'Lifting' fails to boost Thai tourism

[webfact]

'Lifting' fails to boost tourism
Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The tourism industry will remain in trouble in the first quarter of this year, despite the lifting of the state of emergency, according to the Association of Thai Travel Agents.

The recent end to the emergency decree has not restored the confidence of foreign tourists.

Tour agents themselves are reluctant to start marketing more aggressively, as they are afraid they will not get a good response from potential travellers.

The industry needs two to three months to see a positive trend from the market, Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the association, said yesterday.

Thai Airways International, the national carrier, also sees no signs of a return of foreign travellers.

Chokchai Panyayong, THAI acting president, said on Wednesday that at least two to three months were needed to reassure travellers. Travel agents have to restart marketing campaigns for tour packages.

According to the association's data, tourist arrivals via its travel agent members have been dropping this year: 293,980 in January this year compared to 388,888 in the same month last year; 262,987 in February against 423,062 in the same month last year; 87,655 from March 1-10 this year, compared to 437,159 for the whole of March last year.

From January-March 10, 15 markets posted a drop - Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Germany, France, the UK, Taiwan, the US, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia, Italy and Malaysia. Russia fell 7.42 per cent to 178,030, while China declined 57.73 per cent to 118,311. Japan decreased 63.97 per cent to 26,460 and South Korea slipped 55.88 per cent to 20,700. India was down 48.58 per cent to 19,591.

These five are the major markets for Thai tourism.

Last year, 4.28 million foreign tourists bought packages via the association's networks and the figure is projected to decline, hit by the falling trend.

-- The Nation 2014-03-28

[Why ask]

Thailand needs to wake up, and realise it's not the only destination of choice for travellers to Southeast Asia.

Other countries do really exist, and are as beautiful in places.

[Noi657]

Just because it's been lifted doesn't mean all is well..... It's not a light bulb!

[useronthenet]

Sorry thailand, your just too expensive ! With other Asian countries offering very much the same at discounted prices right across the board, there is really no incentive for tourists to flock here. All the SCAMS, the rip-offs, unnecessary and quite dangerous Visa runs are finally taking it's toll … and of course there is the internet. I have seen a significant drop in tourists coming, year after year, and they all say the same thing. Nothing last forever I suppose, Thailand will have to realize, and get used to playing second fiddle to emerging countries that are making the effort, like the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, & even Laos. Next country to really effect Thailand is of course Burma, and that will happen in the next five years when the infrastructure is finally ready to receive all the new tourists.

[tomyummer]

As Thailand is not the best about keeping people abreast about immigration changes and definitions or consequences or meanings of emergency decrees and certain laws, the 'lifting' wouldn't make a difference. Nobody knew what the heck it meant in the first place.

[bangkokheat]

lucky thailand still has expats living here dumping money into this country even tho they are made to jump thru hoops

[noitom]

Thai tourism for exotic resorts with insecticide laced cocktails and asphyxiated travelers in hotel rooms, business conferences and Thai taxi machete wielding killers , elephant roundups, and temple treks are done. Thais are now down to the last and strongest element of the foreign traveler in Thailand. We all know what that is. Hats off to the Thai girls, the real backbone of the Thai tourism trade.

[ginjag]

If you are caught " LIFTING" it means you are caught STEALING. English version.--+ weights- picking up- raising- + ????? next.

[ginjag]

Thai tourism for exotic resorts with insecticide laced cocktails and asphyxiated travelers in hotel rooms, business conferences and Thai taxi machete wielding killers , elephant roundups, and temple treks are done. Thais are now down to the last and strongest element of the foreign traveler in Thailand. We all know what that is. Hats off to the Thai girls, the real backbone of the Thai tourism trade.

Correct mate, also to add quote "the last" was also the first.

[antimedia]

lucky thailand still has expats living here dumping money into this country even tho they are made to jump th

It would be interesting to see the figures on expats making this country home. I would well imagine that retirees have dropped along with business / employees.

