Thai tourism 'at risk' from Myanmar travel boom

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Thai tourism 'at risk' from Myanmar travel boom

Published: 9 Jul 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Travel agents yesterday warned the government that Myanmar's rapidly growing tourism sector could put Thailand's position as a major regional gateway at risk.

The comments came as Myanmar's deputy tourism minister U Htay Aung told the Sasin Bangkok Forum yesterday that his country was ramping up its tourism infrastructure to cope with a sharp rise in the number of visitors.

He conceded that the Myanmar tourism industry was still in its infancy, but pointed to rapidly increasing visitor numbers.

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pquinlan
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Discussion 26 : 09 Jul 2012 at 12.2226
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Thai tourism - be worried, be very, very worried.
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mphilips
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Discussion 25 : 09 Jul 2012 at 12.0725
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One day, there was a scorpion trying to cross a river. He asked a frog to take him across. The frog said the scorpion would sting him and he would die. The scorpion said, if he did that they would both die as the scorpion would then drown. On this basis, the frog agreed to carry the scorpion. Halfway across, the scorpion stung the frog. Before they died, the frog asked why. The scorpion simply replied that it was his nature.
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bobby2000
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Discussion 24 : 09 Jul 2012 at 11.0924
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The biggest threat to the Thai tourism industry are the Thais themselves. Over-exploitation,pollution and littering all contribute to harming Thailand's reputation as a prime tourist destination. The fact that local mafia and criminal gangs are allowed to control various sectors in the tourism industry has further damaged Thailand's international reputation.
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blob123
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Discussion 23 : 09 Jul 2012 at 11.0923
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ref disc 14

There is the same corruption in Myanmar, means this wont count. A few words to Thai police, what they do is not corruption this is second salary and I will tell you why. First they are paid so little that with the normal salary only they cant survive. Second they also have to keep their operation running with this money. The fact is many dont even get enough money from the government for the patrol car petrol etc. (there was a excellent article about this in the BP some time ago). If they would be reasonably paid and receive enough money from the state to run their job this so called corruption would be much less. So dont blame the single police guy, its the government in Bangkok causing the problem.
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bern1005
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Discussion 22 : 09 Jul 2012 at 11.0822
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Competition is generally a good thing in that it forces improvements. Therefore, we should welcome this development and hope that the government will respond by addressing the many things that discourage tourists from coming here (scams, destruction of natural beauty etc.).
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khunbill
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Discussion 21 : 09 Jul 2012 at 10.5021
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As much as I love Thailand and all the fond memories over the last 3 decades. Thailand is becoming a hub, people fly in from all over the world stay for a day or two and fly out to Cambodia, Laos, and now Mynamars. I think the long stays by tourist not expats are coming to an end. To much drama.
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dao
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Discussion 20 : 09 Jul 2012 at 10.3720
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Thailand has always been lucky to have underdeveloped neighbors so was always chosen by tourists .As Burma opens it will definitely take some of Thailands market but not for a while .If Thailand cleaned up all the very well known and documented tourist scams and double pricing it would be a good start. The only thing holding us back is us .
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Eggmeng
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Discussion 19 : 09 Jul 2012 at 10.2919
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While it's worth mentioning the ways Thailand has degraded for tourists, little will change in this regard. It's all too far gone and the conditions for change cannot even be seen on the horizon. The TAT show no signs of possessing the imagination, will or clout that is needed. The secretary-general of the Association of Thai Travel Agents is quoted as saying that the government must adopt a constructive strategy to enjoy mutual benefits from Myanmar's development. What are the chances that will happen?

However it's not all doom and gloom. Myanmar has 5 domestic airlines, but lacks the aircraft, infrastructure and above all hotel rooms to take full advantage of the surge in interest in their country. Remedying all this will take several years and buys Thailand some time.

And the flip side to Myanmar's future prosperity is that there are huge opportunities for Thailand businesses to benefit, in many areas of industry.
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khunbill
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Discussion 18 : 09 Jul 2012 at 10.0818
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You bet thailand should worry. Mynamar is SE Asia's next popular destination as long as they keep opening up and developing. Mynamar has every attraction Thailand has and from what I have been told the people are far more friendly and humble.
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khunbj
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Discussion 17 : 09 Jul 2012 at 10.0617
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Amazing...after reading the headline I was sure that the usual doomsayers would be out again to predict the downfall of Thailand....but sorry guys, not gonna happen, a developed Myanmar will just make the region even more attractive.
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