Thailand urged to tackle dark side of 'Land of Smiles'

[webfact]

Feature

Thailand urged to tackle dark side of 'Land of Smiles'

by Daniel ROOK

PHUKET, July 19, 2013 (AFP) - From jet ski scams to robbery, assault and even police extortion, for the millions of tourists who flock to Thailand each year the kingdom does not always live up to its reputation as the "Land of Smiles".

Now following a flurry of complaints, governments are urging the country to do more to protect the safety of the record numbers of foreigners visiting Thailand.

Its sun-drenched beaches, tranquil temples and libidinous nightlife have long been a magnet for tourists from around the world, but for some it is far from paradise.

Drink spiking in bars can be a problem and sometimes people wake up to find they have been robbed.

"There are a lot of people who get drugged here," said Wal Brown, an Australia volunteer with the Thai police who patrols the thronging streets of Patong on the island of Phuket, where crowds of tourists mingle with touts offering entrance to "ladyboy cabarets" or photo ops with endangered animals.

"A couple of years ago we had two Italians walk out of the bush. They couldn't remember anything for three days. All their money and clothes were stolen. They only had their jocks (underwear) on," he added.

Visitors are warned to beware of strip clubs offering "ping-pong shows" where two beers can sometimes cost $100.

"Last year we had one guy hit with a hammer. He wouldn't pay," Brown said. "The tout got very aggressive and attacked him."

Road traffic accidents and drownings are relatively common causes of injury among tourists in Thailand, where safety standards are generally poor.

Bag snatching and robberies are also a regular occurrence on Phuket with tourists on motorbikes sometimes targeted on dimly-lit roads.

"One French girl hid in the bushes for three hours. Another Swedish girl stayed there until daybreak. They were on motorbikes and stopped by people with hatchets and screwdrivers and makeshift weapons," said Brown, who recommends people read their government's travel advice before visiting.

Sometimes it ends in tragedy.

A 59-year-old Australian woman was killed in June 2012 in an attempted bag snatch on Phuket. Two Thai men were later sentenced to life imprisonment for her murder.

And just this month in Bangkok, an American man was slashed to death by a taxi driver after an apparent argument over the fare.

A record 22 million foreigners visited Thailand last year and although most did not encounter any serious problems, diplomats say tougher action is needed to ensure their protection.

"There have been quite a lot of problems in Phuket," said David Lipman, head of the EU delegation to Thailand and one of more than a dozen European ambassadors who recently visited the island to air their concerns.

"I don't think that the situation is getting better at all and that's why we really wanted to pursue this matter," he told AFP.

The Phuket police say they recognise the problem but insist they are doing the best they can with their stretched resources.

"We have set up the Patong Safety Zone scheme to protect tourists. The public can help take care of the tourists as although there are more than 100 police officers in Patong it is not enough," said Lieutenant Colonel Nikorn Chootong.

One common scam on Thai beaches is to charge large sums of money for pre-existing damage to jet skis, using threats of violence against people reluctant to pay.

"It's a racket," said Lipman. "The same with motorbikes as well. People rent out motorbikes. In the middle of the night they're stolen by the people who rented them out in the first place and the next day they say 'let's have our motorbike'.

Fines handed out by the local police for "parking in the wrong place" are another issue.

"We expect proper standards of behaviour from public officials," Lipman said.

"Let's face it, there is a bit of corruption going on and we hope that will be avoided."

One person who has no plan to return anytime soon is Elodie Triche.

The French tourist and her family took a wrong turn in Phuket airport along with other new arrivals in May and mistakenly left without having their passports stamped by immigration.

When they returned of their own accord to resolve the problem, they were detained, asked to sign inaccurate confessions and held by police for 12 hours with their 21-month-old daughter, Triche said.

The next day, after a further seven hour wait in a court basement, they were sentenced to a one-year suspended prison term and a fine of 2,000 baht ($65) each, with no legal representation.

"Such treatment is unacceptable," Triche told AFP from France.

Britain says Thailand is the country where its citizens are second most likely to require consular assistance if they visit, behind the Philippines. There were 389 deaths of British nationals in Thailand in the year to March 2013 -- about one for every 2,400 British visitors or residents -- although that figure includes natural causes.

Deaths and cases of hospitalisation of British citizens rose by about 30 percent from the previous year.

Thailand had the highest number of deaths of Australians overseas in 2012, with 111 fatalities. More than 700 Australians required consular assistance out of the nearly one million who visited.

