14 replies to this topic

[DanT]

"Thailand's tourism recovery will be delayed further to the second half of 2011 as Sunday's explosion near the Big C Ratchadamri store in Bangkok has sparked new concern about political problems, according to the Thai Hotels Association (THA).

Prakit Chinamourphong, the THA president, said the association had expected earlier that the tourism industry would start recovering in the last quarter of this year, but the Sunday blast that killed one man had shaken the hopes of hoteliers, particularly in the Ratchaprasong area.

"It's difficult to see Thai tourism back to normal in the fourth quarter of this year or even in the first half of 2011 because international tourists aren't confident enough to travel to Thailand," he said."Many countries are still maintaining their travel advisory warnings about coming to Thailand though the degree of warnings has been softened."

The bigger problem, though, is that insurance companies will not offer coverage or pay claims to clients as long as the emergency decree remains in effect in the capital and other provinces, he added. . .

The incident would certainly affect sentiment, especially among Europeans, Japanese, Chinese and Koreans, he said.European tourists, who usually plan trips four to six months in advance, will shift to other destinations, he said. At present, the number of room bookings for the coming high season (October to January) is estimated at around 40% of hotels' capacity, compared to 70-75% during normal periods."

In the first half, the average hotel occupancy rate in Thailand was 51%, up from 49% in 2009, showing a gradual improvement in line with the global economy."If the situation does not get better in October, the hotel business will start to lay off, [and there could also be] hotel sales," said Mr Prakit.

"One hotel in Chiang Mai recently asked the THA to help sell its property due to a lack of cash flow. I think many hotels in Chiang Mai will line up to sell their businesses soon. Hotel sales aren't happening in Bangkok right now but if the local political situation is still unsteady, we will see a similar problem in Chiang Mai soon."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/touris...ack-for-tourism

[DOLLY]

I hope for the sake of this country's tourism industry that bombings of this type do not become a regular feature of life like in the south, where tourism has essentially disappeared if you don't count the Malaysians who cross the border daily on business. There's no way that the local Pattaya economy and especially the real estate market can survive if Thailand starts looking like Sri Lanka during its troubles when bombs in Colombo brought the whole tourist industry down. I used to loved to vacation there but I haven't been back now for 12 years. Let's hope that doesn't happen to Thailand.

[fargo]

Exports may be up but that does not mean that tourism isn't dying a slow death.

[BORG]

I belong to a vacation exchange club that allows you to trade houses when you go on holiday. I estimate that inquiries about the availability of my place in Thailand are down to less than half of what they usually ran for the past 5 years. Several homes in the US and Europe where I tried to make a house exchange this summer responded that they were not interested in coming to Thailand until it was clear that the political problems were over. Every time the authorities re-impose the State of Emergency ther send a loud and clear message: stay away, it's still dangerous. That bomb at a Big C in Bangkok did enormous damage to the perceptions abroad that you are at risk of injury or death coming to Thailand.

[mauRICE]

I hope for the sake of this country's tourism industry that bombings of this type do not become a regular feature of life like in the south, where tourism has essentially disappeared if you don't count the Malaysians who cross the border daily on business.

Do you mean tourism in places like Phuket, Krabi and Samui? I thought they were still doing OK. Phuket is very popular with Koreans, mainland Chinese and Hong Kongers.

If you're talking about Hat Yai, tourism there has been on the decline for the last decade. The bombings have a bit to do with it, but the truth is cheap airtravel to more interesting destinations and the rising affluence of Singaporeans and Malaysians who used to weekend in Hat Yai have made it a much less interesting place. They are now flocking to Bali, Australia and India for short holidays. For booty, there's no point for them to travel to Thailand anymore because working girls from mainland China, Burma, Mongolia and the Philippines are readily available at home and they are STUNNING and less disingenuous compared to Thai girls.

[Dick]

That bomb at a Big C in Bangkok did enormous damage to the perceptions abroad that you are at risk of injury or death coming to Thailand.

You're right but what most tourists coming here don't realize is that you are a thousand times more likely to get injured or killed by some jerk who runs a red light or passes on a blind curve or some Yaba freak riding around on a motorbike at night without lights. With the possible exception of India, I have found Thailand's roads to be among the most dangerous in the world, especially traveling around on the two lane death traps in rural areas. The bombings gets the attention but the traffic is much more deadly.

[mauRICE]

I have just returned from Phuket and the place is dead (and I am not talking about gay venues only)...

By the way, foreiners can now open banking accounts in Malaysia (which I did- totally take 10 minutes).

Can you give us an update on Phuket? I haven't been in a while.

What Malaysian bank was that?

[mauRICE]

I opened account in HSBC (since I have a US account with them). There was a problem: my ATM cards did not work anywhere in KL....HSBC organized a meeting for me with an agent who explained the details of retirement visa program (Malaysia: second home). They do all paper work... This visa is much more attractive than Thai counterpart...

You should be able to use any bank card from your home country if it's got the PLUS or Cirrus logo. But note that most banks' ATMs shut down between 00:00 and 07.00 for servicing and security reasons.

Yes, the Malaysia Our Second Home programme is very popular as the rules are clear and consistent. And you only need to be forty to satisfy the age requirement. Once you get your visa, you might want to consider opening an account with CIMB, a solid and very service-oriented financial institution with the widest ATM network in Malaysia. Their Internet banking facility is probably the best among the local banks.

[mauRICE]

Regarding Phuket, there is nothing to talk about: the bars are open:My way, Tangmo has shows as usual
and there are plenty of sex workers but no customers...

Are those the only two bars left open in Phuket? I don't particularly care for Khun Bon of My Way but Khun Tangmo is OK.

[mauRICE]

The lady in HSBC told me that in Malaysia all pins have six digits and for 4 digit cards I need to add two zeroes as first two digits but did not try this trick...

The six-digit PIN for Malaysian ATMs is correct. Don't know about the adding two zeros in front bit.

Beware of long weekends and festivals as many ATMs run out cash!

[mauRICE]

All bars were open (including small massage places on the way out soi in Paradise) not just the two mentioned. I think even Superboy (the bar in small anclave near high school outside Paradise).

Superboy is still open? Wow, that place has been around for ages and there used to be some hidden gems there who weren't shy of showing you their family jewels. The original owner was from Hat Yai. Any particular venue which you liked and would recommend? I heard there were some newish beer-bars which are good for a tipple or two?