Thailand transportation: Connectivity projects 'to boost investment, tourism'

[webfact]

TRANSPORTATION
Connectivity projects 'to boost investment, tourism'
Suchat Sritama
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Transport Ministry is pressing ahead with plans for connectivity projects linking Thailand with neighbouring countries, in a move which should generate more investment opportunities and increase tourist arrivals.

Marine Department head Chula Sukmanop spoke about the planned infrastructure projects at a recent conference in Bangkok, saying that the government plans to develop and improve connectivity not only in relation to the country's seaports, but also cross-border and air transportation links with neighbouring countries.

"With its great geographical location, Thailand could become the connectivity centre for Southeast Asia. The government plans for the country to be akin to Germany, which is at the heart of Europe and is able to connect with surrounding countries by land, sea and air," he said.

Greater connectivity would bring in more business opportunities and investment, as well as more tourists, he said, adding, "Thailand would reap many benefits if the transportation system were to be improved."

Chula said Asean nations were opening up markets for air transport, which was bringing more air traffic into Thailand. Don Mueang Airport currently services 700 flights per day, only a little lower than the capacity at Suvarnabhumi Airport, which sees around 800 flights a day.

When Don Mueang completes its expansion this year, passenger capacity will soar from 18 million a year to more than 30 million. And when Suvarnabhumi finishes its expansion in 2017, capacity will jump from 45 to 60 million a year.

Airports in Phuket, Chiang Mai and Krabi are also expanding and when these projects are done, they will help bring more airlines and tourists.

Chiang Mai International Airport's current annual capacity is 6.8 million passengers, which is expected to nearly double to 13.2 million in 2018/19.

Phuket International Airport, meanwhile, is expected to serve up to 20 million passengers a year when its expansion is completed this year.

The Civil Aviation Department also plans to expand Krabi International Airport, with the aim of handling 3 million passengers per year.

Chula said the Transport Ministry also planned to develop 25 border provinces, turning them into new gateways, whether by land, air or sea.

"Our current connectivity is dysfunctional when it comes to land transport compared to sea and air connectivity, so the ministry will improve this aspect," the director-general said

He added that if all cross-border areas were turned into active gateways, the country would be able to link with China and India - and also beyond southern Thailand.

Aside from air and land transport projects, the ministry plans to improve existing seaports and seek investment in a bid to boost marine connectivity.

Mario Hardy, chief executive officer of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), said his body could help develop Thailand and Southeast Asia as single or cluster destinations by providing conferences and seminars for the public and private sectors, in order to engender better understanding about tourism.

The association can also help train local people, he said.

PATA urges the public and private sectors in Thailand to focus more on unique products, including home stays, Thai spas and communities, as 'Thainess'-related products are the main way to differentiate it from other countries, he added.

KobkarnWattanavrangkul, minister of tourism and sport, said Thailand was set to use tourism as a key tool to drive the economy and link people in the region, especially when the Asean Economic Community forms at the end of this year.

However, Thailand still faces many challenges as tourism is a global business that always operates in a highly competitive environment, she said.

Although the country welcomed almost 25 million foreign visitors last year, and is aiming for 28 million this year, it still needs to have proactive strategies to boost arrival numbers.

One ministry plans is to improve the online gateway for visitors, a project known as 'online visa', which is expected to be completed within two years, the minister said.

The ministry is also in the process of establishing an intelligence unit to improve infrastructure, and is rebranding five major destinations - Bangkok, Phuket, Nan, Pattaya and Phang Nga, and developing new attractions.

William E Heinecke, chairman and chief executive officer of Minor Hotel Group, told the conference that Thai tourism had returned to normal since the New Year.

Foreign tourists have changed their perception and understanding of the political situation and will continue to visit the country despite the government's retention of martial law, he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Connectivity-projects-to-boost-investment-tourism-30255572.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-09

[webfact]

Thailand to boost bus services to neighbouring countries

Bangkok: – Transport Minister Prajin Juntong has instructed relevant authorities to initiate talks with their counterparts aimed at expanding bus services to Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

By this month, Thailand will start negotiating with Malaysia in order to launch bus routes to the southern neighbouring country, said Pongchai
Kasemthavisak, deputy permanent secretary for Transport.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806916-thailand-to-boost-bus-services-to-neighbouring-countries/

[alant]

"The ministry is also in the process of establishing an intelligence unit to improve infrastructure, and is rebranding five major destinations - Bangkok, Phuket, Nan, Pattaya and Phang Nga, and developing new attractions."

Wasn't this to be completed this year?

I don't know if this article is saying Thailand is to be the airport hub for the region.

[yellowboat]

Thailand might be afraid of losing the control it enjoys now. Cambodia has Anchor Watt and gambling. Sihanook Ville has to direct flighs from China now. Should Sihanook Ville strike a cord with Chinese gamblers and foreign investment, that would free them from being a secondary destination to Thailand. Same holds true for Burna should they too get sizable investment and manage it wisely.

Visas are a breeze in Cambodia, unlike Thailand and Burma. Setting up shop is rather uncomplicated too.

Looking forward to a more rationally governed Thailand one day

[Johnny S]

And where should all these many many extra million people come from ... the Moon ? The stupidity here has no end and most likely all these airports will have to face the sad truth - touristnumbers are gonna fall drasticly

[toybits]

"The solution that involves the most amount of money is sure to be the best remedy for any problem." Quote from Toybits dated March 09, 2015.

[Daniel Ingalls]

I certainly hope the time arrives soon, and not too late, this madness will stop for more tourist. Enough is enough! I see it in the Parks, waterfalls, elephant rehab

centers, rain forest trails, and hundreds of other locations. The flux of tourist is wearing out all of theses locations of interest. And now with the Chinese coming

here with filthy spiting, bathroom ethics, and bell foot ringing, its getting worse. Now is the time for us to sit back and see what has been accomplish in the tourist industry, and where its going. It is not a very pretty picture. Crowded streets, heavy traffic, mobs of people. Noise, pollution in the air, Places like Chiang Mai, and Chiang Ri are being destroyed. The quiet little towns, slower pace of life, all have been slowly disappeared, to a Bangkok type atmosphere. People are leaving

Bangkok to get away from what they are inedibly re-creating here in Chiang Mai. The hustle and Tussle at Chiang Mai Airport is one good example. For one, the Airport is getting old, and to small to handle the 2 fold increase of traveler expected in the next 5 years. A new Airport is proposed twenty Kilometers from the present one. Major highway skirting San Kamppang up to the Hot springs have been expanded to a four lane highway. New home developments have been started along its path. More and more farmers have sold their lands for development. Although the New Airport is 5-8 years from completion, it has already affected the surrounding communities. Land prices have skyrocket, in anticipation of the coming changes shops have increased their prices, new nightlife spots have emerged.

and this quiet little spot on the map is changed for ever. I've made my home here when it was quiet and peaceful. but now I hear and see new cars rolling in from Bangkok, bringing with them all the evils of a big city and its social issues...........and all the rest, and for what? one more elephant ride, one more umbrella to sell

one more tourist trinket, in exchange for more drunks on the road, more ladies of the night?...is it worth it in the long run?..........investment for whom? Thailand needs to ween itself away from tourism. Let the surrounding countries peddle their handicrafts.....we should move on with Industry, Industry.....good paying jobs!

I see huge numbers graduating from college in Bangkok? Where are the grads going to work? Seen so many promising faces, end up with a Fast food shop job paying 300 baht an hour?.....its not fair for them, and surly not fair for Thailand as a nation of Over-qualified people doing work at such a low capacity of achievement/accomplishments with a wasted education to boot!