Scrapping martial law, other junta moves needed to achieve goal, tourism bodies say

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SPECIAL REPORT
Scrapping martial law, other junta moves needed to achieve goal, tourism bodies say
Suchat Sritama
The Nation



The tourism industry needs some more action from the junta if it is to achieve the goal of contributing 10 per cent of the economy, experts say.

BANGKOK: -- "The lifting of martial law is the last step to entice tourists into returning to the Kingdom. To tourists, not having any threat is the best environment for travelling," Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, the inbound trade association, said yesterday.

Key tourism bodies have urged the military regime to roll out recovery plans along with building tourists' confidence, especially in their safety, ahead of the approaching peak season as well as for the long haul.

Tourism has been badly battered for a month since the military seized power from the elected government on May 22 and established the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). The country had targeted 28.6 million tourist arrivals this year before lowering its sights to 25 million visitors specifically because of the putsch, while forecast tourism receipts were also reduced from Bt1.7 trillion to Bt1.3 trillion.

Last year, Thailand counted Bt1.17 trillion left in the country by 26.7 million arrivals plus more than Bt800 billion from domestic trippers.

Thai Hotels Association statistics show that hotels in Bangkok have suffered from a loss of inbound and corporate business. Some business hotels are running only 30-40 per cent occupied compared with 70 per cent at the same time last year.

However, the association is preparing to launch special deals to help draw tourists back to the country.

To provide correct information and the message that business and travel are proceeding as usual despite martial law, the military should disclose a "national vision" to the international community, said Marc Begassat, general manager of the Pullman Bangkok King Power Hotel.

One of the big concerns over accuracy of news coverage of the Thai political situation has been raised by William Heinecke, an American-born, naturalised Thai businessman who owns one of the largest hospitality and leisure firms in the Asia-Pacific region - Minor International.

The Tourism Council of Thailand is calling on the NCPO to bring back the National Tourism Policy Committee, which collapsed under the junta-controlled administration. The body will help address at least three issues - managing the tourism budget, rebuilding confidence and stamping out illegal businesses like rogue taxis and extortionist jet-ski services.

Like other general tourists, meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition travellers have proposed the relaxation of martial law to assure planners that it is not risky to host events in the country.

More than 1,000 meetings and conferences have been cancelled or postponed due to fear of instability under the current situation.

Not only do tourists and businesspeople feel skittish about heading to Thailand, foreigners seeking medical services also feel uneasy. The drop in patients has been confirmed by top hospitals including Samitivej Hospital Group.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand will be the first player to move on a short-term revival plan by hosting a mega familiarisation trip next month. About 1,000 travel journalists and bloggers will be in Thailand to help rebuild tourism before it enters the high season.

-- The Nation 2014-06-24

[webfact]

NOTICE

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[daoyai]

The photo above illustrates some of the work the junta is doing in it's hopefully limited existence, the entire beach is covered right to the waters edge with crap. They are currently trying to return the Phuket beaches to a more natural state, reversing the privitisation of public beaches, stopping the encroachment in national parks will strengthen tourism in the long run. I hope they will remove the seawalls and resorts on places like Sairee beach on Koh Tao next. We shall see.

Edited June 24, 2014 by daoyai

[shirtless]

THe Junta has had a very positive affect on the worlds perception of Thailand, They have started to clear the way for real democracy and have made big inroads in ridding corrupt officials and business practices. While Rome was not built in a day they have certainly made a great impact

[ikke]

The down spiral of tourism started in December when Suthep came on the streets, it went more down after the coup, but the only responsible is Suthep.

Also the numbers, are, as always, crap.

They only calculate the straight income of tourism, and forget to mention what money is left behind, like in the sex tourism. where the girls build houses up country for there family, buying animals, tractors and so on, all with tourist money, and i bed there would not even be half of the 7 elevens without tourism, Singha, and Chang would be small breweries and so on.....

So at least 40 % of GDP would be more accurate .

[Stradavarius37]

Every thread "jet ski mafia blah blah blah". As if that is Pattaya's big problem.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[ChrisY1]

A lot of emphasis on tourism lately......does it really only account for some 6% of GDP??

[noitom]

Presumably when they count this 1.7 Trillion baht "left in the country," that excludes all sex based fees paid by foreign sex tourists. They say it represents 10% of the Thai economy. Therefore, if we make a rough calculation including sex trade money "left in the country," we would inevitably be talking about something that dwarfs any other industry or service sector of the Thai economy.

