Abhisit Vejjajiva Elected New Prime Minister Of Thailand

[animatic]

If a farang is allowed to buy 1 rai for a personal home,

Maybe with a 'can only be resold to thai hands' clause.

That will bring in retirées and steady pensions, ie economic income from abroad.

it will affect the investment climate positively.

Agreed with one exception, the 'can only be resold to a thai' clause.... That makes for unfair selling, as all Thai's would know that they can offer the Farang less money than they would a Thai for the same land. Generally speaking if only one group of people are allowed to buy the seller is at a disadvantage, and the buyer will take advantage. The buyers will have an untold rule that Farangs get offered X% less than market value. Just like the allot of restaurants and hotels have a Thai price, and a Farang price.

There should be a clause that says you can only sell to a person that is Thai or fits the visa requirements (living in Thailand legally, not on the 30day visa runs) and does not own another personal home...

That will help Thailand in general.

Who can deny that the decisions made by politicians affect farangs

on a regular basis and effects their and their families lives.

If you live here you have right of comment in YOUR OWN SELF INTEREST

and your families, as well as the country's.

Often they can be much the same, being tied together so closely

I must have woken up in a strange world because I agree with your point 100%..... I feel like it’s the twilight zone or something.

it is a strange morning to wake up to for sure.

Of course the Farang can jack up the price on the house to compensate.

But yes I see your point,

it's just baby steps to get to a more normal state of land affairs.

[sriracha john]

Agreed, it has much more to do with the world-wide down-turn, and quite a lot to do with the recent policy of the BoT to maintain a Strong-Baht policy, against the best interests of tourism & exporters and the workers formerly employed in those industries.

Those in the tourism industry would disagree. The plunge in tourism is directly attributable to the airport fiasco.

We need to get some factual and specific evidence on the issue from the industry as to which aspect has had its respective impact... UG's personal business assessment notwithstanding, of course.

[henryalleman]

For rather obscure reasons, despite being disqualified the ex PPP party members were permitted to change parties and still qualify as MP's. STRANGE!!

If you view MPs as being chosen as representatives of their constituencies (the original view), parties are purely incidental - indeed it seem odd to require that they belong to a party.

I even think the party list MPs remain valid, even though the party is dissolved. These MPs may be seen as being chosen as partisan representatives of their region, but the party's views at the time of election remain valid even though the party be dissolved.

Abhisit Vejjajiva Elected New Prime Minister Of Thailand,

Elected by who? Certainly not the people

As the Democratic Party got more party list votes than any other party, surely if the popular vote should be regarded as electing anyone as prime minister, it elected Abhisit.

MP's changing parties and keep their mandate is legitimed. One of the greatest politicians in UK history changed party 2 or 3 times, once he even went back to the party he left before.

His name WINSTON CHURCHILL. And I think he was not the only politician in Britain did it, but I think the English members will have more information about it.

[Steve2UK]

And that is his biggest benefit, at last someone who have no connection with the military

Democrat govt a shotgun wedding?

By [email protected]

Published on December 10, 2008

.......

But before they met the press, key Democrat leaders namely Suthep and Niphon, along with their supporters namely Pradit, Somsak, Suchat Tanchareon from Puea Pandin, Somsak Thepsuthin from the disbanded Matchima Thipataya, and some MPs from Newin's group met Army Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda at his residence. The only parties not invited were Pheu Thai and Pracharaj.

This meeting would have been secret if the politicians hadn't got lost. So a soldier was sent to meet them at a PTT petrol station, then escort them on a motorbike to the Army chief's house.

Former army chief Gen Pravit Wongsuwan and army chief-of-staff Prayuth Chanocha were also at the meeting.

A source said the politicians met Anupong to ask his advice about forming a Democrat-led coalition. The Army chief told them all parties should put the country first, because if the next coalition was the same as the previous one, Thailand would plunge even deeper into turmoil.

