Unrest hits tourism in North and South

[stilljustbrowsing]

Have to (happily) agree with Dean. Never, in six years of living (and working) near Bangkok have I had any problem whatsoever
Do you others look for it or does"it" find you?
I see some "major" european airlines are going to, or are having strikes and "problems", hope you are going to be as vitriolic towards them, being as they are 1st. world countries and are so far far "superior"
Stranded at Phuket and missing 4 days at work! Hmmmm, Let me think about that, half second later (Oh joy, bet the boss is fuming!)
Better stranded there than at CDG when the air traffic controllers go on strike in the middle of the holiday season (again)
If no-one can get out, no-one can get in, that at least means the hotel rooms you just vacated are still vacant, subject to your re-occupancy, in which case the rooms are no longer vacant (and the hotellier may get some of their towels back!)
I do have a little problem in putting the words "serious', "tourism", and "operator" in one serious sentence

[bristolgeoff]

TOURISM WILL SUFFER WITH MONEY BEING IN SHORT SUPPLY.BUT PEOPLE WHO KNOW THAILAND WILL STILL GO,UNREST WILL NOT STOP THEM.I,AM STILL GOING TO CHIANG MAI IN JAN /FEB,NOT WORRIED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS.I WILL BE GOING TO ENJOY THE SUN

[Dean M]

(BangkokPost.com) - Thailand’s tourism growth between the first and third quarters recorded 3.49 per cent, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kohsurat.

Unlike many countries that reported a negative tourism growth, the number of tourists during the first three quarters in Thailand continued to be positive, Mr Weerasak said.

As you can see by yesterday's article, tourism is on the growth, not declining as the "nervous nellies" would have you believe. It may not be a strong as previous years, but that is due to a number of issues, such as other countries becoming more "attactive" to travelers; i.e. Vietnam & India, and not necessarily due to the political situation in Bangkok.

As for bristolgoeff saying he's coming to Chiang Mai in Jan/Feb, I say "Welcome to Real Thailand. Enjoy the sun and the people."

Dean

[village idiot]

I too have just returned from my annual trip to Thailand and am amazed at how expensive it has become there. I am sure that you are about to loose many regulars who will be inclined to visit Cambodia and Viet Nam instead ! I find that the taxi drivers have become very greedy especially with first time visitors. Its about time that something serious is done about this.
I called the previous taxi driver i had used (still got his card) told him that i expected to pay Bht500 to the city which was agreed. I was picked up by a different driver who demanded Bht 1000 when we arrived and became quite obnoxious when i argued with him, however he got his Bht1000, it cost me Bht500 on 3 subsequent occaisions this time by meter taxi, the driver was quite happy with this. On another occaision i saw a young farang (American) lady in tears when the taxi drivers at Kaosan rd., refused to take her to Chulalonghorn Uni, she had done the trip several times and knew what was a fair rate.They were demanding double the rate and refused to use their meters. They refused me also just because i knew it should only cost me Bht60 to Chinatown.
This is very bad for the tourism industry and i think that there should be a "blitz" on meter taxis trying this kind of extortion.

[pachangamac042]

Latest news; Suwarnabhumi airport is partially closed down. The PAD terrorist are blocking the exit with barbwire. What a shame it is to see tourist wanting to leave the airport and be confronted with such a welcome committee. Police is just standing around not doing anything at all. Anarchy at Bangkok International airport.

But I bet that DocN, Dean M, bristol geoff and company, still say that it is all good. This will be in the international news and I am sure that it will keep even more tourists away. Probably now you can forget about the last minute tourists as well. PAD well done. And too all the Thai Airways staffers who joined the PAD protests, well, you are digging your own grave and you do not realize it. Hopefully they are the first ones to be kicked out of TG.

To the optimist called, Dean M. Phuket bookings for X-mas are at about 50% compared to the over 95% last year.You still think there is no problems?

To village \\\ /////, last week i went from the airport to the Northern busterminal, 240 Bath with a taximeter. 2 months ago from the airport to Sukhumvit road 13, 260 Bath with a taximeter. You must do something wrong.

[Tantrice]

We are flying at 1. of Dez. Will there be problems with our flight? We don t fear the protests. A friend of mines travells now for 20 years to thailand and said that we wont even recognize trouble. But my question is " Can we arrive with a plain"

[pachangamac042]

MAYBE...

[pachangamac042]

Hy Tantrice, the Thai prime minister said today Friday, that business at Suvarnabhumi airport should be back to normal by Saturday midday. We will see, I am not that optimistic. Anyways do not worry, should the airport still be closed, then I do not think that the airline you will fly with will depart from your country. Check with your travel agant or airline for latest news.

As for your friend, well would he have landed or wanted to depart Bangkok some days ago, then even he would have recognized serious trouble. If you are comming here, then be very careful please. No problems outside Bangkok so far, but still...

[Tantrice]

Thank you for you answer. Flight is canceld. We booked bali instead. I m sad that we can t travell to Thailand but maybe next year or in the summer. I ll be up to date with bangkok post and forum.
Hope for the thais that the situation gets better!
sincerly

[pachangamac042]

You are welcome Tantrice. Sorry to hear that you can not come to Thailand, but I had that feeling already when I wrote to you. Enjoy your stay in Bali and please visit this country when things get back to normal. Thailand is worth it, because as I said under an other topic; “Nobody can take its beauty, its friendly people and great food away!”