Tourism Indochina: Vietnam Cambodia Thailand Tour By Sea Route is Popular

Tourism Indochina: Vietnam Cambodia Thailand Tour By Sea Route is Popular

(Tourism Indochina:Date: 2007-10-28): An agreement to this effect was reached by the tourism authorities and relevant agencies of localities from the three countries at a meeting in the Phu Quoc island district, Kien Giang province, from October 24-25. There will be two trips a week along this line by a high-speed ship, capable of carrying 300 people. Visitors will depart from Vietnam ’s Ha Tien township, travel to Cambodia ’s Shihanouk Ville port city and finally arrive in an eco-tourism site in Thailand ’s Chanthaburi province. Kien Giang province, the Vietnamese partner in the project, is mobilising capital to upgrade its infrastructure and entertainment facilities in Ha Tien and Phu Quoc.

Phú Quốc is the largest island in Vietnam. The island is part of Kiên Giang Province, has a total area of 574 square kilometres (222 sq mi) and a permanent population of approximately 85,000. The district of Phú Quốc includes the island proper and 21 smaller islets. The district seat, Dương Đông, is located on the west coast, and is also the largest town on the island. The economy is centered around fishing, agriculture and a fast-growing tourism sector; Phú Quốc being one of the most popular tourist destinations of Vietnam. Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Phú Quốc island lies just off the Cambodian coast, 62 nautical miles (115 km; 71 mi) from Rạch Giá, 8.1 nautical miles (15.0 km; 9.3 mi) from Kampot province of Cambodia, and nearly 290 nautical miles (540 km; 330 mi) from Laem Chabang, Thailand. Roughly triangular in shape the island is 50 kilometres (31 mi) long north to south and 25 kilometres (16 mi) east to west in the north at its widest. A mountainous ridge known as "99 Peaks" runs the length of Phú Quốc, with Chúa Mountain being the tallest at 603 metres (1,978 ft). The island's monsoonal sub-equatorial climate is characterized by distinct rainy (June to November) and dry seasons (December to May). The annual rainfall is high, averaging 2,879 millimetres (9.446 ft). In the northern mountains up to 4,000 millimetres (13 ft) has been recorded. April and May are the hottest months, with temperature reaching 35 °C (95 °F).

Ha Tien is a seaside town in Kien Giang Province in Southern Vietnam. It is at the western end of the Mekong Delta close to the Cambodian border. Although a tourist spot it hasn't yet seen many western visitors due to its remoteness. As a result the English literacy of even the hotel staff is next to nothing. However, the opening of the border to Cambodia for international travelers recently is likely to change that in the near future. The bus terminal is west of the city center (it was moved there from To Chau on the other side of the bay around January 2008). There are buses from Ho Chi Minh City's Mien Tay terminal (about 8h) as well as from Can Tho and Chau Doc. The connection from Can Tho often requires a change in Rach Soi or Rach Gia from where it is about 1h. The border near Ha Tien (7km to the north) was opened for tourists in 2007. NEW!! NO VISA NEEDED; As of late 2010,it is possible for tourists of most nationalities to enter Vietnam via this border crossing without the need for a visa.It applies only for stays of up to 15 days,and you can only visit the so called "Special Economic Zone",which is essentially the town of Ha Tien,and the area between the town and the border,including Mui Nai beach.You must not travel further into Vietnam (There is some dispute over whether you can travel to Phu Quoc island having entered with this visa free entry). From Kampot you can get a motobike taxi for $9-10 or from Kep for $7 to the border on the Cambodian side. The road can vary in condition from paved and bumpy to packed dirt and bumpy, be prepared for a slightly white knuckled ride depending on the daring nature of your driver. Also, be aware that there seem to be Vietnamese drivers now waiting well inside the Cambodian side waiting to pickup (poach) prospective travelers to take them across the border into town. Your driver may stop here to talk with them and seem to suggest you go with them. A ride to town should be $3-4 or less (it is only 7 km and the road is well paved on the Vietnamese side.) If you can't agree on a price there you can simply have your Cambodian driver take you to the border where you can cross over and have the drivers on the other side fight over you.

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Tourism Indochina: Thailand faces internal and international conflict

Tourism Indochina: Thailand faces internal and international conflict

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-09-04):

Tourists in Thailand have been advised to exercise caution following a state of emergency being imposed in Bangkok yesterday after violent clashes between protesters.

