Tourists likely to stay away for years

[Scumbag]

Tourists likely to stay away for years

 

It could take up to two years before Pattaya's tourism sector recovers from yesterday's events, according to local operators.

 

Pattaya mayor Itthiphol Kunplume said the cancellation of the Asean summit had undermined the city's image.

 

About 500,000 tourists had been expected to travel to the seaside resort for the Songkran holidays. Over 5.5 million tourists visited Pattaya last year, mostly travellers from Bangkok just two hours away.

 

''Tourism here had only just recovered from the shock of [last December's] airport closure. But what happened today is the most severe incident in the history of Pattaya tourism,'' Mr Itthiphol said.

 

Before yesterday, occupancy in Pattaya had been running at 75% to 80%, the highest level in months. Tourism accounts for around 90% of the area's economy.

 

''It could take up to two years for tourism here to fully recover from the clashes and cancellation of the summit. And Thailand has lost not just its credibility for its handling of the Asean summit, but also the opportunity to integrate with other regional economies,'' Mr Itthiphol said.

 

At a local hotel, staff stood watching television coverage of the nearby protests with trepidation for the future.

 

''I feel shocked. I hadn't thought that things would turn out this bad,'' said Monti Meepien, a worker at the Eastern Grand Hotel, located just 10 minutes away from the Royal Cliff Beach Resort where the summit was held.

 

He said around 70% of the hotel's clients were Chinese tourists sensitive to the thought of political violence.

 

''We had hoped the summit would help the local economy. Now, I think the only direction we can go is down,'' said 38-year-old Mr Monti.

 

Lek Saingarm, a 48-year-old restaurateur, said her business would be seriously damaged by the violence.

 

''Pattaya depends on foreign tourists, especially as Thais have mostly cut back on spending.

 

''Who will want to go out to eat or go to the beach in a situation like this?'' she said.

 

Tourism in the region was only just recovering from last year's political upheaval, which culminated in December with the closure of Suvarnabhumi airport by yellow-shirt protesters under the People's Alliance for Democracy.

 

The rallies now by the red shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship could possibly be the death blow for the country's tourism sector for years to come, locals warned.

 

Tourists in Pattaya said the events had left them shaken and homesick.

 

Ma Yeofen, a 61-year-old Chinese tourist from Shanghai on his first visit to Thailand, said he was worried about his safety after watching TV reports about the protests.

 

''Our tour group was supposed to go to the marina, but we couldn't because the protests blocked the streets,'' he said.

 

''This is the second major event where domestic politics has had an impact on international tourists. I don't think this should happen.''

[monster]

Pattaya mayor Itthiphol Kunplume said the cancellation of the Asean summit had undermined the city's image.

 

I think he may find there are other things going on that may undermine the city's image

[COYS]

This could be very damaging for the tourist industry. The worst thing is that there is no end in sight to the problems if the two protesting groups are allowed to go on protesting in such a way.

Unless something is done this could keep happening for years.

[dairymilk]

All the need do is enforce the law!! as if the economic turmoil around the world has not doen enought to tourists then they go on like this. CRAZY

[nightlife]

Patters will probably not be affected, priorities For businesses especially from within the region will go down the drain

[layow]

Chinese tourists sensitive to the thought of political violence.

 

joking?

 

the anniversary of tianimin square right about now i think

[keswick01]

Is it only me that finds the thought of Chinese tourists being scared of political violence quite funny?

[BobbyTits]

Pattaya sells puzzy 24/7 - who give a fuk about politics

[Peter58]

Tourists likely to stay away for years

 

It could take up to two years before Pattaya's tourism sector recovers from yesterday's events, according to local operators.

 

Pattaya mayor Itthiphol Kunplume said the cancellation of the Asean summit had undermined the city's image.

 

About 500,000 tourists had been expected to travel to the seaside resort for the Songkran holidays. Over 5.5 million tourists visited Pattaya last year, mostly travellers from Bangkok just two hours away.

 

''Tourism here had only just recovered from the shock of [last December's] airport closure. But what happened today is the most severe incident in the history of Pattaya tourism,'' Mr Itthiphol said.

 

Before yesterday, occupancy in Pattaya had been running at 75% to 80%, the highest level in months. Tourism accounts for around 90% of the area's economy.

 

''It could take up to two years for tourism here to fully recover from the clashes and cancellation of the summit. And Thailand has lost not just its credibility for its handling of the Asean summit, but also the opportunity to integrate with other regional economies,'' Mr Itthiphol said.

 

At a local hotel, staff stood watching television coverage of the nearby protests with trepidation for the future.

