Thai Tourism Minister: "Floods Not Hurting Tourism"

[Bpuumike]

For 3 years I have watched and listened and learned. I see stupidity, racism, bigotry and plain arrogance and ignorance on this site. Why dont all you Expats grow up and stop complaining and do something about your complaining about everything. THAIVISA YOU ARE NOT A POSITIVE focal point but an avenue for whining old expats who cant get their own lives sorted. We all know there are good Thais and not so good Thais, but have you really considered your own country where it seems everyone is amazing and can do no wrong. Just do something positive and make a great impact on your own lives an those around your or go back to your the amazing havens you have crawled from and have amazing lives once again,the rest of us who know what we are dealing with and make educated decisions will not miss you hazbeens and fools for more than a milli-second.

Yes Yes Yes we all know what you are talking about .... how about those so called experts who have been here for so many years stop complaining and be positive and help others. Tell us how you all manage to be so happy everyday here in Thailand (but cannot resit complaining constnatly - grow up you fools).

Thaivisa....tired of all the silly petty people on here who have nothing positive to add to our lives. Grow up and best of luck. wont read or log into Thaivisa again..this i a pool fools!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Won't hurt tourism. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its all going to get very expensive.

You will find a lot of threads giving positive and very practical information if you want to look for them

Some other threads are the equivalent of going down to the pub in the afternoon and setting the world to rights. Bangkok is a large city, Thailand is a large country and we can't all be in the same pub at the same time. Man is a social animal and TV let's us express our views and bitch and moan about the government, the economy, you name it, just as we would if all gathered together anywhere in the world. Relax and enjoy... or be the equivalent of a teetotaller :jap:

[softgeorge]

I am confused, the Minister is saying that the floods are having no effect on tourism but on the other hand the Centara Group are saying that it is having a huge effect. Someone is telling big porky pies here.

Here is a snipet from another topic on this forum.............................

"Where is the minister of Tourism and Sports? We haven't seen him to working or helping tourism," added Centara president Gerd Steeb.

The chain says it has lost 70 million baht from guest cancellations and event postponements at the Centara Grand Hotel & Resort at CentralWorld since the beginning of October.

Around 16,000 room nights at the group's properties have been cancelled, including 5,000 from Asian travellers, with 35% of the total at its hotels outside Bangkok. Forward bookings for the December-February period have dropped by 30% from expected high-season levels.

What is happening with Centara reflects the overall tourism sector because the group has hotels nationwide, said Mr Bailey. Normally, revenues generated in the first quarter are around 40% of Centara's total for the year.

Although the current average occupancy rate is quite high in Bangkok now, it reflects bookings from Bangkok residents who have fled flood-threatened homes.

[animatic]

I'd roll with Centara's numbers before the Tourism minister's.

His numbers are so massaged that they are 'soft as a sneaker full of puppy poo' at this point, no relation to reality, just desire.

Edited November 6, 2011 by animatic

[Thaddeus]

I'd roll with Centara's numbers before the Tourism minister's.

His numbers are so massaged that they are 'soft as a sneaker full of puppy poo' at this point, no relation to reality, just desire.

A trait shared by many Thai ministries.

[xenophon]

These figures are for what time period? September? Early October?

Just not credible and they know it. What is offensive is that they believe we believe them.

[xenophon]

For 3 years I have watched and listened and learned. I see stupidity, racism, bigotry and plain arrogance and ignorance on this site. Why dont all you Expats grow up and stop complaining and do something about your complaining about everything. THAIVISA YOU ARE NOT A POSITIVE focal point but an avenue for whining old expats who cant get their own lives sorted. We all know there are good Thais and not so good Thais, but have you really considered your own country where it seems everyone is amazing and can do no wrong. Just do something positive and make a great impact on your own lives an those around your or go back to your the amazing havens you have crawled from and have amazing lives once again,the rest of us who know what we are dealing with and make educated decisions will not miss you hazbeens and fools for more than a milli-second.

Yes Yes Yes we all know what you are talking about .... how about those so called experts who have been here for so many years stop complaining and be positive and help others. Tell us how you all manage to be so happy everyday here in Thailand (but cannot resit complaining constnatly - grow up you fools).

Thaivisa....tired of all the silly petty people on here who have nothing positive to add to our lives. Grow up and best of luck. wont read or log into Thaivisa again..this i a pool fools!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Won't hurt tourism. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its all going to get very expensive.

