Thailand tourism situation

[lomuamart]

Just returned from a beach walk to Khao Takieb and there were noticeably more tourists around than a week ago both on the beach, hanging out at the big hotels and walking around town.
Nowhere near what we usually expect after Xmas through to Feb time but all the same the season may have started.

[Big Boy]

Yes, I've notice the Skandi Invasion (no disrespect meant to Skandis) is starting to clear the shelves of the usual items in Tesco - Flora margarine and decent razor blades are always the first to go each year.

[oakdale160]

Usual announcement, the number of Euro arrivals will be significantly more than last year.
I'll file that info in the 'Laugh and throw away' file.

[richard]

Well the regular annual 'Skandis' are now back in Condo Chain along now with an ever-growing number of Fins. Did a stroll down Binta last night and the usual story of tourist strollers and not many drinkers. Not surprising really as many bars charging 150Bht for a lady drink now.

MIB on patrol too and even a golf buggy with flashing lights and plastered with signs saying 'Tourist Police'. Obviously out to impress. Shutting the gate after the horse has bolted touch methinks

[Big Boy]

MIB on patrol too and even a golf buggy with flashing lights and plastered with signs saying 'Tourist Police'. Obviously out to impress. Shutting the gate after the horse has bolted touch methinks

I was on the beach 2 evenings ago, and was approached by one of these guys. I naturally went on the defensive, but what a nice guy he turned out to be. Very friendly, excellent English and I did not feel at all uneasy after the introduction - we had quite a long chat. It may be late, but at least they are there now. If they are all like this guy (friendly and approachable), IMHO it will help a lot to reinstate confidence.

Of course, this was one out of many - I can't speak for the rest. To me, the attitude was similar to the British Bobbies at the Notting Hill Festival.

[sledge]

Current price of lady drinks a fair point re number of drinkers, 150B getting silly now.

[HHTel]

Try buying a 'Lady drink' in a club in Soho. That should change your mindset!

[kendo]

Well the regular annual 'Skandis' are now back in Condo Chain along now with an ever-growing number of Fins. Did a stroll down Binta last night and the usual story of tourist strollers and not many drinkers. Not surprising really as many bars charging 150Bht for a lady drink now.

MIB on patrol too and even a golf buggy with flashing lights and plastered with signs saying 'Tourist Police'. Obviously out to impress. Shutting the gate after the horse has bolted touch methinks

Richard you could ask them to give you a ride home just like those buggies in the airports, Bleep Bleep " get out of the sodding way we are coming through!" now that would be a sevice mate.

Kendo.

[Big Boy]

Foreign tourists can be assured of safety in Thailand, says Kobkarn

This week at the “World Travel Mart” in London, Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said International Tourists can be assured of their safety and security while staying in Thailand.

Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul

The Minister also stated the Thai Government was working hard to address some of the underlying challenges that had affected the tourism industry over the years.At the global travel show, which runs until today, Kobkarn said the Thai Government was now giving top priority to security measures, especially for tourists, by implementing more surveillance cameras and lighting at tourist destinations across the country.

More tourist police will also facilitate and ensure safety for tourists, while zoning laws will be improved to enhance sustainability at tourist destinations.In addition, major efforts are being made to ensure that all places have clean toilets and facilities for people with disabilities, who will make up a larger number of tourists in an increasingly aging society. Kobkarn stated illegal taxi operations at Phuket and Suvarnabhumi airports had been clamped down on, while there had also been a crackdown on illegal businesses at major destinations.

Full story: The Nation

Thoughts: No problems then - fully booked flights for the foreseeable future.

[Big Boy]

Stories in the UK press like this will not be helping.

[Mod Edit] Self edited - content contained some derogatory comments, not permitted here.

[bsdk1960]

Stories in the UK press like this will not be helping.

[Mod Edit] Self edited - content contained some derogatory comments, not permitted here.

[buksida]

This video is circulating at the moment ... TAT's latest effort to promote tourism?

[dtaai-maai]

The video was presumably made shortly before he was arrested for overstaying and working without a work permit...

[richard]

Very cheesy ad IMO

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the Kingdoms tourist drive was to encourage high spenders not bag-packers?

[sateeb]

http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2014/11/20/i ... funded-tat

The star of the popular feel-too-good video “I Hate Thailand” said this evening the production was indeed funded by Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Oliver Smith, who appears as “James” in the video’s sugary tale of boy-loses-bag, boy-gets-girl which has been met with equal parts love and hate, told Coconuts today the project was indeed a scripted work by production company "Hub Ho Hin" that was paid for by the government to remind the world of the hospitality and friendliness of Thai people.
"It was funded by TAT," Smith said by e-mail. " I believe the purpose of making it was to portray Thailand in a good light. This is another angle on Thailand, an upbeat angle that shows the friendly, accommodating Thailand that a lot of expats and travellers alike can relate to."