Thai tourism sector wants an end to political squabbles
The Thai tourism sector has suffered considerably from protests by the UDD (redshirts) and the political unrest. Representatives from the tourism sector have announced that they also want to demonstrate next Friday at the King Rama VI Monument in Bangkok. “Employees of more than 1.000 tourism companies gather around the monument at the entrance to Lumpini Park. We will call on the government and the UDD to settle their political differences," he said.
Demonstrations cost the tourism sector a lot of money
By Hans Bos The Thai Chamber of Commerce fears a domino effect due to the ongoing demonstrations by the Red Shirts in Bangkok. According to the Chamber of Commerce, more than 70 percent of tourists have canceled a planned trip to the Thai capital and the vast majority of hotel rooms on Rattanakosin Island, where the demonstrations are taking place, are empty. As a result of the unrest, 20 charter flights to Thailand have now been canceled and more than 30 countries have warned tourists to avoid Thailand.
Suvarnabhumi ranked 24th in the world
Hans Bos Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) should have stormed into the top ten best airports in the world last year. At least, that's what Airports of Thailand (AoT) assumed. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be, because according to the Geneva-based Airports Council International (ACI), the airport near Bangkok is no more than a 24th place. Although that is higher than the 38th place in 2009 and the 48th place in 2007, …
Thailand vs Malaysia?
Malaysia was visited by almost 24 million tourists last year, De Telegraaf writes. That is almost twice as much as to Thailand. In Malaysia, bordering South Thailand, no less than 2009 Dutch people registered in 110.00, against a maximum of 180.000 in Thailand. Tourism to the predominantly Muslim Malaysia grew by more than 7 percent, while that to Thailand remains stable at most. The question is whether the Land of Smiles will survive the tourism battle with …
From BKK airport to Bangkok in 15 minutes
Since December 2009, a test run has been carried out on the new and fast rail link between Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The line is expected to be fully operational in the spring of 2010. The 28,6-kilometre railway is the first electric overhead line in Thailand. The link connects the airport to the City Air Terminal Makkasan in Bangkok. This new transport hub in the northeastern part of the center offers a connection to the “blue …
Seven percent fewer foreigners
Thanks to Hans Bos Thailand will receive 7 percent fewer foreign visitors this year. Instead of the 14,6 million in 2008, there are now only 13,6 million. The decline is mainly due to the political wrangling and the global recession. This is what the PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) states in its latest report. PATA predicts a growth of 2010 percent in 4 to 14,1 million visitors. If all goes well, there may be 14,3 …