Govt Concerned About Battered Tourism Sector

[george]

Government concerned about battered tourism sector

BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s Minister of Finance Korn Chatikavanij on Thursday allowed that his government is quite concerned about the tourism sector as it has been persistently plagued by a series of challenges, including ongoing political divisiveness, the spread of A(H1N1) influenza, and the reduced purchasing power of foreign tourists.

Speaking after joining the government’s 6-month performance report presentation at Parliament on Thursday, he said many economic indicators -- including consumption, exports, production capacity, and value-added tax collection -- had begun to signal a recovery.

However, the government remained worried about the heavily-affected tourism sector and was finding measures to help the sector.

Because of this, it planned to accelerate lending by SME Development Bank to tourism operators and adopt tax measures to help ease their burdens to ensure a recovery of the sector.

Mr Korn said the export sector should begin to recover given the improved economic conditions of Thailand’s trading partners.

Purchase orders in the food processing industry had turned around and begun to increase considerably, showing clear recovery.

Regarding the property sector, he said, the government’s extension of measures to ease taxes on home purchases had encouraged people to decide to buy houses sooner.

Mr Korn also revealed that the government is now measuring the country’s economic indicators both on a quarter-to-quarter basis, and month to month. It is the approach adopted by China, South Korea, and Singapore.

He said the approach is suitable for use when the economic is in crisis because it could reflect the overall picture of the economy more efficiently than the customary measurement of economic indicators on an annual basis.

-- The Nation 2009-08-07

[Who, me ?]

Government concerned about battered tourism sector

Really? So we can expect some very quick and efficient actions then...Can't wait to see that!

[garyh]

Took there time realize the there would be repercussions.

[Absingjul]

I guess "Thailand: The Nigeria Of Asia" never made it out of committee.

[Artisi]

Maybe a good place to start would be swampy airport and the "scams" that are being reported.

[jalansanitwong]

Thailand doesnt have a tourist problem! I havent seen any tourists here for quite sometime.

[Thailand]

Thailand doesnt have a tourist problem! I havent seen any tourists here for quite sometime.

Keeps the golf courses a pleasure to play on with so few visitors and the prices are low- leave as is.

[hansnl]

Thailand has a tourist problem?

Maybe the powers concluding that Thailand has a tourist problem could have a look at the surrounding countries how they lure away the tourists?

Maybe the powers concluding that Thailand has a tourist problem should amend the latest constrictions on tourists, take away the double pricing, allow would-be residents to get a visa for 5 years after the initial 3x1 year extension of stay, allow long staying residents to buy a little plot of land for a home, etc....etc....etc....etc......

[Chunkton]

So there is suddenly a tourist problem, that Thailand's tourism has fallen more than its neighbors has finally been noticed?

Then it is time to start blaming everything except the actual inherent problems responsible for the decline. So don't expect to see Thai Airways offering reasonable ticket and package prices, don't expect any decline in the widespread airport and other numerous tolerated scams, expect the army to drop rumors about a new coup, expect visas to become more restrictive and difficult to obtain, expect more police gunning down of tourists, expect more tourists that actually do come to be arrested over trivia.

As to real solutions: "accelerate lending by SME Development Bank to tourism operators and adopt tax measures to help ease their burdens to ensure a recovery of the sector." Yep that should do it.

[catmac]

So, "it planned to accelerate lending by SME Development Bank to tourism operators and adopt tax measures to help ease their burdens to ensure a recovery of the sector".

Sounds like this Government is going to throw taxpayers money at all those developers stuck with half-finished, abandoned luxury hotels, for which there never would have been any demand for! The fantasy of Thailand ever becoming the holiday paradise of the elite was just that - a fantasy! The upper classes just don't do the climbing over barbed wire fences to get into Phuket airport, or being stuck here because a mob of idiots (including the present Foreign Minister) are partying in the International Airport. And that's before all the scams and dodgy crap are taken into account.

And what is Abhisit's reaction? Send in Suthep to sort out Swampy. I wouldn't trust him to do anything right, look at the mess he made of "security" at the ASEAN meeting in Pattaya. If that's the best Abhisit can do, we can kiss the tourist industry good-bye.

[caf]

So, "it planned to accelerate lending by SME Development Bank to tourism operators and adopt tax measures to help ease their burdens to ensure a recovery of the sector".