At least one person was killed and dozens were injured as pro-government and anti-government demonstrators clashed with golf clubs, slings and pistols in the city centre early on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister, Samak Sundaravej, had said “I have a sword, but I have chosen not to use it,” in response to protesters who were calling for his government's resignation earlier in the week. The authorities estimate there to be around 30,000 protesters, apparently with an organized, well funded backing.

However, there was a surge in violence following threats from trade unions to cut off water and electricity supplies to show support for the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which has been occupying Government House for a week in protest at Mr Sundaravej’s government.

Tourists were stranded at Hat Yai airport, in the south of the country, as anti-government protests forced airport closures for the second time in recent days. Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said: “We are advising Australians to exercise a great deal of caution and if they are in Bangkok to keep away from demonstrations.”

However a British embassy spokesman said: “We are not advising people not to come.”

The state of emergency decree gives the military the right to restore order, allows authorities to suspend certain civil liberties, including travelling freely, bans public gatherings of more than five people and bars the media from reporting news that causes panic.

Military intervention has raised fears of a second coup in three years, but Gen Anupong Paochinda, the army chief, insists his forces will not take over again. However, it is thought the PAD, formed three years ago, may have some support from Thailand's armed forces.

Thailand also faces an escalation of tensions with neighbouring Cambodia, as a dispute rages over a 1,000-year-old temple on the border of the two Southeast Asian nations.

The Preah Vihear Temple straddles the Cambodian-Thai border atop the Dangrek Mountain and was listed as a World Heritage Site on July 7 by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee.

Although the site was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962, the only reliable maps of the jungle-covered region show that the temple ruins actually stand on Thai territory.

Thailand decided this week to stake its claim to the land around the site by moving in 1,500 troops and heavy artillery. Cambodia responded with a similar show of force, and the two sides now stand at an impasse as the Cambodian government spoke of an “imminent threat of war”.


By: Toby Cohen

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Tourism Indochina: Asian nations urge citizens against Thailand travel

Tourism Indochina: Asian nations urge citizens against Thailand travel

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-09-04):

SINGAPORE - Thailand's lucrative tourism industry faced a rash of cancellations after several Asian countries urged their citizens on Tuesday to avoid travelling there during the current political crisis.

South Korea and Singapore issued advisories urging citizens to avoid non-essential travel, while Australia and Taiwan advised nationals to be extra vigilant.

Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej declared a state of emergency in Bangkok earlier on Tuesday, giving the army control of public order after a man died in overnight clashes between pro- and anti-government protesters.

Under the sweeping emergency powers announced on television and radio, all public gatherings in the capital are banned and restrictions imposed on media reports that 'undermined public security'.

Although the deployment of troops will come as welcome relief to the overstretched police -- who have been dealing with anti-government protests for over three months -- it raises the spectre of an army seizure of power less than two years after the military kicked out then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Samak later told a news conference the emergency action would not last more than a few days.

POPULAR WITH TOURISTS

Thailand is a hugely popular tourist destination for visitors from Asia and further abroad. It also draws hundreds of thousands of business visitors each year.'If Singaporeans do not have a pressing need to travel to Bangkok, they are advised to postpone the travel to a later date,' the Singapore ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement.

'We ask those who plan trips to Thailand to please avoid travel there until the situation stabilises,' South Korea's foreign ministry said from Seoul.

The Australian government left its overall warning unchanged but urged travellers to take extra care.

'Travellers should exercise a high degree of vigilance at this time because of the political unrest,' the travel advisory from Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said. 'There have been instances of violence including one reported death and several injuries. Further violence cannot be ruled out.

'You should avoid demonstrations, political rallies and concentrations of military personnel and follow any instructions issued by local authorities.'

China's Foreign Ministry has not yet issued any travel warning to the many Chinese tourists who visit Thailand, but on Monday the Ministry issued a notice on its website (www.fmprc.gov.cn) noting that the protests and threatened airport closures 'may create transport difficulties'.

'The Foreign Ministry suggests that Chinese citizens and groups travelling to Thailand pay attention to the situation and accordingly adjust their itinerary,' it said.


