Picture courtesy: toutelathailande

 

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports have ramped up safety measures in Yaowarat, also known as Chinatown, after a surge of tourists prompted by Lisa’s Rockstar music video.

 

Filmed in Bangkok’s Chinatown, the video featuring Thai K-pop star Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal has captured global attention.

 

Released on YouTube at 7 am local time, the video has already garnered an impressive 38 million views. Notably, it showcases the traditional Thai wai gesture and was shot around the famous Chaloem Buri intersection.

 

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt visited Yaowarat last night to check the area's readiness for the influx of visitors. He stated that BMA officials are making regular rounds in Chinatown, which is seeing a steady increase in tourist numbers.

 

Chadchart highlighted that the existing traffic barriers along Yaowarat Road are effective in separating pedestrians from vehicles. He announced plans to extend these barriers to better accommodate the rising number of visitors.

 

Additionally, he stressed the importance of maintaining cleanliness and mentioned that BMA street cleaners are actively working to keep the area tidy. The Samphanthawong District Office has also been instructed to install more litter bins.

 

Traffic police have been asked to manage the congestion caused by tuk-tuk drivers waiting for passengers and by taxi drivers overcharging fares. Chadchart also outlined BMA’s plans to transform parts of Yaowarat into a walking street, increase pedestrian signals, and collaborate with local businesses to provide public toilets.

 

“I’d like to thank Lisa for choosing Yaowarat as a filming location for the video, making the location popular worldwide,” he said.

 

Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanich, alongside other ministry officials, recently inspected businesses, restaurants, and hotels in Yaowarat. He urged cooperation between private and public sectors to install more CCTV cameras, public toilets, and signs, and to improve footpaths.

 

Many local businesses are optimistic about the economic boost expected from the tourism surge. Vendors, like those from Thai Long Jie shop, believe the trend sparked by Lisa’s music video will attract more tourists to Yaowarat, benefiting the local economy.

 

Government Spokesman Chai Wacharonke expressed pride in Lisa, stating that her international popularity will further boost Thai tourism, making her a symbol of national pride.

 

-- 2024-07-01

 

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Beware of the Crowd .

The madness is real!

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt visited Yaowarat last night to check the area's readiness for the influx of visitors.

 

I really must get my eyes seen to. I first read that as reflux of visitors.

"Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanich, alongside other ministry officials, recently inspected businesses, restaurants, and hotels in Yaowarat"

 

Glad they checked that, but did they also look at the prices,which in some restaurants are ridiculously high, like 200 thb for a simple Khao Man Kai.
I understand there is little the inspectors can do about that but it would be nice if those were normal and affordable.

I understood the Chinese were hard business minded and never gave anyone a good deal. Is that an unfair comment?