Thai Tourism To Lose At Least Bt200 Billion After Political Chaos

[george]

Thai tourism to lose at least Bt200 billion after political chaos

Thailand's tourism industry will lose at least Bt200 billion of revenue this year, as the consequences of political unrest sparked by both yellow and red-shirted protesters, said Kongkrit Hiranyakit, chairman of the Tourism Council of Thailand.

"After the Suvarnabhumi Airport closure (in December), tourism business operators expected the industry to be affected for 6-9 months. The magnitude of damage from the invasion into the Asean Summit meeting venue would also give a similar result," he said in an interview with Thai PBS.

He noted that the invasion concerns the safety of leaders of 15 nations, which are key markets. The number of tourists from these countries is expected to account for 8.5 million, or 60 per cent of target. The tourists however will question on security issue, following the actions that affected the security of their leaders. Therefore, though the emergency decree takes effect only in Chon Buri, but as Pattaya is a world-class destination, it would be difficult for the government to come up with a good explanation. And this would affect the tourism industry nationwide.

"Some tourists have showed their desire to leave the country, on fear that the protesters may continue to block the airport like last year. Those incoming tourists have also questioned on security issue and demanded cancellation," he said.

Kongkrit is now concerned with the financial conditions of tourism business operators, which could worsen. Many would shut down businesses with the disapperance of tourists, aside from liquidity shortages, he said.

"So far, we have urged both yellow and red shirts to stay calm. Now. I think that's not enough. Business operators are pondering some actions, to tell them that both sides could no longer claim that their actions are for the future sake to the nation," he noted.

While the airport shutdown was expected to result in loss of Bt120 billion this year, the red shirts' action would contribute at least Bt100 billion. This year's tourism revenue target is set at Bt500 billion.

-- The Nation 2009-04-11

[deprogrammed]

Thai tourism to lose at least Bt200 billion after political chaos

Thailand's tourism industry will lose at least Bt200 billion of revenue this year, as the consequences of political unrest sparked by both yellow and red-shirted protesters, said Kongkrit Hiranyakit, chairman of the Tourism Council of Thailand.

"After the Suvarnabhumi Airport closure (in December), tourism business operators expected the industry to be affected for 6-9 months

But the red/yellow show is likely to continue! So losses will continue to mount

[jamesjdaly]

Thais cutting their own throats.

[mhatami]

Thai tourism to lose at least Bt200 billion after political chaos

Thailand's tourism industry will lose at least Bt200 billion of revenue this year, as the consequences of political unrest sparked by both yellow and red-shirted protesters, said Kongkrit Hiranyakit, chairman of the Tourism Council of Thailand.

"After the Suvarnabhumi Airport closure (in December), tourism business operators expected the industry to be affected for 6-9 months

But the red/yellow show is likely to continue! So losses will continue to mount

Ok let’s bring back army for next 5 to 10 years. By then Taxin will have to give up and all his money also will be gone

[eldar1]

I'd hate to have a tourist related business in thailand at the moment, those people must be pulling out their hair in frustration about what is happening.

[wasabi]

Choosing Pattaya as a location was a failure on Abhisit's part. How could he not have foreseen this?

[h90]

Choosing Pattaya as a location was a failure on Abhisit's part. How could he not have foreseen this?

Specially after it worked well in Hua Hin....I don't understand....

[timi2546]

smart thing.

how much more

loosing...

dont bite the hand feeds.

cheers

[Shotime]

Really. Even if there was no political turmoil, how could they pick that karmically fuc_ked shit-hole?

I'm so happy to be in Hua Hin.

Also, do the losses include the money that the working girls lose?

Edited April 11, 2009 by Shotime

[photojourn]

Anyone in Pattaya who has already had cancellations?

The US Navy has canceled a port visit for this week. 4,000 horny, hungry, thirsty and cashed up sailors would have errr pumped a fair bit of cash into the local market I would imagine. Anyone have any idea what a US Naval visit is worth in revenue to Pattaya?

PMs welcome on the fallout from those affected.

