Tourism in Thailand: It can't get wrong

When it comes to Tourism campaigns, countries in SE Asia seem to be a bit obsessed with having something extraordinary. Usually that means they fail, as we have seen in Singapore recently, in Laos, Cambodia and most times in Thailand. Malaysia Truly Asia and Incredible India are the only two campaigns with an impact - not just because they had a clear message and story, but because they were broadcasted everywhere. If you want to target an international market you need to have a lot of money in your pocket.

But for Thailand campaigns actually don't really matter. Tourist come to Thailand because of the beaches. Period. Some take a cultural tour as well, and after that they go back to the beaches. Guess why Phuket and Pattaya are the main destinations?

Thailand also has quote a good return rate, because people just come back to places they like. The returning tourists are good income, and the new tourists from China are a nice thing on top, although they don't spend so much here per capita.

Now, as someone in charge of Tourism you should have an easy job. Make sure the main destinations are running smoothly, transport and beaches are in order, people are safe, food is available and that's it.

But that would be too easy. No matter who is in charge, they usually screw up. This time we so far had wristbands for tourists, confiscated beach chairs, urine controls in downtown Bangkok. We still have martial law, and recently the Department of Health proposed an alcohol ban for New Year and Songkran.

And Thailand has another advantage: The neighbouring countries are even less smart. Vietnam could easily take over by waving visa fees, and Myanmar by reducing prices for accomodation. But it seems both countries haven't really understood the value of tourism. Let's see if Malaysia steps in.

Although hearing stupid things from politicians isn't only happening in Thailand, here we just hear it too many times.

Right now, numbers are still down, because most news coming from Thailand are bad news. Chinese tourists are scared of the police controls, European tourists about martial law, and Russian tourists about safety. Thailand always went through a crisis quite well, from Tsunami to Yellow and Red Shirt protests. Let's see if this happens again. I do have doubts.

Electronic tracking devices and wristbands for tourists

From Reuters:

Thailand's tourism minister said on Tuesday that identification wristbands would be distributed to tourists following the murder of two British backpackers earlier this month that has raised fresh concerns over tourist safety.
Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said she had approached hotels over the idea of handing out wristbands to help identify tourists that get lost or into trouble.
"When tourists check-in to a hotel they will be given a wristband with a serial number that matches their I.D. and shows the contact details of the resort they are staying in so that if they're out partying late and, for example, get drunk or lost, they can be easily assisted," Kobkarn told Reuters.
"The next step would be some sort of electronic tracking device but this has not yet been discussed in detail."

In other words: We don't want tourists in Thailand anymore. It makes too much work. Read the rest of the story following the link above. It even gets better.

Stop blaming embassies for travel warnings

Todays big news is a CEO of a "also in tourism"-company and his piece in the Bangkok Post.  William E Heinecke complains about travel warnings from embassies and says it's bad for business.


Quotes:

However, the travel warnings and restrictions issued by some foreign governments incorrectly dispel this fact. Tourists have never been a target in the protests and to this end all airports in Thailand...

... These unnecessarily severe travel advisories are now having a major impact on the livelihoods of Thai people across the country.

...If there were demonstrations in Washington or Paris, would tourists be advised not to visit the entire country? Would travel warnings ever be issued? "

It is a fact that tourism numbers are down and companies in Thailand are suffering from this (my wife works in the tourism business, so I know how it is).

But can we really blame the embassies? No. They do their job and they do it actually pretty good. First of all most of them issue a travel advice and not a warning (the latter is way more serious and can give you the right to cancel a trip without paying cancellation fees)

So what did the embassies say:

US Citizen Service Travel Alert:

The U.S. Department of State alerts U.S. citizens of the potential risks of travel to Thailand, particularly Bangkok, due to ongoing political and social unrest...Demonstrations, primarily in the greater Bangkok area and occasionally elsewhere in Thailand, are continuing, and there have been regular incidents of violence. ...Some protest sites are located near tourist attractions and popular shopping malls, which at times have closed or shortened business hours unexpectedly. Protests may occur in other areas with little or no prior notice."

German Foreign Ministry Travel Advice:

(Google Translation, but you get an idea)

Since 01/13/2014 Government opponents block several transportation hubs in the inner city of Bangkok. The streets most affected lie within the catchment area of ​​large shopping centers such as the Phatumwan intersection (MBK / Siam Paragon), Ratchaprasong intersection (Central World), Asoke junction (terminal 21) and Sala Daeng intersection (Silom, Patpong night market). There will be some significant disabilities. The Thai government has started on 14.02.2014 with the evacuation of single occupied sites and buildings in Bangkok. It has the 18.2. Where deaths and injuries.
It is also advised to avoid demonstrations and large crowds throughout the Bangkok city area.

UKForeign Travel advice:

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all but essential travel to the provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla on the Thai-Malaysia border. See Terrorism.
The FCO advise against all travel to the Preah Vihear (Khaoi Pra Viharn in Thai) temple area and the Ta Krabey/Ta Moan temple area located on the Thai-Cambodian border due to the presence of troops in the area and the risk of outbreaks of fighting. See Cambodian border.
There is a high threat of terrorism. See Terrorism.
Political demonstrations continue in and around Bangkok and elsewhere in Thailand. Some of these have been violent, including the use of firearms, and there have been casualties and deaths. The situation is unpredictable and further protests are expected.