China has voiced concern at a recent spate of deaths of its nationals on snorkeling trips, while European diplomats intend to keep up the pressure on the government.

"I very much hope that the situation will improve," Lipman said.

"Many people who go to Phuket have a wonderful time and don't encounter problems," he said. "But there are a lot of problems that people do encounter."

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-07-19

[Kananga]

It's getting worse and no one wants to take responsibility or ownership. In 10 years from now Thai tourism will consist of little more than loud arrogant badly dressed chinese tour groups, Russian criminals and great swathes of Indian men getting beaten up or ripped off in Pattaya and Patong.

Oh Thailand, think of what you could have been.

[laurentbkk]

lets hope ..... I stop to believe in santa a long time ago ..

[realfunster]

Worthy of sharing in the main forum I would say .

[Tatsujin]

Those record numbers will drop sharply if they don't do something serious soon . . . the Thai's fail to understand the impact of social media and sharing of information outside of Thailand. The negative reviews, word of mouth etc etc will continue to have an effect and it's only going to get worse.

Lucky Tourism doesn't comprise a large part of the GDP, eg?

[webfact]

moved to Thailand News

/Admin

[Zolt]

Start with doing something about the 1,000,000+ yaba and heroin addicts. Jet ski scams are annoying, but secondary to that really.

Then you can tackle the abuse and exploitation of millions of migrant workers (and Thai workers as well).

Then you can start having a critical look at the corruption at every level of business and government that costs this country billions every year and stifles development.

I mean, sure, tourism is important to Thailand's economy but if you focus on that exclusively, it will be nothing but a patch to try and mask the bigger issues that affect Thailand.

[Rimmer]

Whinging post removed, if you have nothing to add to this topic then please move on to the next one that might be of interest to you.

[Thai at Heart]

Reading that article, it makes you wonder why any tourists come at all.....

[sjjmmi]

Reading that article, it makes you wonder why any tourists come at all.....

+ 1

[aTomsLife]

It'd be nice if there were some American voices airing criticisms and concerns too. This guy Lipman does a much, much better job than the U.S. ambassador, who not only fails to address these problems publicly, but went out of her way to thank Phuket's police force. Lipman sounds like he represents EU citizens first, whereas the U.S. government places its own affairs (like the so-called war on drugs) above the needs of its citizens.

Edited July 19, 2013 by aTomsLife

[NongKhaiKid]

Mr. Rook has maybe crowed too much and apart from lawsuits the TAT will probably have a contract on him.

He'll have trouble getting back into the country and if he's here he'll have trouble getting out, alive that is.

The old saying " the truth hurts " is nowhere more apt than here.

[billd766]

Start with doing something about the 1,000,000+ yaba and heroin addicts. Jet ski scams are annoying, but secondary to that really.

Then you can tackle the abuse and exploitation of millions of migrant workers (and Thai workers as well).

Then you can start having a critical look at the corruption at every level of business and government that costs this country billions every year and stifles development.

I mean, sure, tourism is important to Thailand's economy but if you focus on that exclusively, it will be nothing but a patch to try and mask the bigger issues that affect Thailand.

However the post is NOT about yaba and heroin addicts but about tourism and the possible future lack of it

The problems you are talking about have very little to do with tourism but much to do with Thailand internally.

Tourists come once a year for 2 or 3 weeks and as far as I can seenot all of them return next year.

Thailands tourist reputation, at least in the west is getting a hammering, even the ambassadors are demanding action but little is being done to fix it apart from the usual word which are meaningless.

Thailand doesn't just need tourism, it needs repeat tourism.

Edited July 19, 2013 by billd766

[lemoncake]

PHUKET, July 19, 2013 (AFP) - From jet ski scams to robbery, assault and even police extortion, for the millions of tourists who flock to Thailand each year the kingdom does not always live up to its reputation as the "Land of Smiles".

I totally disagree with this statement. Because the jet ski scams, robbery's, assaults and police extortion are all done with a smile, so it is a "Land of Smiles" even when you are being robbed, scammed or extorted

[NongKhaiKid]

PHUKET, July 19, 2013 (AFP) - From jet ski scams to robbery, assault and even police extortion, for the millions of tourists who flock to Thailand each year the kingdom does not always live up to its reputation as the "Land of Smiles".

I totally disagree with this statement. Because the jet ski scams, robbery's, assaults and police extortion are all done with a smile, so it is a "Land of Smiles" even when you are being robbed, scammed or extorted

Yes, people making money are always happy.