The meeting lasted three hours. After that leaders of the Democrats and the four minor parties met the press - two hours late - at the Sukhothai Hotel, and declared their agreement to form the next government.

http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/12/10/pol...cs_30090626.php

[Ulysses G.]

Agreed, it has much more to do with the world-wide down-turn, and quite a lot to do with the recent policy of the BoT to maintain a Strong-Baht policy, against the best interests of tourism & exporters and the workers formerly employed in those industries.

Those in the tourism industry would disagree. The plunge in tourism is directly attributable to the airport fiasco.

We need to get some factual and specific evidence on the issue from the industry as to which aspect has had its respective impact... UG's personal business assessment notwithstanding, of course.

If most businesses were doing well before the airport closure and now they are not, it is not too difficult to figure out.

The airport and fights were mostly full before airport taken over, almost completely empty now - just a few weeks later.

It don't take a brain surgeon.

Spin away!

[MyphuketLife]

The SECOND plunge in tourism was connected to the airport.

It was long an open question wether there WOULD be a high season or not

most of this fall long before the airports were taken. That was just the final nail.

And for the reasons stated above tanking world economy, high baht high oil/travel costs.

Was there a downturn in tourism for this high season, yes... Where they related to world economy, strong baht? yes.

Was there new bookings coming in every day? yes.

Did the new booking (bookings for Jan, Feb) almost come to a full stop the day the airport was taken? yes

So while I agree that the world economy issues would have had a negative impact on tourism in 2009, I don't think it is the cause for the steep decline in new bookings. 2009 is going to be a sad year for allot of Thai people that depend on tourism direct or indirect, and the while the PAD actions are not the only culprit, the airport closer can be attributed as the main cause for such a steep decline in new bookings

[sriracha john]

Agreed, it has much more to do with the world-wide down-turn, and quite a lot to do with the recent policy of the BoT to maintain a Strong-Baht policy, against the best interests of tourism & exporters and the workers formerly employed in those industries.

Those in the tourism industry would disagree. The plunge in tourism is directly attributable to the airport fiasco.

We need to get some factual and specific evidence on the issue from the industry as to which aspect has had its respective impact... UG's personal business assessment notwithstanding, of course.

If most businesses were doing well before the airport closure and now they are not, it is not too difficult to figure out.

The airport and fights were mostly full before airport taken over, almost completely empty now - just a few weeks later.

It don't take a brain surgeon.

Spin away!

I don't need to... the industry does it for me... from prior to the airport closure:

High-season tourism outlook bleak

Despite a large drop in fuel prices internationally, the outlook for this year’s high season for tourism remains bleak, a top tourism industry leader has said.

But then, I guess you know you more than than a top tourism industry leader does and that everything was just peachy prior to the airport closure.

[henryalleman]

Give this boy a chance. He may have came to power via the back door, but at least he is charming and clean (sadly, the same cannot be said about his team). Like his mentor Chuan, he will be well like by the people.

This is one of the very few Thai PM that speak good English, almost perfect (the other is Anan, a non-elected PM). It is delighful to see him in ALJ/BCC/CNN/etc rather than the incomprehensible Thaksin et al. After a few weeks, I am quite sure the foreign media will go easy on him.

But its not the foreign media's opinion who is important, but the opinion of the Thai public.

[Koo82]

One might hope that the Democratic Party might try hard, over the next few weeks, to get this message across to the people who are/will-be affected, so that the blame rightly lands on ex-PM Somchai and his self-acknowledged Thaksin-nominee PPP-government.

Oh, you can be sure that they will, but it is a LIE.

The PAD drove out the tourists who were here and scared the rest into canceling their vacations for this year. It is too bad that there is no way to make them pay the poor for their lost income along with the airlines and the hotel industry.

Agreed with both of you. Read "Who's Who in PAD" from the Nation http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/12/16/politics/

Do you see who behind them?