There, there ..... have you just realised that this is a notorious cranky ol' farts site. Always has been.

But a great source of info. Just take and contribute the info you need and carefully pick your way past the embittered old gits. For christ's sake don't take them on. They love that!

[moe666]

Flew to Chiang Mai on Thursday the Airbus 320 was 90 percent full with lots of farang tourist. Arrived from manila on Tues. night a good number of farang tourist in the immigration line as well. A 747 unloaded after we did I was about 5 in line and looked back and at least 15 behind me and all of the lines had filled out and they had a lot of lines in use. There are still tourist coming in from my observation mostly farang, the asian tourist seemed to be missing as they tend to clog up the lines with incomplete forms filled out. The lines where moving fast on Tues night

[softgeorge]

For 3 years I have watched and listened and learned. I see stupidity, racism, bigotry and plain arrogance and ignorance on this site. Why dont all you Expats grow up and stop complaining and do something about your complaining about everything. THAIVISA YOU ARE NOT A POSITIVE focal point but an avenue for whining old expats who cant get their own lives sorted. We all know there are good Thais and not so good Thais, but have you really considered your own country where it seems everyone is amazing and can do no wrong. Just do something positive and make a great impact on your own lives an those around your or go back to your the amazing havens you have crawled from and have amazing lives once again,the rest of us who know what we are dealing with and make educated decisions will not miss you hazbeens and fools for more than a milli-second.

Yes Yes Yes we all know what you are talking about .... how about those so called experts who have been here for so many years stop complaining and be positive and help others. Tell us how you all manage to be so happy everyday here in Thailand (but cannot resit complaining constnatly - grow up you fools).

Thaivisa....tired of all the silly petty people on here who have nothing positive to add to our lives. Grow up and best of luck. wont read or log into Thaivisa again..this i a pool fools!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Won't hurt tourism. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its all going to get very expensive.

There, there ..... have you just realised that this is a notorious cranky ol' farts site. Always has been.

But a great source of info. Just take and contribute the info you need and carefully pick your way past the embittered old gits. For christ's sake don't take them on. They love that!

WOW Mac 66 is not to bad at wining and complaining either, should just take a small dose of his own advice. He is doing exactly what he is telling others not to do.

[beano2274]

Tourists are still flying in but bypassing Bangkok and going to CM or down to Phuket and the Islands.

My wife works in the tourism area, and her company have seen a 66% decrease in bookings. Customers at the moment seem to be mostly Indians.

Edited November 6, 2011 by beano2274

[phaethon]

Reminds me of the time I fell off a boat in Egypt. I knew there was nothing to worry about because I was only in De Nile.

(Note for the hard of thinking: "De Nile" sounds like "denial')

[connda]

Obviously the Thai Tourism Minister doesn't get out of the office much. The business owners I know around the CM area say "it's slow". I tend to believe the people who cater to tourists.

[ballpoint]

Reminds me of the time I fell off a boat in Egypt. I knew there was nothing to worry about because I was only in De Nile.

(Note for the hard of thinking: "De Nile" sounds like "denial')

Was that before or after you fell in the river in Paris and was declared in Seine?

[MisterBeetle]

Obviously the Thai Tourism Minister doesn't get out of the office much. The business owners I know around the CM area say "it's slow". I tend to believe the people who cater to tourists.

I manage a Boutique Resort in Hua Hin area and after 1 1/2 weeks of full occupancy with mostly Bangkok escapees, our November forecast is looking dismal.

We had a staff meeting today and bookings have dropped to nearly 16%.

November is high season and normally by now I would have filled around 50-60% of rooms for the month, so I would have to say that the flooding of Rama II expressway would have part reason to this.

Just like every other business that has been affected, we just have to take it as it is and hope we can survive on walk ins and online promotions like Agoda.

[TAWP]

Obviously the Thai Tourism Minister doesn't get out of the office much. The business owners I know around the CM area say "it's slow". I tend to believe the people who cater to tourists.

I manage a Boutique Resort in Hua Hin area and after 1 1/2 weeks of full occupancy with mostly Bangkok escapees, our November forecast is looking dismal.

We had a staff meeting today and bookings have dropped to nearly 16%.