 

''I feel shocked. I hadn't thought that things would turn out this bad,'' said Monti Meepien, a worker at the Eastern Grand Hotel, located just 10 minutes away from the Royal Cliff Beach Resort where the summit was held.

 

He said around 70% of the hotel's clients were Chinese tourists sensitive to the thought of political violence.

 

''We had hoped the summit would help the local economy. Now, I think the only direction we can go is down,'' said 38-year-old Mr Monti.

 

Lek Saingarm, a 48-year-old restaurateur, said her business would be seriously damaged by the violence.

 

''Pattaya depends on foreign tourists, especially as Thais have mostly cut back on spending.

 

''Who will want to go out to eat or go to the beach in a situation like this?'' she said.

 

Tourism in the region was only just recovering from last year's political upheaval, which culminated in December with the closure of Suvarnabhumi airport by yellow-shirt protesters under the People's Alliance for Democracy.

 

The rallies now by the red shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship could possibly be the death blow for the country's tourism sector for years to come, locals warned.

 

Tourists in Pattaya said the events had left them shaken and homesick.

 

Ma Yeofen, a 61-year-old Chinese tourist from Shanghai on his first visit to Thailand, said he was worried about his safety after watching TV reports about the protests.

 

''Our tour group was supposed to go to the marina, but we couldn't because the protests blocked the streets,'' he said.

 

''This is the second major event where domestic politics has had an impact on international tourists. I don't think this should happen.''

[keswick01]

Interesting view Peter!

[scubaadiver56]

It seems there are 2 very strong groups ( yellow versus Red ) and it's not going to end in the near future. This is hurting the country, but I think the only one's who will be slow to return will be the Asians and families. This could be good for the rest of us.

[blue1878]

I've been going to Pattaya for years

 

My next trip is planned for the end July beginning of August.

 

And I see no reason at the moment to cancel

 

And I will continue to visit Thailand over the next few years

[altec123]

I am still going in August, but I am going to wait to buy the plane ticket, because the fare will more than likely go down some.

[collin713]

As long as the BARS and GIRLS are there I dont think a lot of the guys that come to pattaya will stay away, As for myself I have only have 30days to go, and I know that Bangkok is a long way from walking street. so I will see you all there soon

[Loso4ever]

We can't think that Thailand doesn't have major problems now and that many tourists will try another destination for their holidays. Not only Asian families with children, but also groups of tourists which like to go their for cultural reasons won't go there till things get back to normal. Don't forget that these groups of tourists also leave lots of money in the country.

 

Adrie.

[Samui]

I certainly won't be changing my holiday plans because of this.

As long as there is no direct danger to tourists then we should be ok.

[Al.]

To be on the safe side I'm going to the supermarket to stock up on beer just in case supplies are disrupted.

 

Al.

[Dmanchester]

It seems there are 2 very strong groups ( yellow versus Red ) and it's not going to end in the near future. This is hurting the country, but I think the only one's who will be slow to return will be the Asians and families. This could be good for the rest of us.

 

As far as I can remember, it's been the reds vs the yellows. In pat sharps fun house from when I was young.!

All the kids would shout red and the opposing fans shout for red, at the same time. I use to blaze in them days and the combined shouting of red and yellow would really trip me out . I hope this helps everyone during the current unrest. D

[squall]

If there is less tourism what do you think the prices are going to be?

 

up: because less money ?

 

down: because less tourists ?

 

keep the same ?

[bad bob]

we go to pattaya for the resource of pussy and were addicted hence the name of the forum were on we"ll run across miles for great pussy pattaya will survive bad bob

[Montien]

god this is worrying. as a british person with my holiday booked to bkk and pattaya in august i am now reading that britons are being warned to avoid bangkok. what if the holiday company refuse to fly me there. oh help where do i go then?? anyone else know any others places as good as pattaya please. not that i want to go but i must put a safety net in place.

[yeaialwayswearone]

god this is worrying. as a british person with my holiday booked to bkk and pattaya in august i am now reading that britons are being warned to avoid bangkok. what if the holiday company refuse to fly me there. oh help where do i go then?? anyone else know any others places as good as pattaya please. not that i want to go but i must put a safety net in place.

check my post "planB"

[yeaialwayswearone]

i may be a little mecenary here but surley for those determind to go there this can only be beneficial to us less punters around is bound to drive prices down

[johnnyk]

joking?

 

the anniversary of tianimin square right about now i think

They don't know much about that. A Chinese student told me "some policemen were killed" when I asked her what she knew about T-men Square.

[colinc1]

I will be there in May,and am hoping all this yellow,red drama improves the aussie/bht exchange rate.

The only thing that will stop me going, is if the airline cancels the flight,and if they start to play with

their cannons