai Rath reported from the cool north of Thailand - they went to Chiang Mai.

 

They found that tourism was "lively".

 

Despite Omicron fears.

 

Everyone was protecting themselves, they said.

 

In fact with Omicron on the horizon everyone was redoubling their efforts to stay safe. 

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Their pictures, however, hardly showed crowds, notes ASEAN NOW.

 

There was just a smattering of hardy mask clad tourists at the Tha Pae gate taking pictures. 

 

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[moe666]

I live in Chiang Mai and the number of visitors are up both Thai and international. Seeing a good number of farangs out and about walking and on scooters. But no were are the numbers approaching pre-covid. The numbers pre-covid were not all that good compared too pass years, the only thing that helped were the Chinese but their number were off because of the deaths in Phuket from the boat sinking. Would I say lively no way.

[Don Chance]

Not for the sensitive. 

https://aqicn.org/station/รร.ฝางชนูปถัมภ์-จ.เชียงใหม่

[midorilynn]

We stayed in what we thought was Chiang Mai's city center (Le Meridien) from December 5.  Checking out tomorrow.  The hotel seems busy.  Breakfast is crowded.  But, the neighborhood?  It's not lively here.  Many outlets are closed, for rent, or deserted.  Streets around the moat are relatively quiet.  We went to the silver area, the orchid farms, the flower market, and smaller malls (e.g., Maya, The Wall, and others).  Deserted.  Merchants told us.  Little to no business.  Hoping things will pick up.  

 

The only lively place was Central Festivals.  Crowded.  Lines.  My wife and I thought every one abandoned the local merchants and went to Central Festivals.  

 

Tourist attraction restaurants and shops were closed even though the tourist attractions were open.  

 

What did we do?  Watched Netflix and ate.  Le Meridien staff helped us feel at home away from home.

[Led Lolly Yellow Lolly]

37 minutes ago, midorilynn said:

We stayed in what we thought was Chiang Mai's city center (Le Meridien)

This is where we stay whenever visiting CM, they have a nice Club Floor which we use. It may not seem like it but the Meridian is well located. Like other hotels that are busy at this time, they have the location and the facilities local business travellers need, why they get the trade.
If any tourists are coming to the north for relaxation, they'll surely come before the worst of the smoke season, which is already gathering momentum.

[Pravda]

2 hours ago, Don Chance said:

Not for the sensitive. 

https://aqicn.org/station/รร.ฝางชนูปถัมภ์-จ.เชียงใหม่

Yea, it was actually a lot worse in Bangkok 2 days ago.

 

[ukrules]

A storm named Omicron is coming, enjoy it while you can.

[sqwakvfr]

I was there 2 hours ago and I think the same people were there. Went to my favorite place in Somphet for lunch and there were 3 customers(including myself).  "LIvely"?  Depends on the definition.  

 

[CM Dad]

I live in Chiang Mai and I think that the correct word to describe tourism in the city is DEAD rather than lively,  The photo shows about a dozen people standing around at a mostly deserted Thaphae Gate looking at about a dozen pigeons,

[ArcticFox]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

They found that tourism was "lively".

 

What complete tosh.

[Tropicalevo]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Despite Omicron fears.

The only people spreading Omicron fears are the government and the press.

I am meeting tourists every day. Both International and domestic. People in the tourist industry and outside of it. Friends, neighbours, people in the local towns etc.

No one that I have met has fears about Omicron.

[arithai12]

The usual misunderstanding.

 

The downtown has always been mainly for international tourists. If you stay there now (Le Meridien, Thapae Gate, etc), you will see relatively few tourists. More than zero as it was until recently, but few.

 

The numbers going up are those of the Bangkokians, and anyone who actually lives in CM can testify that traffic and shopping malls and restaurants outside the downtown are indeed "lively".

[Stargeezr]

Most tourist spots in Thailand still look pretty sad generally as, with the opening, then closing

then opening again, a lot of people are out of money and will not be opening again.  For the travelers

that want to see the old Thailand, they will have to wait at least a few years. My friend in Hua Hin

says that he was pretty shocked to see all the businesses that have closed for good.