Bangkok Hotels Hit By Rising Tourist Fears Over Outbreak Of Disease

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TOURIST

Bangkok hotels hit by rising tourist fears over outbreak of disease

Suchat Sritama

The Nation

While some hotels in flood-affected areas have resumed operations, most tourist hotels in Bangkok are still suffering from poor business as potential visitors are increasingly concerned about the outbreak of disease as a result of the floods, according to the Thai Hotels Association.

THA president Prakit Chinamourphong yesterday said some hotels in provinces north of the capital had reopened for business, such as the Authong Hotel in Ayutthaya and the Buddy Oriental Riverside Pakkred in Nonthaburi.

Sorathep Rojpotchanaruch, chief operating officer of Buddy Group Hotels & Resorts, said the Buddy Oriental Riverside Pakkred, whose operations were suspended on October 21, had resumed services on Tuesday.

Many other temporarily closed hotels in Ayutthaya and Nonthaburi are currently cleaning and renovating their premises.

Some hotels in Bangkok, such as the Asia Airport Hotel, remain closed, while the inundated Rama Garden has joined the list.

"[unaffected] hotels in provinces in the Central region have gained more business from flood evacuees," Sorathep added.

Prakit said most tourist hotels in the capital remained open, but they were generating less business than normal as many foreign tourists were still in wait-and-see mode as regards the flood situation before committing to travel and hotel bookings.

"A big new problem is that tourists are concerned about [the possible outbreak of] disease, as none of the authorities is able to assure them the city will be free from disease when they are in the country," he said.

The THA has urged the Public Health Ministry to issue a statement and deliver it to all international media outlets in Thailand in a bid to boost tourist confidence about visiting Bangkok and other parts of the Kingdom.

The association reported that the average occupancy at four- and five-star hotels in Bangkok this month had dropped to just 30 per cent, from 80-85 per cent in same period last year.

Pakit said it was very difficult to get tourists back if they continued to fear the city would be unsafe on health grounds.

Pornthip Hirunkate, vice president of the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), said the council would join with the Tourism Authority of Thailand in organising a mega-familiarisation (fam) trip in mid-December, bringing travel agents from key markets in Asia to the Kingdom in a bid to rebuild tourist confidence.

"Many travel advisories will be withdrawn in the middle of next month, so it will be a good time to begin the recovery plan with a fam trip," she said, adding that the target markets are Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, India and Australia.

The scheme aims to regain Asian tourists during the New Year and Chinese New Year periods.

The TCT recommends, however, that organising fam trips for Europe should shift to early next year, as European tourists will not have decided their holiday plans for 2012 as early as Asian visitors.

TCT president Piyaman Tejabaibun said business travellers were likely to cancel trips to Thailand until the end of this year.

Meanwhile, although many tourists are shifting their travel plans to southern Thailand, airline seats are limited to destinations such as Koh Samui, which is unable to accommodate large aircraft.

Hotels in Chiang Mai are preparing special deals for local visitors during the upcoming Royal Flora Expo.

The TCT said the number of international arrivals had totalled 15 million in the first 10 months of the year, up 25 per cent from the same period in 2010. However, it predicts a drop of 10 per cent, or 1 million people, for the entire year due to the flooding.

The council estimates the country will lose Bt10 billion in tourism revenue from the domestic market due to the floods. The potential loss could rise to Bt20 billion if the situation were to worsen.

-- The Nation 2011-11-17

[noitom]

hard to believe that this story is about "tourist fears of disease." What diseases, what tourists, who was interviewed, how did the writer discover this? Looks like merely getting one comment from Prakit in one sentence with no supporting refererences to disease at all. The entire article avoided any discussion of disease or interviews/comments by real tourists or any statistics on what tourists actually said about "rising fear of disease." It was more of propaganda brief for the hotel association. Where do theseThai press writers and editors get their education and experience? This is shameful examples of journalism. Disgraceful nonsense masquerading as journalism.

[Nisa]

hard to believe that this story is about "tourist fears of disease." What diseases, what tourists, who was interviewed, how did the writer discover this? Looks like merely getting one comment from Prakit in one sentence with no supporting refererences to disease at all. The entire article avoided any discussion of disease or interviews/comments by real tourists or any statistics on what tourists actually said about "rising fear of disease." It was more of propaganda brief for the hotel association. Where do theseThai press writers and editors get their education and experience? This is shameful examples of journalism. Disgraceful nonsense masquerading as journalism.

Agree but did find it interesting they want the government to make an announcement that there should be no concern of disease when clearly nobody can know this to be the case at this point.

[bkkjames]

When I saw the headline-i thought they were concerned about the outbreak of something else...