[khundon]

It is all over the news in the UK and Europe.

Just at the time that people are booking their winter breaks to Thailand and the rest of Asia.

No Christmas trade for Thailand this year and it serves them right.

What companies are going to invest there, when they cannot trust the politicians and their various shirt wearing followers.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7994465.stm

[Oberkommando]

Less tourists can be a good thing; quieter beaches and easier to find accommodation just two benefits.

Money isn't everything.

[PhootThaiMaiDai]

Less tourists can be a good thing; quieter beaches and easier to find accommodation just two benefits.

Money isn't everything.

How right you are! On the bright side, I hope this is the shot in the arm or ass that Thai has needed since they went half the distance of appreciating the King's Sufficiency Economy.

By focusing on education and industry (notice I didn't say industrialization), putting the under-utilized workforce of idle Thai, or wasted or worse, pillaged resources, to proper use - Thai could better regroup and redirect its potential towards self-reliance, opportunities and an episteme free from at odds with itself, depreciating infrastructure, and whoring their sons and daughters to earn a living. Back on track, the misguided strength in Thai people, now caught in the strangle hold of the rich greedy and selfish self-centered could bring them back in the fold of progress, to one day appreciate a standard of living on par with Singapore. Don't get me wrong or overly critical of Thai, next to Singapore I think Thai has done the best of the SEAsians. Compared to their neighbors Lao, Cambodia, and Myanmar, they are light years ahead and free of the yolk more noose of of their past, almost. This latest round of political instability, in a long line of doomed to repeat itself, proves that until Thai makes a commitment to true democracy, and not just illusion of a free-market's free-for-all, their hopes and dreams and reality will be at the whim of Politics more than the Buddha...

Edited April 11, 2009 by PhootThaiMaiDai

[waza]

Less tourists can be a good thing; quieter beaches and easier to find accommodation just two benefits.

Money isn't everything.

How right you are! On the bright side, I hope this is the shot in the arm or ass that Thai has needed since they went half the distance of appreciating the King's Sufficiency Economy.

By focusing on education and industry (notice I didn't say industrialization), putting the under-utilized workforce of idle Thai, or wasted or worse, pillaged resources, to proper use - Thai could better regroup and redirect its potential towards self-reliance, opportunities and an episteme free from at odds with itself, depreciating infrastructure, and whoring their sons and daughters to earn a living. Back on track, the misguided strength in Thai people, now caught in the strangle hold of the rich greedy and selfish self-centered could bring them back in the fold of progress, to one day appreciate a standard of living on par with Singapore. Don't get me wrong or overly critical of Thai, next to Singapore I think Thai has done the best of the SEAsians. Compared to their neighbors Lao, Cambodia, and Myanmar, they are light years ahead and free of the yolk more noose of of their past, almost. This latest round of political instability, in a long line of doomed to repeat itself, proves that until Thai makes a commitment to true democracy, and not just illusion of a free-market's free-for-all, their hopes and dreams and reality will be at the whim of Politics more than the Buddha...

and yet..........Thailand is the only country you mentioned that didnt feel the colonial yoke. Hmmm its interesting to note that the British colonies have faired the best. lol

Edited April 11, 2009 by waza

[tso310]

Anyone in Pattaya who has already had cancellations?

The US Navy has canceled a port visit for this week. 4,000 horny, hungry, thirsty and cashed up sailors would have errr pumped a fair bit of cash into the local market I would imagine. Anyone have any idea what a US Naval visit is worth in revenue to Pattaya?

PMs welcome on the fallout from those affected.

I wouldn't want to be aboard one of those ships when the sailors were told. Probably been dreaming about what they were going to be doing for weeks. You know visit temples, see an elephant show etc.

[Loaded]

Money isn't everything.

If you are a financially secure westerner, maybe you can say this. How about putting your money where your mouth is and donating your savings to a good cause, bacause afterall money isn't everything.

If you are Thai, poor and rely on tourism for your livelihood, then money is extremely important.

Thais will suffer, but only a few expats, as a result of this.

