ANDAMAN translator guides and local dive instructors are the first groups to suffer from the economic downturn, with many struggling to find work.
Deputy Director-General of the Office of Tourism Development, Somprasong Khomapat, paid a flying visit to the island yesterday to attempt to improve job opportunities for Thai workers.
He has left on Phuket two staff from Bangkok who will join seven others in a special task force on the island to make sure there is no discrimination against Thai guides.
The credentials of diving instructors will also be checked in a bid to make sure qualified Thai instructors are assured of precedence over foreign workers.
The Governor, Dr Preecha Ruangjan, told Phuketwan that several diplomatic representatives had pressed him to allow more foreigners to work as guides and diving instructors.
''I told them, 'Thais can do those jobs,''' the governor said. ''But we do need to make sure we are able to meet international standards.
''It's good to have this issue being dealt with so actively.''
Local guides, especially those dealing with Korean and Russian visitors, have in the past found themselves nudged to one side by tour operators who bring their own guides from those countries.
In some cases, as a compromise, Thai guides become ''sitting guides.'' ''Sitting guides'' are paid to travel with a group, but the actual work is done by others.
In today's harsh economic times, the jobs of the ''sitting guides'' are disappearing, and the pressure is on to have foreign guides in more tour groups.
However, Thai guides say they have adequate language training and are usually better informed to answer the kinds of questions posed by tourists about Thai culture and history, as well as alternative activities.
The diving industry is suffering a severe downturn because there are fewer tourists, and those who do come are spending less on tours and dive courses.
Competition for jobs is becoming more intense. The Thai authorities plan to make sure it is the foreigners, not the Thais, whose jobs will be lost.
The new task force on Phuket will be policing both the diving industry and the credentials of guides to ensure that Thais with the appropriate qualifications take precedence.
''This is good for Phuket because our island is an international destination and we need international standards,'' the governor said.
''If the performance of Thais measures up to international standards, there is no need for those jobs to be filled by experts from other countries.''
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Economy: Governor Sparks Fresh Crisis Approach
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Phuket Airport Figures Chart 2009 Island Decline
Latest Phuket passenger flight figures reflect the real scale of the island's downturn as calls come for realistic property prices and beach loungers come at a discount.
Phuket Airport Figures Chart 2009 Island Decline
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Latest Figures on real and projected occupancy rates through the high season on Phuket reflect predictions of a gloomy 2009. The good news for tourists: beaches will not be crowded.
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Phuket Passenger Numbers Steady: 2009 Unclear
Phuket's passenger traffic through the island airport remained steady at 5.7 million in a year of ups and downs. As to the future, even the experts are not prepared to speculate.
Phuket Passenger Numbers Steady: 2009 Unclear
Phuket Tourist Figures Nosedive in Q2
In slow motion freefall, official TAT figures for Phuket for the second quarter of 2008 trend down almost as severely as in Q1. And the island's Aussie saviors are now in trouble, too.
Phuket Tourist Figures Nosedive in Q2
Phuket's Future Forecast: Darkness at Noon
Phuket has a reputation as a great holiday destination but an island economic guru is forecasting a high season downturn of up to 30 percent, plus years of pain. Resorts are ducking for cover.
Phuket's Future Forecast: Darkness At Noon
Deputy Director-General of the Office of Tourism Development, Somprasong Khomapat, paid a flying visit to the island yesterday to attempt to improve job opportunities for Thai workers.
He has left on Phuket two staff from Bangkok who will join seven others in a special task force on the island to make sure there is no discrimination against Thai guides.
The credentials of diving instructors will also be checked in a bid to make sure qualified Thai instructors are assured of precedence over foreign workers.
The Governor, Dr Preecha Ruangjan, told Phuketwan that several diplomatic representatives had pressed him to allow more foreigners to work as guides and diving instructors.
''I told them, 'Thais can do those jobs,''' the governor said. ''But we do need to make sure we are able to meet international standards.
''It's good to have this issue being dealt with so actively.''
Local guides, especially those dealing with Korean and Russian visitors, have in the past found themselves nudged to one side by tour operators who bring their own guides from those countries.
In some cases, as a compromise, Thai guides become ''sitting guides.'' ''Sitting guides'' are paid to travel with a group, but the actual work is done by others.
In today's harsh economic times, the jobs of the ''sitting guides'' are disappearing, and the pressure is on to have foreign guides in more tour groups.
However, Thai guides say they have adequate language training and are usually better informed to answer the kinds of questions posed by tourists about Thai culture and history, as well as alternative activities.
The diving industry is suffering a severe downturn because there are fewer tourists, and those who do come are spending less on tours and dive courses.
Competition for jobs is becoming more intense. The Thai authorities plan to make sure it is the foreigners, not the Thais, whose jobs will be lost.
The new task force on Phuket will be policing both the diving industry and the credentials of guides to ensure that Thais with the appropriate qualifications take precedence.
''This is good for Phuket because our island is an international destination and we need international standards,'' the governor said.
''If the performance of Thais measures up to international standards, there is no need for those jobs to be filled by experts from other countries.''
Phuket Economy in 2009
Economy: Governor Sparks Fresh Crisis Approach
Latest With 2009 looming as a difficult time for tourism, the Governor of Phuket has put a plan in place to deal with big issues and complaints speedily.
Economy: Governor Sparks Fresh Crisis Approach
Andaman into Overdrive for Tourists in March
Latest A survey of Phuket resorts shows the first indications of March bookings as the Andaman region gears up for world's most important travel fair in Berlin.
Andaman into Overdrive for Tourists in March
Phuket Airport Figures Chart 2009 Island Decline
Latest Phuket passenger flight figures reflect the real scale of the island's downturn as calls come for realistic property prices and beach loungers come at a discount.
Phuket Airport Figures Chart 2009 Island Decline
Phuket Economic Outlook: No Reason to Smile Yet
Latest Figures on real and projected occupancy rates through the high season on Phuket reflect predictions of a gloomy 2009. The good news for tourists: beaches will not be crowded.
Phuket Economic Outlook: No Reason to Smile Yet
Phuket Passenger Numbers Steady: 2009 Unclear
Phuket's passenger traffic through the island airport remained steady at 5.7 million in a year of ups and downs. As to the future, even the experts are not prepared to speculate.
Phuket Passenger Numbers Steady: 2009 Unclear
Phuket Tourist Figures Nosedive in Q2
In slow motion freefall, official TAT figures for Phuket for the second quarter of 2008 trend down almost as severely as in Q1. And the island's Aussie saviors are now in trouble, too.
Phuket Tourist Figures Nosedive in Q2
Phuket's Future Forecast: Darkness at Noon
Phuket has a reputation as a great holiday destination but an island economic guru is forecasting a high season downturn of up to 30 percent, plus years of pain. Resorts are ducking for cover.
Phuket's Future Forecast: Darkness At Noon
"The Thai authorities plan to make sure it is the foreigners, not the Thais, whose jobs will be lost. " Brilliant one, Thai authorities. If I loose my job, I go onto a retirement visa and still stay here, BUT, my thai staff of eight plus all my shareholders, lose their jobs. Toughies for them Thais once again, hey ? Then what do you think they will do, come to you for work ?
Posted by Shocked on February 18, 2009 10:32