By forbes.com

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Tourism Indochina: Foreign arrivals down 30 percent in Bangkok: industry group

Tourism Indochina: Foreign arrivals down 30 percent in Bangkok: industry group

(Tourism Indochina: Date : 2008-09-05):

BANGKOK — Arrivals of foreign tourists in Bangkok are down 30 percent, the Association of Thai Travel Agents said Thursday, blaming the drop on a state of emergency declared three days ago in the capital.

Bangkok's international airport normally receives an average of 8,000 to 10,000 foreign visitors a day, the group's president, Apichart Sankary, told AFP. But arrivals now are 30 percent below average, he said.

"The political turmoil has badly affected the travel and tourism business in Thailand," Apichart said, adding that 13 countries have issued warnings about travel here.

He said the fall-off in arrivals began after Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej declared a state of emergency in Bangkok on Tuesday following bloody clashes between rival activists that left one of Samak's supporters dead.

The decline is already costing Thailand 400 million baht (11.7 million dollars) a day in lost revenue, Apichart said. On an average day, the country earns about 1.5 billion baht from tourism.

"Most of the foreign visitors are tourists who expect to have a good time in Thailand. If the government cannot resolve the problems properly and quickly, we may see a weaker future for the business," he said.

Last weekend anti-government protesters calling for Samak's resignation shuttered three key tourist airports for two days, stranding thousands of travelers. Rail services in southern Thailand have also been disrupted for a week.

Apichart said the closure of the airport in Phuket alone caused losses of about 750 million baht. Tourism generates about six percent of the national economy, and Thailand had expected the industry to earn about 600 billion baht (17.5 billion dollars) this year.

But industry groups fear the ongoing protests could spark even more cancellations, just as the peak tourism season here begins in October.


By AFP

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Tourism Indochina: Bangkok Airways offers a new speedy service with web check in

Tourism Indochina: Bangkok Airways offers a new speedy service with web check in

Bangkok Airways Co., Ltd. is a regional airline based in Chatuchak District, Bangkok, Thailand. It operates scheduled services to destinations in Thailand, Cambodia, China, Laos, Maldives, Burma, India and Singapore. Its main base is Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok.

The airline was established in 1968 as Sahakol Air operating air-taxi services under contract from Overseas International Construction Company (OICC) an American construction company, United States Operations Mission (USOM) and a number of other organisations engaged in oil and natural-gas exploration in the Gulf of Thailand. It began scheduled services in 1986, becoming Thailand's first privately-owned domestic airline. It re-branded to become Bangkok Airways in 1989. The airline is owned by Dr Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth (92.31%), Sahakol Estate (4.3%), Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (1.2%) and other shareholders (2.19%). It has 1,903 employees and also wholly owns subsidiary airline Siem Reap Airways.

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-09-11):

BANGKOK – Recently, Bangkok Airways began “Web Check-In” service for passengers traveling from its key domestic routes. The service enables passengers to easily check-in online and select their preferred seat as early as 24 hours prior departure, by clicking on “Web Check-In” at www.bangkokair.com. Passengers simply bring their printed boarding pass to the designated counter for quick ID verification and baggage check (if needed).

The airline will initially offer Web Check-In service to passengers who fly from Bangkok, Samui and Phuket to other domestic destinations and will apply this service to its other destinations in the near future.


By eTN

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Tourism Indochina: Thai political violence threatens tourism, economy

Tourism Indochina: Thai political violence threatens tourism, economy

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-10-09):

Thailand's worst street violence in 16 years has already started to hurt the lucrative tourist industry and will do nothing to help an economy feeling the effects of the global credit crisis, tourism officials and analysts said.

Two people died and over 400 were injured on Tuesday when police clashed with demonstrator’s intent on toppling the government. That ended a period of comparative calm after a short state of emergency in response to previous unrest in September.

"Bookings have recovered since the lifting of the emergency rule. But there have already been some cancellations from Asian travellers since the incident yesterday," said Apichart Sankary, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents.

"The impact is unavoidable, but the extent of the damage depends on how the situation ends ...Will it be a happy or a painful ending? Of course, another coup will be bad," he added.

Thailand had a military coup in September 2006. An elected government that took office at the start of this year has been contested in the streets since May.

Apichart said there were no additions to the list of countries that issued travel warnings because of emergency rule.