Maybe they will be untouched. No problem. They just closed the airports for a few days. No one dies yet. The one they want to fight for is now PM. PM says he'll clear the mess (they made themselves). Created problems and now taking people's tax to clear! But not enough because they say they will reduce our taxes and every one of us is not naive to submit all taxes we're supposed to pay. Where will he take the money to solve problems?

[sriracha john]

Members of "We Love Chiang Mai 51" launch campaign to solicit money Monday to send red-shirted protesters to Bangkok to block government of PM-elect Abhisit Vejjajiva from delivering policy speech.

The Nation

[hammered]

Members of "We Love Chiang Mai 51" launch campaign to solicit money Monday to send red-shirted protesters to Bangkok to block government of PM-elect Abhisit Vejjajiva from delivering policy speech.

The Nation

It is going to be difficult for the red side to use street protest. One thing the PAD has done is cause massive demo fatigue and a desire to actually see the law and even force used to keep the streets clear. It is into this that the red side will march. I fear that anything beyond the most peaceful out of the way demo wont be tolerated for long at all.

If one were being conspiratorial one could say the PAD giving street demos such a bad rep just before they left the streets for their opponents ot take to them was just part of a brilliant strategy.

[Samuian]

......

So while I agree that the world economy issues would have had a negative impact on tourism in 2009, I don't think it is the cause for the steep decline in new bookings. 2009 is going to be a sad year for allot of Thai people that depend on tourism direct or indirect, and the while the PAD actions are not the only culprit, the airport closer can be attributed as the main cause for such a steep decline in new bookings

Well, keep on going with the black paint... if you wish...

I have been to the wtm in Lodon last month and just got this message:

"A RECORD-BREAKING World Travel Market 2008!

Exhibitor numbers up. Visitors up 12%. Trade attendance up. Total global participants even broke through the 50,000 barrier*"

Believe what you wish to believe, if you are in business and the figures are declining, maybe get out of the armchair and do something about it, whinging won't help, I can assure you and any of the other doomsday preachers!

Nothing in business can be taken for granted, have to assess, adjust and go ahead with some fresh esteem!

Stop whinging, get real!

It' OVER, a new government, some positive outlook and soon is peak season...

Edited December 16, 2008 by Samuian

[Mobi]

Abhisit must prove his courage and political will

By Sopon Onkgara

The Nation

Published on December 16, 2008

IT was probably the first time the Democrats had won over tough opponents in a big-money political race when Abhisit Vejjajiva was selected as Thailand's 27th prime minister with relative ease yesterday, following days of intense lobbying and wooing of MPs to switch camps. To the private sector, this is a welcome change, hopefully for the better in terms of public acceptance of the new PM. We have all suffered from the shortcomings and failures of previous leaders to live up to public expectations in times of crisis.The stock market responded positively. There were also positive comments from business leaders facing bleak economic prospects brought about by the financial mayhem that originated in the US following the collapse of merchant banks and finance corporations.

Abhisit has a long way to go and he may stumble due to his inexperience, lack of political will and softness in dealing with coalition partners who will set tough conditions in exchange for their support.The victory came with a big dent to the image of the country's oldest political party, with its long years in rough and tumble politics. Abhisit had to make a round of visits to ex-party chieftains banned from active politics to seek their support to fulfil his ambition. That is a big price to pay. If he had not won the race yesterday, Abhisit and the Democrats would have suffered a serious blow to their credibility, after begging for votes from back-stabbers. This does not make them much different from the usual players in gutter politics.

The desire of the people for change, after months of crisis, will allow some time for the Democrats to prove their competence and worth after almost a decade as the opposition. From now on, the Democrats must not only work hard, in a selfless manner, to regain the public's trust and confidence, Abhisit himself has to prove he is the real boss, the man in charge, ready to lead the country despite his relatively young age. Gutter politics is a game requiring long fangs and an understanding of betrayal.Already, Abhisit has announced he will take charge of the economic team in an effort to resolve the current economic woes. The public is being battered by widespread job losses due to retrenchment and factory shutdowns.

