'Martial law caused tourist numbers to surge'

[webfact]

'Martial law caused tourist numbers to surge'
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- MARTIAL LAW was the reason behind a spike in tourist arrivals in the second half of last year, a government spokesman said yesterday.

Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said that thanks to martial law, local residents and visitors felt safe.

His remarks came following renewed calls for martial law to be lifted, with many tourism businesses arguing that it adversely affects the sector.

"One clear proof [the opposite is happening] is that the number of tourists to Thailand increased 16 per cent in the last six months of 2014 when compared to the first half [of the year], which saw much political unrest and violence," Sansern said.

In the first half of last year the number of tourist arrivals was 11.47 million, climbing to 13.3 million in the last six months, he said.

The spokesman noted that tourism is Thailand's major revenue earner, accounting for about 10 per cent of the country's gross domestic product.

"Martial law has not affected the every day life of honest law-abiding citizens. Instead it helps assure safety for everyone living in Thailand," Sansern said.

He added that martial law was still considered necessary. The spokesman said the authorities were enforcing martial law carefully and only when necessary. "It definitely has not caused uneasiness for innocent people," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Martial-law-caused-tourist-numbers-to-surge-30256549.html

-- The Nation 2015-03-23

[Just1Voice]

They honestly believe this crap???

[Chang_paarp]

I'll have some of what ever he has been drinking.

Make that a double

[Fat Haggis]

The greatest trick the devil pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist ?

[NongKhaiKid]

Lies, damnd lies and Thai statistics.

[BuckBee]

What a TIT

[ExPratt]

Mainly Chinese I'd imagine ,who would find Thai Marshall law quite liberating when compared to their own

[chooka]

Oh please....

Yea right like a traveller pops into his agent and say I would like to book a ticket to the Maldives. May I suggest Thailand sir as they have Martial Law at the moment and that brings curfews, void insurance, no group sex or hand jobs and the Junta has ordered tourist prices be increased 10 fold. Sounds great give me two tickets.

[Fat Haggis]

They honestly believe this crap???

.

Unfortunately some do, even many farangs will be swallowing this down like a nana plaza lap dancer !!

[jamesjohnsonthird]

As soon as I saw this headline....I knew it was The Nation. Been printing garbage for team yellow since 2004.

Sadly, some Thai Visa posters swallowed the bait and support the coup.

[trogers]

There is truth in these words.

Numbers from the West fell due to lack of travel insurance cover, Asian travellers do not feel the need for such covers, probably because they are self-insured from higher savings.

[Fiddlesticks]

Perhaps the jump in tourism was really just the impact of all the families coming to collect the remains of those who have died from the senseless murders, the BKK balcony dives, or the needless deaths that occur with regularity in the Thai highways.

[jamesjohnsonthird]

They honestly believe this crap???

I used to read The Nation until I found the Bangkok Pundit website. He tore The Nation to shreds with facts.

Unfortunately, the Pundit had to go away when the SE Asian Military Junta clamped down on freedom of the press.

[tbthailand]

they define a "jump" as the summer high season and end of the year holiday season being 16% higher (under or due to martial law) compared to the PDRC "shutdown BKK" disaster for the tourist industry in the first half of the year...

I really feel like crying...

[tbthailand]

here is a chart....

basically, in a normal year, the second half has more arrivals than the first half.

This difference in 2014 mirrors, actually, a 'normal' year.

Since the first half and totals for the year were down Y-on-Y, these guys are just blowing smoke. The numbers are down due to the political disruptions and the 'intervention' and martial law had no discernible, positive impact...

but no one said these guys are sharp with numbers, either...

[JOC]

Behind this alleged surge are Chinese ants, sexpats and backpackers.

Would be interesting to get the numbers of their daily spendings...............

[arrowsdawdle]

There is truth in these words.

Numbers from the West fell due to lack of travel insurance cover, Asian travellers do not feel the need for such covers, probably because they are self-insured from higher savings.

The truth is not that there was an increase. The first six months were down due to Suthep following his marching orders to disrupt the streets with highly visible confrontations and protests that led to travel warnings from sane governments.

[LuckyLew]

If martial law is the key then they should keep the military in power forever and never remove martial law

I bet Prayuth would love that since he loves hearing his own sound bites

I hope the person who uttered these words was not driving home

[Buriramfelang]

How can the numbers be up when there's literally thousands of Russians not coming compared to the last few yrs.

[trogers]

How can the numbers be up when there's literally thousands of Russians not coming compared to the last few yrs.

The few tens of thousands of Mainland Chinese...

[londonthai]

"His remarks came following renewed calls for martial law to be lifted, with many tourism businesses arguing that it adversely affects the sector."

generals always know better and will be continue martial law until they can't rob the country any more, over the bodies of dear tourist and export industry

Edited March 23, 2015 by londonthai

[Snig27]

That Guardian story yesterday was spot on - this lot are barking mad, albeit mad with tanks.

[godden]

it really does make my brain hurt reading such nonsensical clap trap

[Fat Haggis]

I've just one though Departures at swampy and at first glance it looks busy but it's down to less immigration officials on desks generating bigger queues.

It was the same when I arrived 6 weeks ago, It doesn't feel or look any different than arriving and departing from the previous 2 years at the same time frame

[SuwadeeS]

Who believes .....

[yellowboat]

Once they open their mouths', nothing but doubt remains afterwards. Silence would serve them better.

[GeckosDiving]

As soon as I saw this headline....I knew it was The Nation. Been printing garbage for team yellow since 2004.

Sadly, some Thai Visa posters swallowed the bait and support the coup.

[empireboy]

here is a chart....

basically, in a normal year, the second half has more arrivals than the first half.

This difference in 2014 mirrors, actually, a 'normal' year.

Since the first half and totals for the year were down Y-on-Y, these guys are just blowing smoke. The numbers are down due to the political disruptions and the 'intervention' and martial law had no discernible, positive impact...

but no one said these guys are sharp with numbers, either...

The numerical stats don't lie.... but politicians do!

[docshock13]

That Guardian story yesterday was spot on - this lot are barking mad, albeit mad with tanks.

Yep! Good article.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/22/bangkok-big-brother-politics-ruling-party-democracy

[Vacuum]

Who believes .....

Who cares?