U.S. ban could boost Middle East tourism to Thailand, official says

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U.S. ban could boost Middle East tourism to Thailand, official says

REUTERS

 

Tourists visit the Temple of the Dawn during renovations in Bangkok, ThailandJanuary 20, 2017. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand might get more tourists from the Middle East as a result of U.S. President Donald Trump's entry ban on people from seven Muslim-majority countries, the head of the tourism authority said on Monday.

 

"The Middle East is a big market for us, especially in the medical tourism sector. They may choose to visit Thailand more and this may also boost our sector," Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Yuthasak Supasorn told Reuters.

 

He said Thailand would need to assess the situation further.

 

Thailand's military government did not respond to a request for official comment on the ban.

 

Trump has presented his ban as a way to protect the United States from Islamist militants, but it has been condemned by a growing list of foreign leaders and drawn protests by tens of thousands in American cities.

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is the government agency responsible for promoting tourism to Thailand.

 

Only just over 2 percent of Thailand's tourists came from the Middle East in 2016, but it expects an 8 percent rise in the first quarter of 2017 compared with the year before.

 

Medical tourism is a growing market for Thailand. The largest operator is Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Pcl. Another is Bumrungrad Pcl..

 

Muslims represent the second biggest religious group in Thailand behind Buddhists, but make up only about 5 percent of the population.

 

(Reporting By Pairat Temphairojana; Editing by Matthew Tostevin, Robert Birsel)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-01-31

[rkidlad]

Ha ha. There's never any bad news about tourism when TAT is involved. 

[nakhonandy]

Maybe for once something TAT has correct.

 

Many do go to the US for treatment.

[Wallander4]

That would keep European tourists even further away for sure so enjoy the iranians

[Bullie]

"Maybe we can take away some of their medical tourism". I don't know why, but the word "vulture" comes to mind.

[Get Real]

Yep, that´s right! Everything that happens in the world. Good or bad, never mind. Killings, mass murders, shops closing early, people walking without shoes, closed borders and so on for ever helps the tourism in Thailand.

[ezzra]

 

So let me see here... the tourist who dreamed of visiting the US and all it's glory

will now say, let's go to Thailand instead, it's akin to substituting a 5 star hotel

to a backpackers inn... what a logic....

[USPatriot]

Yes go to America on a tourist visa and stay as long as you want.

 

Thailand isn't the same at all and they will figure out real quick the middle eastern Muslims are a lot different than the Thai Muslims. I can see it now they will be getting in fights because the women are not covered up at the beach.

[kevc]

Yes good idea the terrorists that can't get into the USA can come here instead.

Sent from my SM-P901 using Thaivisa Connect mobile app

[SaintLouisBlues]

Just now, kevc said:

Yes good idea the terrorists that can't get into the USA can come here instead.

Blind Freddy must know that terrorist groups see Bangkok as a convenient gateway so they aren't, largely, going to make waves

[Laughing Gravy]

Why would Thailand want more middle eastern countries to visit? Is this the new market target. Good luck with that.

[kevc]

Blind Freddy must know that terrorist groups see Bangkok as a convenient gateway so they aren't, largely, going to make waves

Who's Blind Freddy ?.

Sent from my SM-P901 using Thaivisa Connect mobile app

[i claudius]

Oh God ,not more bad news , more middle eastern tourists ? and we thought we had it bad with the Russians and the Chinese .

[thai3]

If a giant meteor hit the earth TAT would claim the resulting calamity would boost tourism 

[SaintLouisBlues]

1 minute ago, thai3 said:

If a giant meteor hit the earth TAT would claim the resulting calamity would boost tourism 

Get real - they'd be coming to see the crater!

[jaltsc]

"Thailand might get more tourists from the Middle East as a result of U.S. President Donald Trump's entry ban on people from seven Muslim-majority countries,  the head of the tourism authority said ..."

 

He always seems so happy and excited when Thailand's tourism industry might benefit from another country's misfortune.

 

I'm wondering if this guy prays for nuclear and natural disasters to befall every country on the planet except for Thailand. 

[thetruth revealer]

1 hour ago, Wallander4 said:

That would keep European tourists even further away for sure so enjoy the iranians

iranians are generally well  behaved so far i personally experienced, please obstain from such statements, because its defaming and i would rather say that northafrican and some other geographic ethnics cause troubles, especially if you observe media in germany , austria and swiss , its mostly reported refering to those groups , just suggesting...

[aothai]

So nice for Thailand to get more quality tourists, IRONIE OFF.

[Deli]

So no more quality tourists wanted ?

[harada]

I might get into ( good looking ) goat farming . 

[DM07]

Oh, good...we can cash in on stupidity, racism and xenophobia....oh...wait...

[dcnx]

Syrian refugee 1: Well, American is off limits now. Where should we go?

 

Syrian refugee 2: I hear Thailand will let us stay for whole 15 days, extendable by 15 days, and we only have to report to immigration within 24 hours every time we change cities. They also hate us there and our dark skin. We'll also be charged double or triple the cost of everything, we are forbidden to work, and if you can believe it, their roads are even more dangerous than ours, even though we're at war.

 

Syrian refugee 1: There are simply no other viable options on the planet. Thailand sounds perfect.

 

 

[TheFishman1]

What they meant to say we need more quality terrorist don't have enough don't south TIT

[Emster23]

 I think wannabe terrorists are too cowardly to face dangers of Thai traffic, bad wiring, pest spray in hotel rooms, etc etc.

Regarding middle east visitors: I'm a Yank & go out of my way to meet and be friendly with those tourists. Usually gracious, well behaved, aware people here to enjoy a vacation. Can't say the same for many of my countrymen.

[kamahele]

I'm thinking that Thailand is not going to benefit from Trump's ban on people (Muslims) from 7 countries, many of whom are hoping for refugee status unless those in other countries (with money to spend) decide to boycott America and instead spend their money elsewhere. 

[Brer Fox]

There could be a bit of spin off for the RTP around Sukhumvit Soi 3 area. Should allow for some extra raids on shisha dens to bring in some increased pocket money.

[Thian]

Then better protect the US-embassy vely good in BKK.

[AhFarangJa]

Soi 4 and Nana Plaza would soon be shut down for lack of customers.......hmmmm........no more drug pushers either.....every cloud has a silver lining.....

[Get Real]

4 hours ago, ezzra said:

 

So let me see here... the tourist who dreamed of visiting the US and all it's glory

will now say, let's go to Thailand instead, it's akin to substituting a 5 star hotel

to a backpackers inn... what a logic....

Yes! That´s the pure fact! Everyone goes to Thailand from now on. Logic or no logic, if they say it is like that.

[Jonmarleesco]

I'm not sure Thailand has enough in common with the U.S.A. for Trump's ban to present the TAT with an opportunity to suggest tourists could now head for SEA, and LoS. Canada would be the more likely alternative.