First things first: Abhisit has to learn to listen, especially to his mentors, regarding political survival and economic management; this without hurting the coalition partners. Yet he must not be seen as being too accommodating. He must not compromise his own principles despite the political realities of benefit sharing.He faces tough challenges on many fronts. Political divisiveness and conflict between the two mass factions have run too deep to hope for immediate remedy or reconciliation. He has witnessed how his two predecessors suffered from heckling and public denunciation for being political puppets trying to fulfil the self-serving objectives of their master.Although he has been chosen to become prime minister, he still has to wait for a verdict of the Constitution Court today over the status of MPs under the party list system, and a by-election on January 11 to fill vacancies left by ex-MPs in the opposition camp.The court's ruling today will determine whether more vacant seats are still possible if current MPs are judged invalid after their parties have been dissolved due to election fraud.

Abhisit cannot waste time in showing the people that he means business, and that his soft style and manners belie nerves of steel. The first test will be his selection of Cabinet members and how much freedom he has in rejecting the undesirable and the incompetent, particularly those with track records of dishonesty.Of course, there will be no honeymoon period. Thaksin Shinawatra, now in self-imposed exile, is seething in rage, while working out new plots to regain power for his allies and puppets. It was a major setback for the fugitive convict, who has to pay a lot more just to keep the loyalty of the cronies he needs.Only hard work and real resolve in tackling the pressing economic crisis, while trying to win the hearts of the people in the North and the Northeast, can enable the Democrats to lessen the feeling of animosity towards him in those two regions.The toughest challenge will be for Abhisit to ruffle big feathers by introducing property taxes, limit landholding and the long-awaited inheritance tax. Next on the agenda is restructuring of the national police and the due process of law. Has anybody noticed if he has started sweating yet?

[cmsally]

Agreed, it has much more to do with the world-wide down-turn, and quite a lot to do with the recent policy of the BoT to maintain a Strong-Baht policy, against the best interests of tourism & exporters and the workers formerly employed in those industries.

Those in the tourism industry would disagree. The plunge in tourism is directly attributable to the airport fiasco.

We need to get some factual and specific evidence on the issue from the industry as to which aspect has had its respective impact... UG's personal business assessment notwithstanding, of course.

If most businesses were doing well before the airport closure and now they are not, it is not too difficult to figure out.

The airport and fights were mostly full before airport taken over, almost completely empty now - just a few weeks later.

It don't take a brain surgeon.

Spin away!

What kind of factual and specific evidence are you looking for ? I have 2 businesses involved in Thai tourism and both have suffered a nosedive since the airport blockades. Perhaps you would like the email addresses of a segment of about 50 people in the tourism industry here (business owners and hotel managers) and would like to email them personally about the situation. Most people suffered 100% ,or close to, cancellation rates for the first half of Dec.

End half of Dec. you are looking at about 30-50% cancellations. But the other factor is that the number of new bookings has dropped considerably. Most people that are still coming had put some kind of plan in place before the airport fiasco. There are very few new bookings coming in (for those that are starting holiday planning post airport fiasco) , that is apparent for end of Dec. and onwards into first quarter 2009 .

[OlRedEyes]

But its not the foreign media's opinion who is important, but the opinion of the Thai public.

The foreign media plays a very large part in how potential foreign investors and tourists see Thailand. Which plays a very large part in Thailand's economic performance. Which plays a very large part in Thai opinion of their govt.'s performance.

As much as the Thai, and their unflinching admirers, like to stick their heads in the sand with misplaced pride (which is a weird combination) in Thailand's perceived independence from world opinion, the game has long ago changed, permanently, and Thailand is not the island they wish to believe anymore.

The evil foreigners, and their stupid opinions, have and will continue to have great influence on every single Thai's life now and into the future. Live with it.

