Thai Tourism Min to propose curfew lifting in more vacation spots

[webfact]

Tourism Min to propose curfew lifting in more vacation spots

BANGKOK, 5 June 2014 (NNT) – The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is planning to request the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to withdraw the curfew in eight additional places in order to ease public concerns and restore tourism.

Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Sports Suwat Sitthilor disclosed a plan to ask the NCPO to consider deactivating the curfew in more areas next week after Phuket, Pattaya and Koh Samui were cleared of the restrictions recently. The additional areas consist of Krabi, Phang Nga, Trang, Hat Yai district of Songkhla, Koh Chang of Trat, Cha-am district of Phetchaburi, Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chiang Mai.

The Tourism and Sports Ministry viewed that the eight places were some of the country’s most famous destinations where visitors were usually offered a vibrant nightlife. Furthermore, it was considered unlikely for political violence to take place in those areas.

Since the number of foreign tourists during the first five months of this year posted a decline of 5-6 percent from last year, the ministry expects the number for the entire year to reach 26.5 million persons, rather than the previous projection of 28.02 million. The targeted revenue has also been lowered from 2.2 trillion baht to 1.8 trillion.


-- NNT 2014-06-05

[webfact]

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[tomyummer]

Yes. The MoTS is too request the removal of curfews in the Bangkok provinces of Soi Cowboy, Nana, and Patpong. And Ratchada for last calls. All to help in boosting the local economy.

[stickyrice2000]

Make Bangkok curfews last longer. Perhaps keep it forever.

[dalpha]

Here on Koh Phangan we have a lot of different rumors. Some say the curfew is lifted, others say it's still in place. Anybody know what's happening? The tourist organizations are requesting they lift the curfew here I have heard, but is it confirmed?

[webfact]

Tourist hubs bustling with visitors as usual

BANGKOK, 5 June 2014 (NNT) - Tourism atmosphere in Pattaya, Phuket, and Koh Samui in Surat Thani Province has returned to its lively state after the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) lifted its curfew on these popular tourist destinations.

Entertainment venues on Koh Samui are crowded with foreign tourists after the NCPO has lifted the imposition of curfew hours during midnight to 4 a.m. A hotel and food operator on the island opined that the lifting of curfew would draw an increased number of tourists.

Phuket Provincial Governor Maitree Intusut said the curfew cancellation would greatly benefit the tourism sector and give a reprieve to nightlife business operators. Nonetheless, Mr. Maitree also requested every business operator to strictly comply with the NCPO’s orders.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Sports and Tourism has urged the NCPO to lift its curfew in other tourist provinces such as Krabi, Phang Nga, and Hat Yai City of Songkhla.

The ministry advised the NCPO regarding its plans to stimulate tourism by, for example, inviting foreign reporters to visit Thailand to get truly informed about the country’s current situation, and staging road shows in various Asian countries.


-- NNT 2014-06-05

[Krataiboy]

Please don't lift the curfew in Cha Am. We've actually been able to get a decent night's sleep for thelast few weeks without having to wear earplugs.

[webfact]

Eight more tourist hubs seek curfew reprieve



BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is to request the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to lift curfew in eight more tourist destinations to boost tourism and public safety confidence.

The eight tourist destinations are Krabi, Phang Nga, Trang, Hat Yai district of Songkhla, Koh Chang of Trat, Cha-am district of Phetchaburi, Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chiang Mai.

Ministry’s permanent secretary Suwat Sitthilor said the eight places are among the country’s most famous destinations where visitors could enjoy a vibrant nightlife.

Besides, it was considered unlikely for political violence to take place in these destinations, he said.

He said the number of foreign tourists during the first five months of this year declined 5-6% from last year, with expectation that the entire year will be 26.5 million persons, rather than the previous projection of 28.02 million.

The targeted revenue has also been lowered from 2.2 trillion baht to 1.8 trillion, he added.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/eight-tourist-hubs-seek-curfew-reprieve/


-- Thai PBS 2014-06-05

[BigRick]

I like the idea but it is kind of a double standard in a country that is 99% Thai. We should have to suffer the same as them and not be set aside for special treatment. This just candy coats the problem in tourist areas as opposed to visitors seeing the truth.

[WhizBang]

Make Bangkok curfews last longer. Perhaps keep it forever.

Why? No one seems to be paying any attention to it now. Soi Cowboy is still rocking past 1am.

Either strictly enforce it, or lift it. Allowing people to ignore it, without consequences will not work and will just lead us back to where we were before, lots of brown envelopes.

[WhizBang]

BANGKOK, 5 June 2014 (NNT) - Tourism atmosphere in Pattaya, Phuket, and Koh Samui in Surat Thani Province has returned to its lively state after the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) lifted its curfew on these popular tourist destinations.

BS. It never changed. Maybe for the first two or three days, the curfew was respected. But after that, the bars started pushing the limits by staying open hours after the start time for the curfew.

[ratcatcher]

Please don't lift the curfew in Cha Am. We've actually been able to get a decent night's sleep for thelast few weeks without having to wear earplugs.

I sympathize with you, but were you living in your present location before the noisy bars and entertainment areas arose?

