Thailand: in the corner where the blows fall
by Khan Peter
It sits Thailand not with you. The tourism industry, in particular, has been hit hard. The images of the political unrest have barely faded before the next disaster presents itself.
Although the tourist areas are spared from flooding, there will certainly be travelers who, after seeing the images, choose a different destination. Malaysia for example. From an article in Bangkok Post – Wy Malysia is thriving – it appears that tourism in Malaysia is growing much faster than in Thailand. Neighboring Cambodia is also doing relatively well.
Fortunately Thai are flexible and they will overcome this blow. The economy is still running at full speed. However, the tourist industry sighs and groans. The TAT occasionally comes up with hopeful figures, but anyone who looks around knows that those figures have been polished up considerably. For example, arrivals at Suvarnabhumi Airport are not real indicators, after all, many passengers are in transit.
In a few months, in January, the new holiday season will start. Many Dutch people then choose the destination for the summer of 2011. It is to be hoped that Thailand will remain calm and stable during that important period. It would be a pity if potential tourists choose another destination. Because then they won't get to know one of the most beautiful holiday countries in the world.
If you've been here once, you'll come more often, that's what all tourists say. In Thailand there is everything a tourist could wish for. Beaches, delicious food, nice weather, massage, beautiful women, nightlife, etc.
You do know that the TAT counts "flight movements" don't you? So an inbound and outbound flight is 2 flights. incl. national traffic, incl. freight traffic.
All tourists are all people who do not have a Thai passport, including the few hundred thousand non-Thai who live here. And also all the people who make visa runs. And also all people in transit, but who do go through immigration.
Yesterday it was bomb-full again in Pattaya …. on the street though. Restaurants and hotels do a fair amount of business, but bars and shops don't really. After 7 months of low season, everyone can use a really high season again.
But with the Thai mentality “Fewer customers, so price up”, the expensive Thai baht and expensive life in Europe, I wonder if there will ever be another European high season here in Thailand (Indians, Chinese, Russians will come in large numbers).
As reported on this block, the number of organized Dutch travelers to Thailand shows a minus of 6,2 percent up to and including September this year. That does not say everything, because the legion of self-bookers may be growing. That CI and BR cancel for whatever reason is a bad thing. They are not charters, but scheduled services and they have to fly, even if they are empty. Nothing prevents them from entering into price-technical competition. It would be unacceptable if NS canceled trains due to a lack of passengers, or if the buses in Amsterdam or elsewhere do not run because they are not full.