[geriatrickid]

I just don't understand why this didn't work. Hot air is used to lift balloons and with the amount of hot air the tourism people have been giving off of late, it should have worked.

[Lupatria]

I just don't understand why this didn't work. Hot air is used to lift balloons and with the amount of hot air the tourism people have been giving off of late, it should have worked.

...and the TAT sings: fly me to the moon

[catmac]

Rather sweet to see the dramatic collapse of Asian tourist arrivals, all down by over half. It was only a few months ago that we Westerners were being told that we were finished, could all p*ss off as far as the Thais were concerned , as the future belonged to the darlings from China!

[oldthaihand99]

Sorry thailand, your just too expensive ! With other Asian countries offering very much the same at discounted prices right across the board, there is really no incentive for tourists to flock here.

The only place in Asia i've found better hotel value than LOS is in Vietnam.

[gandalf12]

One major thing they could do to attract foreigners is to issue indefinitely stay visa's for foreigners married to Thai's. No I would not expect it to be automatic as if it was there would be a lot convenient marriages but they could make it available after say 5 years married, a sort of probation period.

This could always be cancelled if the holder engaged in criminal acts.

It would cost nothing, could be revoked at any time but would ensure foreigners with Thai wives wouldnt have to have the problems they do in getting visas

[gandalf12]

The Chinese whilst more in number (Maybe) come on package tours and dont spend the same as Western tourists

[dude123]

One major thing they could do to attract foreigners is to issue indefinitely stay visa's for foreigners married to Thai's. No I would not expect it to be automatic as if it was there would be a lot convenient marriages but they could make it available after say 5 years married, a sort of probation period.

This could always be cancelled if the holder engaged in criminal acts.

It would cost nothing, could be revoked at any time but would ensure foreigners with Thai wives wouldnt have to have the problems they do in getting visas

This would bring Thailand much business. I've been married over 10 years to my Thai Wife, but because I have to report to immigration like I'm a nobody there, Thailand has yet to see one dollar from me. There comes a point where immigration seems plain racist so why bother.

Edited March 28, 2014 by dude123

[rubl]

"The tourism industry will remain in trouble in the first quarter of this year"

Uhm, isn't a quarter about three months and don't we have about the 28th of March today? Does this mean that even for the remaining THREE days in this first quarter the Tourism Industry will remain in trouble?

[peterb17]

One major thing they could do to attract foreigners is to issue indefinitely stay visa's for foreigners married to Thai's. No I would not expect it to be automatic as if it was there would be a lot convenient marriages but they could make it available after say 5 years married, a sort of probation period.

This could always be cancelled if the holder engaged in criminal acts.

It would cost nothing, could be revoked at any time but would ensure foreigners with Thai wives wouldnt have to have the problems they do in getting visas

OK but don't forget that there are many people who have no desire to get married and I do not think the Government recognises any form of same sex marriage - all a bit one sided?

[bigbamboo]

Do these guys even know what they're talking about?

"Darling, it says on Fox News that the Thais have lifted their state of emergency. Run round to the local travel agency and book us on a vacation next week before they put their prices up."

[Mentors]

My THAI flight from Europe to Thailand was half empty last week. Unusual on March.

Since the Airports occupy back in 2008, the number of tourists going down year by year.

Edited March 28, 2014 by Mentors

[3NUMBAS]

its a morass of trouble at the moment ,like a suppurating wound oozing puss

it may not be teflon any more

Russian tourism to the UK has plunged so it would be the same for LOS too i guess

Edited March 28, 2014 by 3NUMBAS

[Thai at Heart]

Rather sweet to see the dramatic collapse of Asian tourist arrivals, all down by over half. It was only a few months ago that we Westerners were being told that we were finished, could all p*ss off as far as the Thais were concerned , as the future belonged to the darlings from China!

Indeed. But, when its considered what a massive percentage were coming on those zero price tours, it is astounding that Thailand even wanted to get those types of tourists to come.

