Thailand Tourism Seeks Boost Following Cabinet Reshuffle

[webfact]

 

Following a recent cabinet reshuffle, Thailand's tourism operators are calling for greater inter-ministerial collaboration to continue the nation's development as a tourism and aviation hub.

 

The reshuffle will see the Culture and Tourism ministers switch roles. Nonetheless, President of the Khao San Road Business Association, Sanga Ruangwattanakul, remains confident that this won't destabilise government if it continues to uphold crucial policies, specifically the 2030 Ignite Thailand vision.

 

Newly appointed tourism minister, Sermsak Pongpanich, though lacking specific tourism experience, is expected to benefit from previous ministerial roles. He is urged to engage tourism experts as consultants and team members.

 

Ruangwattanakul commended outgoing foreign minister, Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara for important policy contributions, such as permanent visa exemption between Thailand and China, and extended visa-free stays for Russian tourists. His successor will need to pursue unfinished initiatives like visa-free entry for Thais in European countries and to promote Thailand as a Southeast Asia tourism hub.

 

To support small and medium-sized tourism operators, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira is encouraged to collaborate with the Bank of Thailand to address issues like reducing interest rates.

 

The President of the Association of Chon Buri Tourism Federation, Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, reiterated the need for inter-ministerial efforts to bolster the economy, calling for closer work between the transport, tourism, and foreign ministries. He suggested using Pattaya and Chon Buri to increase tourism demand by increasing flights through U-Tapao Airport and incentivising airlines with discounts on landing fees, parking fees and fuel surcharges.

 

While acknowledging the benefits of visa exemption schemes, Supornsahasrungsi stressed the necessity of improved tourist safety and easier travel between destinations. He also cited delays on major infrastructure projects like Rama II Road as detrimental to tourism in Hua Hin and Cha-am.

 

TOP: File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Wikipedia

 

-- 2024-05-01

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[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Following a recent cabinet reshuffle, Thailand's tourism operators are calling for greater inter-ministerial collaboration to continue the nation's development as a tourism and aviation hub.

Here we go again.... tourism is all Thailands got.

That and short memories.

[klauskunkel]

Quote

Thailand Tourism Seeks Boost Following Cabinet Reshuffle

Re-open Dusit Zoo and put the Cabinet there as a new tourist attraction:

view how Srettha chooses his socks

watch Anutin beat his chest and rattle a cage

feeding time at the trough is a visitor favorite

there may be a chance for Thaksin showing up orchestrating things...

 

and that's how you boost tourism

[Sydebolle]

Newly appointed tourism minister, Sermsak Pongpanich, though lacking specific tourism experience ........ 

Yet another expert stirring the tourism soup. One day - protect Thailand from over tourism, next day introduce 300 Baht arrival/landing fee, another day cancel TM6 for arrivals/departure by air but not overland, then a year later cancel the TM6 overland as well on a temporary basis. Next you read is expansions of airport to accommodate extra traffic while Korat airport, built for the sake of - most likely very juicy - commissioning, is moving back into the barracks of the Air Force where it had been operated for decades. Betong in the South got a new airport and the tourism experts back in the day did some arm twisting with Nok Air to operate there. After a few weeks of literally empty planes they seized the services without great fanfare. 
Other experts called tourists "dirty farang" and "alien", the rip-offs by cabbies and jet ski operators are standard here, apart from governmentally endorsed two- if not three-tier pricing for admissions to national parks and historical sites - which are rarely visited by the locals anyway. Instead of letting the locals go completely free and hence avoid the pricing discussion, the non-Thai fees are getting jacked up.

So may I conclude, that the appointed Mr Sermsak Pongpanich fits perfectly well into the tourism ministry which has been run by clueless politicians in successive rows while the underlings keep on hammering on the goose which had been laying solid golden and platinum eggs in the past. The writing is definitely on the wall, in big red letters which even gloom at night ......... what a pity! 

[StayinThailand2much]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

His successor will need to pursue unfinished initiatives like (...) to promote Thailand as a Southeast Asia tourism hub.

 

And yet, wasn't the word only a few days ago that there are 'too many tourists, and the Tourism Minister should take action'? So, why is there still a need for promotion, or do certain parties in Thailand get a cut from the promotion budget?

 

Edited May 1 by StayinThailand2much

[drrobert]

also same old story about visa free entry to EU. What planet do these people live on.

[borderhopper2005]

What happened to the B300-tourist levy they were talking a few days ago to counter(reduce) tourist numbers to the kingdom?

 

Gone with the ministers kicked out of the cabinet?