[Thailand]

No doubt after yet another debacle the government will resign and free and fair elections will take place.

Thaksin will fade in to the background and develop a flower exporting business in Cambodia or Zimbabwe.

The police and the army will be integrated to form the Thai Barmy.

Sunderland will escape relegation.

Not a drop of water will be thrown at Songran.

The Thai baht will replace the US$ as currency of choice.

Stop me when I have gone too far!

[tuky]

Have the kids finally broken their toys?

som num na.

[duchovny]

Anyone in Pattaya who has already had cancellations?

The US Navy has canceled a port visit for this week. 4,000 horny, hungry, thirsty and cashed up sailors would have errr pumped a fair bit of cash into the local market I would imagine. Anyone have any idea what a US Naval visit is worth in revenue to Pattaya?

PMs welcome on the fallout from those affected.

The average sailor would probably spend 2000 on booze, 2000 on food & shopping and 2000 on "private entertainment", so it would add up.

[CarlYaz]

Choosing Pattaya as a location was a failure on Abhisit's part.

Why?

Could the same not happen elsewhere?

[Robby nz]

I have kept my nose out of this so far but have watched it all unfold on TV and read most of the posts on this and other forums.

Today however I an so ashamed at and disgusted with the inaction of the police and army of the country I have chosen as my home thet I feel compeled to say something.

The uselessness of these two groups in the face of what was really a small group of red dirts has shown that should an other country choose to invade TL the reaction would be the same as in WW2 when the Japs arrived, a quick surrender, (the correct thing then).

There needs to be some serious action on the part of the Govt like sacking the minsters of defence and police along with the commanders of both forces on the day. This should be followed with the urgent training of specialist anti riot squads for this sort of demo will happen again, Taxin aint finished yet and the yellows may think they have to put on a show again.

As stated by others all this will a big impact on a lot of people who only want live peaceful lives and make enough to look after their families. Not only will tourism suffer but expats who are running business here will also be reconsidering their options.

I heard from a friend yesterday that she is now out of a job, she used to work for a company that arranged visas for forigeners working in TL, the company has now shut down for lack of business.

All very sad for the country and those who will be affected.

PS interesting to read that some of those who are now on the stage for the reds were also up there for the yellows, maybe they just like a demo

[Thai at Heart]

Choosing Pattaya as a location was a failure on Abhisit's part.

Why?

Could the same not happen elsewhere?

Umm maybe a Democrat stronghold which is an island. I don't think the protesters could have swum there in time. Let me think, that unknown island such as Phuket? Thailand has built an entire industry on the isolated get away holiday industry. Instead they held it in the best known sleaze house in the world which is serviced by 6 line highways from all sides. Maybe there was a fear that Abhisit could have been stuck down on the islands, but I am sure they could get him out back to Bangkok at a moments notice if required. If nothing else, the mess that Abhisits car got into last week shows that the PM needs specialist protection and organisation, not relying on local police enforcement.

It would be interesting to know if they consulted any international security agencies about setting this up. It would be a very un-Thai thing to think the farang knows best. But I do know, as a company we got people out of Bangkok last December under armed escort to KL courtest of Blackwater who had people in Bangkok already.

The hotel itself should have been able to be isolated, but then why have delegates staying all over the city? Absolutely ridiculous planning. Then added to the fact that there was obviously no emergency evacuation plan should something bad have happened irrespective of the reds protests. There are any number of random threats against various Asean and other heads of state that could have caused an issue.

But, instead they all had to wait hours until the helicopters pitched up. But then what exactly does Suthep and the Thai police force know about the type of security needed to secure an international conference. I don't think we will see major heads of state coming to Thailand for a long time, unless they are able to bring their own security with them. I don't think Obama or any other head of state wants to be besieged in Bangkok by an anti-Iraq war protest. Absolutely incompetent organisation.

Edited April 12, 2009 by Thai at Heart

[indothai]

Choosing Pattaya as a location was a failure on Abhisit's part. How could he not have foreseen this?

