Russian tourism group threatens Thailand boycott

[buksida]

The Russian Union of Travel Industry (RUTI) has urged the Thai authorities to improve safety for Russian tourists in Thailand or face a boycott from its members.

The Union, which represents more than 5,000 business groups and state agencies related to tourism industry in Russia, has submitted the letter to the Moscow office of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said Mr. Narin Tijayung, director of the TAT branch in Moscow.

The letter followed the road accident which injured more than 30 Russians in Pattaya on 15 November, four of them in serious condition. 51 Russian tourists were on their double-deck bus when it overturned on the highway, which the police believed was caused by the driver was dosing behind the wheel.

There have also been other cases of Russian tourists suffering from accidents or crimes in Thailand. Last month, 1 Russian tourist was killed and more than 30 other Russian passengers were injured when their tour bus flipped over in Kanchanaburi province.

Mr. Narin said the letter submitted by RUTI, which is addressed to the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports, called for a concise, practical measure to ensure safety for Russian tourists in the kingdom.

The letter specifically names road safety in Thailand as the main concern for the RUTI and its members, Mr. Narin added, such as the training of drivers, the condition of vehicles, and traffic regulations which have been lightly enforced.

The RUTI also reportedly demanded the Thai government to solve these issues within the end of November, otherwise it will consider responses necessary to maintain the safety of Russian citizens by canceling all scheduled charter flights from Russia throughout the period of December 2013 - March 2014.

If the cancellation indeed came to effect, other countries in the region, such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam would be picked as destinations instead of Thailand, the letter reportedly warned.

Source: Khaosod

[Bristolian]

The RUTI also reportedly demanded the Thai government to solve these issues within the end of November, otherwise it will consider responses necessary to maintain the safety of Russian citizens by cancelling all scheduled charter flights from Russia throughout the period of December 2013 - March 2014.
The have two chances, a dogs chance and no chance

[PeteC]

It seems they haven't yet grasped what "the Thai way" is and how it mysteriously functions. Pete

[Spitfire]

Ivan is having a giraffe if he thinks it'll make one iota of difference......

[Bristolian]

Firstly the Thai Government will deny that there is a safety issue, probably suggesting that Russian tourists are to blame and that the ones that are injured are a burden to the health service. They will probably confirm that the 500 THB compulsory insurance is therefore essential. Problem Solved
TAT will confirm that tourists are expected to increase next year

[jumusman]

There's another city named Pattaya that is very beautiful that I think all tourists should visit instead, much more beautiful than Hua Hin. I advise nobody come here for holiday its very boring and very expensive and there is nothing to see..(and it makes it more difficult for me to drive around when there are so many god damn cars on the road during high season!) Oh sorry, forget the last part, I didn't mean it...

[nanyang]

their double-deck bus when it overturned on the highway, which the police believed was caused by the driver was dosing behind the wheel.

Another typo in Big Boy's league.

[oakdale160]

That letter has been filed in the --- Laugh and throw away file.

[usual suspect]

High-season is just about to start, that equates to more tourists, more tours, more buses & coaches, more accidents..give it 2-3 years and the TAT will have figures to show a vast improvement in the 'high season' crash-statistics..due to LESS tourists, less tours, less buses & coaches...

[buksida]

Following a boycott threat by the Russian tourism business federation, Thai officials are coordinating efforts aimed to improve safety standard for foreign tourists in the country.

The Russian Union of Travel Industry (RUTI) has previously submitted a letter to the Moscow office of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), demanding Thai government to ensure the safety of Russian tourists traveling in Thailand after a series of accidents and crimes which saw Russian tourists killed and injured.

The letter reportedly called for an improvement of tourism safety in Thailand to be in place by the end of November, otherwise the members of the trade union will cancel all their charter flights to Thailand.

Today, Mr. Somsak Pureesrisak, Minister of Tourism and Sports, said he has informed Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra of the issues, and that he will chair a meeting on 26 November with Ministry of Transport and representatives of Tourism Council of Thailand in order to devise policies in compliance with the Russian demands.

Full Story: Khaosod

[StevePIraq]

All well and good to joke and say nothing will change but you would not be saying that if it was a member of your family that died.

It is about time that Thailand changed even just a little and maybe the only way it can change is if there are boycotts etc which hurt the pockets of the government

[usual suspect]

I can picture it now..all Russian tour-buses now get a police escort, the buses will travel in such a way that they benefit from having the 'escort' with them..this will mean the tried & tested method used for VIP Korean's/Chinese, & school-trips..5-7 buses all travelling in convoy at 100+kph with a full 3 metre distance between each bus..TiT

[usual suspect]

..As a footnote, just as SteveP mentions above..it is in a way good that one of the visiting-nations HAS made some effort to make their point known to the TAT that they're unhappy to say the least, & ARE threatening to take action...with their wallets & tour-agencies back home..

[Lung Per]

I wouldn't mind seeing the Ruskies go elsewhere.....

[oakdale160]

The number of Russians in HH is small and they are not too visible. That is because of the small numbers, but also because they behave well and blend in easily.