Over half of hotel operators post losses
Some 63% of hotels recorded losses as average occupancy lingered below 30% despite the renewed Test & Go scheme, according to the hotel business operator sentiment index for February.
Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), said ¾ of hoteliers project a 30% occupancy rate should be sufficient to break even, but only 37% of them achieved that target.
The latest hotel index conducted by the THA and the Bank of Thailand polled 127 hoteliers from Feb 11-23.
The index found the average occupancy rate slightly improved to 34% from 32% in January, thanks to the fourth phase of We Travel Together, a hotel subsidy scheme, and the Test & Go programme for inbound travellers.
"Even though the Test & Go scheme has resumed, local tourists were still the majority of our customers. Almost half of hoteliers who took the survey said international guests made up less than 10% of their bookings," Mrs Marisa said.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/22 ... ost-losses
Thailand tourism situation
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
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Dannie Boy
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Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
There are still very few tourists coming to Thailand so most of the hotels in this area are surviving on their weekend trade from Bangkokians - most of the hotel car parks I pass on my early morning bike rides are full to capacity at the weekends, but very few during the week.
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migrant
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Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
My friend in Chiang Mai says it is also very quiet up there
The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
Yep, Bangkok weekend warriors are the only ones keeping the place afloat at the moment. Hotels are empty and nice and peaceful if you can get away during the week!
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
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handdrummer
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Re: Covid-19 News (Thailand and Southeast Asia only)
Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat Thepgumpanat
Tue, March 8, 2022, 8:35 PM
By Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat Thepgumpanat
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thousands of tourists from Russia are currently stranded in Thailand, officials said on Tuesday, as unprecedented Western sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine put a squeeze on Russians struggling to find flights and finances.
Flight cancellations, a rouble currency in free-fall and payment problems from Russian banks being cut off from the global SWIFT system has left more than 7,000 Russians in limbo in locations like Phuket, Koh Samui, Pattaya and Krabi, Thailand's tourism authority chief said.
"We have to be good hosts and take care of everybody," Yuthasak Supasorn told Reuters.
"There are still Russian tourists on their way here," he added.
Russia's embassy in Bangkok did not immediately respond to request for comment on its citizens.
In 2019, Thailand received 1.4 million Russian visitors. In January, it counted about 23,000 Russians, representing about a fifth of the total arrivals.
About half of those stranded were on the island of Phuket.
"We've asked hotels to reduce prices and extend their stays," Phuket's tourism association president Bhummikitti Ruktaengam said.
Some visitors, when able, had used China's UnionPay after cards issued by Russian banks using U.S. payment firms Visa and Mastercard stopped working, he said.
Visa and Mastercard announced on Saturday they were suspending operations in Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Russia has called its actions there a "special operation".
Though Thailand was among 141 countries that backed a United Nations resolution calling for the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops, it has not imposed any sanctions on Moscow.
Bhummikitti said hundreds of people from Ukraine were also stranded, mainly due to airport closures there.
He said efforts were being made to get stranded Russians onto flights to Moscow on Middle Eastern airlines and to arrange repatriation flights.
A proposal was being considered to allow the use of cryptocurrency for payments at hotels, flights and other businesses in Phuket, he said.
(Editing by Martin Petty)
Engadget
Tue, March 8, 2022, 8:35 PM
By Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat Thepgumpanat
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thousands of tourists from Russia are currently stranded in Thailand, officials said on Tuesday, as unprecedented Western sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine put a squeeze on Russians struggling to find flights and finances.
Flight cancellations, a rouble currency in free-fall and payment problems from Russian banks being cut off from the global SWIFT system has left more than 7,000 Russians in limbo in locations like Phuket, Koh Samui, Pattaya and Krabi, Thailand's tourism authority chief said.
"We have to be good hosts and take care of everybody," Yuthasak Supasorn told Reuters.
"There are still Russian tourists on their way here," he added.
Russia's embassy in Bangkok did not immediately respond to request for comment on its citizens.
In 2019, Thailand received 1.4 million Russian visitors. In January, it counted about 23,000 Russians, representing about a fifth of the total arrivals.
About half of those stranded were on the island of Phuket.
"We've asked hotels to reduce prices and extend their stays," Phuket's tourism association president Bhummikitti Ruktaengam said.
Some visitors, when able, had used China's UnionPay after cards issued by Russian banks using U.S. payment firms Visa and Mastercard stopped working, he said.
Visa and Mastercard announced on Saturday they were suspending operations in Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Russia has called its actions there a "special operation".