I don't blame him. He was not advised properly.

[timekeeper]

Thai tourism to lose at least Bt200 billion after political chaos

Thailand's tourism industry will lose at least Bt200 billion of revenue this year, as the consequences of political unrest sparked by both yellow and red-shirted protesters, said Kongkrit Hiranyakit, chairman of the Tourism Council of Thailand.

"After the Suvarnabhumi Airport closure (in December), tourism business operators expected the industry to be affected for 6-9 months. The magnitude of damage from the invasion into the Asean Summit meeting venue would also give a similar result," he said in an interview with Thai PBS.

He noted that the invasion concerns the safety of leaders of 15 nations, which are key markets. The number of tourists from these countries is expected to account for 8.5 million, or 60 per cent of target. The tourists however will question on security issue, following the actions that affected the security of their leaders. Therefore, though the emergency decree takes effect only in Chon Buri, but as Pattaya is a world-class destination, it would be difficult for the government to come up with a good explanation. And this would affect the tourism industry nationwide.

"Some tourists have showed their desire to leave the country, on fear that the protesters may continue to block the airport like last year. Those incoming tourists have also questioned on security issue and demanded cancellation," he said.

Kongkrit is now concerned with the financial conditions of tourism business operators, which could worsen. Many would shut down businesses with the disapperance of tourists, aside from liquidity shortages, he said.

"So far, we have urged both yellow and red shirts to stay calm. Now. I think that's not enough. Business operators are pondering some actions, to tell them that both sides could no longer claim that their actions are for the future sake to the nation," he noted.

While the airport shutdown was expected to result in loss of Bt120 billion this year, the red shirts' action would contribute at least Bt100 billion. This year's tourism revenue target is set at Bt500 billion.

-- The Nation 2009-04-11

take all the costs of this out of thaksins seized money to make up the shortfall

in this current global financial crisis why should the regular Thai tax payer be penalised for the actions of a convicted criminal billionaire orchestrating a revolution from the comfort of a $500 a night hotel room in UAE, when the government have immediate access to his funds to pay for the damage he has caused

he is paying for this revolution and financing its participants, thus they are all his employees, so why should he not be made to pay for any of the repercussions arising from his employees actions?

like employing a hitman, if you are caught, both employer and employee get charged with murder

[timekeeper]

Choosing Pattaya as a location was a failure on Abhisit's part. How could he not have foreseen this?

I don't blame him. He was not advised properly.

in my view those responsible for this debarcle are the organisers of the summit, no one else

a wedding planner dealing with the prospect of trouble from a spurned ex boyfriend could have done a better job of organising this event

i initially thought that the choice of venue was a good idea

the royal cliff and peach are accessible by a limited number of roads

it has a helicopter landing pad

it has a fine hotel and facilities for the guests

relatively easy to secure one would have thought

this was an important summit so had i been the organiser

i would have booked the whole hotel for the summit weekend

relocated any existing guests to other hotels at the governments expense

completely block all access roads by tanks and cement blocks at multiple locations and backed up by army and police

i would park a warship from Sattahip opposite the royal cliff to observe beach access with frequent security sweeps by navy personnnel in rubber dinghys

all staff (who had been background checked, any red sympahisers would not be allowed to work that weekend) would stay at the hotel over the weekend in the empty rooms

there would be no one allowed in or out except by helicopter.

any urgent supplies needed could be brought in by chopper

a medical centre would be set up inside the cliff for the benefit of the participants

any serious medical emergencies could have been choppered to BPH

a seige was widely expected so why not adopt a seige mentality to protect the participants?

all the VIP's and their ontourages would be flown in from swampy or utapau by helicopter and would have to be accomodated in the royal cliff hotel 24 hours prior to the event

there would be no exceptions, no other accomodation would be acceptable

all press and TV crews would also be accomodated inside the royal cliff

then once you are in, you are in until its over.

if you are not there on time, you are excluded

as an aside, keeping the world leaders captive in the royal cliff would have been a good move in my view

after all do you really want some of the worlds most important people to see for themselves what a shithole Pattaya really is?

