Thai amnesty protests 'may affect tourism slightly'

[webfact]

Amnesty protests 'may affect tourism slightly'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- One of the main concerns raised by the government and representatives from the tourism industry was that the ongoing protests could be detrimental to the industry.

However, for Kiatanantha Lounkaew, director of Dhurakij Pundit University Research Centre (DPURC), said the answer to this is both yes and no.

In terms of "yes", he said that it was almost certain that some businesses would inevitably experience some undesirable impacts, while "no" means that the whole industry can use this as an opportunity to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.

Kiatanantha explained that in the past decade, two political tsunamis swept over

the country - the 2006 coup and the 2010 red-shirt protest. He explained that though the details of these two events may differ, their impacts on the tourism industry were similar and quite applicable to the current situation.

Yet, he said, data collected by the National Statistical Office shows that both the events did little to hinder growth in the number of international arrivals.

The number of tourists in 2006 rose by 20 per cent despite the coup, and in 2010, the number grew by 13 per cent.

Plus, information from the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board showed that the tourism industry had experienced positive growth in terms of earnings in 2006 and 2001. Hence, he said, it was reasonable to believe the two events were not as detrimental as many of us are led to believe.

The 2010 protest was far more devastating in terms of the series of violent incidents, yet the number of arrivals still grew by a double-digit number, Kiatanantha pointed out.

Kiatanantha went on to say that evidence from these two "government agencies" demonstrates how political rhetoric goes against hard empirical facts. If data related to the past two events contradict what the government is trying to propagate, then why should we believe the current protest will be any different?

"The industry will inevitably experience some undesirable impacts, but these impacts will be localised and temporary.

The fate of the tourism industry rests in the government's hands. If the protesters are subdued using violent means, then there is a real issue of concern here. The issue is not violence itself, but an attempt to override this country's rule of law. How can anyone feel safe in a country where criminals can roam free and the corruption can be purified by a number of hands raised in Parliament?" Kiatanantha asked.


-- The Nation 2013-11-09

[NongKhaiKid]

The traditional Thai answer of Yes and No and he will give a definitive answer when he sees which one is proving to be correct.

[zakk9]

Comparing the recent demonstrations with the Red Shirt violence is a joke. The Thai Rouge occupied a vital part of downtown Bangkok for months, stormed a hospital, set fire to buildings, fired shots (and were fired back at) etc. Those demonstrating this time behaved very, very civilized in comparison.

Edited November 9, 2013 by zakk9

[worgeordie]

TAT will report no decline in tourists due to rallies,

in fact tourist arrivals will increase by 1000% ,all

high quality tourists. !

regards Worgeordie

[bigbamboo]

The number of tourists rose by an incredible 20 per cent in 2006 when we had the coup?

Let's have another coup then!

[nong38]

I expect most tourists booked their holiday months ago, its a qusetion of how many cancelled and i expect travel agents have said "no problems".

Perhaps TAT should promote the Rallies as something to come and see in this "Amazing Thailand" add it to the tour schedule, "Join in if you feel inclined or drunk!" Experience the real Thailand, Democracy at is finest-Thai style.

[noitom]

The traditional Thai answer of Yes and No and he will give a definitive answer when he sees which one is proving to be correct.

This is known as the "perpetual Thai hedge."

[h90]

TAT will report no decline in tourists due to rallies,

in fact tourist arrivals will increase by 1000% ,all

high quality tourists. !

regards Worgeordie

High quality tourists only come if there is a high entry fee for Thailand.

They are called high quality, when they pay high fees.

[RubbaJohnny]

Sloppy stats as ever

Sure it grew but would undoubtedly been higher but for the demos.

It is incredibel to claim that no tourist cancelled or shortened their vists during these events as any hotel keeper or Bangkok tourist shop will aver.

Of course we do not expect real investigative journalism but such asinine forwarding of press releases is just lazy.

[JoeThePoster]

How can anyone feel safe in a country where criminals can roam free and the corruption can be purified by a number of hands raised in Parliament?" Kiatanantha asked.

The last line reveals the real agenda of his "research".

[MaxLee]

This is an examination for Thai tourism students, and if you fail in that, you can't be helped?

How do you solve the rice scheme crisis?

a) Tourism

b ) Tourism

c) Tourism

d) Tourism

e) Tourism

next question

When Ploddi says, there won't be any floods in Thailand, what is the TAT gonna do?

a) Promote Tourism

b ) Promote Tourism

c) Pomote Tourism

d) Promote Tourism

e) Pormote Tourism

Next one:

When random people get killed during a bus trip, or shot, or raped on motorbikes, what is the most obvious way to solve such issue?

a) Tourism

b ) Tourism

c) Tourism

d) Tourism

e) Tourism

How do you prevent crime from happening?

a) Tourism

b ) Tourism

c) Tourism

d) Tourism

e) Tourism

What's the solution on all of Thailand's problems?

a) Tourism

b ) Tourism

c) Tourism

d) Tourism

e) Tourism

Come on it's so easy, since you are in Thailand, the hub of only ONE brainwashing propaganda answer

[timewilltell]

Thailand and its Experts continue watching the shadows on the wall and are expert at continually reprinting them. Who needs to visit caves?