Image and quality to the fore in Kobkarn's one-year tourism reform plan
Suchat Sritama
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul has announced a one-year plan to reform the tourism sector, aiming to give it a more positive image and promoting the country as a quality destination.

The minister, meanwhile, said she was ready to work with private and public organisations to develop new attractions in second-tier provinces, as these would attract many repeat visitors and generate income for remote communities.

Kobkarn was chosen about two months ago by the military government to help restore a tourism industry that had been badly hit by the preceding political chaos. The hope is that she will also reconstruct key elements of the sector for long-term growth.

The ministry is set to kick off the first step of the one-year reform plan within the first quarter of next year by announcing a master development plan and strategies for the industry.

An action plan will follow in the second quarter, and full implementation will take place over the remainder of the year.

"I'm now travelling across the country, compiling information and the needs of local people. I have already been to Phuket, Surat Thani and Sukhothai. My next trip is to Nan province in the North for the same purpose," she said.

Overseas trips, including upcoming visits to Japan, China and the United Kingdom, will also help her gain information about the situation outside the country, and about foreign tourists' preferences, she added.

The minister said the ultimate goal of the reform was to transform the Kingdom's image from one of being a sex-trade destination into a country offering culture and beautiful natural resources.

Meanwhile, there is a need to change tourists' perception of Thailand as a cheap destination to one of it being a "quality" destination, she said.

One of the plans is for Pattaya, which is faced by many problems, from an oversupply of hotel rooms to its nightlife and prostitution market.

"Pattaya is a good place for a pilot project for change. It could be turned into a world-class sports city. I would love to see more world water sports and other events in the city, as well it being a home for athletes' training during the low season," she said.

She also cited Buri Ram, which already has an international motor-sports circuit and a huge soccer arena, as a likely next target for development and promotion as a sports destination, while Phuket also has high potential to develop as an international sports destination.

In the South, a specific plan to restore safety in Koh Tao is under way, including increasing the number of local security volunteers from 10 to 50 and the installation of closed-circuit television cameras.

Kobkarn added that the government planned to promote more attractions in second-tier provinces and alternative destinations, in order to attract repeat tourists who already know about Thailand and what it has to offer.

More than 50 per cent of foreign tourists are repeat visitors.

The idea is expected to shift the focus of tourists from the current six most popular destinations - Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Koh Samui and Pattaya - to other provinces.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand recently launched a "12-city must-visit" campaign to boost local and foreign visitor numbers and extend their length of stay.

A dozen destinations in Thailand are are being promoted to compete with Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

"Building new attractions in the provinces requires full cooperation from local people and administrative bodies. The ministry will then ask key ministries such as Transport, National Resources and Environment, and Culture for help," Kobkarn said.

She explained that once the master plan was announced in the first quarter of next year, the ministry would run all through action, evaluation and achievement aspects during the second quarter.

If all goes well, the government will carry out the plan during the third and fourth quarters.

"The ministry should complete the master plan and all testing ahead of next year's high season," she said.

However, she acknowledged that the tourism industry this year would contract by about 6 per cent from last year's level.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Image-and-quality-to-the-fore-in-Kobkarns-one-year-30246085.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-23

One year?

Take decades to unravel the mess in Phuket.

Good luck miss. You'll need it.

If she's going to reform tourism she would do well to also reform her public speaking skills as in respect of the KT situation she came over as not giving a d..n about anything other than losing tourist revenue.

in 1 year ??

I predict fail on the image and total fail on the quality.

For quality tourists on the martial Law and Ebola tourism drives.

1) Can she order the TAT to stop issuing stupid (and sometimes even fictitious) statements? Some of us foreigners weren't born yesterday, and these lies reek of desperation.

2) Can she teach the hotel industry that truly low prices can attract visitors during a lull? And not the pathetic 25% off an unrealistic rack price, but 60% off for a period.

3) And get rid of the farang double-pricing .... it's an annoying irritant which p#sses off happy tourists.

Turning away potential tourists (refusing tourist visas) at various Embassies around the world based on some ficticious non existant regulation with no foundation in law about the number of times someone can visit Thailand on such a tourist visa is not going to help turn anything around. If anything it will just discourage people from visiting.

This situation has to change if you want tourist numbers to increase.

Sour faced immigration officials denying tourist visas on a daily basis in high profile embassies like Paris and Singapore based on 'made up arbitary regulations' makes Thailand look like a third world backwater state which has no clue what it's doing. Who ordered these embassies to bahave in this way and why did they order it ?

My advice on this is to sort it out quickly or fail miserably and publicly.

Whatever happens I personally don't really care, it's not going to affect me. It's going to be entertaining and I'll be watching and commenting all the way to the bitter end.

I would have given her the benefit of a doubt if she had not started her tenure as Tourism and Sports Minister with her ill-thought out plan to have tourists wear monitoring bracelets and be accompanied by Thai volunteers. I surely don't want one of those 'volunteers' around if I'm trying to have a tryst on the beach (or anywhere else); even for my own safety.

"Pattaya is a good place for a pilot project for change. It could be turned into a world-class sports city. I would love to see more world water sports and other events in the city, as well it being a home for athletes' training during the low season," she said.

