Thailand's Troubled Tourism Industry Struggles to Recover
Ron Corben

BANGKOK: -- Visitor arrivals in Thailand's multi-billion dollar tourism industry have fallen by 19 percent this year. That’s a significant drop for an industry that outside groups estimate accounts for more than a fifth of the country’s economic output.

More than 50 countries cautioned their citizens about visiting Thailand since last spring's political upheaval and military intervention that included the imposition of martial law, which is still in place today.

In September, another incident cast more clouds over the country’s image. Two British tourists David Miller and Hannah Witheridge were found murdered on a beach in Koh Tao, an island in the Gulf of Thailand popular with foreign visitors.

After a weeks-long investigation that was widely criticized as bumbling, Thai police arrested two young migrant workers for killing the British travellers. But both of the 21-year-old men have now recanted their confessions, telling human rights lawyers they were tortured during interrogations.

The fallout from the murders appears to have further dented the country’s reputation among some travellers. A survey by global consulting firm Envirosell found that a third of European travellers say the murders affected the image of Thailand as a tourist destination. More than 90 percent of British tourists said they were aware of the killings.

Full story: http://www.voanews.com/content/thailands-troubled-tourism-industry-struggles-to-recover/2492269.html

-- Voice od America 2014-10-23

Thailand needs to lift its game in a more competitive market hot air and empty promises only go so far.

Don't disparity, TAT have assured everyone that they will reach thier target for the year and tourists are still arriving in record numbers.

It has been a long time coming! No more than they deserve.

How do these journos actually get paid?

I could have written this article!

All it really is is a rehash of about 5 news stories reworded and stuck in a newspaper.

Nothing new just a poll a recant martial law KohTao etc etc

Man talk about money under false pretences.

More smoke and mirrors from the Thai authorities in an attempt to boost flagging tourism to be expected. I'm sure that actually dealing with the core reason people are going elsewhere is not even being considered. I would love for Thailand (the rich) to lose $$billions over the Koh Tao murders. Som nam na

just good, it does not come as much tourists

all countries can be dangerous, there is violence in every country, you are never 100% sure, you should not go around being afraid of everything. peace

Does the maxim "Any publicity is good publicity" apply in this case?

Various reasons control this industry , one that never gets calculated is the fact like it or not , Thailand has been a popular destination for at least a quarter of a century, possibly people demographics are changing, newcomers with the travel bug might find that the Asian area is not the piece of cake or attractive enough , along with the military take over and that is exactly what it was, the state of the world security situation , all this in the mix, perhaps Thailand has become a victim of its tourism success and now in some quarters has become a dinosaur , one thing is for sure , when you lose them they never come back, mainly because where ever they have gone, they are enjoying themselves.

It has been a long time coming! No more than they deserve.

100% right. +1, and will only get worse. They will never get their act together. There is so much wrong here and with ever raising prices even the incentive of cheap holidays is slowly disappearing. MS>

Which sort of tourists do they want ? Ones to fill up the 4 and 5 star hotels or the ones that stimulate the economy ? It is interesting how they go back and forth on those who ride water buffalos and those who sip champange.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/sep/24/backpacker-travel-benefit-poor-countries

"There is a growing body of research showing that, for many low-income communities in the developing world, the economic benefits of hosting backpackers outweigh their negative (often social) impacts."

Quality tourists ?

The Thais like a bit of short time, by that I mean they seem so concerned with the 2 week holiday gang spending money.

How about making it more appealing for the expats and potential expats that would stimulate the economy all year round!

The figure is closer to 49%

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Thailand needs to lift its game in a more competitive market hot air and empty promises only go so far.

Lots of hot air in THailand.

dont worry, the boys in parliament know what they are doing

It surprises me that so many posters seem to be happy when something negative is published about Thailand. From psychological perspective you could reason that many foreigners residing in Thailand are sour depressed grapes.

I just went on a 10 day holiday in the south of Thailand (I live in Bangkok) and it was absolutely fantastic! Thailand still rocks!

Maybe just maybe, it has something to do with delivering a second or third class product and charging first class prices??

Can only work for so long!!

The visitors are finally starting to vote with their feet!!

Until the Thais realise, that their arrogance is not a winner, nothing is going to change.

However it is very sad for all the people dependant on the industry for their livelihood!!