However, Thai Airways International THAI.BK said on Wednesday that it would cut flights to Asian countries from next week because of a fall in passenger numbers due to the political unrest and the global financial crisis.

Thais have also been less willing to leave home because of the trouble.

"Yesterday's events were real sad," said Maiyarat Pirayakoset, president of the Association of Domestic Travel.

"Domestic travel has recovered to 60 percent of normal since the emergency was lifted. But new bookings after the clashes are a worry, especially because we are in the money-making high season."

Thailand is banking on 600 billion baht ($17.4 billion) in revenue from 15.5 million tourist arrivals this year. The sector directly employs 1.8 million people and brings in the equivalent of 6 percent of gross domestic product.



DOING ALL RIGHT Business seemed to be holding up in Bangkok's Khao San Road, a popular destination over the years for low-budget tourists and not very far from parliament, where Tuesday's clashes occurred.

"It's not as crowded as before. But we're doing all right, we still have new bookings despite some cancellations," said guest house owner Thongchai Nonthaleeluk.

Home to some of Asia's best beaches, Thailand has remained a top tourist draw despite the SARS epidemic, the Indian Ocean tsunami, bird flu and the 2006 coup.

But the long-running protests have hurt, and the appointment of new Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat last month has done little to help, despite his initial talk of reconciliation.

"People had hoped things would get better after we had a new premier. But the clash is taking us to the same old political situation," said Aat Pisanwanich, head of international trade studies at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce. "Nobody knows what will happen and that's hurting confidence and the economy," he said.

Consumer confidence in August was already at its lowest this year.

In September the Chamber of Commerce said the political turmoil, if prolonged for another month, could cost the economy as much as 62 billion baht and might drag growth below 5 percent this year after 4.8 percent in 2007.

Foreign investors have sold a net $3.8 billion of Thai shares this year, and the value of foreign investment applications slid 44 percent in the first eight months compared with a year earlier to 179 billion baht, according to the Board of Investment.


Source:Bangkok Post

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Tourism Indochina: Protestors leave Bangkok airports as Thai govt dissolved

Tourism Indochina: Protestors leave Bangkok airports as Thai govt dissolved

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-12-03):

Protestors blockading the two main Bangkok airports have agreed to step down after a Thai court yesterday afternoon found the Prime Minister guilty of election fraud, and as such dissolved his entire cabinet.

The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have issued a statement that they will now “allow” flights to be reinstated, but that they will maintain vigilant, and threatened to retake control if the new government looked to be another “puppet regime”.

Still, it is unknown when the main hub of Suvarnabhumi will be fully operational for international flights, as airport officials now have the difficult task of rechecking all equipment and security, as well as cataloguing all damages.

Dedicated cargo flights already have authorisation to restart operations from BKK

Earlier, Serirat Prasutanont, Airports of Thailand (AoT) Acting Director, had said that the clean-up process would take nearly a fortnight, and as such the airport would re-open on the 15th of December.

Since then the AoT have reissued statements, saying that there wasn’t as much damage as they had thought, and that full services could resume much more quickly, though how quickly is still uncertain.

With differing officials giving differing opening dates from as soon as today, to Tuesday the 9th of December, no one is quite sure when the airport will be ready to send out flights. Incoming flights on the other hand are expected within 24 hours.

At the moment, the 5th of December is a popular day for a reopen as it’s the Thai King’s birthday; and as such Vudhibhandhu Vichairatana, AoT Chairman has stated that resuming operations on Friday could be a birthday present for the King.

AoT have estimated that the closure of Suvarnabhumi since the 25th of November has cost them some US$1 million.

Protestors have promised to leave the airport by 10am local time today.

Regional airports to take pressure of U-Tapao

With the shutdown of BKK and DMK, a nearby military base has been the scene of most flights in and out of the capital, but due to its small size, the base has been strained with tens of thousands of passengers eager to get out.

Regional airports could help out whilst BKK is reinstated, said officials from the Transport Ministry, and already airports like Chiang Mai and Phuket have seen special flights operating.

Hua Hin, another regional airport, started serving international flights on Monday, with Bangkok Airways putting on additional charter flights to Singapore and Hong Kong.

International governments have been working to extract their nationals from Bangkok, with Australia, China, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Spain and France already completing several chartered flights.

