Thailand Is Still 'Favoured Tourist Destination'

[webfact]

TOURISM

Thailand's still 'favoured tourist destination'

BAMRUNG AMNATCHAROENRIT

THE NATION

Operators warn political uncertainty and cases of cheating could deter foreigners

BANGKOK: -- Foreign tour operators acknowledged that Thailand's popularity is on the rise and that it still remains a favourite regional destination, but they say problems in the Kingdom remain widespread and stand to hurt tourist sentiment.

These problems include political uncertainty, cheating practices among service operators and illegal taxi drivers who not only charge higher fares but also behave badly with foreigners. Some operators are calling on the government to find solutions for this before the country loses its good image.

The tour operators from India, Russia and China were speaking at Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2012 held by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) last week. More than 473 tour agencies from 60 countries participated in the event.

Sameer Whig, director of New Delhi-based Samaara Travels, said the Kingdom remained popular as a holiday destination, with the number of Indians coming to Thailand rising annually thanks to a booming economy. Last year alone, his firm brought 4,000 people here.

Though the most popular destinations are Bangkok and Pattaya, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai and Phuket are also catching up. Most travellers from India come here for the nightlife, shopping and leisure activities, with travel packages costing at least US$500 (Bt15,900) for about six to seven nights on average.

Whig said his clients complained about having trouble with local service operators, especially from criminal gangs in Pattaya. For instance, he said, tourists rent jet skis from local operators but end up paying large amounts for damage that they have allegedly made to the equipment. He said these jet-ski operators worked hand-in-hand with the tourist police. He also complained about illegal taxi drivers harassing tourists at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Liu Feng, CEO of Yunnan Comfort Tourism Group, said his company's biggest problem was that local operators did not provide services according to the agreements signed. He said the government should set service standards.

TAT has been working hard to standardise the tourism industry by classifying the quality of service provided by local operators, ranging from food to hotels. It is most likely that local operators might have downgraded their services, resulting in them breaking their agreements with the Chinese tour operators, a source said.

Last year, his company brought 100,000 Chinese tourists to Thailand and this number is expected to grow by 5 to 10 per cent. The major destinations for Chinese tourists are Bangkok and Pattaya, with Phuket, Chiang Mai and Krabi fast catching up.

Kondratyuk Ksienia, manager of Primoravtotrans based in Moscow, said the biggest problem her clients faced was the lack of information in the Russian language, which prevented them from exploring new places in the country. She said most tourists from Russia booked two-week package tours to Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, and many visited the Kingdom to enjoy the beaches.

-- The Nation 2012-06-11

[Moruya]

I'm sure the esteemed minister for tourism will act.

[noitom]

Never a word from the newspaper on the statistics for foreign sex tourism and which operators cater to this trade. That's probably the operator segment that cheats, manipulates prices and services, and renegs on their deals with Indian and Chinese and other operators. The Thai sex tour operators probably figure what the heck, these guys are coming anyway for sex so why not rip them off. The only fair shake they probably get is from the girls, who probably have to kick back to their Thai operator partner.

[me313]

Just wait until even cheaper Myanmar becomes "developed" with a string of resorts lining it's coasts attracting tourists, let's give it 5 years and flights to Myanmar might exceed those to Thailand or be a serious competition to the Thai tourist economy

[alant]

Never a word from the newspaper on the statistics for foreign sex tourism and which operators cater to this trade. That's probably the operator segment that cheats, manipulates prices and services, and renegs on their deals with Indian and Chinese and other operators. The Thai sex tour operators probably figure what the heck, these guys are coming anyway for sex so why not rip them off. The only fair shake they probably get is from the girls, who probably have to kick back to their Thai operator partner.

They did say people come for the night life. Don't really agree with your comment. I frequently warn visitors usually family groups about taxi and jet ski problems. TAT should note the world does know about this problem and Thailands reputation is suffering because of it.

[bangkokbruce]

Notice they said Indian's, Russians, and Chinese are coming in record numbers. Where most of the scam artist and mafia and yaba problems are on the rise. Thailand must be proud to have them coming...takes the focus off the Red shirts and TS. The indians are bringing more yaba and ice, the russians are extorting more "protection" money from business owners and the chinese are setting up more "boiler room scam" operations. Welcome to Thailand No offense to decent and law abiding Indian's Russians, and Chinese

[sirchai]

What about the "Iff Ya nou marie mee, I gou Bang Cock and wok in Baar". cheaters?

[jalansanitwong]

Just wait until even cheaper Myanmar becomes "developed" with a string of resorts lining it's coasts attracting tourists, let's give it 5 years and flights to Myanmar might exceed those to Thailand or be a serious competition to the Thai tourist economy

Very true. If the Americans and others decide to develop Burma just as they did in LOS 40 years ago it will spell the end for Thailands tourism industry. Thailand doesnt hold a candle to the eco tourism potential in Burma.