if there was an incursion into the exclusion zone then don't cancel the summit, be a little creative

just ring a big hotel in Samet or Samui and book a room for the day or book the whole hotel

fly the army out there to secure the venue and move the summit meetings there and if neccesary fly the VIP's back at night for the organised dinners at the cliff etc

cancel the ferries to the island until its over or even move the meeting to the warship offshore

or move them to Utapau air base sit them in a hanger, security is in place there already

do anything, move them anywhere but do not cancel the event.

if Aphisit had outflanked the reds by a little creative thinking, today he would have been applauded and thaksins ambitions thwarted.

but what did we get?

VIPs located at hotels all over town to have to run the gauntlet by car to get there.

(god knows its tough enough getting from the dusit to the cliff on a good day!).

this alone was a recipe for disaster

when a demonstration was expected and widely publised in advance, why would you have anyone drive there to participate as opposed to making a simple 30 metres walk across the car park from the Cliff reception to Peach?

which moron allowed that to happen?

its those heads that should roll not the PM's

for me, anyone involved in the organisation of this summit should be fired right now.

[Thai at Heart]

Choosing Pattaya as a location was a failure on Abhisit's part. How could he not have foreseen this?

I don't blame him. He was not advised properly.

Well this alone shows he has pretty poor judgement. The whole event was a screw up and it has been shown around the world.

As they say, the buck stops with him. Unfortunately we all know how Thailand works and whilst he has the title, he would appear not the be the PRIME minister in action. If he doesn't fire someone over this mess, or someone have the balls to resign, his judgement will again have to be questioned.

[indothai]

Choosing Pattaya as a location was a failure on Abhisit's part. How could he not have foreseen this?

I don't blame him. He was not advised properly.

in my view those responsible for this debarcle are the organisers of the summit, no one else

a wedding planner dealing with the prospect of trouble from a spurned ex boyfriend could have done a better job of organising this event

i initially thought that the choice of venue was a good idea

the royal cliff and peach are accessible by a limited number of roads

it has a helicopter landing pad

it has a fine hotel and facilities for the guests

relatively easy to secure one would have thought

this was an important summit so had i been the organiser

i would have booked the whole hotel for the summit weekend

relocated any existing guests to other hotels at the governments expense

completely block all access roads by tanks and cement blocks at multiple locations and backed up by army and police

i would park a warship from Sattahip opposite the royal cliff to observe beach access with frequent security sweeps by navy personnnel in rubber dinghys

all staff (who had been background checked, any red sympahisers would not be allowed to work that weekend) would stay at the hotel over the weekend in the empty rooms

there would be no one allowed in or out except by helicopter.

any urgent supplies needed could be brought in by chopper

a medical centre would be set up inside the cliff for the benefit of the participants

any serious medical emergencies could have been choppered to BPH

a seige was widely expected so why not adopt a seige mentality to protect the participants?

all the VIP's and their ontourages would be flown in from swampy or utapau by helicopter and would have to be accomodated in the royal cliff hotel 24 hours prior to the event

there would be no exceptions, no other accomodation would be acceptable

all press and TV crews would also be accomodated inside the royal cliff

then once you are in, you are in until its over.

if you are not there on time, you are excluded

as an aside, keeping the world leaders captive in the royal cliff would have been a good move in my view

after all do you really want some of the worlds most important people to see for themselves what a shithole Pattaya really is?

if there was an incursion into the exclusion zone then don't cancel the summit, be a little creative

just ring a big hotel in Samet or Samui and book a room for the day or book the whole hotel

fly the army out there to secure the venue and move the summit meetings there and if neccesary fly the VIP's back at night for the organised dinners at the cliff etc

cancel the ferries to the island until its over or even move the meeting to the warship offshore

or move them to Utapau air base sit them in a hanger, security is in place there already

do anything, move them anywhere but do not cancel the event.

if Aphisit had outflanked the reds by a little creative thinking, today he would have been applauded and thaksins ambitions thwarted.

but what did we get?