While New Zealand has become the first country to send in military aid to help evacuate its stranded nationals, with the departure last night of an Air Force Hercules bound for Bangkok.

Britain’s Foreign Office on the other hand has decided not to send charter flights in for its 6,000 or so nationals stranded in Thailand.

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Tourism Indochina: Suvarnabhumi Airport is Getting Back to Business

Tourism Indochina: Suvarnabhumi Airport is Getting Back to Business

(Tourism Indochina: Date : 2008-12-08):

Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport resumed full services from 11 am (0400 GMT) on Friday, after the end of an eight-day siege by anti-government protestors on Wednesday.

Among the airlines resuming operations on Friday were Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways AirAsia and Bangkok Airways.

Emirates, Qantas and Jet Airways resumed full services on Saturday while Lufthansa resumed scheduled flights to Suvarnabhumi on Sunday.

Other major airlines are in the process of resuming their operations to Suvarnabhumi and will continue to do so in the coming days.

At 9am on Friday morning, acting Transport Minister Santi Promphat joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA) officials and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to inspect Suvarnabhumi’s readiness.

Mr Santi expressed confidence that Suvarnabhumi airport is 100 per cent secured, and said that the government would be dedicated to restoring the confidence of tourists and businessmen.

Chaophya Park Hotel & Resorts, General Manager Andrew J Wood expressed the sentiments which are no doubt being felt by all in Thailand’s tourism industry, “we are all looking forward to getting back to business as usual”.

Six Senses Resorts & Spas, Chief Marketing Officer, Raymond Hall has urged Australian not to reconsider their travel plans to Thailand.

“As an Australian living in Bangkok, I have no hesitation at all in saying to come. Thailand has not changed and is still a great experience and is affordable. The demonstrations were unfortunate, to say the least, however, like Australia, Thai politics can be robust.”

He continued, “Quite frankly, many thousands of Thai hospitality workers need the Australian market to have confidence that Thailand has not changed fundamentally. It is still the land of smiles, however corny that may sound, and the hospitality is legendary.

“Already it is possible to get peak period accommodation at low season rates at may destinations, including at Six Senses properties in Hua Hin, Samui, Phuket, and Yao Noi and Naka – just beyond Phuket.

“As far as I am concerned, personal safety of visitors was not an issue in the recent demonstrations. The airport issue was a huge inconvenience to many visitors and very embarrassing to almost all Thais. It really is a great time to visit in a period in which it is often difficult to get accommodations, it is now possible to have choices and at great rates.”

The damage to Thailand’s tourism industry has been colossal with the airport shutdown already costing the tourism- and export-dependent economy hundreds of millions of dollars.

Thailand authorities have said that they are prepared to weather the storm, "We might lose about one million (tourists) but not more than that," Phornsiri Manoharn, Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said, referring to a target of 15.5 million arrivals this year, a 7 percent rise from 2007.

"Most of our tourists are repeat travellers. I've talked to many of them. They said they will come back and they're not worried," she said.

Thailand’s tourism directly employs 1.8 million people and brings in the equivalent of 6 percent of GDP to the county’s coffers.

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Tourism Indochina: Thailand plans $450 million to help tourist sector

Tourism Indochina: Thailand plans $450 million to help tourist sector

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-12-26:)

($450 million) package for reviving its important tourist sector, badly hit by a crippling week-long airport blockade, the Tourism Minister said on Thursday.

"If businesses fail, it will cause damage to the country," Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa-Archa told reporters after meeting with private tourism operators.

The 4-year rescue plan will help a tourist industry suffering from the effects of the closure of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport closure during November as it was blockaded by anti-government protesters. The blockade paralysed the industry and stranded 300,000 travellers. The government fears the period may have tarnished its image as a tourist destination for years.

Tourism directly employs 1.8 million people in Thailand and brings in the equivalent of 6 percent of gross domestic product, making it a major economic driver.

"We have already lost 100 billion baht in revenues and more than 2 million tourists from the airport closure," he said of the blockade during the peak tourist season. He did not elaborate.

The $4-billion airport handles more than 100,000 passengers and outbound cargo worth around $85 million each day.

Apichart Sankary, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, said he expected the number of foreign tourists of 12-13 million next year, compared with 16 million projected by the Tourism Authority of Thailand before the airport siege.

"If the situation gets better, we may have more than 13 million tourists next year," he told the meeting, but gave no projection for this year.