Edited December 16, 2008 by OlRedEyes

[sriracha john]

Agreed, it has much more to do with the world-wide down-turn, and quite a lot to do with the recent policy of the BoT to maintain a Strong-Baht policy, against the best interests of tourism & exporters and the workers formerly employed in those industries.

Those in the tourism industry would disagree. The plunge in tourism is directly attributable to the airport fiasco.

We need to get some factual and specific evidence on the issue from the industry as to which aspect has had its respective impact... UG's personal business assessment notwithstanding, of course.

If most businesses were doing well before the airport closure and now they are not, it is not too difficult to figure out.

The airport and fights were mostly full before airport taken over, almost completely empty now - just a few weeks later.

It don't take a brain surgeon.

Spin away!

What kind of factual and specific evidence are you looking for ? I have 2 businesses involved in Thai tourism and both have suffered a nosedive since the airport blockades. Perhaps you would like the email addresses of a segment of about 50 people in the tourism industry here (business owners and hotel managers) and would like to email them personally about the situation. Most people suffered 100% ,or close to, cancellation rates for the first half of Dec.

End half of Dec. you are looking at about 30-50% cancellations. But the other factor is that the number of new bookings has dropped considerably. Most people that are still coming had put some kind of plan in place before the airport fiasco. There are very few new bookings coming in (for those that are starting holiday planning post airport fiasco) , that is apparent for end of Dec. and onwards into first quarter 2009 .

Considering the thousands of businesses that are involved in the tourism business from one end of Thailand to the other, I'd be looking for something more than 2 businesses in one city. It will certainly take time to evaluate comprehensively, but before sweeping and unproven conclusive statements, based on a few anecdotal notes, are accepted, I think it's wise and prudent to hold off. The industry itself is capable of making these evaluations and publishing their results.

[henryalleman]

Wonderful news and he at least initially appears to be a decent, honest, sincere and well educated guy, indeed a ray of light in the darkness. I wish him well, he has a tough job ahead of him.

As a guy who was educated at Oxford I wonder whether he will be kinder to falangs living here legally and honestly in LOS. On a purely selfish note it would be great if he allowed at least retirees (and of any age) to own their own houses, albeit with a limited small amount of land say reasonably under 400 square wah or even half of that. Anyway the main thing is for now the well being of this country and its people, and its prosperous future. This is hope at last for the Thai people and I hope a final goodbye to the destructive megalomaniac Toxin (though sadly I somehow doubt it)

Indeed, you are not a litle bit selfish, but very selfish. You are worried about what the impact wil be for yourself. May I remind you that we as farang are not important at all, his sole responsibilty is the welbeing of the Thai public, not the farang.

... and <deleted> are you! The guy wished the new PM well, the Thai people well and also wishing that we may have an easier time of it. What's wrong with that? We are important, especially in the eyes of our immediate Thai families for those that have them, so get off your soapbox

Agreed, as highlighted above, he says "the main thing is for now the well being of this country and its people, and its prosperous future." selfish?

And what's so wrong about wishing to be allowed to buy a piece of land? If a Thai (or anyone else) comes to Australia/England/USA/... s/he is permitted to work any job for which s/he is qualified, and if s/he possesses or earns sufficient funds, s/he may also buy property... Why would we not wish the same in Thailand? He is not asking for a gift... simply the 'privilege' of being allowed to part with his hard earned cash in exchange for a commodity, land, just the same as any other resident of this fine nation is 'allowed'.... how is that selfish? A "hot cash injection" which, by-the-way, would surely benefit the Thai economy in the long-run... how is that selfish?

"Please explain!?" <--- Pauline Hanson 1996 ---> lol

Agreed, Abhisit's main focus will be on the Thai people and not Farang interests, that is as it should be and as it must be... but "Rayw"s hope that, due to the fact that the new P.M. might understand what it's like to be a "Stranger in a strange land" (having been one himself), we receive slightly fairer treatment in this country (to which we have brought our $) is not much to ask, is it?

henryalleman: I don't say much on this forum but I read a lot, you have said many things which I agree with, and many things that I do not, such is the nature of discussion. However I would hope you try to rethink your stance on this issue.

