Thailand Urged to Certify Hotel Safety Amid Post-Quake Tourism Concerns

[snoop1130]

Photo courtesy of Thairath

 

In the wake of recent earthquakes, private sector organisations are pressing the Thai government to issue safety certifications for hotels to boost tourist confidence. Tourism and Sports Minister Suwang Theinthong recently discussed these matters with various stakeholders, fearing a potential decline in tourist numbers due to the seismic events.

 

Efforts are underway to clarify that Bangkok is primarily affected, and to reassure travellers, flight and hotel bookings will be closely monitored ahead of the upcoming Songkran festival. The tourism sector is advocating for safety certificates for structurally sound buildings, with the Bangkok governor deploying volunteer engineers for rapid inspections. These certifications, once issued, will be shared globally by the Tourism Authority of Thailand to affirm safety.

 

In addition, the private sector is calling for the retraction of the emergency disaster declaration, as it influences tourism insurance interpretations in English, posing challenges to the industry. These proposals have reached the prime minister's desk for consideration.

 

 

 

Kris Patanasarn of the Thai Airways Association highlighted that there have been over 1,000 hotel cancellations, although tourist hotspots like Pattaya remain unaffected. The primary concern, however, is the significant drop in flight bookings, particularly from China, which has seen nearly a 60% decrease. Bookings from other key markets like India, Vietnam, and Malaysia have also registered substantial declines.

 

Despite these challenges, the industry remains hopeful. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports, together with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, aims to circulate reassuring messages globally, striving to reassure travellers that Thailand remains a safe destination. There are plans to engage directly with the Chinese ambassador to address specific concerns from this critical market.

 

While the drop in daily passenger bookings of 40-60% is troubling, the Songkran festival preparations proceed as planned, with the tourism sector hopeful that these efforts will restore confidence swiftly, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-04-01

 

 

[Crossy]

Whilst they are at it, can they certify fire safety, evacuation etc. etc. etc.

[bkk6060]

Here we go.  Hotels still advertise the SHA bs with all the staff wearing masks.

Now,  I guess it will be EPH= earthquake proof hotel.  Stupid.

[MikeandDow]

Even a handyman is called an Engineer in Thailand  there is a need for some type of certification that a Inspection has been carried out by a qualified structural engineer not olny hotels but condo  and any build that has been damaged 

[steven100]

well, I thought you needed a civil engineer and construction expert ( as I am )   to verify that the building can withstand an earthquake.     But BMA have more than 7,000 applications to process,  so guys,   you better get 20-30 teams together.    imo

[KannikaP]

Only one partially constructed building collapsed. I did not read of any hotels falling down.

[TedG]

This will be a huge effort for sure.  

[mfd101]

Well, given what we all know about the links between competence and corruption in this country, I wouldn't have too much faith in a safety certificate issued by the anxious locals.

 

Try bringing in fully-trained & experienced engineers from some of the less corrupt countries of the world - Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Holland, Oz, NZ, Japan ...

[JoePai]

This will be a nice money making scam for a few   

[steven100]

2 hours ago, JoePai said:

This will be a nice money making scam for a few   

I can see the envelopes being filled already 

[Tarteso]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

the Bangkok governor deploying volunteer engineers for rapid inspections.

 

That means take a look, sign and go

 

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

the tourism sector hopeful that these efforts will restore confidence swiftly

 

Added to wish list. ✅

[connda]

Like lightning, earthquakes like this 7.7 are not going to strike again anytime soon.  It's rather sad to watch the ants scatter fearfully when the best time to come and never experience an earthquake - is right after the earthquake and the aftershocks have settled. Like right now.  Oh the Thai government will spend a ton of money in retrospect.  And by the way, building here should be earthquake proof.  Well, if this leads to regular inspections, I guess that will be cool, but realistically, after about 5 years or so, the inspections will fall by the wayside as the next "big one" won't be in my lifetime.

[actonion]

17 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Only one partially constructed building collapsed. I did not read of any hotels falling down.

yet

[PomPolo]

18 hours ago, Crossy said:

Whilst they are at it, can they certify fire safety, evacuation etc. etc. etc.