[toenail]

"diseases" - wear a condom, seriously some hotels don't seem to worry about lack of tourists. One five star hotel is still asking 7,000 baht a night for its rooms in December (on Agoda). --- I thought there would be reduced prices on hotels.

[eezergood]

What absolute rubbish!! The hotels mentioned are NOT, so called tourist hotels as many reading the article would understand. These are very much local hotels for local "tourists", dont belive me then call the Rama Garden itself and try to find an English speaking employee!

Occupancy at 4 & 5 star hotels is substancially down, to that end I agree. This initail hit was due to the ongoing campaign of misinformation from the Thai Govt, which left many toursits with an unclear picture of the situation. People simply didnt know where was flooded and where was not, or if they could even make it into the 'city'. This was further propogated , from some internatinal news reporting agencies, by the ariel shots of the water beseiged airport - Don Muang! NOT Suvarnabhumi, and the flooded areas surrounded? Shrimp Farms!!!

Toursim is down, due to the fact that people chose to go elsewhere, how many of us can put our annual vacation on hold for a few weeks in order to wait and see? I for one could not, as my employer would not be happy! Tourism is also down, I believe, due to the continuous campaign of calamity Thailand feels it must subject itself to. Natural disasters aside, when willl the Govt and indeed the nation as a whole say enough! and lets see what can be done to move forward in a postivie dignifieed manner!

Thats my morning rant done

[monty1412]

"diseases" - wear a condom, seriously some hotels don't seem to worry about lack of tourists. One five star hotel is still asking 7,000 baht a night for its rooms in December (on Agoda). --- I thought there would be reduced prices on hotels.

Its a Thai thing.. during the military fracas a thai based hotelier where I regularly stayed told me in response to question of why room rates had gone up at this time.. "we have too as not as many customers now"... sort of a reverse supply-demand that to me gave me a little insight into the insular Thai mentality.

[eezergood]

"diseases" - wear a condom, seriously some hotels don't seem to worry about lack of tourists. One five star hotel is still asking 7,000 baht a night for its rooms in December (on Agoda). --- I thought there would be reduced prices on hotels.

Its a Thai thing.. during the military fracas a thai based hotelier where I regularly stayed told me in response to question of why room rates had gone up at this time.. "we have too as not as many customers now"... sort of a reverse supply-demand that to me gave me a little insight into the insular Thai mentality.

This is a huge problem here in SE Asia within the industry. Dont look at bottom line, but simply the profit on a micro scale!!! But the same can be said of many international hotels, as I consistantly see bonus's and KPI based on average room rate - over actual profit/rooms sold

[x5david]

Thai hoteliers and Thais in general will never react in a normal supply and demand manner. The price is what they believe it to be and discounts be damned to try increase sales. They would have rooms sit vacant and merchandise piling up in the corner rather than lower prices to move it. As for the disease aspect, yes it sounds as though the THA is trying to get somebody to say anything to try to improve the tourism numbers. That is unlikely to happen until Thais get their heads out of their collective asses and stop creating disasters like have happened two years in a row now, although one could say since the coup in 2006 nothing has been quite normal here.

[noitom]

hard to believe that this story is about "tourist fears of disease." What diseases, what tourists, who was interviewed, how did the writer discover this? Looks like merely getting one comment from Prakit in one sentence with no supporting refererences to disease at all. The entire article avoided any discussion of disease or interviews/comments by real tourists or any statistics on what tourists actually said about "rising fear of disease." It was more of propaganda brief for the hotel association. Where do theseThai press writers and editors get their education and experience? This is shameful examples of journalism. Disgraceful nonsense masquerading as journalism.

Agree but did find it interesting they want the government to make an announcement that there should be no concern of disease when clearly nobody can know this to be the case at this point.

Of course. they are asking for a piece of propaganda to detoxify the issue to the tourist public. They are asking the government to lie. The government has been hiding the real numbers and issue and now the TAT wants them to lie.

[noitom]

"diseases" - wear a condom, seriously some hotels don't seem to worry about lack of tourists. One five star hotel is still asking 7,000 baht a night for its rooms in December (on Agoda). --- I thought there would be reduced prices on hotels.

Its a Thai thing.. during the military fracas a thai based hotelier where I regularly stayed told me in response to question of why room rates had gone up at this time.. "we have too as not as many customers now"... sort of a reverse supply-demand that to me gave me a little insight into the insular Thai mentality.

Right. It gets so crowded nobody comes here anymore.

