Wrong message being sent abroad

Business > Economics

FLOODING

Tourist confusion rampant, say hoteliers

Published: 3/11/2011 at 02:14 AM
Newspaper section: Business

The government needs to do a better job of communicating to protect the country's tourism image, as reports of current flooding in foreign media are creating confusion abroad, say executives of Centara Hotels & Resorts.

Many international tourists misunderstand current conditions in Bangkok because of frequent media reports saying Bangkok's airport is flooded.

They are not aware that the flooding affects only Don Mueang and not Suvarnabhumi, prompting Asian tourists shift to other countries and European tourists to postpone trips to unaffected areas including Phuket, Samui, Krabi and Chiang Mai.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

About the author

: Writer: Chadamas Chinmaneevong; Position: Reporter

Keep this article in your social bookmark:

Latest stories in this category:

Your comments

upena
Post : 517
Send message

Discussion 4 : 04/11/2011 at 07:10 AM4
Post this to my Facebook
"reports of current flooding in foreign media are creating confusion abroad"

Reports from the Bangkok Post are creating confusion abroad.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
Ian Wensor
Post : 723
Send message

Discussion 3 : 03/11/2011 at 08:55 AM3
Post this to my Facebook
I don't think lowering hotel room rates or offering specials deals to attract customers will occur to any great extent... From what I've seen, Thais usually increase their prices when times are bad in futile attempts to make good such shortfalls... They've yet to realise that such stupidity only compounds the problem and makes things a bloody sight worse.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
cassie
Post : 93
Send message

Discussion 2 : 03/11/2011 at 08:45 AM2
Post this to my Facebook
After this whole mess is over, hire a FARANG to help the TAT communicate correctly. Thais simply do NOT know how to communicate in a way that foreigners want, and that foreigners understand. The TAT starts with the best intentions, as does the government but because, in the Thai way they are not direct enough, the true message never gets out.

Read any farang blog or website about Thailand, and many of us are giving out better and more accurate information about Thailand for tourists than the TAT and the government combined.

I tell everyone who reads my work online that Thailand is SAFE during the floods, in direct language foreigners understand. The "going all around Nonthaburi to get to Siam Square from Silom" approach of the TAT and the Thai government just confuses foreigners and they decide not to come.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
franklin
Post : 737
Send message

Discussion 1 : 03/11/2011 at 06:30 AM1
Post this to my Facebook
Once again TAT ‘drops the ball’. But other shortcomings are also evident. If Thailand wants to at least joint the world community in tourism, it needs a serious look at the education system. The vast majority of tourists from all countries in the world speak English as a second language and quite well I might add. They obviously maintain their native tongue but speaking English as a second language opens doors of opportunity. Where are the Thai English language updates on the flood situation for the worlds benefit and Thailand? Hearing an honest English speaking Thai news report about the Bangkok flood situation would go a long way in lessening the world’s confusion. Time to play catch-up with your Asian neighbors.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment

Wrong message being sent abroad | Bangkok Post: business