Closing the airport was a huge success for the PAD. If I was a tourist planning a vacation I'd stay far away from Thailand.
If you asked me Thailand has been going down crapper since the coup.
High season losses of over 2 million tourists
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Korkenzieher
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- Location: Hua Hin.
But that is the problem - PAD wanted it to be a purely Thai affair, but as soon as occupying the airport didn't provoke a coup, it became a worldwide issue. To the extent that it was probably accidental, offering Bangkok to Anumporn and getting himself behind 20 million or so supporters by being diverted to Chiang Mai could be seen as a master stroke by Somchai.
PAD's 'obvious' success, was that it cost their backers billions. For every Thai massage that doesn't happen, it represents a shop rent that isn't paid. The so-called Bangkok Business Elite, have bought back power at a cost of 130 billion baht and rising. To the extent that tourists aren't coming, it probably has just as much to do with people's fear of being stranded and not being able to get back to jobs which might well be under threat, as it does any fear of the situation here. PAD virtually guaranteed the death of the premium tourism business, not least with their statement of intent to do it again if they didn't approve the new PM.
Newin's defection to the Democrats might be the end of Thaksin as an effective force, but I wouldn't assume that the Red Brigade in the north is just going to go quietly away. They have tasted power, and back-door coups are not likely to pass un-noticed for long. So I certainly won't be expecting the relative calm to last.
PAD's 'obvious' success, was that it cost their backers billions. For every Thai massage that doesn't happen, it represents a shop rent that isn't paid. The so-called Bangkok Business Elite, have bought back power at a cost of 130 billion baht and rising. To the extent that tourists aren't coming, it probably has just as much to do with people's fear of being stranded and not being able to get back to jobs which might well be under threat, as it does any fear of the situation here. PAD virtually guaranteed the death of the premium tourism business, not least with their statement of intent to do it again if they didn't approve the new PM.
Newin's defection to the Democrats might be the end of Thaksin as an effective force, but I wouldn't assume that the Red Brigade in the north is just going to go quietly away. They have tasted power, and back-door coups are not likely to pass un-noticed for long. So I certainly won't be expecting the relative calm to last.
Had enough of the trolls. Going to sleep. I may be some time....
The danger of the airport getting shut down again is obviously a very real deterrent to people holidaying in Thailand at the moment.
I’m coming out for a few weeks, but I have to admit that if I didn’t have a partner and home in Thailand I would probably go somewhere else.
In the present climate it's hard enough to keep a job as it is, without the added prospect of getting stuck in Thailand when you are supposed to be back at work.
I’m coming out for a few weeks, but I have to admit that if I didn’t have a partner and home in Thailand I would probably go somewhere else.
In the present climate it's hard enough to keep a job as it is, without the added prospect of getting stuck in Thailand when you are supposed to be back at work.
I'm in exactly the same position as Steve G. I simply wouldn't be coming if I didn't have a Thai Partner and family in the country.
The airport closures were quite high profile in the UK news and my employers know I will be heading to Thailand for Christmas and aren't too happy about it given the situation. Worst case scenario and they close the airports again and I can't get home I really can't see my employers being too sympathetic. Especially as I was stuck in Phuket in August and couldn't get back then. Thankfully they were ok about it, should it happen again I can't see them being so nice considering both they and I know what I could potentially be walking into this time.
John
The airport closures were quite high profile in the UK news and my employers know I will be heading to Thailand for Christmas and aren't too happy about it given the situation. Worst case scenario and they close the airports again and I can't get home I really can't see my employers being too sympathetic. Especially as I was stuck in Phuket in August and couldn't get back then. Thankfully they were ok about it, should it happen again I can't see them being so nice considering both they and I know what I could potentially be walking into this time.
John
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komfortablynumb
- Specialist
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- Location: norfolk/ Praknampran
For my penny worth.
Looking from the UK. If i was to choose my 2 weeks annual.
I wouldn't visit LOS at the moment.
Lousy exchange rate, political unrest. Expensive flights.
Apart from the obvious world wide finacial meltdown.
Exotic holidays are always expendables that can be put off.
Imho. Next year will be worse.
This is a piece from a local paper.
Charity man's Thai holiday of terror
'FIRST AND LAST VISIT': Timothy & robert
04 December 2008
A PAIR of tourists were hoping to finally return home to Winterton this weekend after being stranded in Bangkok for the last fortnight.
Timothy and Robert have been stuck in the Thai capital since protestors laid siege to the airport.
The two had been due back in Britain on Wednesday last week, at the end of what they had hoped would be a dream holiday.
Instead they found the airport had been shut by crowds of anti government demonstrators.
Staying in the country a further 10 days has cost Great Yarmouth charity worker Timothy, 49, and barman Robert, 40 more than £1,000 that cannot be reclaimed on insurance. In that time they have stayed in three different hotels and this week had been found accommodation in the Imperial Queen's Park Hotel.
A holiday that began with relaxing on idyllic beaches ended in frustration, fear and uncertainty for the travelling companions.