[noitom]

hard to believe that this story is about "tourist fears of disease." What diseases, what tourists, who was interviewed, how did the writer discover this? Looks like merely getting one comment from Prakit in one sentence with no supporting refererences to disease at all. The entire article avoided any discussion of disease or interviews/comments by real tourists or any statistics on what tourists actually said about "rising fear of disease." It was more of propaganda brief for the hotel association. Where do theseThai press writers and editors get their education and experience? This is shameful examples of journalism. Disgraceful nonsense masquerading as journalism.

Agree but did find it interesting they want the government to make an announcement that there should be no concern of disease when clearly nobody can know this to be the case at this point.

Of course. The government has been diverting attention from this health and disease issue. The TAT is now asking them to put out some propaganda advancing the deception.

[hyperdimension]

I was hoping to read about the duration of high risk of disease and actions taken to minimize disease outbreaks, so that tourists can have some idea of when it would be safe to visit, and residents who have fled can plan when to safely return.

Instead, the article is about boosting tourist confidence via marketing / propaganda. They should be addressing the root causes, as that would help the local population in addition to boosting both tourist and investor confidence.

Edited November 17, 2011 by hyperdimension

[moe666]

After Loy Kaitong Chiang mai has become quiet, there are still tourist around but just not that many.

[FWIW]

"diseases" - wear a condom, seriously some hotels don't seem to worry about lack of tourists. One five star hotel is still asking 7,000 baht a night for its rooms in December (on Agoda). --- I thought there would be reduced prices on hotels.

Wear a condom??

Care to explain how exactly that would protect anyone against the feared future outbreaks of Leptospirosis, dengue and Hepatitis A?

[spidermike007]

"diseases" - wear a condom, seriously some hotels don't seem to worry about lack of tourists. One five star hotel is still asking 7,000 baht a night for its rooms in December (on Agoda). --- I thought there would be reduced prices on hotels.

Its a Thai thing.. during the military fracas a thai based hotelier where I regularly stayed told me in response to question of why room rates had gone up at this time.. "we have too as not as many customers now"... sort of a reverse supply-demand that to me gave me a little insight into the insular Thai mentality.

Yes, it is mind boggling. Another unfortunate aspect of a lack of historical colonization. The insularity here is astonishing. What economy keeps prices the same, during a downturn, or a tragedy? I have had a few quote a 10% discount. Whoopee! This peak season may be a real disaster, as most have already made plans, and the cancellations have been enormous.

This is a huge problem here in SE Asia within the industry. Dont look at bottom line, but simply the profit on a micro scale!!! But the same can be said of many international hotels, as I consistantly see bonus's and KPI based on average room rate - over actual profit/rooms sold

[Mosha]

Last "High Season" a friend was talking to a Thai friend who has a resort on Kho Phayam. She was complaining about no customers. He told her try to reduce the price. Her response "Cannot do, this high season." He laughed and said "What high season, you have no customers."

[NowImEasy]

"diseases" - wear a condom, seriously some hotels don't seem to worry about lack of tourists. One five star hotel is still asking 7,000 baht a night for its rooms in December (on Agoda). --- I thought there would be reduced prices on hotels.

Its a Thai thing.. during the military fracas a thai based hotelier where I regularly stayed told me in response to question of why room rates had gone up at this time.. "we have too as not as many customers now"... sort of a reverse supply-demand that to me gave me a little insight into the insular Thai mentality.

Right. It gets so crowded nobody comes here anymore.

LOL A famous quote by Yogi Berra, who said that.

[swillowbee]

... a friend and epidemiologist with the CDC has been redeployed from his research here to focus on the disease threat ... he explained that disease trails the flooding by 2-3 weeks ... will be interesting to track the Thai Ministry of Health's incident reports on malaria, typhoid, cholera, etc. for the flood affected areas ... (if they don't start withholding such information).

... what's more, with today's breaking news on the government's approved plan for Thaksin's amnesty, tourists might be fearful of coming to Thailand because of other frightful threats that might well breakout in the streets ... not a disease, but a dangerous Toxin capable of causing great harm to all who are exposed to him.

... how pathetic is this tiresome saga becoming?

Edited November 17, 2011 by swillowbee

[WhizBang]

"diseases" - wear a condom, seriously some hotels don't seem to worry about lack of tourists. One five star hotel is still asking 7,000 baht a night for its rooms in December (on Agoda). --- I thought there would be reduced prices on hotels.

Ahhh, you just do not understand Thainess.

To the Thai mentality, tourist numbers are down, so revenue is down, so the only logical solution is they must increase rates to offset the lost revenue. This is the Thai way. To reduce rates to attract more customers is just far to farang for Thai's.

Absolutely Amazing Thailand.

[ginjag]

After Loy Kaitong Chiang mai has become quiet, there are still tourist around but just not that many.