<--- warfie dons the flame-proof suit ---> (gee, it's getting a bit threadbare...)

Warfie, I thank you for your comment, and you are correct to mention

Agreed, as highlighted above, he says "the main thing is for now the well being of this country and its people, and its prosperous future." selfish?

I confess I overlooked that line, and I only focussed on

On a purely selfish note it would be great if he allowed at least retirees (and of any age) to own their own houses, albeit with a limited small amount of land say reasonably under 400 square wah or even half of that.

and you are correct that I should have read that sentence more than once, and not make an too hasty conclusion.

By this I also offer my excuses to Rayw's to make an too hasty conclusion.

the comment of jackr

... and &lt;deleted&gt; are you! The guy wished the new PM well, the Thai people well and also wishing that we may have an easier time of it. What's wrong with that? We are important, especially in the eyes of our immediate Thai families for those that have them, so get off your soapbox

I did answer already in another topic.

All politics is local.

What's more local than you're own home?

ALL politics is gauged via the self interest of the individual voter AND family.

Some have greater national interest vs self interest than others.

(see the TRT PPP PTP political group vs basic subsistance farmer.)

If your wife is thai and thus a voter,

then your comments as a voter's family should also be valid.

If a farang is allowed to buy 1 rai for a personal home,

Maybe with a 'can only be resold to thai hands' clause.

That will bring in retirées and steady pensions, ie economic income from abroad.

it will affect the investment climate positively.

That will help Thailand in general.

Who can deny that the decisions made by politicians affect farangs

on a regular basis and effects their and their families lives.

If you live here you have right of comment in YOUR OWN SELF INTEREST

and your families, as well as the country's.

Often they can be much the same, being tied together so closely

If I only look at own self interest, it will be the best that Thailand go under in economical problems and the Baht looses all his buying power. Life will be even more cheap than it is already.

If I only look at own self interest, I will not even give a dam_n for the political struggle in Thailand, because its have nothing to do with my cozy life in my comfortable ivory tower in an strongly guarded Farang compound like Nitchada estate in Bangkok where you hardly see a Thai, except the service staff and the Thai people in the Market -Garden supermarket for Farang.

(This is only given as an example, I don't live in an Expat compound like Nitchada estate)

But I have 4 grand children, (2 in university) and I wish a better future for them. And most of all I like that my grand daughter have the same oppertunity's, what is not possible this moment in the macho male culture in LOS.

So excuse me that I point out that the ability to buy real estate by farang will not make their future better.

And yes I would like to vote also as foreigners can do for the commune in the EU, in France there is even a lord mayor who is not a French National.

And yes it would be great if expats could by real estate. But I think most of us all knew it will be impossible before they moved here.

And as long you don't have the Thai nationality and revoke your present nationality , you will always be a guest and have no right to demand anything.

BTW howmany of us retirees pay income taxes overhere.

So no taxations no representation or demands for expats who don't pay income tax.

And of course we have the right to comment and ventilate our toughts and opinions in an expat forum like TV. But I will never do this with Thai people, because it wil not be apreciated at all, in fact its the best way to become an social outcast.

[MyphuketLife]

......

So while I agree that the world economy issues would have had a negative impact on tourism in 2009, I don't think it is the cause for the steep decline in new bookings. 2009 is going to be a sad year for allot of Thai people that depend on tourism direct or indirect, and the while the PAD actions are not the only culprit, the airport closer can be attributed as the main cause for such a steep decline in new bookings

Well, keep on going with the black paint... if you wish...

I have been to the wtm in Lodon last month and just got this message:

"A RECORD-BREAKING World Travel Market 2008!

Exhibitor numbers up. Visitors up 12%. Trade attendance up. Total global participants even broke through the 50,000 barrier*"

Believe what you wish to believe, if you are in business and the figures are declining, maybe get out of the armchair and do something about it, whinging won't help, I can assure you and any of the other doomsday preachers!