She obviously has no idea how bad the water quality is in Pattaya.

"Building new attractions in the provinces requires full cooperation from local people and administrative bodies. The ministry will then ask key ministries such as Transport, National Resources and Environment, and Culture for help," Kobkarn said.

Instead of more building, they need to clean up and modernize the facilities they have and, as some posters have mentioned already, get rid of two-tiered pricing, streamline visas, and codify standards for accommodations and transportation.

I don't expect anything but more talk than action from this minister. (with her qualifications, that may turn out to be a good thing)

One year from now, who will still remember the "plan"?

Turning away potential tourists (refusing tourist visas) at various Embassies around the world based on some ficticious non existant regulation with no foundation in law about the number of times someone can visit Thailand on such a tourist visa is not going to help turn anything around. If anything it will just discourage people from visiting.

This situation has to change if you want tourist numbers to increase.

Sour faced immigration officials denying tourist visas on a daily basis in high profile embassies like Paris and Singapore based on 'made up arbitary regulations' makes Thailand look like a third world backwater state which has no clue what it's doing. Who ordered these embassies to bahave in this way and why did they order it ?

My advice on this is to sort it out quickly or fail miserably and publicly.

Whatever happens I personally don't really care, it's not going to affect me. It's going to be entertaining and I'll be watching and commenting all the way to the bitter end.

The real goal is isolation -

The cuts are being made on the basis of correction and improvements -

However, its really about cutting back tourism numbers dramatically , so the military have better control over their population without western opinion on the ground.

They want people unfamiliar with Thailand to visit and go-

Pattaya is a seedy city with over strained infra structure and dirty water-

Few people outside of sex tourists would consider going there

She also cited Buri Ram, which already has an international motor-sports circuit* and a huge soccer arena*, as a likely next target for development and promotion as a sports destination

That old patronage and corruption approach is not going to happen under this "government", *Newin Chidchob anyone?

More image Quality B/S from the department of renowned B/S, Ever thought Kobkarn that the tourists know all about TAT B/S.

So the bright idea is to change Thailand's image from being a "cheap" destination, into a "quality" destination . . . in 1 year.

Zero chance of that happening, cos it's not even "cheap" here any longer and is so far from being "quality" it's laughable.

But hey, they'll survive, it's only 6.4% of Thailand's GDP (as it's been for the past 20 years according to TAT).

1) Can she order the TAT to stop issuing stupid (and sometimes even fictitious) statements? Some of us foreigners weren't born yesterday, and these lies reek of desperation.

2) Can she teach the hotel industry that truly low prices can attract visitors during a lull? And not the pathetic 25% off an unrealistic rack price, but 60% off for a period.

3) And get rid of the farang double-pricing .... it's an annoying irritant which p#sses off happy tourists.

2 and 3: No

"Meanwhile, there is a need to change tourists' perception of Thailand as a cheap destination to one of it being a "quality" destination, she said."

She doesn't want that tourist see Thailand as cheap......

1) Can she order the TAT to stop issuing stupid (and sometimes even fictitious) statements? Some of us foreigners weren't born yesterday, and these lies reek of desperation.

2) Can she teach the hotel industry that truly low prices can attract visitors during a lull? And not the pathetic 25% off an unrealistic rack price, but 60% off for a period.

3) And get rid of the farang double-pricing .... it's an annoying irritant which p#sses off happy tourists.

#1. Since she is no doubt the most stupid minister in this "government", the statements from TAT are probably her bible!!

Remember her wristbands??

1) Can she order the TAT to stop issuing stupid (and sometimes even fictitious) statements? Some of us foreigners weren't born yesterday, and these lies reek of desperation.

2) Can she teach the hotel industry that truly low prices can attract visitors during a lull? And not the pathetic 25% off an unrealistic rack price, but 60% off for a period.

3) And get rid of the farang double-pricing .... it's an annoying irritant which p#sses off happy tourists.

#1. Since she is no doubt the most stupid minister in this "government", the statements from TAT are probably her bible!!

Remember her wristbands??

Wait wait till you call her the most stupid minister.....I am sure soon we'll have other ministers speak up.

She also cited Buri Ram, which already has an international motor-sports circuit and a huge soccer arena, as a likely next target for development and promotion as a sports destination, while Phuket also has high potential to develop as an international sports destination.

Good news for the girls of that town......... They wont have to commute to Pattaya to work in the future!

Kobkarn might want to make Thaland a quality destination, before promoting it as such.

Sheesh, talk about putting the cart before the horse.

Thailand will never be a quality destination until there is a total, top to bottom, reform of the police, indeed, the whole judicial system.

Third world, and sinking fast.

1) Can she order the TAT to stop issuing stupid (and sometimes even fictitious) statements? Some of us foreigners weren't born yesterday, and these lies reek of desperation.

2) Can she teach the hotel industry that truly low prices can attract visitors during a lull? And not the pathetic 25% off an unrealistic rack price, but 60% off for a period.

3) And get rid of the farang double-pricing .... it's an annoying irritant which p#sses off happy tourists.

How can she be aware of all the items in your post?

She can't. She is self-absorbed in Thainess.