Does anyone know if the military dictatorship or junta, whichever preferred, is planning to "crackdown" on the illegal prostitution trade in THailand and all the racketeering, counterfeit property, gambling, no taxes, police corruption, bootleg liquor, crime and drugs that goes along with it? What will the Thai military do to clean up this activity or will it secure its right to exist? The military's stated purpose is to ensure "the happiness" and security of all Thais and not sex trade foreign tourists. Most Thais surveyed say that they despise the prostitutes and disdain them as non human. It is illegal, and most Thais say it is harmful to Thailand's image. In keeping with the military's stated purpose, what do they plan to do about this dichotomy?

[Beetlejuice]

And if the continuous bickering and crisis brought on by the political disputes between Suthep Thugsuban and the Shinawatra dynasty in their battle for power was not considered as a major disruption to the Thai tourist industry, than I don`t know what is?

The military take over of Thailand by the junta is the best thing that could have happened, since they have been in power they have restored peace, we have seen real policing, real enforcements against the corrupt rice scheme organisers, the clearing out of the taxi mafia, the settling up of the farmers and even down my way the police have visited and arrested all the drug dealers, plus at last we are witnessing a proper organised running of the country where for once actions are speaking louder than words.

I hope the junta remains in power forever as Thailand certainly does not require any more crap corrupt politicians who are only in the business for their own benefits and would willingly bring the whole country down to meet their own ends as the past events have proven.

Edited June 24, 2014 by Beetlejuice

[noitom]

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Presumably when they count this 1.7 Trillion baht "left in the country," that excludes all sex based fees paid by foreign sex tourists. They say it represents 10% of the Thai economy. Therefore, if we make a rough calculation including sex trade money "left in the country," we would inevitably be talking about something that dwarfs any other industry or service sector of the Thai economy.

Does anyone know if the military dictatorship or junta, whichever preferred, is planning to "crackdown" on the illegal prostitution trade in THailand and all the racketeering, counterfeit property, gambling, no taxes, police corruption, bootleg liquor, crime and drugs that goes along with it? What will the Thai military do to clean up this activity or will it secure its right to exist? The military's stated purpose is to ensure "the happiness" and security of all Thais and not sex trade foreign tourists. Most Thais surveyed say that they despise the prostitutes and disdain them as non human. It is illegal, and most Thais say it is harmful to Thailand's image. In keeping with the military's stated purpose, what do they plan to do about this dichotomy?

If you run a quick test calculation on how much of this 1.7 Trillion spent is "left in the country" is actually spent by foreign sex tourists? The foreign sex tourists stays in hotels or rental condos, goes to restaurants, takes taxis, buys jewelry clothes and other things for his sex partners, so how do the Thais actually subtract out this sex trade foreign tourist money "left in the country?"

[Thailand]

Martial law and the curfew have very little to do with the lack of tourists.

It is simply that Thailand in under military control and everything that stands for as perceived by the main block of international tourists that would normally consider Thailand as a preferred destination. Not exactly rocket science is it?

Edited June 24, 2014 by Thailand

[user82374298374]

Does anyone know if the military dictatorship or junta, whichever preferred, is planning to "crackdown" on the illegal prostitution trade in THailand and all the racketeering, counterfeit property, gambling, no taxes, police corruption, bootleg liquor, crime and drugs that goes along with it?

That's a great way to ensure that Thai tourism plummets by at least 50%, and stays there.

Like it or not, that's the truth of the matter. Of course, Thais would never admit that.

[toybits]

Post Number 2 says it all...

[razer]

I think Thailand has never been better for tourists. They are safer from scams where police are co-conspirators, safer from violence against foreigners and safer from rogue taxi drivers and tuk-tuk drivers who roamed the streets at will. Pleased ... since the license crackdown I have seen a reduction of 80% of the Tuk Tuks around Central World and Silom.

[Halion]

All of this constant ranting regarding the importance of the tourist industry is smoke and mirrors.

The current GDP contribution from tourism is said to be around 7 % which is a drop in the ocean compared with the real problems that Thailand is facing with regard to its internal and international image.

The real key to the importance of tourism is in fact that it provides jobs and financial opportunities for many thousands of local people who without the tourist dollar would be destitute owing to the lack administrative structure, welfare protocols and a frugal job market. They would in fact become a potential burden on the nation as a whole. Tourism is indeed an oversubscribed market place which has little direct and financial impact to the true GDP of his country. It is in fact exploitation of the natural resources of this country to support the inability of successive Government to provide gainful employment distribution over the whole country.

[kmj]

Just heard on the news (france 24 ) that the eu has broken off ties with the junta, wanting a return of democracy, if true that wont help any...