Nothing in business can be taken for granted, have to assess, adjust and go ahead with some fresh esteem!

Stop whinging, get real!

It' OVER, a new government, some positive outlook and soon is peak season...

First I am not whining, some one said, tourism is not down as a result of PAD closing airports. I stated it was down as a result. You can read can't you?

Second nothing I do depends on Tourism direct or indirect, this has 0 effect on me (so again not whining).

Read the statement you qouted above again and tell me 1. What made it 'whiny' and 2. what is not true in the statement... Otherwise you just posted a response to my comment for nothing

Edited December 16, 2008 by MyphuketLife

[henryalleman]

Those in the tourism industry would disagree. The plunge in tourism is directly attributable to the airport fiasco.

That's what the people I know that work in the tourism industry say. They say they were fine, then the PAD overtook the airport and people canceled trips not all of them, but there have been almost no new bookings since the airport closer. There was new bookings before the closer, but new bookings stopped coming in once the closer happened.

If so, why are almost all flights from Amsterdam, Brussels, Zurich and so on, to Bangkok are almost full booked till april.

[bubba]

Here's an interesting one that just came in by Nation SMS news alert:

"EC member Prapun said the Democrat party could face dissolution after Puea Thai accused Democrat leader Abhisit of working with banned politician Newin."

[henryalleman]

But its not the foreign media's opinion who is important, but the opinion of the Thai public.

The foreign media plays a very large part in how potential foreign investors and tourists see Thailand. Which plays a very large part in Thailand's economic performance. Which plays a very large part in Thai opinion of their govt.'s performance.

As much as the Thai, and their unflinching admirers, like to stick their heads in the sand with misplaced pride (which is a weird combination) in Thailand's perceived independence from world opinion, the game has long ago changed, permanently, and Thailand is not the island they wish to believe anymore.

The evil foreigners, and their stupid opinions, have and will continue to have great influence on every single Thai's life now and into the future. Live with it.

The press outside the US was always against Bush, but he won 2 elections. And it didn' stop any foreign investors even he made a war where all the world was against. Also this did not stop and foreign investement.

[cmsally]

An article demonstrating the dire consequences of the airport blockade:

Travel Mole

Heartfelt plea from Bangkok

In a heartfelt plea Andrew Wood, President-Skal Interantional in Bangkok, Skal International Councillor-Thailand and Skal Asian Area-Director of Development, in addition to being General Manager of Bangkok's Chaophya Park Hotel, has sent an open email to colleagues and media highlighting the plight of the industry in Bangkok and urging the protestors to lift the blockade, which they have now done.

[MyphuketLife]

Considering the thousands of businesses that are involved in the tourism business from one end of Thailand to the other, I'd be looking for something more than 2 businesses in one city. It will certainly take time to evaluate comprehensively, but before sweeping and unproven conclusive statements, based on a few anecdotal notes, are accepted, I think it's wise and prudent to hold off. The industry itself is capable of making these evaluations and publishing their results.

John this is simple people are saying the PAD airport closer had a negative impact on their travel related business.

You can't honestly think that closing a major international airport for days only shortly after closing smaller airports in the same country had no negative impact on the travel sector can you?

To what extent is the question and with the world economy downturn no one can say for sure... So spin away all you want but at the end of the day closing four airports in a country is bad for the travel sector.

I would think common since would lead people to this conclusion... but here you are proving me wrong

[hammered]

Here's an interesting one that just came in by Nation SMS news alert:

"EC member Prapun said the Democrat party could face dissolution after Puea Thai accused Democrat leader Abhisit of working with banned politician Newin."

