Bangkok Post : Big drop in visitors to Koh Samui

Big drop in visitors to Koh Samui

Published: 30/06/2009 at 01:45 PM
Online news: Breakingnews

Th number of visitors to Koh Samui is down 40-50 per cent, especially foreigners, for the first six months of the year, compared to the same period last year, Koh Samui Tourism Promotion Association, Senee Phuwasetthavorn, said on Tuesday.

Mr Senee attributed the disappearance of tourists from the resort island to the global economic recession, the political turmoil and the swine flu pandemic.

Phanu Worramith, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) Surat Thani office, took the same tone.

He said the global recession, the swine flu outbreak, the Songkran riots and the seizure of Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports late lastyear had all combined reduced number of foreigners visiting Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan by about 50 per cent.

The tourist sector was was suffering severely, he said.

However, Mr Phanu was optimistic the situation would improve in the second half of the year as the world’s economic indicators showed encouraging signs of improvement.

The TAT had joined forces with hoteliers and restaurant operators to launch an “Amazing Grand Sale” campaign offering a package tour to Koh Samui with a room rate reduction by as much as 50 per cent.

A special hotel room rate was also offered for Thai tourists to encourage them to visit the resort island instead of travelling abroad.

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Matthew

Discussion 16 : 23/07/2009 at 08:32 AM16
hahaha

Amigo says that there is better places in europe then koh samui ?

I have been all over east and western europe and nothing comes close to the value in koh samui. People in europe are rude, constantly.
amigo

Discussion 15 : 14/07/2009 at 08:30 PM15
koh samui, was there twice, not a must see place - if you ask me! people are kind, but fake-friendly. They overcharge you with a smile!!! For the tourists everything is allowed, if u have money, money and money! The Ireland is OK, but as I told, not a must! U can find much nicer and cheaper places in Europe ...
AEK

Discussion 14 : 11/07/2009 at 02:40 AM14
I am not the least surprised that the number of tourists keep dipping below expectations. It is DUE TIME that once favored tourist destinations like SAMUI and many others "wake up and smell the coffee" if I may use this cliche.

Overcharging, hidden fees, crooked deals, not getting value for your money, unstable political climate, corruption at every level---it has spread like cancer to the core--are some of the myriad of issues/problems that have combined to turn off many many repeat tourists and potential tourists. GREED is driving all this and it cannot be sustainable and therefore has resulted in less and less numbers.

Resort Operators need to realize that the competition for tourist dollars and euros and yens is pretty intense and unless they join hands and think long term and outside the box--meaning giving all tourists--foreign and domestic--great value for their money, the huge number of offerings and deals will only serve to lead them elsewhere.

My heart goes out not to the resort operators and wealthy owners BUT to the lower level workers like the cleaning lady, the maintainence crew, the servers etc. who's livelihood depends on their jobs despite the meager pay.
MA

Discussion 13 : 07/07/2009 at 06:55 PM13
I am (was) planning my 5th trip to Thailand in Dec. I have not been for a few years and was looking forward to it, until last year's airport fiasco and the many negative comments I've been reading on different websites. In fact, I'm trying hard to find a positive comment about the country. I am really no longer sure whether I should spend my hardearned money in what seems to have turned into a greedy, nasty place. What a shame, it used to be a lovely destination and my absolute favourite. But I guess "it" forgot that tourists are customers, not just idiots with wallets. As I've said before, we can vote with our feet.
Zouz von Kuwait

Discussion 12 : 04/07/2009 at 03:02 PM12
Got an Idea for the Taxi in samui.
Sponsor the taxis and why not make use of them as advert.
Or make a Dolmush (in turkey)system.
Good Luck.
Miss the old days of backpaking in Samui.
charles rochat

Discussion 11 : 03/07/2009 at 03:01 PM11
Tired of greed and abuse,Thailand becoming like the Philippines, take it or leave it,of course leave it.In Europe you have better value for money.Permanent abuse with Wifi connections, not only expensive, but very poor services. Friend advise, avoid Thailand for the coming years to give time for DSL and honesty adaptations !
Paul

Discussion 10 : 01/07/2009 at 05:42 PM10
I have lived in Hong Kong for 15 years and used to come to Thailand three times a year, Xmas/New Year, CNY and summer. No longer. I became fed up with the greed, pollution, over-development (Koh Samui used to be great) hassle (drinking laws, immigration rules, etc), crime (I had things stolen numerous times), the rip-offs, etc.

I have just done 2 weeks in Indonesia (what a gem!) and I am on my way to Vietnam. I have never been to either place before. Xmas and CNY I will do Malaysia and Phillippines for the first time in 15 years.

I am not wealthy by any means. I don't have a car in HK or an expensive property, watches, etc. But when I am on holiday I don't do it cheaply. That is my preference. Short sighted policies and the "couldn't care less, if you don't like it leave" attitude means that Thailand has now lost that forever. A shame, because the country has so much to offer. But the risks and the downside means that it's just not worth it anymore.
Swedenfarang

Discussion 9 : 01/07/2009 at 09:03 AM9
I´m living 10-11 months every year in Thailand. If I not had my Girlfriend hear I should left this Country for a year ago. The double standards for everything are boring me a lot. Now 150 Baht fee on ATM. Difficult to take bigger sum in the same time. They like yon to use Visa many times for another 150 Baht. Farang pricees if you show your face together with your Thai women. Double standard in politic. They had a poll that Thai people accept corruption if they received some Baht in their pocket. When visit Islands around make you only more dissapointed.
You will see that people will go for Laos, Cambodia and later to Burma when they kick out the Military. Thailand will not come up to 10 million visitors a year in a long time now.
My girlfriends son 15 year go for military 1 day a week the same time he goes at study. He paid more than 2000 Baht for uniform and 1000 Baht for some extra thing. I newer heard that military charge soldiers in my country. Where do that money goes. The same with fre uniforms and free school. My women pay for school, uniforms and books and extra for the school even if they are Governement. To say that something is free in this country is only a joke. That the farang tourist know now and will change to other places around the kingdom Thailand.
GoToHK

Discussion 8 : 01/07/2009 at 03:21 AM8
You are right. I stop going to BKK now. Before, I feel that Thailand is a good tourist place. Now, I beg to differ. I enjoy my time going to Hong Kong.
Sosum

Discussion 7 : 30/06/2009 at 10:40 PM7
K.Samui is not worth it. Many better destinations around the world. Thailand is not worth it. Cost like $6+ for taxi for short destinations. And traveling without a car cannot be done. Go to Europe - more value and not as hot. Better exchange rates.

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