[gemini81]

It's getting worse and no one wants to take responsibility or ownership. In 10 years from now Thai tourism will consist of little more than loud arrogant badly dressed chinese tour groups, Russian criminals and great swathes of Indian men getting beaten up or ripped off in Pattaya and Patong.

Oh Thailand, think of what you could have been.

Its pretty much already like that. Foreign business in BKK for my company is doing well, but given more mobs, economic problems, protectionism etc. it will slow down for sure we have no doubt, as there are more stable places to do business and other places also offer the cheap manufacturing...but the picture you painted of the tourism side is definitely true..we've also seen a lot of aggressive Chinese business flow in....and with a shady side in which they want everything for next to nothing..

Edited July 19, 2013 by gemini81

[NongKhaiKid]

It'd be nice if there were some American voices airing criticisms and concerns too. This guy Lipman does a much, much better job than the U.S. ambassador, who not only fails to address these problems publicly, but went out of her way to thank Phuket's police force. Lipman sounds like he represents EU citizens first, whereas the U.S. government places its own affairs (like the so-called war on drugs) above the needs of its citizens.

One of the problems is that diplomats place government to government relations above telling the truth to their own nationals and do not like to upset their hosts.

Wishy washy travel warnings may be issued but not real full on warnings as it would upset the Thais and it happens everywhere. I have personal knowledge of this from the Philippines.

[BeforeTigers]

It'd be nice if there were some American voices airing criticisms and concerns too. This guy Lipman does a much, much better job than the U.S. ambassador, who not only fails to address these problems publicly, but went out of her way to thank Phuket's police force. Lipman sounds like he represents EU citizens first, whereas the U.S. government places its own affairs (like the so-called war on drugs) above the needs of its citizens.

Pivot To Asia

I would be surprised to hear the US criticizing any Pacific allies right now.

[ginjag]

If TAT has any credibility, it will be scampering around like headless chickens to remedy the majority of problems.

That is -instead of having a committee go to a 5 star resort venue to discuss promoting shopping mall sales( was it last year they asked other countries to come to Thailand to shop-as they were having UP to 70% off)

Giving us unknown false figures of actual visitors. do something REAL to protect and promote tourism.

Forget your (high end campaign for now) and cut out the practices that are mentioned.

[monty1412]

To tackle it effectively would mean first admission that it is a real problem and you are not going to get that in Thailand.. at least not at the government levels which would be required to get suitable remedial action.

As Myanmar opens up it will start to steal tourists from Thailand.. it has hundreds of great beach destination islands and Myanmar seems to be very carefully developing these.

If within the next few years tourism starts to swing Myanmar's way then this will be a further nail in the coffin for Thailand tourism as in typical fashion the blame will be levelled by Thailand at Myanmar rather than fact that tourists can get similar beach / island vacation experience without the personal danger both to oneself and one's wallet that Thailand is so becoming known for.

Some may have read that the Tourism minister said tourist numbers would be up next year... maybe but you have to look at where that growth is coming from and what it brings to the economy... huge increases in Russian and Chines tourists who fly in on their national carriers and prepay hotels back at home and eat with vouchers at their nominated hotels or restaurants ( some , maybe allot, of which are owned by Russian and Chinese interest) add very little to the overall economy compared to typical European, North American and Australian tourists. These tourists who add more to the Thai economy per head than the masses of Russian and Chinese are also more discerning and will look for safer and better experiences.

Thailand does need to tackle the dark side and straight away if it is to retain a strong and profitable tourist economy.. otherwise it will become truly just the walking street of SE Asia. To do so however will require an admission now that all is not well and that I fear you will not get from the powers that be in Thailand.

[EyesWideOpen]

OMG !!!! This is what myself and some TV posters have been talking about for many years ..... How refreshing to see these points of views being aired in the national media. Wait, does this mean the writer will have to go back to his home country if he points out these problems here ??

Funny to see Phuket pointed as a problem area. Guess mafia control of the island is not going so well. They have managed to well and truly kill the golden goose, as many people have predicted . And the mafia there will learn another valuable lesson, which is once you develop a bad reputation it is almost impossible to fix it. The jet ski scam, which is always pointed out in articles like this one, could be stopped in one day if the government chose to do so. Instead they are in it up to their necks, which makes their statements about stopping the scam even more humorous.. Stopping lady boys drugging customers will be a bit more difficult. :-)

Edited July 19, 2013 by EyesWideOpen

[marchawkes]

I think hoping that things change in Thailand is like hoping pigs will fly.Thailand is a third world country which likes to think its a Singapore or Taiwan. Sadly not !! Tourists need to walk with their feet and go to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia..........if violence and crime in that wretched neck of the woods troubles them - or go to Thailand at their own risk. As for Land of Smiles that is 1960s speech and not reality anymore. Sadly, that outdated sales caption 'Land of Smiles' misleads visitors into thinking this is still the 1960s.