I am so glad I don't make my living from tourism, live in a tourist area or are a tourist.

You're all doomed.

She has been promoted far beyond her level of competence.

Fail.

Kobkarn might want to make Thaland a quality destination, before promoting it as such.

Sheesh, talk about putting the cart before the horse.

Thailand will never be a quality destination until there is a total, top to bottom, reform of the police, indeed, the whole judicial system.

Third world, and sinking fast.

Khun Kobkarn is married to Thai Police Major General Chonnasith, and while she has no background in sport and tourism - she was CEO of Toshiba Thailand, which was founded by her mother - she is one of the Good People.

I expect, that she expects, that given her status in society, she is more than able to "reform" Thai tourism.

Image is everything, and here, when they put lipstick on a pig, it is no longer a pig.

All well, she will have to prove that she is capable.

The next few years will tell. Words are just words.

A `master plan` for a master race.

Anyone seen the latest TV `Thainess` ad campaign? Thais are different. When we are sad, we meditate. When we are poor, we give. When we are angry, we kick (I think it`s meant to be sports/exercise)

That is the general theme. So got nearly all the general`s ideas in it except `martial law tourism`. The ad men did their best with an impossible brief.

"Our great Mikado, virtuous man,
When he to rule our land began,
Resolved to try
A plan whereby
Young men might best be steadied.

So he decreed, in words succinct,
That all who flirted, leered or winked
(Unless connubially linked),
Should forthwith be beheaded, beheaded, beheaded
Should forthwith be beheaded."

Where to start trying to understand this? To pick just a couple...

"there is a need to change tourists' perception of Thailand as a cheap destination to one of it being a "quality" destination,". So is she saying that prices will rise even further? I suspect, like others the overall competitive situation versus alternative destinations such as Vietnam is on the wane.

Quality? what constitutes quality? Lets have a definition of the quality to be expected.

And Pattaya,

"One of the plans is for Pattaya, which is faced by many problems, from an oversupply of hotel rooms to its nightlife and prostitution market.

"Pattaya is a good place for a pilot project for change. It could be turned into a world-class sports city. I would love to see more world water sports and other events in the city, as well it being a home for athletes' training during the low season," she said."

A fascinating project, what is the budget? The transition will be something else I would imagine. First close down one of Asias top tourist venue cities, then try to attract water sports, participants and spectators. Base the Thai athletes there in the low season.

Then of course there is the plan to shift the tourism emphasis away from the current top destinations. I see the destinations being happy about that...

All this in a closed environment which does not readily foster the type of experience that may be gained by allowing foreigners to be a part of the industry.

She has quite a challenge I suspect.

"I'm now travelling across the country, compiling information and the needs of local people. I have already been to Phuket, Surat Thani and Sukhothai. My next trip is to Nan province in the North for the same purpose," she said.

Overseas trips, including upcoming visits to Japan, China and the United Kingdom, will also help her gain information about the situation outside the country, and about foreign tourists' preferences, she added.

By the end of my year, I will have completed all my travels and the plan will be out of date.

NUMPTIES

Kobkarn might want to make Thaland a quality destination, before promoting it as such.

Sheesh, talk about putting the cart before the horse.

Thailand will never be a quality destination until there is a total, top to bottom, reform of the police, indeed, the whole judicial system.

Third world, and sinking fast.

Khun Kobkarn is married to Thai Police Major General Chonnasith, and while she has no background in sport and tourism - she was CEO of Toshiba Thailand, which was founded by her mother - she is one of the Good People.

I expect, that she expects, that given her status in society, she is more than able to "reform" Thai tourism.

Image is everything, and here, when they put lipstick on a pig, it is no longer a pig.

I am sure her family was at the forefront of the plan to set up Toshiba Thailand. The Japanese bit had nothing to do with it.

Another enobled family who have been given access.

She could do a lot worse than consulting with a cross section of the farang community already resident here for opinions on policies to increase tourism.

Also allowing herself a a few pemanent carefully selected farang advisors would give her a more in depth perspective of the tourists and residents wish list.

But how much she really wants to be in touch with reality is questionable!

more thailand nr 1 & hubs in anything in the future, to be seen

I just cancelled my visit to Barcelona to watch a game at the Nou Camp, Buriram here I come !

Ms. Kobkarn, is trying to do too much at once. She really needs to concentrate on one thing, and one thing only - and that is image - repeat image.

At this present moment in time, Thailands image as a Tourist destination lies in tatters in the gutter.

Many Tourists from many different and diverse nations around the globe, are now perseaving Thailand as a grubby little nation, full of scammers, rip-off merchants and violent thugs, with a good smattering of murderers also thrown into the mix.

With many new, exciting, and more bang for the buck destinations in Asia to explore, why spend your hard earned money in a country that has been resting on its Tourist laurels for too long, and has turned from a jewel in the crown of tourism worldwide, into a piece of coal. ( small, dirty and dark )

A very sad situation for the Thai Tourist Industry, and for the many, good, and honest, hard working people that work within the industry, and also sadly, a situation that will take a great deal of committment and skillfull work to restore to anything near its former glory.

I wish her well in her endevours