Indians are coming in big numbers but not necessarily shopping or lying around on mediocre beaches. More likely they're indulging in 'night life' activities in their hotel rooms with one bar girl shared among 8 Rashmani's.

[Soutpeel]

Never a word from the newspaper on the statistics for foreign sex tourism and which operators cater to this trade. That's probably the operator segment that cheats, manipulates prices and services, and renegs on their deals with Indian and Chinese and other operators. The Thai sex tour operators probably figure what the heck, these guys are coming anyway for sex so why not rip them off. The only fair shake they probably get is from the girls, who probably have to kick back to their Thai operator partner.

This completely untrue, do you even live in Thailand ??.....if you lived here you would know there is no sex toursim or prostitution in Thailand, you are obviously very confused..

[Soutpeel]

If the Americans and others decide to develop Burma just as they did in LOS 40 years ago

Is the US planning to invade Vietnam again... ....and its quite offensive to suggest only the American's or other's "decide" to develop Burma, Burma will decide how much it develops...

[ginjag]

Agree with the tile of the thread, BUT should read, favoured by the unsuspecting tourists, a big percentage will re consider about returning, that is those that are subjected to the scams. Others that are nursed around in protected parties(tour package) will return. These are the tourists that Thailand are getting, the package type and the high end--these tourists are not affected by the scams and dirty canals, beaches,jet ski,airport taxis.

[Unkomoncents]

It looks like they're acknowledging that they should be focusing on Russian and Middle Eastern tourists for growth, because, aside from sex tourism enthusiasts, fewer and fewer Western tourists (especially families) are interested in Thailand's scams and polluted, over-developed beaches. Langkawi is beautiful, clean, and minus the general malfeasance seen at Pattaya, Phuket, Samui, etc.

Edited June 11, 2012 by Unkomoncents

[saroq]

If the Americans and others decide to develop Burma just as they did in LOS 40 years ago

Is the US planning to invade Vietnam again... ....and its quite offensive to suggest only the American's or other's "decide" to develop Burma, Burma will decide how much it develops...

Naive

[Udox]

I believe there are a group of people in Thailand who wear brown shirts and are paid to uphold and enforce the law.

If they did their job - many of these problems would disappear.

The system is rotten to the core - from the bottom to the top, and everybody else knows it and thats why they get away with what they do.

Until someone with big balls takes real action against lazy and bent 'officials' - we will just carry on along the same well-trodden road with the odd noise here and there but generally, things won't change.

[HerbalEd]

Just wait until even cheaper Myanmar becomes "developed" with a string of resorts lining it's coasts attracting tourists, let's give it 5 years and flights to Myanmar might exceed those to Thailand or be a serious competition to the Thai tourist economy

Very true. If the Americans and others decide to develop Burma just as they did in LOS 40 years ago it will spell the end for Thailands tourism industry. Thailand doesnt hold a candle to the eco tourism potential in Burma.

Indians are coming in big numbers but not necessarily shopping or lying around on mediocre beaches. More likely they're indulging in 'night life' activities in their hotel rooms with one bar girl shared among 8 Rashmani's.

Wild guess much?

[Xonax]

If the Americans and others decide to develop Burma just as they did in LOS 40 years ago

Is the US planning to invade Vietnam again... ....and its quite offensive to suggest only the American's or other's "decide" to develop Burma, Burma will decide how much it develops...

Afghanistan and Pakistan are conveniently closer to Burma.

[ginjag]

Afghan beaches are DESERTed

[Kananga]

Kondratyuk Ksienia, manager of Primoravtotrans based in Moscow, said the biggest problem her clients faced was the lack of information in the Russian language, which prevented them from exploring new places in the country.

The last thing the rest of the country needs are swarms of pushy 8ft tall hotpant wearing men with bad haircuts. At least TAT is doing one thing right.

[chiangmaicharlies]

As I look out my window, the demolition of 'the death hotel' (downtown inn) continues, so one less problem there for TAT.

[Soutpeel]

Kondratyuk Ksienia, manager of Primoravtotrans based in Moscow, said the biggest problem her clients faced was the lack of information in the Russian language, which prevented them from exploring new places in the country.

The last thing the rest of the country needs are swarms of pushy 8ft tall hotpant wearing men with bad haircuts. At least TAT is doing one thing right.

Oh I dont know...TAT allowed balded headed, tattooed, beer bellied, football shirt wearing loud mouths in, so why not extend this to the Russians...

[jalansanitwong]

If the Americans and others decide to develop Burma just as they did in LOS 40 years ago

Is the US planning to invade Vietnam again... ....and its quite offensive to suggest only the American's or other's "decide" to develop Burma, Burma will decide how much it develops...

