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State of emergency lifted in Bangkok
Bangkok’s state of emergency, first put into effect on 2 September, has been lifted now that Thailand’s ex-prime minister, Samak Sundarav, has stepped down. The decision by the government was cheered by the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), and virtually every other person working in the tourism industry.
ATTA’s president, Apichart Sankary, told reporters that the move will go a long way towards boosting the confidence of travellers ahead of Thailand’s winter high season, which begins in November. Tourism plays a major role in Thailand’s local economy, injecting around 600 billion baht from foreign visitors and another 400 billion baht from Thai tourists into the country each year.
In 2007, around 15 million foreign travellers visited Thailand, but many tourists have been staying away from the kingdom since the political turmoil began several weeks ago. Apichart estimates that the number of foreign tourists who come to Thailand in 2008 will be more or less the same as last year if confidence can be restored soon.
Bookings are down throughout the country compared to this time last year, but now that the anti-government protestors have backed off foreigners may be encouraged to reconsider their travel plans. Ironically, despite a few disruptions to the nation’s transport system, Thailand’s main tourist destinations were completely unaffected by the protests. Beach resorts are open for business as usual, and even the capital is returning to its normal charmingly tussled state.
Posted by: Andrew on 19 Sep 2008, 10:09 -
Bangkok under state of emergency
On Tuesday morning at 07:00, current Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej declared a state of emergency, effectively putting the capital Bangkok under the full control of the army. Following increasingly violent clashes between PAD anti-government protestors, pro-government protestors, and police, Samak enacted his authority to declare the crisis official.
The prime minister’s declaration was prompted by overnight fighting between anti-government and pro-government protestors in the streets of Bangkok. One man was killed and dozens of protestors injured during the running street fights. General Anupong Paojinda, the commander of the Thai army, has been put in control of the crisis, and now has absolute power to deal with the political unrest in Bangkok.
The state of emergency effectively means that any protest gathering of five or more people is prohibited. The police and military can use whatever force they deem necessary to disperse the illegal gatherings. Media that encourages public protesting can also be censored or shut down.
United front of Democracy against Dictatorship leaders stated immediately that they would “obey the law and go home,” thus ending their rally at Sanam Luang. The People’s Alliance for Democracy’s (PAD) Suriyasai Katasila, stated that his group would now meet to discuss their next move. This new Emergency Law has never been officially used in Thailand, and takes the stand-off to a new unpredictable level. Samak is nominal head of Thailand’s Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), so the army and police are effectively under his command.
All travellers heading to Bangkok should be aware that there will likely be delays in all areas of infrastructure and transport, as well as the rising potential for street clashes.
Check the latest news at The Bangkok Post
Posted by: Andrew on 02 Sep 2008, 21:49 -
Airlines Cut Flights as Tourist Arrivals Drop
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) has recently reported that several major air line companies, including the national carrier Thai Airways, will be cutting back on the number of flights into Thailand in 2009, following on a projected 12 percent decrease in tourist arrivals.
Association president, Apichart Sankary, has said that the overall number of tourists visiting Thailand in 2009 may fall short of the target of 17 million. In fact, he added, the number may be closer to 15 million than 17.
Due to the rising cost of jet fuel and less-than-expected passenger demand, Thai Airways has already discontinued its New York-Bangkok service. The carrier has also reduced the frequency of other flights and re-routed service, particular in relation to the US.
Political instability that has plagued Thailand for the last couple of years has been blamed for the slowdown in the tourist industry, but Apichart suggests that the country is seeing a shift in the source of its tourists. The TAT has focused its promotional efforts recently in the Middle East, and that region is becoming a more significant source of tourists.
The president of the Koh Samui Tourism Business Association, Seni Phuwasethavorn, is saying that this year’s high season will not see as many visitors to the island as last year’s due to higher travelling costs. Hotel occupancy in Samui is at 60 percent, down from 75 percent during last year’s high season.
Posted by: Andrew on 19 Jul 2008, 00:59 -
TAT Promotes Thailand at Goa Programme
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) held a two-day training programme for Indian travel agents last month in Goa, India.
Many are predicting a shift in the travel climate as high-end, luxury travel becomes a more important segment of the market. An indicator of this is the mass market-directed Tourism Authority of Thailand aiming for an audience of high-end travelers. Strategically located between the two burgeoning superpowers, India and China, Thailand has its eyes on a huge market.
As part of the TAT initiative to promote Thailand as an up-market destination and to create a solid base of partners in the travel trade, the tourism agency conducted a two-day workshop for Indian travel agents in Goa, making India and the US the only two countries where this has occurred. The initiative is called the Amazing Thailand Champion Agents Program.
Speaking about the programme, Prakit Piriyakiet, executive director for the South Asia & South Pacific Region of the TAT, remarked: "The programme is designed to educate travel trade members on our up-market products. The workshop gave them an opportunity to interact with senior TAT representatives from Bangkok and co-participating hotels and tourism attractions from Thailand." This recent workshop involved 40 trade member participants from across India.
The US was the first country chosen for the programme, followed by India. Expansion to additional countries is still under consideration. Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, the director of the TAT, commented: "I am not aware of plans by other TAT offices to organise a similar activity. However, directors of our offices in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur were also present in Goa as observers and they will probably do similar things in their respective regions. So you can say that Goa was a successful pilot project that TAT can implement in other parts of the world."
Posted by: Andrew on 23 Jun 2008, 21:16