Mall shooting unlikely to impact Thai tourism, but other factors could rain on the parade

[webfact]

 

Thai businesses remain optimistic about the outlook for tourism despite the shooting incident at Siam Paragon, but remain wary of unpredictable events.

 

The tragic incident happened on October 3 when a 14-year-old boy allegedly went on a shooting spree at the upmarket Siam Paragon mall in the heart of Bangkok. Two women — a Chinese tourist and a Myanmar national — lost their lives, while five people were injured.

 

The shooting incident was not only covered extensively by local media, but also drew a lot of public interest in China where many use Weibo, a Chinese social media platform to share information and debate issues.

 

Observers fear that it could potentially affect the tourism industry, as Chinese tourists might be concerned about public safety in Thailand.

 

The president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, holds a different point of view. “The shooting incident did not adversely impact tourism once it became known that a boy was allegedly responsible for the unexpected act,” he said.

 

He said Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin had handled the situation very well, as he quickly explained the incident to the Chinese ambassador to Thailand.

 

Sisdivachr is optimistic that the number of tourists will hit the target of 25 million this year, or even rise to as high as 28-29 million.

 

Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, the president of the Phuket Tourist Association, shared a similar view, saying that the mall shooting had not impacted the tourism sector.

 

Free visa scheme

 

A temporary tourist visa exemption granted to Chinese nationals boosted tourist arrivals during the long golden week holidays in China from October 1-8, said Thaneth.

 

More Chinese visitors are expected to visit during the high season later this year and early next year.

 

By Thai PBS World’s Business Desk

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2023-10-13

 

- 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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[observer90210]

It's more the greed of the brand outlets or store owners,  who are displaying absurd and overrated prices in the malls,  that will deter foreigners to spend and cause big loss for the economy.

Edited October 13, 2023 by observer90210

[alex8912]

They have to make a simple 60 day tourist visa actually simple.  Not what they have had for awhile now. What ever happened to the 90 day visa exempt scheme that would attract long term Europeans, Americans , Australians etc?? It's too late for that anyways for this high season. They keep acting like a trickle of Chinese mainly on packages will save tourism. 

[Bangkok Barry]

Nothing at all damages tourism in Teflon Thailand. Even street riots and burning of buildings had almost no effect. In fact, if my memory is correct, the Baht actually rose the last time it happened.

[Tom H]

Money greed.

[Mavideol]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

More Chinese visitors are expected to visit during the high season later this year and early next year.

when will TAT realizes their hopes/estimates are just barely wishful thinking/hoping/estimating  555  Chinese will not come in masses as before, sure some will come but not the numbers TAT expects, majority of Chinese people don't have spare money for international travel

[newbee2022]

2 minutes ago, Mavideol said:

when will TAT realizes their hopes/estimates are just barely wishful thinking/hoping/estimating  555  Chinese will not come in masses as before, sure some will come but not the numbers TAT expects, majority of Chinese people don't have spare money for international travel

Maybe they find out how beautiful Hainan in their own country is.????

[RandolphGB]

Corrupt police have done the most damage to Thailand's reputation. 

[JustinCredible]

Surely the 300 Baht "Tourist Entry" fee will have a bigger impact on numbers than the shooting.  Maybe they will drop that fee for Chinese, Russian and Indian visitors..........

[LALes]

43 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Nothing at all damages tourism in Teflon Thailand. Even street riots and burning of buildings had almost no effect. In fact, if my memory is correct, the Baht actually rose the last time it happened.

Teflon Thailand is right.  Nothing in the past 30 years has put a dent in the numbers except Covid.  Coups, island murders, fugitive PMs, you name it.  The worse these people behave, the more tourists will show up.  Don't believe me?  Wait a month or so before all the snowbirds start rolling in for the usual high season chaos.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai businesses remain optimistic about the outlook for tourism despite the shooting incident at Siam Paragon, but remain wary of unpredictable events.

Thousands of Chinese losing their employment as businesses go bankrupt, factories closing almost daily, cities becoming ghost-towns... condos and apartments empty from what used to be full of workers.

They've had to return to home towns to seek work.

China is slowly imploding... and TAT think China is still Thailands tourism saviour.

[Jimjim1]

57 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Nothing at all damages tourism in Teflon Thailand.

If someone is clever enough to put up a throw away web site pointing out that when a Thai kills another Thai the Falang tourist will pay all the costs including compensation to the families of people we have not and never will meet. Methinks that will send tourists in another direction.