Sounds like this Government is going to throw taxpayers money at all those developers stuck with half-finished, abandoned luxury hotels, for which there never would have been any demand for! The fantasy of Thailand ever becoming the holiday paradise of the elite was just that - a fantasy! The upper classes just don't do the climbing over barbed wire fences to get into Phuket airport, or being stuck here because a mob of idiots (including the present Foreign Minister) are partying in the International Airport. And that's before all the scams and dodgy crap are taken into account.

And what is Abhisit's reaction? Send in Suthep to sort out Swampy. I wouldn't trust him to do anything right, look at the mess he made of "security" at the ASEAN meeting in Pattaya. If that's the best Abhisit can do, we can kiss the tourist industry good-bye.

The Thai business concept is to get money today from tourists and farang, no concept of encouraginng loyalty or a long term customer.

They'd rather rip off 2 tourists at 1000 baht than charge 200 baht for 20 tourists and create customer loyalty. It was always thus. Their mindset thinks of the 800 baht extra they're making on 2 tourists not the 200m baht they are losing on the 18 others. They see the money in their hand now.

[sokal]

So, "it planned to accelerate lending by SME Development Bank to tourism operators and adopt tax measures to help ease their burdens to ensure a recovery of the sector".

Sounds like this Government is going to throw taxpayers money at all those developers stuck with half-finished, abandoned luxury hotels, for which there never would have been any demand for! The fantasy of Thailand ever becoming the holiday paradise of the elite was just that - a fantasy! The upper classes just don't do the climbing over barbed wire fences to get into Phuket airport, or being stuck here because a mob of idiots (including the present Foreign Minister) are partying in the International Airport. And that's before all the scams and dodgy crap are taken into account.

And what is Abhisit's reaction? Send in Suthep to sort out Swampy. I wouldn't trust him to do anything right, look at the mess he made of "security" at the ASEAN meeting in Pattaya. If that's the best Abhisit can do, we can kiss the tourist industry good-bye.

Everyone here seems to forget that the economy is totally screwed worldwide at the moment. Is their any proof that there is actually a decline in tourism for reasons other then the depression ? Go to Dubia, ask them how tourism is doing.

[animatic]

They should recycle New Hampshire's 2nd moto.

"Leave your money, now go home! "

A lot better than "Live Free Or Die",

because you would be tripping over too many bodies.

[Serpico]

There are 3 Thai guys at the top of my Soi, aggressively shoving porn brochures in the face of every passing farang.

Each one of them harasses thousands of visitors a day.

This is repeated all over town.

Hmmm.

[andyww]

allow would-be residents to get a visa for 5 years after the initial 3x1 year extension of stay, allow long staying residents to buy a little plot of land for a home, etc....etc....etc....etc......

All very nice but nothing to do with tourism.

There is little doubt that most of the drop is simply the overall economic sitiation.

The airport occupation didnt exactly help either. But, feedback I get from speaking to friends in the UK that have never been to Thailand was that the most damaging impression of the country was given during the Red Shirt protests.

At this time, BBC News got hold of a 10-second piece of footage which showed something on fire and some people throwing stuff around. I think it was under a flyover on Rangsit Rd, nowhere near the centre of the protests. For the time the protests were going on they repeated this footage on every single news report because they had nothing else to show. The impression it gave, in the view of my friends was Thailand had descended into a nation of fire-bombing and rioting. This few seconds of footage, repeated, did immense damage to the country, far more so than a reportedly peaceful airport closure.

Yes the scams need to be addressed but few potential tourists would be aware of these and make their decision not to go based on fear of being scammed. Double pricing probably goes unnoticed to most tourists.

[endure]

Thailand has a tourist problem?

Maybe the powers concluding that Thailand has a tourist problem could have a look at the surrounding countries how they lure away the tourists?

Maybe the powers concluding that Thailand has a tourist problem should amend the latest constrictions on tourists, take away the double pricing, allow would-be residents to get a visa for 5 years after the initial 3x1 year extension of stay, allow long staying residents to buy a little plot of land for a home, etc....etc....etc....etc......

Tourists aren't residents. They don't require 5 year visas. They don't want to buy a plot of land. They want to go to Thailand for a holiday and then go home.

[JR Texas]

Everyone here seems to forget that the economy is totally screwed worldwide at the moment. Is their any proof that there is actually a decline in tourism for reasons other then the depression ? Go to Dubia, ask them how tourism is doing.