And also while on a safety mission lets sort out Busses and Taxis (Land of Safety)

[MikeandDow]

Just now, connda said:

Like lightning, earthquakes like this 7.7 are not going to strike again anytime soon.  It's rather sad to watch the ants scatter fearfully when the best time to come and never experience an earthquake - is right after the earthquake and the aftershocks have settled. Like right now.  Oh the Thai government will spend a ton of money in retrospect.  And by the way, building here should be earthquake proof.  Well, if this leads to regular inspections, I guess that will be cool, but realistically, after about 5 years or so, the inspections will fall by the wayside as the next "big one" won't be in my lifetime.

oh wow !! you can predict when a earthquake strikes 

[NDRugby99]

1 hour ago, connda said:

Like lightning, earthquakes like this 7.7 are not going to strike again anytime soon.  It's rather sad to watch the ants scatter fearfully when the best time to come and never experience an earthquake - is right after the earthquake and the aftershocks have settled. Like right now.  Oh the Thai government will spend a ton of money in retrospect.  And by the way, building here should be earthquake proof.  Well, if this leads to regular inspections, I guess that will be cool, but realistically, after about 5 years or so, the inspections will fall by the wayside as the next "big one" won't be in my lifetime.

You contradict yourself in your own comment. "The best time to come here is now....they need to make these buildings earthquake proof".  I wouldn't want to stay in a damaged hotel that is "certified" safe by a "Thai Building inspector"

[black tabby12345]

Certificate itself, is just a piece of paper.

Has no effects to waive tremor when struck by the quake.

Valueless unless the building is carefully examined by the professional.

 

 

[black tabby12345]

1 hour ago, PomPolo said:

And also while on a safety mission lets sort out Busses and Taxis (Land of Safety)

 

As the Spontaneous Combustion Vehicle kills even without natural disaster.

Quake is the rare risk here.

But fire-starting cars are Everyday Risk...

[black tabby12345]

20 hours ago, Crossy said:

Whilst they are at it, can they certify fire safety, evacuation etc. etc. etc.

 

"I don't want to know why you can't. I want to know how you can!"

 

Double bound itself, LOL.

[Nid_Noi]

Once the Thai emergency sinister declaration has been published foreign travel insurances will remove coverage for travellers planning to visit Thailand.

I can see a lot of fine prints denying coverage for multiple causes even if they are not related to the hearth quake and its consequences.

[bang saen guy]

If anyone has been involved in construction in Thailand you will know that shortcuts abound. Thais are quick to shift the blame to China. Chinese did not build it

[steven100]

7 hours ago, connda said:

Like lightning, earthquakes like this 7.7 are not going to strike again anytime soon.  It's rather sad to watch the ants scatter fearfully when the best time to come and never experience an earthquake - is right after the earthquake and the aftershocks have settled. Like right now.  Oh the Thai government will spend a ton of money in retrospect.  And by the way, building here should be earthquake proof.  Well, if this leads to regular inspections, I guess that will be cool, but realistically, after about 5 years or so, the inspections will fall by the wayside as the next "big one" won't be in my lifetime.

you are a dreamer ....  TIT ....  scam world

[mfd101]

21 hours ago, connda said:

Like lightning, earthquakes like this 7.7 are not going to strike again anytime soon.  It's rather sad to watch the ants scatter fearfully when the best time to come and never experience an earthquake - is right after the earthquake and the aftershocks have settled. Like right now.  Oh the Thai government will spend a ton of money in retrospect.  And by the way, building here should be earthquake proof.  Well, if this leads to regular inspections, I guess that will be cool, but realistically, after about 5 years or so, the inspections will fall by the wayside as the next "big one" won't be in my lifetime.

One professional (Western) seismologist was quoted a couple of days ago saying that seismology is a very imperfect 'science' and that, quite apart from follow-up aftershocks, an earthquake can strike any time anywhere without warning.

[Aussie999]

On 4/1/2025 at 5:56 PM, MikeandDow said:

Even a handyman is called an Engineer in Thailand  there is a need for some type of certification that a Inspection has been carried out by a qualified structural engineer not olny hotels but condo  and any build that has been damaged 

No offence to our Pommy friends, but I believe, in Britain, garbos are Sanitary "Engineers." 555