Thai Tourism To Lose At Least Bt200 Billion After Political Chaos

[Penquin]

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.

They must be very angry with this !

[Penquin]

Apisit and his back up Military coup should responsible what's happened from the first place since coup 2006 to take over from elected PM..

[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.

[h90]

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.

Beside that, if does not make something to ensure the public confidence within 48 hours, he will loose even more.

Democrat supporters are very angry with this government and if Abhisit isn't doing something, they will want to remove him as well.

If the red would stop now, it would be almost impossible for him to show anything.....

[h90]

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.

Sondhi

Abhisit

Samak

Somchai

Thaksin

Chuan

Chamlong

who isn't chinese?

[Seneque]

Been here for the best part of almost 27 years now ... i never thought the thais could become self destructive as they are now. Perhaps it has always been in their inner self, and they feel like it is the time to get it all out... sad it may be but i guess every society has to grow through some sort of struggle.

The timing is obviously not good (worldwide recession), but i sincerely wish there will be some good coming out of all this and this country can at last become again the reason why i lived here for so long, however i have not such a good feeling about the near future.

[edwardandtubs]

There are protests all over the world whenever there is a international summit of any importance. There were much bigger and more disruptive (for ordinary people) protests in London at the recent G20 summit. Will that lead to a massive decrease in tourism to London? Of course not! The impact will be negligible. The impact on tourism from this ASEAN summit cancellation will also be negligible. To even start to compare it to the closure of an international airport that disrupted the holidays of hundreds of thousands of people is just silly.

[Metalgear]

It is sad that Thai people are Thailand's No 1 enemy now.

[h90]

There are protests all over the world whenever there is a international summit of any importance. There were much bigger and more disruptive (for ordinary people) protests in London at the recent G20 summit. Will that lead to a massive decrease in tourism to London? Of course not! The impact will be negligible. The impact on tourism from this ASEAN summit cancellation will also be negligible. To even start to compare it to the closure of an international airport that disrupted the holidays of hundreds of thousands of people is just silly.

I agree that this hysteric 1000 Zillion damage is often complete over the top. Other things cause much more damage and noone complain (pollution /environment problems /rip offs....)

The other protests were against the summits, this is simple to explain for ordinary tourists. While this sounds like almost civil war in the European newspapers (yellows, reds, blue) and leaves the impression that Thailand is dangerous. As well the incident in Pattaya is boosting the impact of the Airport closure. People who thought that airport thing was a single event are now thinking that there are always some troubles in Thailand.

But in 6 months it is complete forgotten.

[timekeeper]

Apisit and his back up Military coup should responsible what's happened from the first place since coup 2006 to take over from elected PM..

how much are getting paid by Thaksin Penguin ?

[Scott]

100 million Baht spent on security--I wonder who got that! It's about time the country grows up and understands that both the military and the police must be under civilian/gov't control and they have to do what they are instructed to do. The gov't also needs to know that they can't hamper the security officials by telling them they can't use force. There job is to provide security and that may mean using more aggessive measures than we would like to see.

Security is not a popularity contest.

This gov't, like many others has shown itself to be completely ineffective, inept and incompetent.

As far as hampering tourism--I doubt it. Most people go to Pattaya for sleaze (it has a lot more to offer), but that's the big draw. If the police go back to their lazy ways and places stay open later, and other vice is allowed to flourish a little; it'll have a lot of tourists (not necessarily desirable, but none the less tourists).

[h90]

how is it now in Pattaya?

Everything full? Or empty?

[ozfarang81]

yes it will affect tourism, already today, Australian PM stated Australians should reconsider travel to Thailand. Travel advices already updated. And it has been ALL over the news. NZ PM has stated its highly unlikely Thailand can host the ASEAN meeting AT all, does nothing to inspire confidence to those people who aren't regulars to the kingdom. The world is screwed as it is and now another hit for Thailand. I really feel sorry for the majority of the Thai people who want no part in all this rubbish.

[Scott]

Ozfarang, you are probably right. At least in the short term. But I think it will not have a serious long term effect on PATTAYA. It's bad for tourism as a whole, but Pattaya's reputation is a little different than Phuket or Chiang Mai.

[PeaceBlondie]

I am a military veteran. Even as an instructor at a medical school, I knew that the real military killed people, used tanks and guns, invaded Asian countries, protected leaders, etc. These Thai police and army are not half as tough as the ladyboys on the beach in ....in Pattaya!

[Scott]

You are very correct PB.