Though Thailand was among 141 countries that backed a United Nations resolution calling for the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops, it has not imposed any sanctions on Moscow.
Bhummikitti said hundreds of people from Ukraine were also stranded, mainly due to airport closures there.
He said efforts were being made to get stranded Russians onto flights to Moscow on Middle Eastern airlines and to arrange repatriation flights.
A proposal was being considered to allow the use of cryptocurrency for payments at hotels, flights and other businesses in Phuket, he said.
(Editing by Martin Petty)
Engadget
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
Perhaps Europtimistski could offer financial assistance 
“Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.”
― George Carlin
“The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.” -George Orwell.
― George Carlin
“The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.” -George Orwell.
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handdrummer
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Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
TAT devises plan to relax travel rules
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is preparing a plan to relax travel rules in line with the timeline to declare Covid-19 an endemic disease on July 1.
The tourism goals for revenue and arrivals this year might be downgraded because of surging oil prices and inflation caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, said TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn.
Mr Yuthasak said the plan to label Covid-19 endemic from the second half of the year will lead to further relaxations, including the termination of Thailand Pass, marking a milestone for the industry.
The agency has to start working on new protocols over the next four months, he said.
However, an RT-PCR Covid test result from tourists remains essential for the time being as the country is struggling with an overwhelming daily caseload, said Mr Yuthasak. He said Thailand should adopt safety procedures and learn lessons from other countries that have already opened up to ensure the kingdom remains competitive in luring international tourists.
TAT plans to propose further easing of travel regulations at the next Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) meeting on March 18.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/22 ... avel-rules
They don't appear to be in any rush to ease restrictions here ... I wonder why.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is preparing a plan to relax travel rules in line with the timeline to declare Covid-19 an endemic disease on July 1.
The tourism goals for revenue and arrivals this year might be downgraded because of surging oil prices and inflation caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, said TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn.
Mr Yuthasak said the plan to label Covid-19 endemic from the second half of the year will lead to further relaxations, including the termination of Thailand Pass, marking a milestone for the industry.
The agency has to start working on new protocols over the next four months, he said.
However, an RT-PCR Covid test result from tourists remains essential for the time being as the country is struggling with an overwhelming daily caseload, said Mr Yuthasak. He said Thailand should adopt safety procedures and learn lessons from other countries that have already opened up to ensure the kingdom remains competitive in luring international tourists.
TAT plans to propose further easing of travel regulations at the next Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) meeting on March 18.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/22 ... avel-rules
They don't appear to be in any rush to ease restrictions here ... I wonder why.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
Call centre opens for stranded Ukrainian, Russian tourists
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... n-tourists
PHUKET: Phuket opened a call centre on Wednesday to help tourists from Ukraine and Russia unable to return home because of flight cancellations and economic sanctions imposed over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The call centre numbers are 093-937-2086 and 094-819-1124, the Tourism Authority of Thailand announced.
The call centre will be open from 8.30am to 7pm until March 22.
Flight cancellations and the sanctions levied on Russia have already seriously affected the flow of tourists to Phuket.
About half of the Russian tourists arrived in Phuket on direct flights operated by Aeroflot, Siberia Airlines and Ural Airlines.
Aeroflot has cancelled all flights except those to Belarus from Tuesday, and Siberian Airlines grounded flights on Saturday.
Phuket has welcomed 55,826 tourists since the start of Test & Go on Nov 1 last year.
Since the airlines began cancelling flights tourist arrivals have dropped sharply. Tourists who would have used those airlines must now take inconvenient routes to Phuket via Middle East cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Istanbul.
Bhummikitti Raktaengam, president of the Phuket Tourism Association, said 500-600 Russian tourists had been arriving each day. This had largely stopped. With more economic sanctions now coming into force, the impact on tourist arrivals would be even greater.
The number of tourists from Europe would also shrink as their purchasing power was reduced by higher fuel costs.
Mr Bhummikitti said he thought economic sanctions imposed by Europe on Russia would eventually backfire. As a result, there would be even fewer tourists from Europe to Phuket.
Not only Phuket but the whole of Thailand would be affected, he said. Tourists from China had not yet returned.
In terms of replacement markets, Thai Smiles would make its first direct flight from Mumbai to Phuket on March 19. This would be followed by more flights from New Delhi. Other potential replacements included Australia and Middle East countries, with Saudi Arabia being the prime target, Mr Bhummikitti said.
Regardless of all difficulties, Phuket would continue to promote itself. A proposal had been made for Phuket to host the specialised Expo 2028.