November is high season and normally by now I would have filled around 50-60% of rooms for the month, so I would have to say that the flooding of Rama II expressway would have part reason to this.

Just like every other business that has been affected, we just have to take it as it is and hope we can survive on walk ins and online promotions like Agoda.

You'll be happy to know that Thaksin-hired propaganda tool Pravit (see some of his articles in this forum too) today had a long rant on Twitter how Bangkokians was evil for supposedly renting rooms in 5 star hotels when fleeing the flood in Bangkok.

[Thaddeus]

Reminds me of the time I fell off a boat in Egypt. I knew there was nothing to worry about because I was only in De Nile.

(Note for the hard of thinking: "De Nile" sounds like "denial')

Was that before or after you fell in the river in Paris and was declared in Seine?

Are the three main rivers of Thailand called "coherent" "competent" and "conceivable"

[Thaddeus]

Obviously the Thai Tourism Minister doesn't get out of the office much. The business owners I know around the CM area say "it's slow". I tend to believe the people who cater to tourists.

I manage a Boutique Resort in Hua Hin area and after 1 1/2 weeks of full occupancy with mostly Bangkok escapees, our November forecast is looking dismal.

We had a staff meeting today and bookings have dropped to nearly 16%.

November is high season and normally by now I would have filled around 50-60% of rooms for the month, so I would have to say that the flooding of Rama II expressway would have part reason to this.

Just like every other business that has been affected, we just have to take it as it is and hope we can survive on walk ins and online promotions like Agoda.

You'll be happy to know that Thaksin-hired propaganda tool Pravit (see some of his articles in this forum too) today had a long rant on Twitter how Bangkokians was evil for supposedly renting rooms in 5 star hotels when fleeing the flood in Bangkok.

I'm on your side for the most part with this issue but, how can you have a long rant in 140 characters?

[TAWP]

I'm on your side for the most part with this issue but, how can you have a long rant in 140 characters?

By posting many Tweets.

[Thaddeus]

I'm on your side for the most part with this issue but, how can you have a long rant in 140 characters?

By posting many Tweets.

But that sort of defeats the object doesn't it and makes the whole point of twitter pointless.

Oh...........

[TAWP]

I'm on your side for the most part with this issue but, how can you have a long rant in 140 characters?

By posting many Tweets.

But that sort of defeats the object doesn't it and makes the whole point of twitter pointless.

Oh...........

To spell it out for other posters:

Yes, it is abusing the format and purpose, since each tweet usually is very to-the-point in 140 chars - making a long series of them a clear flag of a rant.

[Pi Sek]

Haven't read the whole thread, just the first page. My 2 satang, an opinion that has been informed by my business interests - tourism is definitely being affected.

In the short-term, there have been cancellations even outside the flooded areas (that is a definitive statement) and there will be medium-term concerns about future incidents and of course the authorities' ability to deal with it (that is my informed speculation) - just like the tsunami, the airport protest, the last 2 years' mayhem, the Sungai Kolok bombings). I don't think that it will have any major long-term effects on tourism (again, informed speculation).

Chumpol is not being professional or honest. He might have been making his ludicrous statement based on current immigration figures, but he does not have access to (or chooses not to look at) information on arrivals over the next few months. Hotel groups and travel agencies do, and they say the opposite. But this does not surprise me, his whole family are all about netting as much cash as possible. At least they're not total megalomaniacs, they just want to pillage as much as they can from the Thai economy.

Even people outside the tourist industry can clearly see that numbers are dwindling... yes there's the world economy and it's November and yes there are other factors - but everyone can see tourists cutting their holidays short because of worries about their trips home, and tourists talk to each other in hotels/bars etc, so it snowballs.

[BKKdreaming]

Propaganda ministers job is to make everything look good ,

Better ones make it look good and believable !

BK

[emilyb]

Propaganda ministers job is to make everything look good ,

Better ones make it look good and believable !

BK

They're approaching Iraqi Information Minister levels of hilarity here.

[nicky1982]

They say this now due to we are having floods and they wanna get out of Thailand on a free holiday but this will be the last we hear from TAT

TAT turns to S America as Europe, US arrivals slow

The Nation November 7, 2011 7:06 am

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is targeting visitors from South America as arrivals from Europe and North America slow due to fears of economic downturns there.

