Thailand tourism situation

[caller]

Not unless their livelihood depended on tourism.

Well, yes. Obviously. But there are whole swathes of this Country untouched by mass international tourism.

[buksida]

Tourism hit by safety, security woes
Thailand's ranking in the Travel and Tourism Development Index 2021 dropped to 36th from 35th place, with safety and security plunging to the lower end of the table, while neighbouring countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam posted improvements.

Out of 117 countries, Thailand fell one spot with a score of 4.3 out of 7 points. Indonesia secured second place in Southeast Asia, jumping from 44th to 32nd in the index conducted by the World Economic Forum.

Vietnam moved up from 60th to 52nd. Singapore kept the top spot in the region, though its ranking was unchanged.

The index is based on scores from 1-7, where 1 is the worst performance. The two key categories where Thailand declined were "Enabling Environment" and "Travel and Tourism Policy and Enabling Conditions".

For Enabling Environment, safety and security of the country was ranked 92nd with a score of 4.3, lagging behind the Asean average of 5.4. Thailand's health and hygiene ranking was 74th, with a score of 4.3.

For Travel and Tourism Policy and Enabling Conditions, prioritisation of travel and tourism dropped to 88th with a score of 3.7 points, the lowest in the region, which averaged 4.4.

...

"The root of the problems are outdated laws and ineffective implementation. On the environmental issue, we may have initiated many sustainable policies in the past few years, but it remains too slow in practice," said Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of the Thai Hotels Association.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/23 ... urity-woes

"The root of the problems are outdated laws and ineffective implementation" - I'd say that was the root of most of Thailand's problems.

[handdrummer]

Tourism hit by safety, security woes
Thailand's ranking in the Travel and Tourism Development Index 2021 dropped to 36th from 35th place, with safety and security plunging to the lower end of the table, while neighbouring countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam posted improvements.

Out of 117 countries, Thailand fell one spot with a score of 4.3 out of 7 points. Indonesia secured second place in Southeast Asia, jumping from 44th to 32nd in the index conducted by the World Economic Forum.

Vietnam moved up from 60th to 52nd. Singapore kept the top spot in the region, though its ranking was unchanged.

The index is based on scores from 1-7, where 1 is the worst performance. The two key categories where Thailand declined were "Enabling Environment" and "Travel and Tourism Policy and Enabling Conditions".

For Enabling Environment, safety and security of the country was ranked 92nd with a score of 4.3, lagging behind the Asean average of 5.4. Thailand's health and hygiene ranking was 74th, with a score of 4.3.

For Travel and Tourism Policy and Enabling Conditions, prioritisation of travel and tourism dropped to 88th with a score of 3.7 points, the lowest in the region, which averaged 4.4.

...

"The root of the problems are outdated laws and ineffective implementation. On the environmental issue, we may have initiated many sustainable policies in the past few years, but it remains too slow in practice," said Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of the Thai Hotels Association.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/23 ... urity-woes

"The root of the problems are outdated laws and ineffective implementation" - I'd say that was the root of most of Thailand's problems.

A deeper root may be the inability to think, reason logically, and adapt to changing mores. Then there's xenophobia and the need to control everything, the refusal to be wrong about anything, and the all-pervasive loss of face when caught in the act.

[buksida]

Then there's xenophobia and the need to control everything, the refusal to be wrong about anything, and the all-pervasive loss of face when caught in the act.

Sounds a lot like China eh!?

[handdrummer]

Then there's xenophobia and the need to control everything, the refusal to be wrong about anything, and the all-pervasive loss of face when caught in the act.

Sounds a lot like China eh!?

You betcha.

When you consider that most Thais have a Chinese background and the Educ. system is based on Confucian thinking, it's not surprising that Thailand is becoming more like China.
It's all in preparation for when China takes over Thailand. That will happen after China has control of Laos and Cambodia and Myanmar.
They've made a start by adding as much of the South Pacific as they could round up.
The book, When China Rules the World, lays it all out. We can see it happening right before our round eyes.

[buksida]

Tourism minister wants end to Thailand Pass
Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakan said he plans to ask Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to propose at the next meeting of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) an end to the Thailand Pass registration scheme, believing that once it is lifted the number of foreign tourists will rise to 30,000 per day.

Mr Phiphat said this while in Phuket to make preparations for Gen Prayut's visit to the island resort province on Monday to inspect implementation of education and tourism policies.

He said an increase in tourist arrivals would help economic recovery.

With support from the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, tourist attractions have been rehabilitated and maintained to draw more tourists.

"Once Thailand Pass is lifted, I am confident the number of daily tourist arrivals will go up to about 30,000. The number may go up to 40,000-50,000 later in the year. In the past, the highest number of daily arrivals was 100,000. We have to fight to retake this target," Mr Phiphat said.

Mr Phiphat said when Gen Prayut is in Phuket on Monday he would ask the prime minister to propose at the next meeting of the CCSA for the Thailand Pass requirement to be lifted.

At present foreign natinals must still apply for Thailand Pass registration. They need to provide passport and vaccination details and a US$10,000 health insurance policy. The system will then automatically issue a Thailand Pass QR code for the applicant.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/23 ... iland-pass

I think he's outranked by the highly qualified health minister who seems to want to keep those dirty aliens out ...

[Big Boy]

I think he's outranked by the highly qualified health minister who seems to want to keep those dirty aliens out ...