 

Obviously I am angered by this proposed unnecessary imposition on people who have saved hard to come to Thailand for a holiday only to be ripped off before even getting into the country.

I have no doubt that the government in it’s ignorance will enact this proposal.

[BarraMarra]

52 minutes ago, JustinCredible said:

Surely the 300 Baht "Tourist Entry" fee will have a bigger impact on numbers than the shooting.  Maybe they will drop that fee for Chinese, Russian and Indian visitors..........

Only for the Chinese, the Indians, and the Russians. Everyone else coughs up.

[sammieuk1]

That's right Chinese people you get a free visa and get to play Squid games whilst you shop till you drop ????

[Irish star]

1 hour ago, Mavideol said:

when will TAT realizes their hopes/estimates are just barely wishful thinking/hoping/estimating  555  Chinese will not come in masses as before, sure some will come but not the numbers TAT expects, majority of Chinese people don't have spare money for international travel

Run on banks , they could arrest you 

Edited October 13, 2023 by Irish star

[Irish star]

Chinese are terrified shooting and kidnappings 

[Irish star]

51 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Thousands of Chinese losing their employment as businesses go bankrupt, factories closing almost daily, cities becoming ghost-towns... condos and apartments empty from what used to be full of workers.

They've had to return to home towns to seek work.

China is slowly imploding... and TAT think China is still Thailands tourism saviour.

Thank god back to the Laundry Days 

[dougball]

After a 10 year absence, I was eager to return to Thailand for an extended vacation. The online Tourist Visa application was easy until I got to the requirement to provide proof of accommodation. On previous trips, I would book a hotel for 3 days then find a suitable place when I arrived.  I will not blindly rent a place without seeing it personally.  Thailand may lose me as a tourist.

[crazykopite]

TAT stated a few days ago that due to the shootings Chinese tourism had dropped by 30% I saw in another article how the Chinese had invaded Dubai for the Chinese holiday I think I would believe the news coming out of Dubai rather than what TAT come up with . Let’s wait and see what brainwave they come up with tomorrow 

[Elkski]

Well that one prince and his family left and didnt complete their mall shopping so tats  statement is not true.  Plus he informed social media giw horrible of an experience that was.  

[Mavideol]

4 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Maybe they find out how beautiful Hainan in their own country is.????

yes, for me Hainan is nice but not beautiful and Hainan is not Chinese as it has been invaded by the Russians, have u been recently to Sanya(grad)

[Middle Aged Grouch]

Chinese anycase do not spend much. They also often carry their own groceries in their luggage and chose guest houses with kitchens.

[Mavideol]

4 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Maybe they find out how beautiful Hainan in their own country is.????

yes, for me Hainan is nice but not beautiful and Hainan is not Chinese as it has been invaded by the Russians, have u been recently to Sanya(grad)

[Mavideol]

mall shooting my not impact too much but this type of news sure will impact a lot  555

 

Police Officer Apprehended for Stealing Seized Drugs

 

[newbee2022]

15 minutes ago, Mavideol said:

yes, for me Hainan is nice but not beautiful and Hainan is not Chinese as it has been invaded by the Russians, have u been recently to Sanya(grad)

Yeah, I've been there in 2001 last time. It was beautiful. Past obviously

[spidermike007]

8 hours ago, observer90210 said:

It's more the greed of the brand outlets or store owners,  who are displaying absurd and overrated prices in the malls,  that will deter foreigners to spend and cause big loss for the economy.

True, but some of that is due to absurd luxury taxes, on imports and wine, which make no sense in these days of globalization, make Thailand infinitely less competitive and scare away wealthy tourists, who like to do luxury shopping and drink good wine while in holiday. 

 

Thailand is simply shooting itself in the foot, due to arrogance, myopia, and lazy reliance on tax revenue.

[spidermike007]

Most Chinese are low spending tourists. There are some wealthy one. Most of them avoid Thailand for many valid  reasons. So, you have alot of lower to middle income Chinese, Russians, Malaysian, Indians and Arabs now. That is the mix. Gone are the days of affluent Westerners. 

 

You make your bed, and then you have to lie in it. 

[Tom H]

2 days later….

[atpeace]

16 hours ago, Middle Aged Grouch said:

Chinese anycase do not spend much. They also often carry their own groceries in their luggage and chose guest houses with kitchens.

They dwarf any other country in total money spent.  believe what you want I guess.

[Chris Daley]

You mean the kid whose parents teach at Mahidol University and got a gun from cop , dressed up as the columbine killer and went on to shoot-up the most famous mall in Thailand?  I forgot about it already.