VIPs located at hotels all over town to have to run the gauntlet by car to get there.

(god knows its tough enough getting from the dusit to the cliff on a good day!).

this alone was a recipe for disaster

when a demonstration was expected and widely publised in advance, why would you have anyone drive there to participate as opposed to making a simple 30 metres walk across the car park from the Cliff reception to Peach?

which moron allowed that to happen?

its those heads that should roll not the PM's

for me, anyone involved in the organisation of this summit should be fired right now.

Agreed.

Remember a few days ago when the PM's car got hit, "someone" got transfered.

If this PM really wants change and has the guts, I'm sure heads will roll for this last fiasco.

Our ASEAN neighbors probably think we are a joke.... never serious about anything, pai pen rai.

[SirDougless]

How right you are! On the bright side, I hope this is the shot in the arm or ass that Thai has needed since they went half the distance of appreciating the King's Sufficiency Economy.

By focusing on education and industry (notice I didn't say industrialization), putting the under-utilized workforce of idle Thai, or wasted or worse, pillaged resources, to proper use - Thai could better regroup and redirect its potential towards self-reliance, opportunities and an episteme free from at odds with itself, depreciating infrastructure, and whoring their sons and daughters to earn a living. Back on track, the misguided strength in Thai people, now caught in the strangle hold of the rich greedy and selfish self-centered could bring them back in the fold of progress, to one day appreciate a standard of living on par with Singapore. Don't get me wrong or overly critical of Thai, next to Singapore I think Thai has done the best of the SEAsians. Compared to their neighbors Lao, Cambodia, and Myanmar, they are light years ahead and free of the yolk more noose of of their past, almost. This latest round of political instability, in a long line of doomed to repeat itself, proves that until Thai makes a commitment to true democracy, and not just illusion of a free-market's free-for-all, their hopes and dreams and reality will be at the whim of Politics more than the Buddha...

I assume you mean the sort of democracy that Singapore has? ...

[thaibkk]

good for the remaining long term farangs here ? going to give us more of something ? appreciation ? aahhh not, just dreaming

next thing is just to make it even harder and remove a bit more long term possibilities and kick us out... never mind we bought houses (wife name) and condo's and cars here ....

we can all leave them behind for free, for the poor thais who do not seem to stop to show their own stupidity in breaking down the economy with even more stupid actions as pattaya... next meeting in phuket and break down everything overthere ?

[Hanimal]

Less tourists can be a good thing; quieter beaches and easier to find accommodation just two benefits. Money isn't everything.

How right you are! On the bright side, I hope this is the shot in the arm or ass that Thai has needed since they went half the distance of appreciating the King's Sufficiency Economy. By focusing on education and industry (notice I didn't say industrialization), putting the under-utilized workforce of idle Thai, or wasted or worse, pillaged resources, to proper use - Thai could better regroup and redirect its potential towards self-reliance, opportunities and an episteme free from at odds with itself, depreciating infrastructure, and whoring their sons and daughters to earn a living. Back on track, the misguided strength in Thai people, now caught in the strangle hold of the rich greedy and selfish self-centered could bring them back in the fold of progress, to one day appreciate a standard of living on par with Singapore. Don't get me wrong or overly critical of Thai, next to Singapore I think Thai has done the best of the SEAsians. Compared to their neighbors Lao, Cambodia, and Myanmar, they are light years ahead and free of the yolk more noose of of their past, almost. This latest round of political instability, in a long line of doomed to repeat itself, proves that until Thai makes a commitment to true democracy, and not just illusion of a free-market's free-for-all, their hopes and dreams and reality will be at the whim of Politics more than the Buddha...

and yet..........Thailand is the only country you mentioned that didnt feel the colonial yoke. Hmmm its interesting to note that the British colonies have faired the best. lol

Thailand has been effectively colonised by the Chinese over the years. Most of Thai industry is controlled by them. In Banharn's case even a pure Chinese PM. I guess Chinese colonies do badly for some reason.