Arresting the real culprits on Koh Tao might help??

TAT have aces up there sleeve to counteract the drop in tourist ....

There will be a new slogan coming out for next year ....

' wonderful fantastic amazing super duper thrilling exciting .. .. mafia thailand '

It surprises me that so many posters seem to be happy when something negative is published about Thailand. From psychological perspective you could reason that many foreigners residing in Thailand are sour depressed grapes.

I just went on a 10 day holiday in the south of Thailand (I live in Bangkok) and it was absolutely fantastic! Thailand still rocks!

The Thai people are, like most, decent. Most take exception to how the TAT and the government conducts itself.

With insect eating...honoring the chicken egg...paying homage to the porcelain toilet...riding buffalos and catching eels...as the main attraction of the New Thailand...tourist are sure to overwhelm the hotel and restaurants businesses during the next few months...

KARMA, just karma...

Maybe just maybe, it has something to do with delivering a second or third class product and charging first class prices??

Can only work for so long!!

The visitors are finally starting to vote with their feet!!

Until the Thais realise, that their arrogance is not a winner, nothing is going to change.

However it is very sad for all the people dependant on the industry for their livelihood!!

Arresting the real culprits on Koh Tao might help??

First class prices?

It's about time Thailand realised it's not the only Southern East Asian destination, and it's not the centre of the galaxy. There are many surrounding destinations of beauty - no issues about that.

As long a corruption and lackadaisical attitudes towards such, and little care for the true interests of tourists and visitors are overlooked, including rakkar farang, as opposed to Thai prices for all, then I'm all for drops in tourist numbers.

Eventually, prices might start to drop for those of us who committed to living in and supporting this land year upon year, despite knowing we are and have been ripped off everyday!

Maybe just maybe, it has something to do with delivering a second or third class product and charging first class prices??

Can only work for so long!!

The visitors are finally starting to vote with their feet!!

Until the Thais realise, that their arrogance is not a winner, nothing is going to change.

However it is very sad for all the people dependant on the industry for their livelihood!!

Arresting the real culprits on Koh Tao might help??

First class prices?

He means rip-off prices for farangs, away from the major malls. And it's true. If you don't think there's a 2 tier system, you haven't been here long enough. What costs a Thai 20 Baht will cost you 35 Baht. What costs a Thai 500 baht will cost you 800 Baht - ignoring the large chain stores, that is.

No it's 39.32% according to Kun Somchai

The figure is closer to 49%

No it's 39.32% according to Kun Somchai

The figure is closer to 49%

Latest graft percentage, or what?

Maybe just maybe, it has something to do with delivering a second or third class product and charging first class prices??

Can only work for so long!!

The visitors are finally starting to vote with their feet!!

Until the Thais realise, that their arrogance is not a winner, nothing is going to change.

However it is very sad for all the people dependant on the industry for their livelihood!!

Arresting the real culprits on Koh Tao might help??

First class prices?

He means rip-off prices for farangs, away from the major malls. And it's true. If you don't think there's a 2 tier system, you haven't been here long enough. What costs a Thai 20 Baht will cost you 35 Baht. What costs a Thai 500 baht will cost you 800 Baht - ignoring the large chain stores, that is.

I usually go to the next place and do my shopping there.Learning basic Thai and knowing what are the right prices usually helps to ...

The truth of the matter is that Thailand will have to raise the level of it's game if they want to play in the league now.

A few years ago Thailand was the best "tourist" destination in the league.

Now the rest of the league is catching up with them.

If Thailand can raise the quality of it's game, they can slay at the top of the league longer.

If they can't, well they're on their way down.

Now, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar can field a good team also.

Edited October 23, 201411 yr by IMA_FARANG

just good, it does not come as much tourists

all countries can be dangerous, there is violence in every country, you are never 100% sure, you should not go around being afraid of everything. peace

Yeah every country has yearly street riots and coups, the highest road fatalities on the planet, imposed martial law, a junta and a police force so blatantly corrupt that they let some rich kids get away with rape and murder of tourists while the entire world is watching them intensely.

Every country is just like this.

Edited October 23, 201411 yr by KunMatt

TAT have aces up there sleeve to counteract the drop in tourist ....

There will be a new slogan coming out for next year ....

' wonderful fantastic amazing super duper thrilling exciting .. .. mafia thailand '

rubbish!