Information center to be set up for tourists amid political protests: Bangkok

[webfact]

Information center to be set up for tourists amid political protests

BANGKOK, 8 Jan 2014 (NNT) – The Ministry of Tourism and Sports will set up an information center to help tourists who might be affected by the anti-government protests expected to paralyze Bangkok on January 13th.

Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Sports Suwat Sidthilaw revealed that the government was set to establish a help center to provide tourists with information on how to avoid protest sites and which routes they should travel through as well as information on hotels and tourist attractions. The information will be provided in 7 different languages.

Furthermore, volunteers will be sent out to various locations to assist tourists, while vehicles will be put on standby to facilitate their travelling in case of an emergency.

He also forecast that the prolonged demonstrations could cost Thailand over 10 billion baht in tourism revenue, adding that 60-80 percent of tourists last month cancelled their trips to Thailand following the rising political tension.

He however affirmed that the ministry had been preparing stimulus measures to help trigger the damaged tourism sector once the situation was back to normal.


-- NNT 2014-01-08

[catterwell]

It's not so much "Bangkok Shutdown" as "Bangkok Street Party" - Don't vote for the party, go to it! Rio markets its Carnival very well: TAT take note.

[Bluespunk]

"He also forecast that the prolonged demonstrations could cost Thailand over 10 billion baht in tourism revenue, adding that 60-80 percent of tourists last month cancelled their trips to Thailand following the rising political tension."

Hmm, any evidence on that 60-80% stat? Or just another fear factor, scaremongering BS govt statement?

Edited January 8, 2014 by Bluespunk

[GazR]

Love parties, hate crowds: Will wear my Thai flag t-shirt in the hood on Sunday though.

When I wore it last Monday, three freshies walking arm in arm bravely called out, "I love Thailand" and waltzed on tittering to themselves, until I turned around growled "Suthep!" while giving a Tiger Woods-style fist pump:

Their reaction was to almost fall down with surprise and laughter.

T.I.T. You don't have to make up stories, the facts are weird enough.

Edited January 8, 2014 by GazR

[Loles]

like this way:

Dear high valued and respected tourists. We may offer you these programs for today as below.

10,00 attractive show with 2 buses in flames (protective clothing is advised)

12,00 forensic post-morten on 3 died anti-anti-government protestors, 2 of them with gun-shot wounded, the third with stab-wounded, than have lunch.

14.00 visit to "how to make ping-pong bomb?" course (trial is free)

16.00 do active life style, go to fight with policemen and do get rubber bullet for bonus points

18.00 city all-hid with black dressed phantom men, if you smart enough you can survive easy (high recommended)

20.00 listen to Benito suthep, this time for your bed-time story (if you can wake till midnight you get free hot dog with a small singha beer)

Please be interested in our other special offers and our weapon supply by your tour-leader (visa cards are welcome).

Edited January 8, 2014 by Loles

[JoeThePoster]

The information will be provided in 7 different languages.

But limited to 2 words - no have.

[ChrisY1]

"Bangkok Close"

[kurtgruen]

Stimulus measures...hmmm...will he go back to "This is Thailand" or "Amazing Thailand" advertising?

[kuiburi]

"He also forecast that the prolonged demonstrations could cost Thailand over 10 billion baht in tourism revenue, adding that 60-80 percent of tourists last month cancelled their trips to Thailand following the rising political tension."

Hmm, any evidence on that 60-80% stat? Or just another fear factor, scaremongering BS govt statement?

Came back home 2 weeks ago , eva air (ams/bkk) fully booked , only ticket i could get was businessclass .

And first ticket available from eva air was 14 january .

Maybe Asian tourists cancel , but for sure its not 60-80% .

Seems European tourists not really know of what's going on in Bkk or just don't mind .

[DocN]

These clowns don't even have the slightest clue, what this might do to their country!

[Bluespunk]

"He also forecast that the prolonged demonstrations could cost Thailand over 10 billion baht in tourism revenue, adding that 60-80 percent of tourists last month cancelled their trips to Thailand following the rising political tension."

Hmm, any evidence on that 60-80% stat? Or just another fear factor, scaremongering BS govt statement?

