TAT cancels all New Year celebrations

BANGKOK: -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reflected the sombre mood of the nation today by announcing that it would cancel all the celebrations it had planned to see in the New Year.

With the entire Kingdom plunged into mourning for the victims of Sunday’s tsunami, TAT governor Juthamas Siriwan said that the TAT would revoke its support for New Year celebrations in Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Bangkok, Hat Yai and Phuket.

Any of these places which still wished to celebrate New Year would have to do so without TAT backing, she said.

Instead the TAT will commemorate the dead, who include over 700 foreign tourists, by inviting tourists to make merit at temples.

Since the tsunami struck on Sunday morning, the TAT has been instrumental in getting relief operations off the ground, with staff on hand at airports in Bangkok and Phuket to ensure that tourists are as comfortable as they can be under the circumstances.

Tourists returning from the south, where massive tidal waves destroyed entire holiday resorts, are now being accommodated in university dormitories in Bangkok.

The TAT has also coordinated efforts to ensure that an initial 1,200 tourists have been able to fly back to their homelands.

“Thailand is doing well in helping tourists”, Mrs. Juthamas said today. “The foreign media are reporting interviews with foreign tourists in which they describe Thais as being kind people, even when they have lost everything. They are also saying that they understand that this was a natural disaster, and that they might return to Thailand in the future. This shows that we are doing our best”.

The TAT governor acknowledged that the tsunami had led to a spate of booking cancellations from foreign tourists, but expressed confidence that this situation would only be temporary.

Nonetheless, she pointed out that around one third of the nation’s tourism revenue came from the afflicted provinces of Phuket, Phang-nga and Krabi, and said that it was essential that repair work began as soon as possible.

While destinations in the south were being restored, tourists would be encouraged to visit other areas of the country, including Pattaya, Rayong, Trat, Chantaburi, Hua Hin and the northeast, she said.

--TNA 2004-12-28

I dont feel like celebrating this year......too much watching

FOX and BBC world

Good luck and God Bless to everyone involved...

Not sure if anyone has posted this up before - but somebody somewhere should get the boot for this

" Pravit Janyasittikul, vice-president of marketing at Central Pattana Plc, the operator of Central World Plaza, said the company had called off its Bangkok Countdown 2005 New Year event. Instead, it has launched a relief programme called the ''Biggest Wave of Your Generosity'', which is now accepting donations."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/29Dec2004_biz55.php

I didnt notice it until it was pointed out but given the sensitivity of the situation this should have been checked, re-checked and checked again before announcing it.

welcome to thailand. as has been pointed out numerous times, they never check for anything that may be deemed insensitive by others. another example of very poor taste especially in this situation.

Also, the person who makes these "checks" has to be higher status than the person who initiates the ideas- otherwise it's yes-yes-yes men.

"Steven"

harry s palmer? oh dear, hes back

come on dave. i was missed here. besides, i'm a different harry and have turned over a new leaf.

Bangkok’s year end celebrations cancelled

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok municipal authorities have cancelled plans to hold up extravagant countdown celebrations to New Year, as the nation mourns the devastating damage in southern Thailand caused by Sunday’s tsunamis.

The extravagant celebrations, scheduled to take place between the 29-31 December, have been cancelled, said the Permanent Secretary for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), Khun Ying Nathanon Thavisin.

The death toll in southern Thaialnd’s coastal provinces, including Phuket, Phang-nga, Krabi, Trang, Ranong and Satun, from the natural disaster has continued to rise.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said yesterday that he believed the death toll could exceed 3,000 although the offiical figure is now approaching 2,000, with over 9,000 injured and scores of others still missing.

"BMA has cancelled all plans of New Year celebrations, and will only organize a merit making ceremony for those who died in the tsunami attacks on 1 January at Sanam Luang", said Khun Ying Nathanon.

--TNA 2004-12-30

Does this "cancellation" mean we are back to midnight closing??

Does this "cancellation" mean we are back to midnight closing??

Good question. Surely it would be good for Thai businesses to stay open.