[Thai at Heart]

At the end of it all, the scams have been running for years and years, and when the figures were 10mn or so, no one really gave a crap. But when you start attracting millions of Chinese, who live on your doorstep, they are not the most worldly travellers yet, and when they get ripped off, the Chinese embassy WILL say something. The media in China goes nuts if any of its tourists get caught up in problems and word spreads like wildfire over there if a place is safe or not.

The Thai's know where their future growth in this industry is going to be, and its a hell of a lot easier to get Chinese down here on cheap packages than it is to get Europeans to fly 10 hours to get here. This is why they give lip service to complaints from western embassies, but jump to attention when the Chinese have a go. Thailand will become China's Costa del Sol.

[sunshine51]

To tackle it effectively would mean first admission that it is a real problem and you are not going to get that in Thailand.. at least not at the government levels which would be required to get suitable remedial action.

As Myanmar opens up it will start to steal tourists from Thailand.. it has hundreds of great beach destination islands and Myanmar seems to be very carefully developing these.

If within the next few years tourism starts to swing Myanmar's way then this will be a further nail in the coffin for Thailand tourism as in typical fashion the blame will be levelled by Thailand at Myanmar rather than fact that tourists can get similar beach / island vacation experience without the personal danger both to oneself and one's wallet that Thailand is so becoming known for.

Some may have read that the Tourism minister said tourist numbers would be up next year... maybe but you have to look at where that growth is coming from and what it brings to the economy... huge increases in Russian and Chines tourists who fly in on their national carriers and prepay hotels back at home and eat with vouchers at their nominated hotels or restaurants ( some , maybe allot, of which are owned by Russian and Chinese interest) add very little to the overall economy compared to typical European, North American and Australian tourists. These tourists who add more to the Thai economy per head than the masses of Russian and Chinese are also more discerning and will look for safer and better experiences.

Thailand does need to tackle the dark side and straight away if it is to retain a strong and profitable tourist economy.. otherwise it will become truly just the walking street of SE Asia. To do so however will require an admission now that all is not well and that I fear you will not get from the powers that be in Thailand.

I agree...and Myanmar HAS opened up. It's nice there...for now.

[lee b]

Something should of been done about these problems many years ago ! But too much money to be made.

[Lingba]

Lets see...by saying "Thailand urged to tackle dark side"...I assume we are addressing the higher officials in gov't to do something...But wait a minute...Isn't this the place where all the darness begins???

[Markaew]

What amazes me is the rapid firing of these nonsensical stories. What amazing frequency and quantity. It is apparent there is no intent to truly change Thailand and almost a fantasy approach to their issues. It's becoming ridiculous. Report a crazy story, everyone buzzes a bit, then on to the next one.

I believe it's impossible to actually change something in Thailand.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I've noticed lately, this is a common, recurring phrase now that seems to creep into a lot of AFP news stories here:

Thailand, where safety standards are generally poor.

Nice to see that AFP is finally beginning to catch on.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Actually, if I was living back home still and knowing what I know, I would NOT come here as a tourist as I did in my original visits to Thailand...

Too much B.S., too many scams, too low quality of service in so many things. No legal system, no justice, no consumer safety.

But, I'm not a tourist, and instead I live a quiet home-centered life here, so I think I can pretty much avoid a lot of the c**p that goes on.

Don't and won't visit Phuket... avoid Pattaya... avoid tuk tuks... avoid jet skis and tour buses and minivans.. avoid Thai trains.. avoid touts, etc etc...

It's OK to lead a home-centered life. But if I was going to be out and around as a tourist, I'd wouldn't feel too good.

Now I just have to avoid getting electrocuted in the shower, killed by my wife, or poisoned by eating Thai rice.

Edited July 19, 2013 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[Thai at Heart]

Story hiding in the other paper about Chinese tourists sleeping at the tourist police in pattaya because of being checked into 3 star accommodation instead of the paid for 5 by their tour company.

And the scams go on.....

[CrisRMenumate]

nuf, said