[timekeeper]

how is it now in Pattaya?

Everything full? Or empty?

i went to beach road this morning at about 10am and it looked like business as usual

lots of nUS navy guys milling about getting pestered by the vendors

no parking available on beach road as usual

the beach looked well attended and for a chenge it was a clear view to the island.

lots of boats, parachutes, jet skis etc

i went back to the soi near jamesons where i was intimidated by the reds yesterday

no sign of them ever being there except for the rubbish that they left behind scattered all over.

i just wish that Abhisit was sitting in a secret conference room somewhere with the rest of the asean summit leaders and laughing at how they out outfoxed the reds

but that i guess is just wishful thinking.

how simple would it have been to have sent decoys in the choppers and resume the summit off camera when the reds had gone home?

ah, creative thinking under pressure, not a thai trait unfortunately

[ozfarang81]

Ozfarang, you are probably right. At least in the short term. But I think it will not have a serious long term effect on PATTAYA. It's bad for tourism as a whole, but Pattaya's reputation is a little different than Phuket or Chiang Mai.

agreed, the Pattaya type clientele will continue to come regardless, definitely agree with you there. IT's the Mums and Dads in Australia who don't travel overseas much who will change plans when they see this on the nightly news or in the paper. I know a couple already who had planned a trip to Thailand with daughter last January but canceled with the PAD stuff going on, they changed destination to Bali, then they heard the Bali bombers were going to get executed and there was some protests going on so they canceled altogether.Yes they are being overly cautious, but I don't doubt there is many more like them in Aust and elsewhere.

[Scott]

The US has a lot of the same kind of family tourists. Don't want to go to a place with problems. Sex-tourists, however, are a whole different breed, as are the real heavy drinker, partier types.

[khonkaen man]

The army here are only smoke and mirrors. They are perceived to be all mighty and powerful but when the bullets start flying (I hope not) it will crumble in days. It is worth remembering that there are no real professional soldiers here and the generals have bought themselves into their positions of power.

The army is mainly made up of conscripted soldiers from the northern areas of Thailand and if the confrontation happens they will not want to be firing at their own folk. It is more than likely that the some of the Pattaya red shirts would have had relatives in the army that was sent to protect the conference

[h90]

I am a military veteran. Even as an instructor at a medical school, I knew that the real military killed people, used tanks and guns, invaded Asian countries, protected leaders, etc. These Thai police and army are not half as tough as the ladyboys on the beach in ....in Pattaya!

Maybe they should swap jobs?

[h90]

The US has a lot of the same kind of family tourists. Don't want to go to a place with problems. Sex-tourists, however, are a whole different breed, as are the real heavy drinker, partier types.

as someone posted when the airport was closed: "The sextourists will come anyway and if they have to swim from England to Pattaya"

[RPMcMurphy]

The US has a lot of the same kind of family tourists. Don't want to go to a place with problems. Sex-tourists, however, are a whole different breed, as are the real heavy drinker, partier types.

as someone posted when the airport was closed: "The sextourists will come anyway and if they have to swim from England to Pattaya"

Speaking for yourself ?

[neverdie]

It is sad that Thai people are Thailand's No 1 enemy now.

So its business as usual then because this has always been the case

[eldar1]

1 things though is that it seems that no matter how much things get screwed up, thai tourism never takes a hit for long. I don't know how they manage to do it, but they do

[h90]

The US has a lot of the same kind of family tourists. Don't want to go to a place with problems. Sex-tourists, however, are a whole different breed, as are the real heavy drinker, partier types.

as someone posted when the airport was closed: "The sextourists will come anyway and if they have to swim from England to Pattaya"

Speaking for yourself ?

No for you

[alstaxi]

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

Good post I agree completely, I am however afraid that what will happen will be the army/police sacking the government.

[thaiman]

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

Money isn't everything.

YEP! Who cares if the greedy thais (or expats married to pros) make any money. It's all about the tourists having the edge!

[thaiman]

1 things though is that it seems that no matter how much things get screwed up, thai tourism never takes a hit for long. I don't know how they manage to do it, but they do

Sex sales, always has, always will!

[geriatrickid]

Sex tourists are notoriously cheap. So don't assume more perverts and pedophiles will solve the drop in visitors. In the interim, folks may wish to check their own nation foreign service guidelines and travel advisories. The restrictions and warnings are now being added. This turmoil will derail the growing Asian tourist market. If 2009 was going to be a bad year, this just killed it.