Thailand's Ranking As Most Attractive Country May Fall

[Mid]

Thailand's ranking as most attractive country may fall

June 29, 2007 : Last updated 07:06 pm (Thai local time)

Thailand's ranking on the list of most attractive countries in Asia might fall from fourth to fifth next year, due to the rise of China, especially Macau, and travelling inconvenience and certain unimpressive facilities in Thailand, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) warned Thursday.

Citing International Air Transport Association (IATA) information, TAT deputy governor Akkapol Preuksawan said Thailand's tourism market share in Asia could possibly decrease from nine per cent to approximately five per cent, while China would take 49.77 per cent of the market.

Macau has become another fierce competitor, given that the territory experienced impressive growth last year at 18.52 per cent, which was close to Thailand's 20.01 per cent growth.

Vietnam has also become another fierce competitor as many international travellers, particularly the Japanese, increasingly prefer to visit that country.

The Nation

[chinthee]

Thailand's ranking as most attractive country may fall

June 29, 2007 : Last updated 07:06 pm (Thai local time)

Thailand's ranking on the list of most attractive countries in Asia might fall from fourth to fifth next year, due to the rise of China, especially Macau, and travelling inconvenience and certain unimpressive facilities in Thailand, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) warned Thursday.

Citing International Air Transport Association (IATA) information, TAT deputy governor Akkapol Preuksawan said Thailand's tourism market share in Asia could possibly decrease from nine per cent to approximately five per cent, while China would take 49.77 per cent of the market.

Macau has become another fierce competitor, given that the territory experienced impressive growth last year at 18.52 per cent, which was close to Thailand's 20.01 per cent growth.

Vietnam has also become another fierce competitor as many international travellers, particularly the Japanese, increasingly prefer to visit that country.

The Nation

Macau will gain huge numbers of Asian travelers, because of the boom in casino building and the Vegas operators opening new casinos. This is bound to take some of the Asian trade away from Thailand.

[soundman]

So what would TV members think of a casino in Thailand. Good idea?

Soundman.

[PhilHarries]

So what would TV members think of a casino in Thailand. Good idea?

Soundman.

There are already casinos in Thailand.

I think that the level of corruption is adequate enough at present to keep all the police chiefs in their BMW's without handing them another "legal" money making racket.

Seriously, the Thais along with most Asian people have a latent gambling problem and giving them a legalised form would be like letting the children loose in the sweet factory. So personally I think it's a bad idea.

Unless they were for tourists only but then I'm decidedly uncomfortable with providing any facility within a country and then expressly barring the nationals.

[chanchao]

So what would TV members think of a casino in Thailand. Good idea?

Won't happen.

This is not a time when any politician (or other 'political-player') would want to alienate most voters with something that's wifely perceived as sinful. Also the, erm, 'elite' would be against it.

[Scott]

Well, as time goes by, I find Thailand to be less and less attractive and other places to be more and more attractive. Not quite attractive enough yet to leave though.

[teacup]

So what would TV members think of a casino in Thailand. Good idea?

Soundman.

Bon pai and Bon gai are already everywhere!

So I don’t see the need for any “legal”casinos, unless ofcourse you do mind jumping into a dirty canal when the men in brown show up at the window

[soundman]

So, in a nutshell:

Future Thailand. No drinking, No smoking, No Gambling, No Sexy Uni. Girls, No sex. Bed time at 9 pm. Pay through the nose to see any attraction. Exploited rain forests. Eroded ruins from acid rain. Exploited beaches. Dirty sea water. Commercialised hill tribes. Elephants banned. Tigers extinct. Tourists ripped off from the moment they step out of the plane to the moment they get back in.

To paraphrase that demented minister Mongkon.

"If the tourists want to drink they can do it in their hotels"

Where's the attraction? Amazing Thailand? Not.

Soundman.

[chinthee]

So, in a nutshell:

Future Thailand. No drinking, No smoking, No Gambling, No Sexy Uni. Girls, No sex. Bed time at 9 pm. Pay through the nose to see any attraction. Exploited rain forests. Eroded ruins from acid rain. Exploited beaches. Dirty sea water. Commercialised hill tribes. Elephants banned. Tigers extinct. Tourists ripped off from the moment they step out of the plane to the moment they get back in.

To paraphrase that demented minister Mongkon.

"If the tourists want to drink they can do it in their hotels"

Where's the attraction? Amazing Thailand? Not.

Soundman.

And, and...don't forget the taxi touts, trolleys on escalators and taxis asking for fixed prices.

That's all academic, because nobody will be able to get visas soon.

[Ping]

So what would TV members think of a casino in Thailand. Good idea?

Soundman.

Not sure if the following project is still on the go. It's been in the news off and on over the past couple of years:

http://www.discoverythailand.com/casino.asp

[Luckydog]

Well, as time goes by, I find Thailand to be less and less attractive and other places to be more and more attractive. Not quite attractive enough yet to leave though.

Here Here Scotty.......

[Maestro]

Here Here Scotty.......

There there Luckydog.......

--

Maestro