From June 8 to 11, Phuket would host the Thailand Travel Mart organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, he added.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... n-tourists
PHUKET: Phuket opened a call centre on Wednesday to help tourists from Ukraine and Russia unable to return home because of flight cancellations and economic sanctions imposed over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The call centre numbers are 093-937-2086 and 094-819-1124, the Tourism Authority of Thailand announced.
The call centre will be open from 8.30am to 7pm until March 22.
Flight cancellations and the sanctions levied on Russia have already seriously affected the flow of tourists to Phuket.
About half of the Russian tourists arrived in Phuket on direct flights operated by Aeroflot, Siberia Airlines and Ural Airlines.
Aeroflot has cancelled all flights except those to Belarus from Tuesday, and Siberian Airlines grounded flights on Saturday.
Phuket has welcomed 55,826 tourists since the start of Test & Go on Nov 1 last year.
Since the airlines began cancelling flights tourist arrivals have dropped sharply. Tourists who would have used those airlines must now take inconvenient routes to Phuket via Middle East cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Istanbul.
Bhummikitti Raktaengam, president of the Phuket Tourism Association, said 500-600 Russian tourists had been arriving each day. This had largely stopped. With more economic sanctions now coming into force, the impact on tourist arrivals would be even greater.
The number of tourists from Europe would also shrink as their purchasing power was reduced by higher fuel costs.
Mr Bhummikitti said he thought economic sanctions imposed by Europe on Russia would eventually backfire. As a result, there would be even fewer tourists from Europe to Phuket.
Not only Phuket but the whole of Thailand would be affected, he said. Tourists from China had not yet returned.
In terms of replacement markets, Thai Smiles would make its first direct flight from Mumbai to Phuket on March 19. This would be followed by more flights from New Delhi. Other potential replacements included Australia and Middle East countries, with Saudi Arabia being the prime target, Mr Bhummikitti said.
Regardless of all difficulties, Phuket would continue to promote itself. A proposal had been made for Phuket to host the specialised Expo 2028.
From June 8 to 11, Phuket would host the Thailand Travel Mart organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, he added.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
Nightspots hail end to Covid restrictions (Fake news headline, it hasn't happened yet! 
)
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... strictions
Night entertainment operators have welcomed the news that the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will consider allowing them to resume business activities.
According to a source at Government House, an unlocking of night entertainment venues may be listed for a meeting of the CCSA's operation centre today, before the matter goes to the CCSA's meeting tomorrow.
Wirawit Kruasombat, president of the Patong Entertainment Business Owners Club in Phuket, yesterday responded to news of the change by thanking the government.
"I feel thankful that the government understands the difficult situation that night business operators have had to deal with," said Mr Wirawit, adding they also want to see measures to help businesses.
Mr Wirawit said night entertainment outlets play an important role in tourism so when the government looks to ease Covid measures to welcome tourists, outlets such as pubs, bars and karaoke venues should be able to resume operations.
Sanga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khao San Business Association, said business operators on Khao San Road have urged the government to extend operating hours and allow restaurants to serve alcohol until 11pm or midnight or 1am, depending on business zones as per pre-Covid.
"Regarding the present Covid-19 situation, it's time for us to return to our normal lives and let people decide for themselves. There is no need for restrictions on selling alcohol until 11pm because people are still having fun and relaxing," he said.
Khao San typically welcomes 1,000-2,000 party-goers during weekdays and 5,000-6,000 people on Friday and Saturday nights.
He said these figures will double if operating hours extend to midnight or 1am.
Vorapoj Nimvijit, from the Professional Entertainment Network Confederation of Thailand, urged the government to allow those working in night entertainment businesses such as singers and performers to resume work when Covid-19 is declared an endemic, starting July 1.
As most people have been vaccinated, the government should allow entertainment events such as concerts to proceed with full capacity, Mr Vorapoj said.
Face masks and regular washing hands would still be required, he said.
)https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... strictions
Night entertainment operators have welcomed the news that the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will consider allowing them to resume business activities.
According to a source at Government House, an unlocking of night entertainment venues may be listed for a meeting of the CCSA's operation centre today, before the matter goes to the CCSA's meeting tomorrow.
Wirawit Kruasombat, president of the Patong Entertainment Business Owners Club in Phuket, yesterday responded to news of the change by thanking the government.
"I feel thankful that the government understands the difficult situation that night business operators have had to deal with," said Mr Wirawit, adding they also want to see measures to help businesses.