Maybe virtual tourists are the answer. Just transfer 5,000฿/day, and Thailand will issue you with a certificate of enjoyment, and a set of scenic photographs from the destination of your choice.

[den123]

Hi all is it getting any more busy or still quite

[huahin4ever]

My wife says people are starting to come on holiday now, so I guess it's improving.....

YNWA

[caller]

Hi all is it getting any more busy or still quite

Quiet during the week, busy at weekends because of Thais primarily from Bkk.

[buksida]

Yep, domestic tourism is the only thing going on at the moment. Its the middle of the low season, flight prices are obscene, and many businesses in tourist spots still haven't reopened (and probably never will) so I don't think Thailand will be seeing the millions flooding in that they're hoping for.

[buksida]

Thai Tourism Faces Tough Rebuild as All Covid Travel Curbs End
Thailand removed the last of its pandemic-related travel restrictions Friday, but the nation’s once-vibrant tourism industry still faces plenty of challenges on its long road to recovery, not least the continued absence of big-spending Chinese visitors.

Anyone can now travel to the Southeast Asian country without having to register for a so-called Thailand Pass before arriving, the last entry requirement after Thailand had ditched all other Covid entry rules.

Friday’s move itself is unlikely to spark a sudden rush of visitors, especially as it is now the low season. And while the earlier dismantling of other, more onerous rules such as quarantine has helped lure some visitors back to the country, Thai businesses still desperately need a bigger influx of customers after Covid torched international travel and left tourist hotspots deserted.

Foreign tourists are gradually coming back, but there's a long way to go

“Tourists will return, but our survival will be challenging,” Tourism Council of Thailand President Chamnan Srisawat said. “Less than half of tourism businesses have resumed, and those that are open again don’t have enough customers to operate profitably.”

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles ... -curbs-end

[PeteC]

Tourism back to life in Songkhla after Thailand Pass scrapped

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... s-scrapped

SONGKHLA: Tourism surged back to life at the Sadao immigration checkpoint, as visitors from Malaysia and Singapore thronged to this southern border province on Friday, the first day the Thailand Pass requirement for international visitors was scrapped.

The atmosphere at the checkpoint on the border with Malaysia’s Kedah state was lively on Friday morning after two years of being depressed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tour buses, private cars and passenger buses operating between Malaysia and Hat Yai district have been seen continually arriving to Songkhla via the checkpoint since Friday morning.

About 5,000 visitors from Malaysia and Singapore are expected to visit Dan Nok in Sadao district and Hat Yai by the end of Friday.

Officials predict that the number of foreign arrivals to Songkhla could increase by 100,000 this month due to the scrapping of Thailand Pass registration requirements, the face mask mandate and the extension of operating hours for entertainment venues to 2am.

Sitthipong Sitthiphatprapha, chairman of the Songkhla Hotel Operators Association and adviser to the Rak Dan Nok Business Operators Association, said businesses welcome the extension of operating hours.

Dan Nok is popular among foreign tourists, and more than 90% of patrons to entertainment venues in the area are foreigners, Mr Sitthipong said.

Income generated from the extension of operating hours could increase from 2 million baht a day to 3 million baht, he said.

The overall economy is also set to benefit. Shops, markets, eateries, accommodations and other services expect to see their businesses thrive.

According to Mr Sitthipong, there are some 10,000 rooms available in Dan Nok, able to generate over 5 million baht in circulation a day.

“The local economy and cross-border trade with Malaysia will gradually improve as business in Songkhla returns to normal after the scrapping of the Thailand Pass and Covid-19 insurance requirement’’ said Mr Sitthipong.

[buksida]

Lack of flights, rising fuel costs mar revival
Insufficient inbound international flights and surging airfares are challenging the recovery arc for the Thai tourism industry as the country pins its hopes on the upcoming high season in its quest to welcome 10 million tourists this year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the number of international flights stands at only 30% of the pre-pandemic level. He said to help revive the whole industry, the country should have at least 55% of the airline seat capacity recorded prior to the pandemic, which could happen during the fourth quarter as Korean Air and Air Canada have confirmed their schedules for non-stop services.

...

However, many airlines are reluctant to expand their routes or increase frequencies as several global uncertainties threaten profit prospects, including hefty operational costs caused by soaring fuel prices as well as the longer flying time required to avoid the skies above the Russian-Ukraine combat zone.

"Tourists face higher travel costs, particularly from inflation and airfares, which have increased by 20-40%. The TAT is working with airlines, both scheduled and chartered services, to roll out joint promotions to help offset those costs. However, for Europe's summer season in August, it might be too late to prepare any stimulus packages," said Mr Yuthasak.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/23 ... ar-revival

[Big Boy]

Using 2 of my tourism yardsticks, things are still looking pretty grim. Worse than they were earlier in the year.

1. How many abreast people walk up and down Soi 94 - presuming they aren't being lost in the numerous pot holes along that road, what has been 9 abreast in the good times is rarely making 2 these days, with the occasional glitch taking it to 3 people abreast.

2. Number of people eating breakfast down Soi 94 - during Covid this was of course 0, but as restrictions eased I was often seeing 100% occupancy. In fact one place, on 2 occasions we could not get in, and had to go elsewhere. For weeks now, that occupancy has been down to 25% or less.

Whilst I accept my sample is very small, it is a sample I take every day.