If not, why would you choose to live within earshot of such places that seriously affect your life and health?

[Luckymf]

Open Nong Khai too, love riding my honda in the middle of the night!

[mikebike]

Here on Koh Phangan we have a lot of different rumors. Some say the curfew is lifted, others say it's still in place. Anybody know what's happening? The tourist organizations are requesting they lift the curfew here I have heard, but is it confirmed?

Phangan is still under curfew. Whether it is enforced or not...?

[techboy]

Indeed! The vibrant night life! Must stay vibrant!

[Dah fahrang]

Tourist hubs bustling with visitors as usual

................the ministry advised the NCPO regarding its plans to stimulate tourism by, for example, inviting foreign reporters to visit Thailand to get truly informed about the country’s current situation, and staging road shows in various Asian countries.

-- NNT 2014-06-05

......followed by the swift and indiscriminate blocking, in Thailand, of the channels and on-line newspapers for whom these invited foreign reporters work.

[adam1]

Chiang Mai is strictly enforcing the curfew - police and officials are around bang on the button at midnight closing bars etc. !

[slipperylobster]

Chiang Mai is strictly enforcing the curfew - police and officials are around bang on the button at midnight closing bars etc. !

Yeah, you live in one of those places where they were definitely against the coup. There you are....

Good luck, but I think it will be a while.

[ebean001]

• Don't kid yourselves Thailand. The curfew is strictly enforced!!! We need relief from the curfew. My business is down 70-80%. It should be all or nothing otherwise some areas are getting special treatment.

[ebean001]

Let's all pull the country together. End the entire curfew in the entire country.

[Strangebrew]

Heard the insurgents want cerfew lifted in Yala they can't plant any bombs or break security cameras anymore.

[Beetlejuice]

Where visitors were usually offered a vibrant nightlife.

Why have they included Chiang Mai in the list? Since the curfew no one in Chiang Mai has noticed any difference. Early closing, the Thai locals and elderly ex-pats being tucked up safely in bed by 9.00pm is the norm here.

Edited June 5, 2014 by Beetlejuice

[oneday]

Phang Nga – Nightlife?

Hat Yai district – who wants to go there with all the problems in the South.

Koh Chang – a modest nightlife I guess, but not why most tourist go there.

[webfact]

The junta has no plans to ease curfews during the World Cup tournament in Brazil, NCPO spokesman Col Winthai Suwaree said. /Bangkok Post

[Mudcrab]

• Don't kid yourselves Thailand. The curfew is strictly enforced!!! We need relief from the curfew. My business is down 70-80%. It should be all or nothing otherwise some areas are getting special treatment.

Your business relies on 70-80% of its trade between midnight and 4 am? Mate find another business model.

[Beetlejuice]

• Don't kid yourselves Thailand. The curfew is strictly enforced!!! We need relief from the curfew. My business is down 70-80%. It should be all or nothing otherwise some areas are getting special treatment.

Out of curiosity, what sort of business you are in?

The only businesses the curfew will affect are the late night bars and after hours booze establishments. These places have been screwing the customers for decades and surely would have collected enough financial resources over the years to carry them though to the end of the curfew?

If your so-called business in running on a day to day basis than it must be on a very fine line indeed. Perhaps this is a good thing that could rid certain districts of the undesirable establishments in some areas, or it could result in, out with the old, in with the new that would be another good thing.

[Larry001]

BigRick, on 05 Jun 2014 - 10:38, said:

I like the idea but it is kind of a double standard in a country that is 99% Thai. We should have to suffer the same as them and not be set aside for special treatment. This just candy coats the problem in tourist areas as opposed to visitors seeing the truth.

Sorry the tourist $ is the life line of thousands upon thousands of Thais. Many families back in the Provinces rely on these salaries being sent home so they can buy food, send their kids to school and literally survive. It makes perfect sense that these businesses survive and are able tocontinue to employ people.

[Ve37]

BigRick, on 05 Jun 2014 - 10:38, said:

I like the idea but it is kind of a double standard in a country that is 99% Thai. We should have to suffer the same as them and not be set aside for special treatment. This just candy coats the problem in tourist areas as opposed to visitors seeing the truth.

Sorry the tourist $ is the life line of thousands upon thousands of Thais. Many families back in the Provinces rely on these salaries being sent home so they can buy food, send their kids to school and literally survive. It makes perfect sense that these businesses survive and are able tocontinue to employ people.

Yes....so few seem to realize that "curfew" affects more than bar and massage income.

[smotherb]

• Don't kid yourselves Thailand. The curfew is strictly enforced!!! We need relief from the curfew. My business is down 70-80%. It should be all or nothing otherwise some areas are getting special treatment.

Gee, some areas getting special treatment, and in Thailand too

[jacko45k]

I like the idea but it is kind of a double standard in a country that is 99% Thai. We should have to suffer the same as them and not be set aside for special treatment. This just candy coats the problem in tourist areas as opposed to visitors seeing the truth.

Well the 1% get treated differently whether they like it or not.

It has nothing to do with the tourists suffering, and all to do with Thais not making money.

Edited June 6, 2014 by jacko45k