“We are lucky we had the money to pay, there are people here without a penny who cannot even afford to buy a bottle of water,” said Timothy.
“The Thailand Tourist Authority has promised to pay for our stay at this hotel, but getting stuck here has already cost us a fortune.
“There is a real air of tension here. Bombs were let off at the airport by government supporters and we were warned further attacks could be planned.
“This place is full of guests from all over the world who just want to get out of the country as soon as possible.”
Timothy said: “It is my first and last visit. I will never set foot in this country again and that is the view of 90pc of the holidaymakers I have spoken to.
“I have kept in touch with friends and family back home and luckily my employer is very understanding, but this could be a real problem for people with jobs to go back to.”
After finding that the airport was shut on the day they were due to leave the two men had been making daily trips to the airline office in the hope of finding a flight out of the country.
They were finally given tickets on Wednesday, when the airport blockade was lifted, for a flight back to Britain via the Jordanian capital Amman.
“The situation has been such a frustrating ordeal that I have been crying my eyes out at times,” said Timothy who works for Great Yarmouth based charity Crossroads.
“We spent the first couple of weeks of our holiday relaxing at a beach resort and I could never have imagined that it would end like this.
“The Thai people are wonderful, so apologetic and don't want this to be happening to their country - this crisis has crippled the economy which is so reliant on tourism.”
Around £300,000 tourists were stranded in Thailand by the protests which have forced the country's prime minister to resign.
I have removed there surnames to protect there privacy.
Personaly. Can i contribute to PAD and book a blockade of Swampi. next time i am in the tropic of cancer.
From your reporter.
Jon in the UK. Cold. Dark. Poor and miserable.
Looking from the UK. If i was to choose my 2 weeks annual.
I wouldn't visit LOS at the moment.
Lousy exchange rate, political unrest. Expensive flights.
Apart from the obvious world wide finacial meltdown.
Exotic holidays are always expendables that can be put off.
Imho. Next year will be worse.
This is a piece from a local paper.
Charity man's Thai holiday of terror
'FIRST AND LAST VISIT': Timothy & robert
04 December 2008
A PAIR of tourists were hoping to finally return home to Winterton this weekend after being stranded in Bangkok for the last fortnight.
Timothy and Robert have been stuck in the Thai capital since protestors laid siege to the airport.
The two had been due back in Britain on Wednesday last week, at the end of what they had hoped would be a dream holiday.
Instead they found the airport had been shut by crowds of anti government demonstrators.
Staying in the country a further 10 days has cost Great Yarmouth charity worker Timothy, 49, and barman Robert, 40 more than £1,000 that cannot be reclaimed on insurance. In that time they have stayed in three different hotels and this week had been found accommodation in the Imperial Queen's Park Hotel.
A holiday that began with relaxing on idyllic beaches ended in frustration, fear and uncertainty for the travelling companions.
“We are lucky we had the money to pay, there are people here without a penny who cannot even afford to buy a bottle of water,” said Timothy.
“The Thailand Tourist Authority has promised to pay for our stay at this hotel, but getting stuck here has already cost us a fortune.
“There is a real air of tension here. Bombs were let off at the airport by government supporters and we were warned further attacks could be planned.
“This place is full of guests from all over the world who just want to get out of the country as soon as possible.”
Timothy said: “It is my first and last visit. I will never set foot in this country again and that is the view of 90pc of the holidaymakers I have spoken to.
“I have kept in touch with friends and family back home and luckily my employer is very understanding, but this could be a real problem for people with jobs to go back to.”
After finding that the airport was shut on the day they were due to leave the two men had been making daily trips to the airline office in the hope of finding a flight out of the country.
They were finally given tickets on Wednesday, when the airport blockade was lifted, for a flight back to Britain via the Jordanian capital Amman.
“The situation has been such a frustrating ordeal that I have been crying my eyes out at times,” said Timothy who works for Great Yarmouth based charity Crossroads.
“We spent the first couple of weeks of our holiday relaxing at a beach resort and I could never have imagined that it would end like this.
“The Thai people are wonderful, so apologetic and don't want this to be happening to their country - this crisis has crippled the economy which is so reliant on tourism.”
Around £300,000 tourists were stranded in Thailand by the protests which have forced the country's prime minister to resign.
I have removed there surnames to protect there privacy.
Personaly. Can i contribute to PAD and book a blockade of Swampi. next time i am in the tropic of cancer.
From your reporter.
Jon in the UK. Cold. Dark. Poor and miserable.
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margaretcarnes
- Rock Star
- Posts: 4172
- Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:28 am
- Location: The Rhubarb Triangle
High Season Losses of over 2 million tourists
The issues of the cost of being stranded, and the potential loss of jobs as a result, are very valid, and I agree probably more of a deterrant to tourists than anything else.
But how anyone could be 'hopeful' of returning to Winterton (above) is puzzling!
But how anyone could be 'hopeful' of returning to Winterton (above) is puzzling!
A sprout is for life - not just for Christmas.