Aussenministerium Österreich (Austria)

Erhöhtes Sicherheitsrisiko für ThailandHohes Sicherheitsrisiko für BangkokBangkok ist nach wie vor mit Großdemonstrationen der Regierungsgegner konfrontiert.
Im Rahmen der Kampagne „Shutdown Bangkok“ haben die Regierungsgegner wichtige Straßenkreuzungen Bangkoks besetzt, sowie die öffentliche Verwaltung teilweise blockiert; öffentliche Verkehrsmittel und die Flughäfen wurden ausdrücklich ausgenommen und bislang nicht blockiert. Das ursprünglich befürchtete Verkehrschaos sowie eine eingeschränkte Versorgungslage sind bis dato nur teilweise eingetreten.

I can't see any warning that they advice against traveling to Thailand, but they do give a assessment about the situation of certain areas. And there is a certain risk of the conflict spreading - we have seen spontaneous protests in other parts already.

Also, they give this kind of advice about the south (and recently about Prehar Vihear) frequently with having  complains of this kind.

It's not the embassies who are creating a fuzz, it is the media (twitter included). Every updated travel alert is tweeted as a breaking news, even if it's just an update about the current situation. Of course media looks for the unusual, new, surprising news, and shootings in Bangkok are news. So they use the embassies advice to create a warning and make it a big story.

Dear Mr. William E Heinecke, you just pointed the finger to the wrong people. First of all it is the PDRC creating the chaos and maybe the current government causing this. As we all know certain people in the background are participating in this power struggle, even if they have shares in tourixm related businesses. 

Then as mentioned it is a media issue. I would subscribe to all allegations if targeted to the international media. But not for the embassies.

Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park: relax and enjoy the tranquility

We are not yet finished with exploring parks and gardens in Bangkok. Today we went to another jewel of natural habitat: The Sri Kakhon Khuen Khan park. The current King himself gave the park the garden. Although it looks on the map bigger at it actually is, the park is worth a stop. If you are on a organised bike tour you most probably make a visit here anyway, if not, mark it as a way point.

Located on the northern end of the small peninsula the Chao Phraya river forms here, it is open daily from 6am to 8pm and you don't need to buy a ticket. It is also a botanical garden, so expect a lot of signs explaining the plants you see. You can walk around or take a bike (a bike rental is right next to the entrance).

Enjoy the shadows of the huge trees, watch the lizards crawling trough the gras (they are harmless, just keep some distance) or climb up the birdwatching tower (better bring binoculars with you). Have a seat in the wooden pavilions and listen to the sound of nature just a few kilometers from the buzzing city. 

We didn't see a restaurants there, but you are allowed to bring your own food and drinks and have a picnic. Just clean the place afterwards. Toilets are available on the right when you enter the park.


Once you finished you can also visit the nearby Siamese Fighting Fish Gallery, unfortunately it's open only on weekends.

Suan Luang Rama 9 Park - another jewel in Bangkok

Lumphini park is renown within the expat community as the best place for exercising and for tourists who want to spend some time in kind of fresh air and surrounded by green. But there are more parks in Bangkok, and the Suan Luang Rama IX park might be a bit outside but is worth a visit.

The area is huge, with a big lake and ten of thousands of flowers. It is a paradise for photographers but also for families, since you have so many opportunities to just sit down and have a picnic - either with your own food or some dishes you bought at the stalls.

Entry fee is 5 Baht for people and 10 baht for the car. The park opens every day at 5am and closes at 6pm.

From the parking lot behind Paradise Park shopping mall at Srinakarin road you just start walking. A walk around the lake get you to the main building that looks like a star trek assembly hall. It hosts a lot of pictures and information about the current King of Thailand, Rama IX or better know as King Bhumiphol.

The park is considered the biggest in Bangkok and the botanical gardening is outstanding. Lots of signs tell you the name of the plant, special places like the English garden give you some impressions of international garden architecture.

Find some impressions in pictures and video below.

Bang Nam Phueng Floating market

The jungle that's build through the sling of the Chao Phraya river and makes ut the green lung of Bangkok was unknown territory for me until last week. We heard about the Bangkok Tree house just across the river and wanted to see it with our own eyes. A nice small eco-friendly boutique hotel, build treehouse style but with all luxury you need. 

For those who think they stayed everywhere in BKK already, they missed this one propably. 

Studying Google maps while there I saw a floating market and we decided to take a mototaxi and check it out.  A good decision: The Bang Nam Phueng floating market is a hidden gem, at least for foreigners. We didnt see many Falang there although its a well designed, well maintained and well operated place. Of course the boats are gone and nothing is floating anymore, but that makes the market even better.  

You have Boss Coffee, a tiny coffee shop serving delicious coffee for 25 Baht, and offers a seat on the canal. You have restaurants there, small and big, a lot of very cheap but good food, plants, souvenirs etc. 

The market is open on the weekend from 7am to 2pm. Best time to come is early morning. From the Udom Suk BTS go to pier at Wat Bang Na Nok, it costs just 4 Baht to take the ferry and from there 15 Baht for the motocycle taxi.