Apichart said normally Thailand welcomed 8,000-12,000 foreign tourists a day during the peak season that started in November, but the number fell to 5,400 after the airport shut.

"Now we seem to have three low seasons in a row," he said.

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Tourism Indochina: Thai Airway 2009 revenue targets will not be met

Tourism Indochina: Thai Airway 2009 revenue targets will not be met

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-12-30:)

Thai Airways this week announced it will not be able to meet its previously set out revenue targets for 2009, with expectations that it will fall some 3-5% below its predictions.

2008 revenue will also drop, decreasing by 10% when compared to 2007, Thai Airways adds.

Load factors for the current year are also expected to fall below targets, set to sit at 70%, three per cent below previous forecasts, said the carrier in a press conference on Monday.

As such the carrier will look to making more network adjustments, with long-haul network changes on the top of the agenda, and South Africa and New Zealand the likely areas to be hit.

“The company has revised its business and marketing plan for next year due to the worldwide economic slowdown and the closure of two airports recently,” said Pandit Chanaphai, Thai Airways Executive Vice President Commercial.

“The target will have to be revised as we accept that global economic slowdown will certainly affect us.”

A decision won’t be finalized until after the next board meeting, but it is likely that the Bangkok–Johannesburg will be cut, while Bangkok– Auckland will be revised.

Thai Airways hopes that dropping capacity will see it make an average of 74% on its load factor average for 2009.

In 2008, Thai has already dropped its direct service to New York, while it now operates its Los Angeles services via Tokyo.

During the siege of protestors at Bangkok’s two main airports, Thai Airways had said that it expected to lose some THB500 million for each day of the disruptions during its peak travel period.


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Tourism Indochina: Bangkok nightclub fire kills 54 injures 100

Tourism Indochina: Bangkok nightclub fire kills 54 injures 100

(Tourism Indochina: Date : 2009-01-02:)

Bangkok, Thailand – A fire swept through a high class nightclub jammed with hundreds of New Year's revelers in the Thai capital, killing at least 54 people and injuring about 100, officials said early Thursday. Victims died from burns, smoke inhalation and injuries during the stampede to escape from the club, which had only one door for entry and exit, police Maj. Gen. Chokchai Deeprasertwit said.

He said that the fire may have been caused by firecrackers brought into the Santika Club by guests or sparks flying from a New Year's countdown display on the nightclub stage.

Police said 53 people people were confirmed dead at the club and another person died at a hospital. Workers counting bodies told The Associated Press that about 100 others were injured when the blaze broke out in the building, which has two stories and a basement.

The rescue workers said most of the bodies were found in the basement of the club, which attracts a well-heeled crowd of Thais and foreigners. The corpses, placed in white body bags, were laid out in rows in the parking lot in front of the club.

A video provided to AP Television News by one of the rescue workers showed bloodied, bruised and burned victims being dragged out of the burning club or managing to run through the door or shattered windows. Flames were racing through the entire building during the rescue operation.

Witnesses said several hundred people were inside the club when the blaze erupted.

One local Web site about the entertainment scene in Bangkok described the club as attracting "an affluent Thai student crowd, with Euro models and Westerners also popping in" with a "whisky-sipping crowd all focused on a large stage."

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Tourism Indochina: Growth Triangle tourism cooperation

(TourismIndochina-Date : 2009-03-02) Phetchaburi - Leaders of Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia on Saturday agreed to step up closer tourism cooperation under the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle in a campaign to be launched this year.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva also urged his two counterparts, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia and Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, to further cooperate in energy to strengthen regional security in the longer term.

The three leaders held talks on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Cha-am district of Phetchaburi.

PM's Office Minister Virachai Virameteekul said after the fourth IMT-GT meeting, chaired by the Indonesian president, that the new tourism campaign for the sub-region would be officially launched in Sumatra Island in coming months as a joint effort between the three countries.

The private sector would be encouraged to take leading role to promote tourism opportunity in the sub-region including medical tourism, he said.

Mr Abhisit has expressed his opinion that tourism would be the key for IMT-GT members to get through the current global economic crisis.

Besides, the premier called on Indonesia to develop cooperation on liquefied natural gas. With Malaysia, Thailand proposed joint development of the energy land bridge which is a part of Thailand's long-delayed Southern Seaboard project.