[daoyai]

And if the continuous bickering and crisis brought on by the political disputes between Suthep Thugsuban and the Shinawatra dynasty in their battle for power was not considered as a major disruption to the Thai tourist industry, than I don`t know what is?

The military take over of Thailand by the junta is the best thing that could have happened, since they have been in power they have restored peace, we have seen real policing, real enforcements against the corrupt rice scheme organisers, the clearing out of the taxi mafia, the settling up of the farmers and even down my way the police have visited and arrested all the drug dealers, plus at last we are witnessing a proper organised running of the country where for once actions are speaking louder than words.

I hope the junta remains in power forever as Thailand certainly does not require any more crap corrupt politicians who are only in the business for their own benefits and would willingly bring the whole country down to meet their own ends as the past events have proven.

I would gladly offer to debate some of this post but that is no longer legal. It would seem you are comfortable with that situation..... ?

[tx22cb]

THe Junta has had a very positive affect on the worlds perception of Thailand, They have started to clear the way for real democracy and have made big inroads in ridding corrupt officials and business practices. While Rome was not built in a day they have certainly made a great impact

"THe Junta has had a very positive affect on the worlds perception of Thailand" - I would be interested to see 2 pieces of evidence of this statement.

The Junta stopped broadcasts of all foreign news channels for a week, so those in Thailand did not know what was being said about the coup. Even now, media still being (self-)censored for negative articles (including posts in this forum).

The EU and countries such as Australia have tempered bilateral interactions.

Airlines flying to Thailand have reduced loading.

If anything, it is Thailand's foreign "rivals" who are applauding the coup - Malaysia/Singapore/Indonesia/Philippines are ramping up their "Visit My Country" and "Invest Here" campaigns.

[antimedia]

Every thread "jet ski mafia blah blah blah". As if that is Pattaya's big problem.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

Have you shares in a jet ski business? why don't you elaborate on what the big problem is, so we all correctly educated on the subject.

[Strangebrew]

Actually I'm comming to Thailand because of the changes being done less likely to be scammed while there. GOOD JOB SO FAR.

[CantSpell]

I think Thailand has never been better for tourists. They are safer from scams where police are co-conspirators, safer from violence against foreigners and safer from rogue taxi drivers and tuk-tuk drivers who roamed the streets at will. Pleased ... since the license crackdown I have seen a reduction of 80% of the Tuk Tuks around Central World and Silom.

I agree with what you said but that is a point of view of someone that lives in Thailand, is informed and see with his own eyes what the reality on the ground is.....

Another reality as stated in OP is most hotel in BKK are down to 30-40 (Some even 20%) compared to 70% last year...

Military rule, curfew and other similar words are scary to people that do not reside in Thailand.

EU and US boycotts, news relayed by international media give a bad impression and surely do not help to increase number of arrivals...

A poster also mentioned Suthep and it could indeed be part of the current situation: travelers that tend to book 5-6 months in advance may have delayed their travels or choose another destination after visiting travel agents back in Jan or Feb for stays in June-July....

[Stradavarius37]

Every thread "jet ski mafia blah blah blah". As if that is Pattaya's big problem.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

Have you shares in a jet ski business? why don't you elaborate on what the big problem is, so we all correctly educated on the subject.

Human trafficking, drugs, mafia and gang violence, corruption and murder - your turn...uh uh uh... Shut up

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[antimedia]

Every thread "jet ski mafia blah blah blah". As if that is Pattaya's big problem.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

Have you shares in a jet ski business? why don't you elaborate on what the big problem is, so we all correctly educated on the subject.

Human trafficking, drugs, mafia and gang violence, corruption and murder - your turn...uh uh uh... Shut up

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

Hate to burst your bubble but that happens all over Thailand. Jet Ski mafia are found only at a few spots and the major problem is predominantly Pattaya and Phuket so will always come under fire. Haven't seen any dodgy operators working the Chiang Mai old town canals have you.

[Dah fahrang]

Martial law and the curfew have very little to do with the lack of tourists.

It is simply that Thailand in under military control and everything that stands for as perceived by the main block of international tourists that would normally consider Thailand as a preferred destination. Not exactly rocket science is it?

Agree. Egypt has just "returned democracy" to its citizens, then promptly locks up three journalists for seven years.

Add to today's story in the paper we cannot name - regarding media censorship panels in Thailand.

How about a nice holiday in Sharm-el-Sheikh. Anyone? Anyone?

[3NUMBAS]

removing the sellers of dildos and sex aid pills in the main roads round town at night will help to install confidence i am sure .