Yes.........the UN has published the data.........it shows that Malaysia and Indonesia are doing very well in terms of tourism. They are doing better that Thailand because they do things better (tourism/expat friendly systems).

The UN data also pointed out that tourism in northern African countries is doing well........also Kenya........also Panama and Uruguay.......several other places.

So, it is clear that Thailand has a serious tourism problem that is only partially related to the global economic downturn..........

Other countries are still drawing in lots of tourists.

Thailand still does not understand how it has shot itself in the tourism foot (over the past 9 years).

The govt. continues to have its head in the dirt.

And like a previous poster, I predict they will do the exact opposite of what they should do to draw in tourists.

For example, they will likely make the visa system even more complicated, difficult, and tiresome to deal with.

[brianw]

from the U K Some airlines are offering flights over the xmas period for under £400 which has never happened before usual £600++ also How can a new Holiday Inn opening soon in Pattaya hope to get customers when charging 5000 to 7000 baht per night i.e airlines are trying but not hotels

[h90]

Government concerned about battered tourism sector

Really? So we can expect some very quick and efficient actions then...Can't wait to see that!

:D

you are soo cynical!

[Electra]

Value for money becomes more desirable when purchasing power is reduced.

The Thai simply have to understand that and market accordingly but how many in the industry do and are prepared to act?

In much the same vein as one might see the world in a grain of sand perhaps an examination of how the farang oriented bars in Sukhumvit Rd, Bangkok are trying to deal with the problem of reduced numbers might provide an insight into how things will develop. Selling beer at prices that exceed those in the south of England? Selling western food of doubtful quality at prices most pubs throughout Britain wouldn't dream of getting away with? Yep, that'll do it every time.

Trouble is, the tourist industry has had it too good for years on the back of a weaker baht and simply can't bear to accept the current reality.

Add to this new economy the increasing realisation that many Thai resorts have become unacceptably second rate and the creeping awareness that perhaps the Thai are not all smiling gracious hosts but just ordinary people out for their own ends and not reluctant on occasion to shaft the golden goose whether by means fair or foul.

Malaysia, Viet Nam and Cambodia are the winners so far but will the Thai wake up? I doubt it.

Edited August 8, 2009 by Electra

[sokal]

Everyone here seems to forget that the economy is totally screwed worldwide at the moment. Is their any proof that there is actually a decline in tourism for reasons other then the depression ? Go to Dubia, ask them how tourism is doing.

Yes.........the UN has published the data.........it shows that Malaysia and Indonesia are doing very well in terms of tourism. They are doing better that Thailand because they do things better (tourism/expat friendly systems).

The UN data also pointed out that tourism in northern African countries is doing well........also Kenya........also Panama and Uruguay.......several other places.

So, it is clear that Thailand has a serious tourism problem that is only partially related to the global economic downturn..........

Other countries are still drawing in lots of tourists.

Thailand still does not understand how it has shot itself in the tourism foot (over the past 9 years).

The govt. continues to have its head in the dirt.

And like a previous poster, I predict they will do the exact opposite of what they should do to draw in tourists.

For example, they will likely make the visa system even more complicated, difficult, and tiresome to deal with.

Again, you can cook the stats to support anything you want. Sure the UN proves there is more growth in other places but that could be because Thailand has been more established so growth will never be a good indicator.

[sokal]

Value for money becomes more desirable when purchasing power is reduced.

The Thai simply have to understand that and market accordingly but how many in the industry do and are prepared to act?

In much the same vein as one might see the world in a grain of sand perhaps an examination of how the farang oriented bars in Sukhumvit Rd, Bangkok are trying to deal with the problem of reduced numbers might provide an insight into how things will develop. Selling beer at prices that exceed those in the south of England? Selling western food of doubtful quality at prices most pubs throughout Britain wouldn't dream of getting away with? Yep, that'll do it every time.

Trouble is, the tourist industry has had it too good for years on the back of a weaker baht and simply can't bear to accept the current reality.

Add to this new economy the increasing realisation that many Thai resorts have become unacceptably second rate and the creeping awareness that perhaps the Thai are not all smiling gracious hosts but just ordinary people out for their own ends and not reluctant on occasion to shaft the golden goose whether by means fair or foul.

Malaysia, Viet Nam and Cambodia are the winners so far but will the Thai wake up? I doubt it.

