Thai tourism emphasises its neutrality in the Ukraine war, calls for a review of payment systems

[Srikcir]

"... senor figures within the foreign tourism sector ... emphasise (sic) that the kingdom remains a neutral party to the conflict ..."

One should not get too far ahead with this statement.

 

As a matter fo national governance, it is the Head of Government PM Prayut and/or Head of State to make such a call, not unidentified "senior figures." In fact neither Prayut nor his Counsel of Ministers (Cabinet) have made such a commitment. 

 

Thus, from the viewpoint of internal relationships, comments of neutrality from unidentified Thai senior officials can be construed as personal comments and not as an official Kingdom policy. TAT itself does not make foreign policy.

 

That said, given such neutrality comments by senior officials might require the Government and/or the Kingdom to present an official position regarding the war between Ukraine and Russia to negate the neutrality comments.

 

In fact the Kingdom of Thailand has already backed a UN resolution with 140 other nations (ie., Switzerland) demanding a withdrawal of the Russian forces from Ukraine. That is not being neutral. Abstaining from the vote as 35 nations had done would have been considered as neutrality. But now Thailand may need to state reaffirmation or clarification. 

 

Also "missing in action" with regard to the subject neutrality issue is the Thai Parliament. A resolution by the Senate/House regarding Thailand's position in the Russian invasion of Ukraine is needed if Prayut remains silent to TAT official's citibg neutrality.

 

 

[Srikcir]

2 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

"... senor figures within the foreign tourism sector ... emphasise (sic) that the kingdom remains a neutral party to the conflict ..."

One should not get too far ahead with this statement.

 

As a matter fo national governance, it is the Head of Government PM Prayut and/or Head of State to make such a call, not unidentified "senior figures." In fact neither Prayut nor his Counsel of Ministers (Cabinet) have made such a commitment. 

 

Thus, from the viewpoint of internal relationships, comments of neutrality from unidentified Thai senior officials can be construed as personal comments and not as an official Kingdom policy. TAT itself does not make foreign policy.

 

That said, given such neutrality comments by senior officials might require the Government and/or the Kingdom to present an official position regarding the war between Ukraine and Russia to negate the neutrality comments.

 

In fact the Kingdom of Thailand has already backed a UN resolution with 140 other nations (ie., Switzerland) demanding a withdrawal of the Russian forces from Ukraine. That is not being neutral. Abstaining from the vote as 35 nations had done would have been considered as neutrality. But now Thailand may need to state reaffirmation or clarification. 

 

Also "missing in action" with regard to the subject neutrality issue is the Thai Parliament. A resolution by the Senate/House regarding Thailand's position in the Russian invasion of Ukraine is needed if Prayut remains silent to TAT official's citibg neutrality.

 

 

edit - "senior figures"

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand’s tourism promotion agency will be attending a fair in Moscow over the coming days to drum up more tourism activity between the kingdom and Russia. Officials from the tourism promotion agency’s Moscow office will be attending the Moscow International Travel & Tourism Exhibition from March 15th to 17th

Spineless people.... 

[Sydebolle]

a) it is about the money ..... again

b) cash is and remains King, despite all those cashless payment disciples ........ 

[mtls2005]

Worked in WW2, no reason why it wouldn't work now.

 

And thailand is not neutral, they're just appeasing Russia, at least until it "looks" bad.

 

 

[mrfill]

45 minutes ago, wombat said:

The whole world will do nothing when Taiwan is taken back.

The same way the whole world did nothing when HK was taken back and all those bits of signed paper aka treaties were shown for what they were ...bits of paper.

Hong Kong was not 'taken back', it was held by the UK on a 99 year lease granted in 1898 - after having grabbed the territory after the two Opium wars, where the British went to war to protect their right to import and peddle Indian opium in China. The lease expired in 1997 and, as is usual in leaseholds, the territory reverted to its owners.

[Wuvu2]

I can barely wait to see Thailand announce the new Oligarch level of Thai Elite visa. 

[Muzzique]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand’s tourism promotion agency will be attending a fair in Moscow over the coming days to drum up more tourism activity between the kingdom and Russia.

There goes their neutrality.

 

Anyone that flies into Moscow to get more business is actually going to turn away all the business from the countries that do not side with Russia.

 

So good luck with attracting anyone apart from the Chinese now. I will not be returning there again nor any of my friends. This has created a very negative view of Thailand across the World.

If they are truly neutral they should go fly into Kiev the following week and hold a travel fair there too. I'm sure the anti aircraft Missiles would give them a very warm welcome and probably a final send off at the same time.

[stigar]

Almost everyday they come up with rare suggesrions.This now and 2 other postings dreaming about tourists from different countries.Its all about money.

[Chongalulu]

1 hour ago, wombat said:

Uncle Vlad he be so smart,

8 years in the planning and Chinese banking is how he will get round the sanctions.

Suck it up western banking your about to lose money.

Either extreme irony or an IQ below that of your (wombat) pseudonym ???? 

[MrJ2U]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Moscow office will be attending the Moscow International Travel & Tourism Exhibition from March 15th to 17th

Life being employed at TAT.  

 

That's what I encourage my children to attain to.

 

1.) TAT

2.) Doctor

3.) Nurse

 

Well paid jobs with security.

[Chongalulu]

An organisation that can be relied upon to say and do the wrong thing. Fortunately it’s many previous delusional and frankly infantile pronouncements mean it carries little weight and serves only as an embarrassment to Thailand. 