The Chinese are the most fickle of travellers, and the first whiff of trouble and they go elsewhere. They don't like to get anywhere near civil disobedience, or government problems, because they have seen how bad it can be at home. Bird flu, tsumamis and the such aren't bad enough, riots. Anyway, wasn't it only January they were predicting that the protests wouldn't have any effect??? Land of Eternal Optimists.

[allan michaud]

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Sorry thailand, your just too expensive ! With other Asian countries offering very much the same at discounted prices right across the board, there is really no incentive for tourists to flock here.

The only place in Asia i've found better hotel value than LOS is in Vietnam.

So you haven't traveled that much then? Cambodia is dramatically cheaper. What I can get for 1,000 baht here I can get for 300 baht in Cambodia.

[ggt]

Self-Induced wound...will take time to heal...

[marcusd]

Thailand needs to wake up, and realise it's not the only destination of choice for travellers to Southeast Asia.

Other countries do really exist, and are as beautiful in places.

but they don't think tourism earns them enough.

And TAT will lie. Not that other nations give a bloody Todd about TAT anyway.

Marcusd. Via tapatalk

[zydeco]

I've never seen a place manage to get just about everything wrong. Then, I came to Thailand. Hostile bureaucracy. Fake smiles. Buddhism a la carte. Monstrous greed. When tourists aren't being killed in their hotel rooms by poison, they're being raped, robbed, or gunned down everywhere from the beaches to karaoke bars. Or killed by samurai sword wielding taxi drivers in the middle of Bangkok. Go outside of Bangkok and risk getting injured in a train derailment or killed in a substandard bus. Stay in Bangkok and risk getting abducted or framed by the police and held for ransom. I'm surprised they still get any tourists at all, except for a few Syrian jihadis on a busman's holiday.

[oldthaihand99]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Sorry thailand, your just too expensive ! With other Asian countries offering very much the same at discounted prices right across the board, there is really no incentive for tourists to flock here.

The only place in Asia i've found better hotel value than LOS is in Vietnam.

So you haven't traveled that much then? Cambodia is dramatically cheaper. What I can get for 1,000 baht here I can get for 300 baht in Cambodia.

I've read the hotel reports of thousands, or tens of thousands, of travellers.

Comparing like with like, of a similar good quality 2-3 star hotel, including top central location (e.g. close to food markets, convenience stores, malls), amenities i require (e.g. fridge, elevator, fast reliable wifi), & an excellent service & attitude level.

In PP cost was about 40 USD. In Hanoi, another large city, 25 USD.

It seems easier to find an elevator, great staff & qualifying hotels in HN than in PP, whether the price is 25 or 40 dollars.

Given that i may be able to get a decent hotel for only about 50-60 USD in much more desirable KL, Malaysia, it may as it now stands also be preferable over PP. But i'll be continuing my research into these 2 cities hotel reviews.

Since I'll be needing a third country to live in after LOS & VN, for tax purposes. Maybe just for 2 weeks a year.

Edited March 28, 2014 by oldthaihand99

[Crushdepth]

Never seen the airport so quiet

Sent from somewhere in the Pacific

[bigbamboo]

I've never seen a place manage to get just about everything wrong. Then, I came to Thailand. Hostile bureaucracy. Fake smiles. Buddhism a la carte. Monstrous greed. When tourists aren't being killed in their hotel rooms by poison, they're being raped, robbed, or gunned down everywhere from the beaches to karaoke bars. Or killed by samurai sword wielding taxi drivers in the middle of Bangkok. Go outside of Bangkok and risk getting injured in a train derailment or killed in a substandard bus. Stay in Bangkok and risk getting abducted or framed by the police and held for ransom. I'm surprised they still get any tourists at all, except for a few Syrian jihadis on a busman's holiday.

Someone asked me not so along ago how I felt about Thailand having lived here for more than ten years and what had changed.

I told her that once I loved living in Thailand but now I just like living in Thailand.