Mr Wirawit said night entertainment outlets play an important role in tourism so when the government looks to ease Covid measures to welcome tourists, outlets such as pubs, bars and karaoke venues should be able to resume operations.
Sanga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khao San Business Association, said business operators on Khao San Road have urged the government to extend operating hours and allow restaurants to serve alcohol until 11pm or midnight or 1am, depending on business zones as per pre-Covid.
"Regarding the present Covid-19 situation, it's time for us to return to our normal lives and let people decide for themselves. There is no need for restrictions on selling alcohol until 11pm because people are still having fun and relaxing," he said.
Khao San typically welcomes 1,000-2,000 party-goers during weekdays and 5,000-6,000 people on Friday and Saturday nights.
He said these figures will double if operating hours extend to midnight or 1am.
Vorapoj Nimvijit, from the Professional Entertainment Network Confederation of Thailand, urged the government to allow those working in night entertainment businesses such as singers and performers to resume work when Covid-19 is declared an endemic, starting July 1.
As most people have been vaccinated, the government should allow entertainment events such as concerts to proceed with full capacity, Mr Vorapoj said.
Face masks and regular washing hands would still be required, he said.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
Waiting for the Songkran alcohol ban, after all, we all know that beer causes Covid. 
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
It will be like pulling teeth to get the return to normal process expedited. These puffed up people who have had their names in the headlines for the past 2 years will not go back into obscurity easily. That is of course on top of the Gov not wanting to relinquish control.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
FTI pushes easing of tourism rules
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) wants the government to further relax screening of foreign tourists by abandoning the mandatory Test & Go scheme, quarantine and RT-PCR testing to attract more visitors and restore the pandemic-ravaged tourism industry.
It plans to discuss the proposal with the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Friday.
"Thailand should allow foreign tourists who already received two doses of vaccines to enter the country without going through those screening measures," said Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the FTI.
They should only be required to show "vaccine passports" that prove they are fully vaccinated upon arrival, he said.
Kiattiphum Wongrajit, permanent secretary for the Public Health Ministry, said on Wednesday the ministry will propose the easing of certain pre-travel requirements to a meeting of the CCSA on Friday.
Under the proposed entry rules, travellers under the Test & Go scheme would no longer be required to show negative RT-PCR test results up to 72 hours before departure to the kingdom.
Only an RT-PCR test upon arrival would be needed and an antigen self-test on Day 5, while health insurance coverage for foreign visitors would be reduced from US$50,000 to $10,000, said Dr Kiattiphum.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/22 ... rism-rules
I reckon this thread will continue for some years with this continued shifting of goalposts every week and escalating prices here - Thailand will never see those huge tourist numbers again.
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) wants the government to further relax screening of foreign tourists by abandoning the mandatory Test & Go scheme, quarantine and RT-PCR testing to attract more visitors and restore the pandemic-ravaged tourism industry.
It plans to discuss the proposal with the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Friday.
"Thailand should allow foreign tourists who already received two doses of vaccines to enter the country without going through those screening measures," said Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the FTI.
They should only be required to show "vaccine passports" that prove they are fully vaccinated upon arrival, he said.
Kiattiphum Wongrajit, permanent secretary for the Public Health Ministry, said on Wednesday the ministry will propose the easing of certain pre-travel requirements to a meeting of the CCSA on Friday.
Under the proposed entry rules, travellers under the Test & Go scheme would no longer be required to show negative RT-PCR test results up to 72 hours before departure to the kingdom.
Only an RT-PCR test upon arrival would be needed and an antigen self-test on Day 5, while health insurance coverage for foreign visitors would be reduced from US$50,000 to $10,000, said Dr Kiattiphum.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/22 ... rism-rules
I reckon this thread will continue for some years with this continued shifting of goalposts every week and escalating prices here - Thailand will never see those huge tourist numbers again.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
They need to shake the marbles in their heads and understand that the biggest threat are the unvaccinated Thais, not the vaccinated tourists. They put on this guise that their jump all the hurdles, tests and requirements is for the protection of the Thai people, that's supreme BS. Get off your arses and get your people in the countryside and slums vaccinated so they are not a threat to visiting foreigners.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
It is not ony hotel whixh suffer a lot. A friend of mine , manager of a big shop in one of the mall of Hua Hin ( if it is not this one, it is the other), told me that they lose 40 % of income in compariosn with 2019 and running out of cash. Headquarters want they close the branch in HH and the mall, if they lose them, think about closing too or change destination of one entire floor (not shoping anymore).