Tourism set for B1bn revival plan

[buksida]

The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has given the nod to the Tourism and Sports Ministry to seek an extra budget of more than 1 billion baht to revive tourism and maintain the sector's revenue target of 2 trillion baht this year and 2.2 trillion next year.

Navy chief Adm Narong Pipattanasai, who supervises the ministry, met permanent secretary Suwat Sidthilaw and other high-ranking officials on Thursday to discuss the tourism situation.

He said after the meeting that the restoration of confidence of foreign tourists is the first priority among all revival measures.

"We will quickly communicate with international travellers that Thailand is safe for them to visit," he added.

The ministry will draft a proposal to seek the extra budget for tourism revival, while the process of budget approval will be shorter than normal.

The NCPO will consider reducing or even lifting the curfew period in major tourist destinations next week to help boost the atmosphere. The curfew now runs from midnight to 4am nationwide after previously being from 10pm to 5am.

Full Story: Bangkok Post

Please exercise caution with commentary, we are still being monitored.

[kendo]

So apart from an insurance policy for victims of crime what are they going to spend the rest of the extra budget on.

Kendo.

[Bristolian]

So apart from an insurance policy for victims of crime what are they going to spend the rest of the extra budget on.

Kendo.

No doubt they will spend the bulk of it on enertaining; beanos for the travel writers and travel agencies

[kendo]

I have just put my rosé tinted sun glasses on for this next comment.......

Rather than clamping down on visas how about offering 6 month tourist visas, would be a good gesture in my opinion.


Kendo.

[Lancashire Lass]

Agree fully with Kendo, Thailand's best move would be to offer 6 month tourist visa's, or if not then offer the same as Malaysia - automatic 90 day on entry.

[theprice01]

Kendo for PM

[dtaai-maai]

Not everyone gets 90 days on entry to Malaysia. Thais get 30 days as, for some reason, do the Portuguese, Dutch and Greeks.
As often as not, these things are reciprocal. We should, in some ways, count ourselves fortunate for the 30-day no visa rule, which is plenty for most holidaymakers.

[oakdale160]

Does anybody have stats about length of stay of tourists or other entries t THAI.
My guess, for vast majority 30d quite adequate, another big group the 60 day from embassies is adequate.
So immigration has little motivation to change and making life more convenient and comfortable for longer stay, non working ex pats is not on their agenda.

[Winkie]

I don't see much benefit in giving 6 month Visas. I think the current problem is that the '2 weekers' are not coming. 6 month Visas would surely be open to abuse by some.

[Dannie Boy]

I don't see much benefit in giving 6 month Visas. I think the current problem is that the '2 weekers' are not coming. 6 month Visas would surely be open to abuse by some.

Exactly and why in the other thread that is running, the authorities are clamping down on visa extensions to try to stop those that are working illegally. Most people don't go on holiday for more than a month so the 30 day visa exemption is sufficient, but for those who do want a longer stay, they can get a longer stay visa in their home country.

The current situation will deter visitors and many will find alternative holiday destinations.

[kendo]

A two week tourist this year could be a six month tourist next year with a pre requisite to find a place to retire or to develop a relationship .
A fair few new members of the forum come on here in search of just that.

Kendo.

[caller]

The simple way to attract more tourists is end the coup. Insurance can be affected during a coup, and whilst not exactly wiggle free for the companies, everyone knows that's what they'll try to do if any issues arise. And no cover will be provided for flights cancelled, extra hotel costs, medical costs that may arise as a result of the coup. It's a financial risk easy to avoid by going somewhere else.

[oakdale160]

Its not just medical costs as a result of the coup---- case, businessman injured in a RTA in a taxi, ins declined to pay. "You should not be inThailand!"

[Korkenzieher]

Insurance is a real issue, but IMHO the bigger effect is on what is (laughingly) called 'high value tourism' - the people who would normally be booking resort-style packages about this time of year, for the high season. Thai folk occasionally express surprise when high season tourists don't turn up - 'have no problem now - where all the people?'. It seems to always escape the Thai that it is news flow at this time of year that determines the high season bookings - not the 'last minute' market in October and November - and of course insurance risk is a pretty big piece of the equation if you are a family, or in a limited time slot.

[oakdale160]

Very good point Kork, an other group is the convention and meetings groups, they book a year or more in advance and if I was booking for them now thenThai would be out for 2014 & 15.