PHUKET: Martial law may set back tourism in the short term but it also has the potential to end Thailand's perpetual torment and restore normal business, a Phuketwan survey indicated today.
Tourism industry leaders were still waiting in Bangkok and Phuket today to learn the full impact of the move that put thousands of soldiers onto the streets of Thailand's capital before dawn, hemming in protesters on both sides of politics for their own protection.
On Phuket, it was business as usual, with no sign of tanks or troops with guns. The tropical holiday island is a long way from the capital and seldom experiences the same problems.
''We have had a few cancellations reported from resorts but there doesn't seem to be a real trend,'' said Anoma Wongyai, the Phuket and Phang Nga director for the Tourism Authority of Thailand. ''There is good security here and we are usually not affected by street protests in Bangkok.
''The island has its own international airport so direct flights can come and go without passengers feeling alarmed in any way.''
Bloomberg news agency was forecasting a drop of up to five percent in tourism to Thailand this year - largest fall since 2009 - because the US, Hong Kong and other governments were telling people to be ''cautious.''
While the numbers of arrivals and departures through Phuket International Airport remain high despite six months of trouble on Bangkok's streets, people in tourism do wonder where the visitors are spending their time.
Praderm Klamsuwan, who has a business that once required three speedboats to cater for 200 passengers on trips each day, now says he most often uses one speedboat and the number has dropped to 70 or 80.
''Hopefully, the Army will quickly find a solution,'' he said. ''Hopefully, reforms will be quickly introduced to make Thailand's government corruption free. And hopefully, Phuket will become more independent and be able to fix all its problems using its own revenue.''
Aparat Chutikamjorn, coordinator on Phuket for the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), said she expected the Army's intervention would calm down the situation in Bangkok and possibly speed a resolution of the six-month stand-off.
''On Phuket we are waiting to get a complete analysis of what the Army has in mind,'' she said. ''But they do seem to be keen to solve Thailand's problems quite quickly.''
Bloomberg says tourism accounts for as much as 10 percent of Thailand's gross domestic product.
Tourism industry leaders were still waiting in Bangkok and Phuket today to learn the full impact of the move that put thousands of soldiers onto the streets of Thailand's capital before dawn, hemming in protesters on both sides of politics for their own protection.
On Phuket, it was business as usual, with no sign of tanks or troops with guns. The tropical holiday island is a long way from the capital and seldom experiences the same problems.
''We have had a few cancellations reported from resorts but there doesn't seem to be a real trend,'' said Anoma Wongyai, the Phuket and Phang Nga director for the Tourism Authority of Thailand. ''There is good security here and we are usually not affected by street protests in Bangkok.
''The island has its own international airport so direct flights can come and go without passengers feeling alarmed in any way.''
Bloomberg news agency was forecasting a drop of up to five percent in tourism to Thailand this year - largest fall since 2009 - because the US, Hong Kong and other governments were telling people to be ''cautious.''
While the numbers of arrivals and departures through Phuket International Airport remain high despite six months of trouble on Bangkok's streets, people in tourism do wonder where the visitors are spending their time.
Praderm Klamsuwan, who has a business that once required three speedboats to cater for 200 passengers on trips each day, now says he most often uses one speedboat and the number has dropped to 70 or 80.
''Hopefully, the Army will quickly find a solution,'' he said. ''Hopefully, reforms will be quickly introduced to make Thailand's government corruption free. And hopefully, Phuket will become more independent and be able to fix all its problems using its own revenue.''
Aparat Chutikamjorn, coordinator on Phuket for the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), said she expected the Army's intervention would calm down the situation in Bangkok and possibly speed a resolution of the six-month stand-off.
''On Phuket we are waiting to get a complete analysis of what the Army has in mind,'' she said. ''But they do seem to be keen to solve Thailand's problems quite quickly.''
Bloomberg says tourism accounts for as much as 10 percent of Thailand's gross domestic product.
In Egypt when military did it, it was a drop of 50% of tourists visiting the country and much more for Cairo.
Same same for Tunisia.
Let see what figure we will get out within few months as many oversea tour-operators may drop Thailand for the next coming season.
Posted by Whistle-Blower on May 20, 2014 16:05
Editor Comment:
There is no relevant comparison between what happened in Egypt and Tunisia and what's happening in Thailand, Whistle-Blower. Apples and oranges. No similarities at all.