The southern seaboard has been suggested to be developing in line with Malaysia's northern and eastern regional development plan.

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Thai Tourism Fund in trouble

According to the breaking news of Bangkok Post, five billion baht fund for tourism operators is not enough for them to all survive the slump, said Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa archa.

The financial support programme was officially launched Tuesday and will run until April 30.

The Federation of Thai Tourism Associations (FTTA) predicted that at least 450 tour operators would seek financial help worth at least 1.8 billion baht.

More than 1,000 restaurant operators are expected to submit loan applications for 500 million baht, with small hotels likely to seek up to two billion baht.

Soft loans to help tourismrelated operators will charge an interest rate at 2% in the first two years, followed by the minimum lending rate (MLR) 3%.

"The requests for loans during the 1.5 month period will exceed five billion baht for sure. If demand is excessive, we will go forward with the second fund,'' Mr Chumpol said.

The minister estimated that the tourism business would pick up near the end of this year if the private and government sectors worked hand in hand to promote the country in the same direction.

Apichart Sankary, the FTTA president, said the tourism industry in Thailand would be sluggish in the next two years, particularly for inbound business.

"I can say that this year is the poorest since I have been in business. This summer, tourist arrivals from Europe and the United States will drop more than 30%. Instead, most operators should pin their hopes on Asian tourists particularly from Japan and China,'' he said.

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Thai FM: Foreign tourists' visa exemption effective

Foreign tourists' visa exemption earlier approved by the Thai cabinet has been effective from March 5 to June 4, according to Tharit Charungvat, Director-General of the Department of Information of Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Thai cabinet approved on Jan. 20 the tourist visa exemption for all foreign nationals for three months to boost the country's tourism industry as parts of the government's economic stimulus packages, the Thai News Agency reported.

The government has hoped that revenues from the tourism industry will help offset the sharp falling revenues on the country’s exports, which have been hit by the rising global economic turmoil.

Prior to the global economic slump, for years the revenues from the tourism and export sector had largely contributed to the country's economic growth.


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THAI says goodbye to Don Mueang airport

THAI says goodbye to Don Mueang airport

THAI Airways will stop using Don Mueang airport and operate all flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport as of March 29, acting THAI president Nargongsak Sangkhapong said Friday.

Under the single-airport policy, all 23 of Don Mueang’s THAI flights will be transferred to Suvarnabhumi Airport, in an effort to strengthen the airport as a major hub for THAI and Star Alliance.

THAI’s decision to cease domestic and international operations from Don Mueang is expected to save the national flag carrier an estimated Bt600 million in salaries and operational overhead costs annually.


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Thai Airways back IATA's urgent plea

Thai Airways back IATA's urgent plea


Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) have said that it will support the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) recovery plan at this week’s IATA World Cargo Symposium 2009.

IATA joint with THAI to organise the Cargo Symposium being held 2-5 March at the Centara Grand Hotel, the Bangkok Convention Centre.

This year’s theme for the symposium was “Focus on the customer: Delivering in Turbulent Times”, with IATA emphasising the need for more effective operations on the cargo supply chain in order to tackle the challenging economic environment.

ACM Narongsak Sangapong, THAI Senior Executive Vice President Corporate Secretariat said in a statement that THAI Cargo would review and improve the utilisation of cargo space, equipment and its workforce.

THAI said that measures had already been taken to improve delivery services and cargo management systems. Campaigns and activities have also been rolled out to increase sales and revenues.

The group added that it would follow IATA’s advice in concentrating on e-payment, e-freight and Cargo 2000 so that the global cargo industry can become one step closer to establishing a quality standard.


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Will Thai Airways have the courage of Malaysia Airlines

Repeated rumors about Thai Airways International quasi-bankruptcy have surfaced in Thailand’s newspapers over the last ten days, forcing the country’s national carrier to issue a release to officially deny it. But, according to The Nation newspaper, Thai management last Thursday also had to reassure the airline’s employees assuring of “stable outlook’” and adding also that staff lay-offs would be the last option.