Naive

You must be very naive if you think Burma (or whatever they now call themselves) is going to foot the bill for billions to bring itself into the 21st century. The Americans will surely have their eye on the fossil fuel reserves...ever heard of the Bush family USA ??? Yanks will build airports,highways, hotels etc same as they did in provincial Thailand during and after Vietnam War. All of these rich Thais who slap each other on the back and hand out awards at business functions would still be barefoot andsleeping on hammocks drinking ya-dong if it werent for the Yanks and Japs etc developing this place.

[geriatrickid]

Just wait until even cheaper Myanmar becomes "developed" with a string of resorts lining it's coasts attracting tourists, let's give it 5 years and flights to Myanmar might exceed those to Thailand or be a serious competition to the Thai tourist economy

It will take close to a decade to build the infrastructure needed to support a vibrant tourism industry in Myanmar. Until then, the Thais will do as they please.

[Notstupid30]

Nothing ever going to change here in Los apart from the next red or yellow shirt government it's all a load of ...

[geriatrickid]

If the Americans and others decide to develop Burma just as they did in LOS 40 years ago

Is the US planning to invade Vietnam again... ....and its quite offensive to suggest only the American's or other's "decide" to develop Burma, Burma will decide how much it develops...

Naive

You must be very naive if you think Burma (or whatever they now call themselves) is going to foot the bill for billions to bring itself into the 21st century. The Americans will surely have their eye on the fossil fuel reserves...ever heard of the Bush family USA ??? Yanks will build airports,highways, hotels etc same as they did in provincial Thailand during and after Vietnam War. All of these rich Thais who slap each other on the back and hand out awards at business functions would still be barefoot andsleeping on hammocks drinking ya-dong if it werent for the Yanks and Japs etc developing this place.

The Americans can have their eye on the fossil fuel reserves, but it is spoken for courtesy of the Chinese and the Europeans. The Indians are doing everything possible to get into Myanmar but are unable to compete with the Chinese with their deep pockets. The Americans are an afterthought.

[brit1984]

Just wait until even cheaper Myanmar becomes "developed" with a string of resorts lining it's coasts attracting tourists, let's give it 5 years and flights to Myanmar might exceed those to Thailand or be a serious competition to the Thai tourist economy

It will take close to a decade to build the infrastructure needed to support a vibrant tourism industry in Myanmar. Until then, the Thais will do as they please.

...and I expect it will take more than a decade before potential Western tourists stop thinking of Burma as a fractious poverty-stricken country, that only members of human-rights NGOs would be interested to visit

Sent from iPhone; please forgive any typos or violations of forum rules

[davehowden]

What about the "Iff Ya nou marie mee, I gou Bang Cock and wok in Baar". cheaters?

Sounds like a Scottish accent to me!

[DLock]

Thailand will do just fine.

Burma will not develop at the pace required to impact Thailand - just as Cambodia and Vietnam have been unable to do. And I doubt beaches and temples are why the majority of people come to Thailand.

...and forget America. It's the Chinese that already have strong footholds and connections in Burma. Those deals are done.

[bangkokbruce]

Kondratyuk Ksienia, manager of Primoravtotrans based in Moscow, said the biggest problem her clients faced was the lack of information in the Russian language, which prevented them from exploring new places in the country.

The last thing the rest of the country needs are swarms of pushy 8ft tall hotpant wearing men with bad haircuts. At least TAT is doing one thing right.

Lack of Russian language? Have they been to pattaya or phuket? All the signs are in thai and russian now instead of thai and english....give me a break

[Soutpeel]

If the Americans and others decide to develop Burma just as they did in LOS 40 years ago

Is the US planning to invade Vietnam again... ....and its quite offensive to suggest only the American's or other's "decide" to develop Burma, Burma will decide how much it develops...

Naive

Yanks will build airports,highways, hotels etc same as they did in provincial Thailand during and after Vietnam War.

where will they get the money from ?.....the US is in financial dire straits..

In your sentence....my be more appropriate to substitute "Yanks" with "China" and delete "same as they did........Vietnam War"

[bigbamboo]

Never a word from the newspaper on the statistics for foreign sex tourism and which operators cater to this trade. That's probably the operator segment that cheats, manipulates prices and services, and renegs on their deals with Indian and Chinese and other operators. The Thai sex tour operators probably figure what the heck, these guys are coming anyway for sex so why not rip them off. The only fair shake they probably get is from the girls, who probably have to kick back to their Thai operator partner.

This completely untrue, do you even live in Thailand ??.....if you lived here you would know there is no sex toursim or prostitution in Thailand, you are obviously very confused..

And don't go thinking you can shop for a fake Rolex or other knock offs either.