The authority is focusing on two big emerging markets, Brazil and Argentina, by matching Thai operators with the two countries. The TAT recently took officials from four Thai travel firms to Brazil to promote tourism products such as Thai cultural activities, spas, beaches and food.

The agency also planned to work with airlines to organise familiarisation trips for 300 buyers to Chiang Mai and Phuket from November 23-26 to help promote and sell Thailand.

Moreover, it will appoint a marketing representative to open an office in Brazil next year.

"Many major airlines from Southeast Asia like Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airlines as well as Qatar from the Middle East have been entering South America, where they see more opportunity," said Juthaporn Rerngronasa, deputy governor for international marketing (Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas). The moves are aimed at boosting visitors from South America during the peak season in January and February.

TAT hopes an increase in arrivals from Latin American countries will make up for a decline in arrivals from Europe and North America, a trend that is expected to continue in 2012.

Thailand received 30,000-40,000 tourists from South America last year, most of them from Brazil and Argentina, Juthaporn said.

The number is expected to grow by 20 per cent this year and next on the back of the additional marketing and promotional activities. "This year, we expect to have nearly 20,000 tourists each from Brazil and Argentina," Juthaporn said.

Tourists from the region last year stayed for an average of more than 10 days and spent Bt4,100-Bt4,300 per day per head, more than Americans and Europeans, who spent Bt3,700-Bt4,200 per day per head. Juthaporn said the flooding in Thailand was having only a minimal effect on confidence in long-haul markets, where new bookings remained high

[siampolee]

Juthaporn said the flooding in Thailand was having only a minimal effect on confidence in long-haul markets, where new bookings remained high

As may be, however a booking shows an intent a confirmation and an arrival turns the statistic into a tourist,

Thailand received 30,000-40,000 tourists from South America last year, most of them from Brazil and Argentina, Juthaporn said.

Re-assuring to see such a powerful surge in the tourist figures, those numbers will indeed make a vast difference to the Thai economy and those romantic T.A.T. statistics.

Edited November 7, 2011 by siampolee

[moe666]

On our soi here in Chiang Mai it has picked up a bit. The Chiang mai Gate Hotel caters to europeans either on tours or individual tourist. One friend has a massage hair cutting travel shop and she says her business has picked up a bit but still not at the level she is use to from years past. Another friend has a neighborhood bar on the soi and her business is picking up as well, but still off. Watching the foot traffic on the soi there is a pick up of europeans staying at the hotel as well as Thais in town for Loy khraitong.

From these observations there is a pick up in our little area but not to the levels of years past and not to those levels pre financial melt down.

[Livinginexile]

Actually he's probably right!

When you take away business travellers, sexpats, husbands & boyfriends, etc...how many "real" tourists have you got?

Not many I imagine

[ginjag]

Reminds me of the time I fell off a boat in Egypt. I knew there was nothing to worry about because I was only in De Nile.

(Note for the hard of thinking: "De Nile" sounds like "denial')

Was that before or after you fell in the river in Paris and was declared in Seine?

Posters can be very VOLGA at times, ask Mrs. Sippy,

[ginjag]

Juthaporn said the flooding in Thailand was having only a minimal effect on confidence in long-haul markets, where new bookings remained high

As may be, however a booking shows an intent a confirmation and an arrival turns the statistic into a tourist,

Thailand received 30,000-40,000 tourists from South America last year, most of them from Brazil and Argentina, Juthaporn said.

Re-assuring to see such a powerful surge in the tourist figures, those numbers will indeed make a vast difference to the Thai economy and those romantic T.A.T. statistics.

Most tourists coming in are scuba divers and aqua lung experts, snake charmers, reptile specialists, and special psychologists to help the government decision makers. the DAMBUSTERS are here already, Barns Wallace eat your heart out.

[saintofsilence]

Not Hurting Tourism but you may get a wet arse on a motor bike

[Roachiebkk]

This place never ever ceases to amaze me. I work in tourism and we've had up to 60% cancellation and amendments in the last month. Cancellations are a daily hurlde to overcome before even getting on with helping those left. Unhelpful FCO warnings and similar urging only essential travel completely muddies the water. We amended many packages to go straight from the airport to Kanchanaburi only to find that FCO included Samut Sakhon therefore some operators refused the amendment. It's an unholy mess. Don't know who this bloke spoke to but it certainly wasn't us.