Thailands tourist sector was too hot for too long, no different then any other industry in the world. It is all because interest rates where too low for too long. We are in a deppression, 20 years of expantion and growth was packed into 10 years because of low interest rates. The USD is falling, what can Thailand do about it ? nothing.

[sanmiguellight]

At this time, BBC News got hold of a 10-second piece of footage which showed something on fire and some people throwing stuff around. I think it was under a flyover on Rangsit Rd, nowhere near the centre of the protests. For the time the protests were going on they repeated this footage on every single news report because they had nothing else to show. The impression it gave, in the view of my friends was Thailand had descended into a nation of fire-bombing and rioting. This few seconds of footage, repeated, did immense damage to the country, far more so than a reportedly peaceful airport closure.

There was a bus on fire outside my hotel on soi 1 Petchburi Rd, it was a huge riot with the army firing what i thought at the time were real bullets, there were literally thousands of army police up against the red shirts, if it gave the impression to viewers in Blighty or around the world that BKK wasnt a place to go to then it was the correct impression .... I left the following day as it was so potentially very unsafe round there.

[tuftymorgan]

There are 3 Thai guys at the top of my Soi, aggressively shoving porn brochures in the face of every passing farang.

Each one of them harasses thousands of visitors a day.

This is repeated all over town.

Hmmm.

May I suggest you move to a better part of town. Where I live this does not happen, it's not far from you either.

Maybe the tourists will retuen when the spin doctors stop spinning.

[Serpico]

There are 3 Thai guys at the top of my Soi, aggressively shoving porn brochures in the face of every passing farang.

Each one of them harasses thousands of visitors a day.

This is repeated all over town.

Hmmm.

May I suggest you move to a better part of town. Where I live this does not happen, it's not far from you either.

Maybe the tourists will retuen when the spin doctors stop spinning.

Scammers and hustlers are tripping over each other in the hotel district.

That's my point.

Walk down Soi 11 sometime and count the people that are harassing/scamming visitors. Illegal guides, porn hustlers, TukTuk scammers, scammers posing as taxi drivers parked outside every hotel, fake beggars working for the cops. BMA Police stalking smokers, Indian Tailors bothering everybody all the time...

This is OK behavior?

Is anything being done?

No.

Edited August 8, 2009 by Serpico

[tuftymorgan]

There are 3 Thai guys at the top of my Soi, aggressively shoving porn brochures in the face of every passing farang.

Each one of them harasses thousands of visitors a day.

This is repeated all over town.

Hmmm.

May I suggest you move to a better part of town. Where I live this does not happen, it's not far from you either.

Maybe the tourists will retuen when the spin doctors stop spinning.

Scammers and hustlers are tripping over each other in the hotel district.

That's my point.

Walk down Soi 11 sometime and count the people that are harassing/scamming visitors. Illegal guides, porn hustlers, TukTuk scammers, scammers posing as taxi drivers parked outside every hotel, fake beggars working for the cops. BMA Police stalking smokers, Indian Tailors bothering everybody all the time...

This is OK behavior?

Is anything being done?

No.

I am sorry you feel like this, perhaps a stroll around Lumpini or Chatuchak park could help.

You will find places like this in most major cities in the world- Los Angeles, London, Amsterdam, Bombay, Penang, K.L, Dehli etc, etc to name just a few. What I'm saying, is if you choose to live in the centre of these activities you must understand the consequences, try to be a bit more anylitical. Or try to find a more relxed place to live. All the best, I hope things improve.

[Serpico]

This thread is about tourists.

Soi 11 is the heart of the tourist district.

Something should be done about all the hustlers defrauding visitors, no?

All these thousands of tourists are going back home making reports of this activity. Other travelers see these reports while researching their holiday plans.

Hence, the battered tourism sector.

Now, the tourists are going other places and the hustlers are getting more and more aggressive.

Next, reports will be popping up about crime against tourists.

How much abuse can tourists take before abandoning this country?

[Oberkommando]

Next, reports will be popping up about crime against tourists.

They already are.

Thailand is crime capital for Britons according to new survey

[catmac]

Again, you can cook the stats to support anything you want. Sure the UN proves there is more growth in other places but that could be because Thailand has been more established so growth will never be a good indicator.

You seem unable to grasp the simple fact that tourism in many countries (e.g. Malaysia) is going up, whilst in Thailand it's dropping like a stone. Shooting the messenger won't change that.

Trying to be Thaier than Thai, are you?