Came back home 2 weeks ago , eva air (ams/bkk) fully booked , only ticket i could get was businessclass .

And first ticket available from eva air was 14 january .

Maybe Asian tourists cancel , but for sure its not 60-80% .

Seems European tourists not really know of what's going on in Bkk or just don't mind .

I'm sure numbers are down, but 60-80%, sounds like a made up on the spot stat.

[noitom]

"He also forecast that the prolonged demonstrations could cost Thailand over 10 billion baht in tourism revenue, adding that 60-80 percent of tourists last month cancelled their trips to Thailand following the rising political tension."

Hmm, any evidence on that 60-80% stat? Or just another fear factor, scaremongering BS govt statement?

No evidence as is Thai custom.

[noitom]

Set to, to be, planning. Why don't the Thais just publish the locations and numbers so everyone can prepare? How will we spot the volunteers? Will they be wearing a colorful shirt? Is this all part of the plan?

[Tokay]

What ever happened to the Tourist Court that opened not too long ago? Closed already?

[tominbkk]

Stimulus measures...hmmm...will he go back to "This is Thailand" or "Amazing Thailand" advertising?

"Ablazing Thailand"

[webfact]

Tourist help centres to be set up across the city ahead of shutdown
BAMRUNG AMNATCHAROENRIT
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE TOURISM Sector is going on high alert and setting up "Tourist Friends Centres" in key locations across Bangkok ahead of |possible chaos on Monday as anti-government protesters try to bring the capital to a halt.

Centres will be located in the Huamark area as well as at Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports. There will also be booths set up at BTS and MRT stations including Phaya Thai, Ekkamai and Hua Lamphong. Similar services will also be offered at three hotels: Imperial Queen Park, Twin Towers, and one in the Sathorn area.

Foreign tourists will be advised to avoid the capital when they arrive, while those scheduled to stay in Bangkok will be informed of the services on offer.

Delegates from tourism-related operations as well as officials from the Tourism and Sports Ministry, led by deputy |permanent secretary Kajorn Weerajai, discussed the issue yesterday and looked for ways to help foreign tourists in case severe traffic brings the capital to a standstill on Monday.

On that day, 150 volunteers will be put in charge. Taxi boats that have the capacity to carry 200-300 passengers, as well as buses and vans, will be prepared to provide services in case of urgency.

Tourists will also be given US$100 (Bt3,200) a day if they happen to miss their scheduled flight by more than eight hours.

Kajorn said he was not sure how long the centres would be able to provide these services, adding that the ministry planned to monitor the situation on a day-to-day basis.

Thirayuth Chirathivat, chief executive officer of Centara Hotels and Resorts, said the property located at CentralWorld in downtown Bangkok would most definitely be affected.

He has instructed all staff members to be on high alert and keep all guests updated on the situation.

Separately, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said that if the protest continued, the number of tourist arrivals would be affected.

It predicts that arrival numbers will drop by 4-5 per cent this quarter, and as a result, the total number of arrivals this year would be 29.6 million, down from the 29.86 million projected previously.

Tourism revenue is also expected to |drop to Bt1.43 trillion, down from Bt1.44 trillion.

TAT's previous projection for this year was 28.01 million arrivals, a 7.28-per-cent increase from 2013, and a 12.91-per-cent increase in tourism revenue to Bt1.33 trillion. It recently boosted its projection because of the arrivals of 26.1 million tourists last year, which was more than expected.


-- The Nation 2014-01-09

[Bluespunk]

"Separately, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said that if the protest continued, the number of tourist arrivals would be affected.

It predicts that arrival numbers will drop by 4-5 per cent this quarter, and as a result, the total number of arrivals this year would be 29.6 million, down from the 29.86 million projected previously."

So the 60-80% stat from the govt tourism minister statement yesterday was BS.

Edited January 9, 2014 by Bluespunk

[jackr]

Good idea. Might be best to just put up a sign in Swampy, however: DO NOT ENTER!

Still don't know where they get their tourism figures from. 15 mil seems more realistic.

[outsider]

The information will be provided in 7 different languages.

But limited to 2 words - no have.

Wow! They really going to staff this 'info centre' with people who can actually speak English???

Edited January 9, 2014 by outsider