The real losers will be the averge Thai that will not have a job in a hotel/resort/restaurant or be a taxi driver/small business owner etc.
As mentioned, it's not only the westerners that have been put off coming.
The exchange rate may also put some off and there are MANY alternatives to Thailand now. The TAT is guilty of hubris and has an asinine attitude towards all of this.
It will be easy to see the consequences of all this next year.
As mentioned, it's not only the westerners that have been put off coming.
The exchange rate may also put some off and there are MANY alternatives to Thailand now. The TAT is guilty of hubris and has an asinine attitude towards all of this.
It will be easy to see the consequences of all this next year.
Resolve dissolves in alcohol
Have it on good opinion (although heresay) from several sources (owners/leesees) bar/restaurant/hotel trade is already down 25% on last year and last year was not a boomer 
RICHARD OF LOXLEY
It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.
It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.
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Korkenzieher
- Guru
- Posts: 983
- Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2008 4:45 am
- Location: Hua Hin.
For anyone who wants to look at some figures - the following make interesting reading.
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2B ... 13087.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/w ... 322731.ece
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/12 ... 090689.php
Anyone with a drop of only 25% over last year is probably still way ahead of the game. And if you want a clue as to when things will get better, then read the recent rant / list of demands by PAD, on another thread here.
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2B ... 13087.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/w ... 322731.ece
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/12 ... 090689.php
Anyone with a drop of only 25% over last year is probably still way ahead of the game. And if you want a clue as to when things will get better, then read the recent rant / list of demands by PAD, on another thread here.
Had enough of the trolls. Going to sleep. I may be some time....
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Korkenzieher
- Guru
- Posts: 983
- Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2008 4:45 am
- Location: Hua Hin.
PAD are the product of a corrupt, misguided and deeply divided society in Thailand, they are of course blamed for everything but they are just the tip of the bent berg.
The bottom line seems to be that the majority of Thais (including pro and anti-govt protesters) couldn't give a rats arse about tourism, foreign countries, GDP, economic development, industry and the rest of it.
Do I have enough satangs in my pocket to get fed and get lashed tomorrow? Answer that 59.95 million times and you'll get it, the other 50 thousand are trying to make a difference!
The bottom line seems to be that the majority of Thais (including pro and anti-govt protesters) couldn't give a rats arse about tourism, foreign countries, GDP, economic development, industry and the rest of it.
Do I have enough satangs in my pocket to get fed and get lashed tomorrow? Answer that 59.95 million times and you'll get it, the other 50 thousand are trying to make a difference!
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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margaretcarnes
- Rock Star
- Posts: 4172
- Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:28 am
- Location: The Rhubarb Triangle
High Season Losses of over 2 million tourists
Exactly Buksi - the majority don't give a rats botty, and believe that Thailand can be self sufficient. And I agree with them to be honest, although I've been shot down in flames for expressing that view.
Many farangs have bemoaned the fact - on other threads - that Thailand is 50 years behind the West. Well maybe now that 'lamentable' state of affairs can work in favour of the Thais.
Yes, I feel very sorry for many very hard working ordinary Thais, who don't yet realise what is hitting them. But I do believe that they are much better equipped than Westerners to adjust, and adapt to, the potential loss of jobs and income. Much more so than we would be.
Unfortunately too many farangs try to judge Thailand by their own altruistic standards.
Many farangs have bemoaned the fact - on other threads - that Thailand is 50 years behind the West. Well maybe now that 'lamentable' state of affairs can work in favour of the Thais.
Yes, I feel very sorry for many very hard working ordinary Thais, who don't yet realise what is hitting them. But I do believe that they are much better equipped than Westerners to adjust, and adapt to, the potential loss of jobs and income. Much more so than we would be.
Unfortunately too many farangs try to judge Thailand by their own altruistic standards.
A sprout is for life - not just for Christmas.
Well it's started to hit the Thais now
Know a Thai restaurant owner who hadn't paid his staff for 3 months and borrowed up to the hilt to catch up. Tried a runner but got caught on the Laos border. Back now to repay his debts but is in fear of his life.
OK I got some of this by word of mouth but I know him and know he borrows regularly and some are still waiting for payment from 6 months ago.
Don't be surprised if you hear gunfire on Petchekasam one evening
Know a Thai restaurant owner who hadn't paid his staff for 3 months and borrowed up to the hilt to catch up. Tried a runner but got caught on the Laos border. Back now to repay his debts but is in fear of his life.
OK I got some of this by word of mouth but I know him and know he borrows regularly and some are still waiting for payment from 6 months ago.
Don't be surprised if you hear gunfire on Petchekasam one evening
RICHARD OF LOXLEY
It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.
It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.
Re: High Season Losses of over 2 million tourists
This is very true Margaret, my partner now has about four tons of rice stockpiled in the village, which I am going to go and eat my way through when my job inevitably evaporates in the future!margaretcarnes wrote:....But I do believe that they are much better equipped than Westerners to adjust, and adapt to, the potential loss of jobs and income. Much more so than we would be.