Koh Samui tourism seeks extended stays for European travellers amidst water crisis

[webfact]

 

Koh Samui’s tourism sector has called for the government to extend stays for European travellers, arguing that the proposed visa-free travel for Chinese tourists will not significantly benefit the island.

 

This comes from Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, the president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, who noted that Chinese nationals only make up a small percentage (10%) of the island’s foreign tourist demographic.

 

The island primarily attracts independent travellers as opposed to large tour groups, a trend commonly seen elsewhere. Ratchaporn argues that if Thailand wishes to appeal to high-spending tourists, it should ease visa processes, ensure convenient travel, and extend the length of permitted stays. His suggestion is to increase the current 30-day stay to 60-90 days, targeting tourists from Europe, Israel, and Australia.

 

One major issue for Koh Samui in the fourth quarter is the lack of freshwater supply. The pipeline between the island and Surat Thani has been non-operational for months, leading to hotels and other service sectors resorting to sourcing water from other suppliers at a higher cost. The cost per litre is considerably high in comparison to major cities, and this is anticipated to become a critical issue with the expected influx of tourists, especially in the first quarter of 2024, which is Samui’s high season.

 

by Alex Morgan

Photo by Nehal Patel on Unsplash

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/business/koh-samui-tourism-seeks-extended-stays-for-european-travellers-amidst-water-crisis

 

-- The Thaiger 2023-09-13

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

One major issue for Koh Samui in the fourth quarter is the lack of freshwater supply.

At least the fourth quarter is usually low season, although one would not realise that when looking at the amount of traffic on the roads at the moment.

 

 

[Olav Seglem]

Hope government listen and exceed visafree stay to 90 days for "western tourists" :-)

 

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

His suggestion is to increase the current 30-day stay to 60-90 days, targeting tourists from Europe, Israel, and Australia

Why not just extend it for every country.. 

[khunPer]

The suggestion – "increase the current 30-day stay to 60-90 days" – makes good sense for Samui...????

[mokwit]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Chinese nationals only make up a small percentage (10%) of the island’s foreign tourist demographic.

Sounds like a great place.

[Taboo2]

Unless Xi Xi Ping approves that plan, forget about it.

[Caldera]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

His suggestion is to increase the current 30-day stay to 60-90 days, targeting tourists from Europe, Israel, and Australia.

Yeah just make it 90 days visa exempt like Malaysia, Singapore and Japan. Get rid of the ridiculous need to apply for a tourist visa beforehand or an extension in-country for stays that are longer than 30 days.