Considering that PPP were off cuddling and going down on Thaksin in all strange parts of the world for the tenure of their governments and the EC did nothing about that I doubt whether this one will go anywhere

[yogi]

5 pm in just 2 years time.HERE WE GO AGAIN

[baht&sold]

Snippets from a business perspective:

-Business leaders have overwhelmingly welcomed the selection of Abhisit Vejjajiva of the Democrat party as the country's next prime minister, saying they hope to see major changes in politics to help the country move forward.

-Santi Vilassakdanont, the chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), said he believed public confidence would vastly improve with the change in the main governing party.

-"We are not sceptical about the qualifications of candidates from the Democrat Party," said Pramon Suthivong, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce. "What we are concerned about is the candidates from the coalition.

-"What the private sector wants to see is teamwork among economic ministers," he said. "We are feeling better now that we've heard that Mr Abhisit will also lead the economic team of the new government."

www.bangkokpost.com/161208_Business/16Dec2008_biz30.php

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-Abhisit will have a chance to shine at the Asean Summit, which has been rescheduled for February.

-Restoring confidence among the international community is equally important. Foreigners and foreign governments do not understand the complex political situation in Thailand.

-Abhisit has nothing before him except to serve the Thai public. This call is a noble one, and he has been raised to do this.

-Unlike most politicians, he does not have business connections or vested interests he needs to protect.

-It is time to make history.

www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/12/16/business/business_30091082.php

[MyphuketLife]

Those in the tourism industry would disagree. The plunge in tourism is directly attributable to the airport fiasco.

That's what the people I know that work in the tourism industry say. They say they were fine, then the PAD overtook the airport and people canceled trips not all of them, but there have been almost no new bookings since the airport closer. There was new bookings before the closer, but new bookings stopped coming in once the closer happened.

If so, why are almost all flights from Amsterdam, Brussels, Zurich and so on, to Bangkok are almost full booked till april.

You caught me I was lying.... Give me a break, I can find flights no problem just checked. Also how many flights a week before the airport closer and how many flights a week after the airport closer... Less flights (means some full flights), but still less people.

[MyphuketLife]

Here's an interesting one that just came in by Nation SMS news alert:

"EC member Prapun said the Democrat party could face dissolution after Puea Thai accused Democrat leader Abhisit of working with banned politician Newin."

While if this is true they should face dissolution, however this would be bad... I can't image what would go down on the streets if they get dissolved, I mean what would the PAD do to one-up the airport?

[sriracha john]

Considering the thousands of businesses that are involved in the tourism business from one end of Thailand to the other, I'd be looking for something more than 2 businesses in one city. It will certainly take time to evaluate comprehensively, but before sweeping and unproven conclusive statements, based on a few anecdotal notes, are accepted, I think it's wise and prudent to hold off. The industry itself is capable of making these evaluations and publishing their results.

John this is simple people are saying the PAD airport closer had a negative impact on their travel related business.

You can't honestly think that closing a major international airport for days only shortly after closing smaller airports in the same country had no negative impact on the travel sector can you?

To what extent is the question and with the world economy downturn no one can say for sure... So spin away all you want but at the end of the day closing four airports in a country is bad for the travel sector.

I would think common since would lead people to this conclusion... but here you are proving me wrong

"People" are not simply saying that... they are saying that the airport closure is the overwhelming factor in the downturn in tourism.

I've never said it had no impact.

I've not spun it, I've just asked for objective findings before unproven assessments based on speculation are put forth as fact.

And you wonder why I've considered your posting obviously insincere?

[MyphuketLife]

But then, I guess you know you more than than a top tourism industry leader does and that everything was just peachy prior to the airport closure.

John, you are putting all your faith in the TAT for numbers, and refuse to listen directly from any one effected?

So you have complete faith in the TAT yet your signature has this "Former TAT Governor Denies Ever Being TAT Governor, Former TAT Governor Juthamas Siriwan threatens to sue anyone who claims she was the TAT Governor"

I can see why you have complete faith in them

And I don't think you will find one comment that says everything was "just peachy proir to the closer", please show me the qoute...

Edited December 16, 2008 by MyphuketLife