Maybe they are fearing another Chiangmai in Bkk.......................another point on this tourism subject is noticing a brilliant offer on short package holidays in Thailand--PROMOTION--big reductions, so I went to book on one of these specials, was refused as they wee for THAI nationals ony..........WHAT t f. if this isn't racism I do not know what is. this was advertised and has been over months in a.n. other English speaking newspaper, under the classified tour page, anyone can find these bargains--if your Thai

[BarryM]

I stayed at a well known hotel in its "royal wing" in Pattaya during some bird flu/ SARS crisis or other.

Walking past reception on the last day of October they informed me that me room rate would increase the next day because it was "high season". Only five or so of the suites out of 82 were actually occupied.

Despite regularly using the hotel for 50 or so nights a year they wouldn't budge on the rate increase, so I checked out.

Plenty of other hotels and other countries to visit. Guess the ultimate goal of the thai tourist industry is just one person paying 100000000000 b a day to stay in hotels, eat, visit bars and rent jet skis.

[David48]

Just trying to put some genuine input into this article.

My sister and I (Sister newbie, me more then 15 times here) flew in from Brisbane Australia on Monday the 7^th November.

We were due to fly in the following day but the Thai Airlines flight was cancelled due to few travellers. The flight which was rebooked has about 1/3 full.

Now my sister has just received advised that her flight home has also been cancelled and rescheduled.

We tried to book a ‘Grand Palace’ tour tomorrow (Friday) but it was also cancelled due to lack of numbers!

The hotels we tried to book (yes, I also thought that the prices would drop due to few bookings …) but many in the Sukhumvit area were near 80% capacity due to the Thai folk staying in a ‘dry’ hotel because their place was flooded.

The Bus from Ekkamai to Pattaya was, at best ½ full, first time for me on this trip. (10am trip). Bus home tonight (Patts – BKK) was only 2/3 rds full.

Cabbages and Condoms, Sukhumvit Soi 12 (for my sister … no bagging please) was fairly quiet the other night and no Falang /Thai business tables obvious.

Nana was going OK without being particularly busy.

Came through On Nut TESCO tonight and there was no evidence of flooding or water.

Chatachuck Markets were open last Sunday but quiet … we never went in. Water on the road about ankle deep. We headed off to the orphanage to make merit. Even there they moved the new borns to a higher level.

Sukhumvit Soi 11 seems to be clipping along nicely. A vendor tried to charge 15 Baht for watermelon fruit … 10 Baht outside.

That’s enough for now as wanting to stay on topic.

Any questions you need to know about Sukhumvit area over the coming week or two then please let me know and I’ll do my best to reply.

[yumidesign]

hard to believe that this story is about "tourist fears of disease." What diseases, what tourists, who was interviewed, how did the writer discover this? Looks like merely getting one comment from Prakit in one sentence with no supporting refererences to disease at all. The entire article avoided any discussion of disease or interviews/comments by real tourists or any statistics on what tourists actually said about "rising fear of disease." It was more of propaganda brief for the hotel association. Where do theseThai press writers and editors get their education and experience? This is shameful examples of journalism. Disgraceful nonsense masquerading as journalism.

a picture is worth a thousand etc etc

[anterian]

on the subject of disease. The water drifting past my front door has developed a scum of black algae, fish which before were frolicking in the water are now starting to float belly up. The signs are not good, neither is the smell.

[IAMHERE]

Plenty of diseases of a respiratory nature were caused during the clean up of any Hurricane along the south coast of the USA. I'd be concerned with Legionaires disease myself. And you just gotta think any out break of insects will be dealt with the same as they were up there in Chiang Mai where tourist died in hotel 3 or 4 at a time. Seems a legitamate concern, they'll never be able to entirely clean up after these floods.

[Mosha]

I've had a visit from a friend who lives not too far from the centre of Ranong. We have a mutual friend who speaks very good english, and she is a nurse in Ranong hospital. The hospital is packed with people suffering from diarrhea, and cholera. mostly Burmese but some Thais too. There have been deaths. Did some of these people flee Bangkok I wonder?

[PaulBax]

i am in Bangkok; our soi did not flood but we already have an outbreak of dengue.

i am one who has it , there are also others who have been hospitalised!

They all think i am mad when i tell them to put bleach down the drains

on a lighter not it has turned my wife into a mosquito killing zombie like creature :lol:

[roamer]

When Copenhagen experienced a smaller flood this year they experienced cases of Weils disease including a fatality in the clear up. Would hazard a guess that the rat population (the carriers) is far higher in Bangkok than Copenhagen, the public heath surveillance far less effective and the conditions far more favourable for the spread of disease.

http://cphpost.dk/news/national/88-national/51928-rat-borne-sickness-kills-man-following-flood.html