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Tourism Private Sector Raises Alarm Over Southern Thailand’s Tourism Slump
Picture courtesy of Matichon. Southern Thailand’s tourism sector is sounding the alarm over a noticeable decline in international tourist arrivals, with business leaders pointing to the suspension of Malaysian tour bus operations and the disappearance of Chinese tourists amid safety concerns. Mr. Songchai Mungprasitichai, President of the Songkhla Tourism Promotion Association, stated that tour operators in the region, who previously helped develop tourism markets in Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga targeting Malaysian and Singaporean travellers, have witnessed a sharp drop in cross-border traffic since local authorities restricted Malaysian tour buses from travelling beyond Songkhla province. “Currently, Songkhla does not permit Malaysian tour buses to travel beyond its borders, only private vehicles such as cars and vans. This has significantly disrupted the tourist flow to Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga during the low season,” said Mr. Songchai. Before the restrictions, some 7,000–8,000 Malaysian tourists arrived monthly by bus during the May–October low season, contributing to over 100,000 arrivals annually. With average spending of 10,000 baht per tourist, the region used to generate more than 1 billion baht each year from this segment alone. “European markets naturally slow down after the high season. That’s when we used to rely on regional tourists from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and also domestic travellers,” he added. Mr. Songchai also highlighted the impact of Thailand’s deteriorating image among Chinese tourists. According to feedback from overseas travel networks, concerns over safety, driven by reports of call centre scams and fraud targeting Chinese nationals, have led to widespread travel advisories and a sharp drop in arrivals. “Many Chinese tourists are now choosing alternative destinations in Asia such as Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea and Japan. The perception that Thailand is unsafe has had a profound impact on their decisions,” he said. Despite Thailand and Malaysia signing an MoU to allow mutual cross-border bus operations, Thai authorities have yet to implement the agreement effectively. Mr. Songchai urged southern provinces, including Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Trang, and Nakhon Si Thammarat, to unite and petition the government to resolve the issue. He pointed to the economic benefits of reinstating cross-border travel, citing the success of Nakhon Si Thammarat’s annual Phra That Temple Robe Offering Festival, which alone attracts Malaysian devotees and circulates 300–400 million baht over a three-month period. He also noted that Thai tourists frequently travel to Malaysia by road via provinces such as Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Songkhla, and Satun and that the potential for outbound Thai tourism may currently outpace inbound travel from Malaysia. Meanwhile, Associate Professor Dr. Wiwat Chankringthong, Manager of the Business Innovation Research Centre at Hatyai University, revealed the results of a recent confidence index survey for southern Thailand. The study showed a decline in public confidence in May compared to April, largely due to stagnation in the tourism sector. Dr. Wiwat identified a dramatic drop in Chinese arrivals as a primary concern, attributing the decline to negative media coverage of tourist safety in Thailand, competition from neighbouring countries with active tourism promotion campaigns and more favourable safety perceptions elsewhere in Asia. As Chinese tourists shift to regional alternatives, Thailand is losing substantial revenue, with southern provinces bearing the brunt of the fallout. Stakeholders are now calling for urgent action to restore confidence, improve safety perceptions and revitalise long-standing cross-border tourism channels. Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-06-15 -
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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Sunday 15 June 2025
UPDATE Double Murder Suspect Captured After Five-Day Forest Manhunt in Chiang Rai Picture courtesy of Khaosod. A 55-year-old man accused of brutally murdering his ex-wife and her younger brother has been captured after a five-day manhunt in the mountainous Thai–Lao border region. The suspect, identified only as Mr Songpor, was arrested in the evening of 13 June after emerging from the forest in search of food. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1363282-hunt-underway-in-chiang-rai-as-suspected-double-murderer-remains-at-large-village-in-fear/#findComment-19872590 -
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Crime Hunt Underway in Chiang Rai as Suspected Double Murderer Remains at Large, Village in Fear
UPDATE Double Murder Suspect Captured After Five-Day Forest Manhunt in Chiang Rai Picture courtesy of Khaosod. A 55-year-old man accused of brutally murdering his ex-wife and her younger brother has been captured after a five-day manhunt in the mountainous Thai–Lao border region. The suspect, identified only as Mr Songpor, was arrested in the evening of 13 June after emerging from the forest in search of food. Mr Songpor had been the subject of an intense manhunt since 8 June, when he allegedly killed his former wife and her brother at a residence in Ban Pang Kha, located in Por Subdistrict, Wiang Kaen District, Chiang Rai Province. He then fled into the forested hills along the Thai–Lao border. The capture took place around 20:30, at a house in Ban Tab Tao, Thoeng District. Weakened by hunger, Mr Songpor reportedly approached the home of a local resident to ask for food. The homeowner recognised him from media reports and immediately alerted authorities. A joint operation involving Wiang Kaen Police Station, Region 5 SWAT, Special Weapons Unit Yak Khratch 49, Thoeng District Administration, Border Patrol Police and Ranger Unit 3105 was swiftly deployed to the scene. Officers arrested Mr Songpor without resistance under an arrest warrant issued by Thoeng Provincial Court (warrant no. 95/2568) on charges of premeditated murder. Police suspect that the fugitive may have received assistance during his time on the run and have announced plans to expand the investigation to determine whether others were involved in aiding his escape. Mr Songpor is now in custody and will face prosecution in accordance with the law. The case has shocked the local community due to its violent nature and the involvement of a domestic relationship turned deadly. Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-06-15 -
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Stopping open solicitation of prostitutes
Pattaya is just becoming less and less attractive as the scummiest of the scum show up in droves. It always sickens me to see these misogynistic neanderthals hounding poor Thai girls and just completely ignoring Thai culture and belittling them. I've seen em' do it in groups, 3 or 4 of em' hounding a poor beach girl. Just damned ugly anyway you slice it. What to do about it? What can be done? Pattaya has evolved for sacks of sh!t like them where they can be the complete a-holes that they are. Pattaya is built on the backs of poor girls from poor families. The uneducated and desperate woman of Thailand. It's really horrible.
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