[jacko45k]

24 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Spineless people.... 

I am tempted to say, either get your people out of Ukraine, or get them out of Thailand! 

Now we worry over chemical/ biological weapons.....

[Swampy999]

Thailand tourism emphasises it's neutrality, obviously they have absolutely no comprehension of the word 'neutrality'

They have definitely shown their colours "everything must be done for stranded Russian tourists and that more are on the way"  What sort of idiots go on holiday when their country is at war?

Granted for some money is no object however for the rest I wish them every inconvenience possible.

Thailand, Money Number One.  

[RandiRona]

Neutrality?? Who do you they think they are? Switzerland?? Or is there plan is to provide comfort women which they used to create a full Industry during Vietnam war!

Edited March 11, 2022 by RandiRona

[JBChiangRai]

Thailand Tourism may be neutral, but I’m not.

 

Our 2 tourism adventure businesses and property business is no longer accepting Russian citizens. PERIOD.

 

Whilst I have nothing against the individual Russian, I do agree with sanctions, and we are applying sanctions to Russia through its citizens.

[ThailandRyan]

13 minutes ago, MrJ2U said:

Life being employed at TAT.  

 

That's what I encourage my children to attain to.

 

1.) TAT

2.) Doctor

3.) Nurse

 

Well paid jobs with security.

You missed drug dealing minister for the Government....

[stigar]

I think thailand is broke soon.They try to keep the bath so high as possible.Im waiting for the big bang same in 97.

[Cake Monster]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Russian tourists holidaying in Phuket last week as Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Yuthasak Supasorn (right) tells tourism sector operators that everything must be done for stranded Russian tourists and that more are on the way. At the same time, Mr Yuthasak dismissed fears over an American advisory to its nationals not to travel to Thailand. Due to sanctions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, both Visa and MasterCard have suspended operations in the country leading industry bosses in Thailand to call for greater access to non-western networks including the Chinese Union Pay service headquartered in Shanghai.

Stranded Russian Tourists- yet more are on the way ????????

If they can get into the Country, they can also get out.

Neutrality seems to have gone down the crapper, because Thailand appears to be facilitating Russians for there Money, whilst trying to even arrange their payment s through the Chinese " Union Pay scheme ".

Helpless and vulnerable people are suffering in Ukraine because of a maniac in charge of a Country, and his Megalomaniac ideas.

And Thailand, although claiming Neutrality is basically offering refuge to Russian citizens as long as they are able to afford it.

Disgusting !

[ezzra]

Just remember your action Thailand, that one day, when you'll be on the receiving end and will need help and support from other nation and they will do to you what you're doing now and will turn their back on you, just remember you attitude "business first, sod the killing of innocent people and children"...

[MrJ2U]

3 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

You missed drug dealing minister for the Government....

It's my daughter

 I'm hoping she chooses something respectable.

 

Perhaps dealing but not the other.

[kentrot]

Can someone PLEASE explain to me why we spend so much press time discussing TOURISM ... which is only about 12-15% of the economy. 

 

Has anyone looked at the state of the other 85% of Thailand's economy ? Can we PLEASE hear a few words about how that rather large segment of the economy is doing ?

[ThailandRyan]

1 minute ago, kentrot said:

Can someone PLEASE explain to me why we spend so much press time discussing TOURISM ... which is only about 12-15% of the economy. 

 

Has anyone looked at the state of the other 85% of Thailand's economy ? Can we PLEASE hear a few words about how that rather large segment of the economy is doing ?

they say its 12 to 15% of the economy but the truth of the matter is it is way more than that. I mean why else why waste so much PR on it...

[HappyExpat57]

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

 

Tacit approval is odious.

[Robert Tyrrell]

Good Morning,

 

I think extending Visa’s at no charge for Ukrainian and Russian Tourists is great !!

HOWEVER !! How does Thailand ????????
A member of The United Nations since 1946 say there Neutral from the war in Ukraine ???????? When the rest of the UN ???????? Is Condemning the war !!!!???? 

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, Robert Tyrrell said:

Good Morning,

 

I think extending Visa’s at no charge for Ukrainian and Russian Tourists is great !!

HOWEVER !! How does Thailand ????????
A member of The United Nations since 1946 say there Neutral from the war in Ukraine ???????? When the rest of the UN ???????? Is Condemning the war !!!!???? 

To be fair they did vote against the invasion at the UN and released a statement condemning it. However this is Thai doublespeak for the sake of $

[Neeranam]

3 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Sorry, but F neutral. Places like Switzerland, Ireland etc (albeit on a governmental level) did this before, didn't get their hands dirty and sat back with the eventual stability that the fighters brought. Thailand, do not be a wet rag! Don't dance with the devil if just your economy is at stake.

Easy for you to say if your finances are not affected. 

[clivebaxter]

They were even 'neutral' when the Japanese occupied Thailand, what can we expect from these cowards when it's some other people being invaded, killed and made homeless?

[Neeranam]

1 minute ago, Bkk Brian said:

. However this is Thai doublespeak for the sake of $

We don't use $, we use baht. 

[ThailandRyan]

1 minute ago, Neeranam said:

We don't use $, we use baht. 

so just for your edification anytime someone uses a money type of symbol, it means just that...the word Money......you really do like to troll sometimes and bait.