It is definitely true that the airline will not go bankrupt. Thailand’s government, which holds 51 percent of the airline through the Ministry of Finance, will not let it happen. Thai Airways might even get a financial injection due to a severe liquidity shortage. The airline needs some Baht 19 billion (US$ 540 million) to resolve its liquidity problems. It has earlier discussed an agreed with Airbus to postpone the first payment of six new Airbus A330-300 by three months. The six jets must be delivered over the year and replace aging aircraft such as Airbus A300 and Boeing 747-300.

Thai Airways lost already Baht 6.6 billion (US$ 188 million) during the first nine months of the year with experts estimating now that the airline could lose up to US$ 300 million. In an interview conducted in late December, Thai Airways executive vice president for commercial and marketing Pandit Chanapai estimated that the closure of both Bangkok airports between November and December had cost the airline some Baht 500 million per day.

However, Bangkok airports’ woes just accelerated a rapid downturn in the airline’s fortune. If Thai Airways wants to survive, it has to change its way to conduct business and get rid of political interference, nepotism and its culture of inefficiency. In the last decade, Thai Airways’ strategy has been constantly fluctuating due to regular changes in its board of directors. They are generally acknowledged as rather incompetent as most of them are political appointees.

Thai Airways currently has one of the oldest fleet of any large Southeast Asian carrier. On average, 11.6 years with over 20-years old aircraft such as Airbus A300 and Boeing 747-400.

Adding to the airline’s woes is its overstaffing problem. The airline currently has 27,000 employees, compared to 14,000 at Singapore Airlines or 19,000 at Malaysia Airlines.

The Thai flag carrier is also struggling to build an efficient air hub at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi. complete missed integration of low cost subsidiary Nok Air into Thai’s network strategy, the forced transfer of some domestic routes to Don Muang or Thai website’s failed revamp can be described at best as “misguided” strategic decisions from the board.

Transport Minister Sopon Sarum acknowledged himself recently the need to have a board of directors capable to deal with hard times. “The new board must consist of people who can devote themselves and their time to their work,” the minister explained.

Under close scrutiny are all perks and advantages provided to all employees and especially directors and board members. The Bangkok Post revealed that the minister would like to review various allowances for fuel expenses, entertainment and attending board of directors meeting. Each year, directors, their families and accompanying passengers are entitled to 15 free first-class tickets for domestic and international routes with previous directors and their families to pay only 25 per cent of normal fares for up to 12 international and six domestic trips per year. Staff can enjoy up to 90 percent discount on air tickets, according to The Bangkok Post.

Although Thai Airways can’t indulge itself such luxuries for its employees, it is unlikely that anything will happen. The Minister will definitely face resilience from Thai staff with a board of directors watering down any decision until another Minister of Transport takes over. It is also unlikely that Thai Airways will reduce its staff, many of them being there thanks to their connections. “Retrenching employees will be the last option,” reassures Chanapai.

Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij asked already Thai Airways management to present a restructuration plan that will lead to financial sustainability of the airline and have long-term effects. Only a credible plan would open up the doors to the Ministry’s generosity.

Some measures have already been taken but they are certainly insufficient. According to Chanapai, Thai has started restructuring its network. Non-stop very long haul routes from Bangkok to Los Angeles and New York are already gone, Johannesburg was close on January 16 and Auckland is now under review.

“With the sharp decline in markets such as Korea and Japan, we think to provide more intra-orient flights,” added Chanapai.

Under consideration are frequencies such as Bangkok-Manila or Taiwan-Japan or Bangkok-Manila-Korea. Chanapai would also like to fly to the USA via Mainland China. Capacities will now be adjusted strictly to demand and not anticipated with a close eye on yields. But rather to close routes, Chanapai is keener to play on frequencies.

The airline wants also to renegotiate fees with its GDS. “It still costs us US$3 per transaction,” stresses the executive vice president. Other decisions include the reshaping of Thai website. “Only 3 percent of our sales are on the web as we would like to reach at least 12 percent”.

And by next March, Thai will finally retransfer all its domestic operations from Don Muang to Suvarnabhumi.

Financial relief will also come from the end of a costly fuel hedging operation in March and an anticipated travelers’ come-back in the second half of the year. Despite controversies about the delivery of new Airbus A330, the brand new aircraft will help Thai airways to cut its fuel and maintenance costs substantially. But Thai Airways must further act and is due to present more measures in February. And they should be painful, if politics allow it.

The airline could take its inspiration from its Malaysian neighbor. Managed in a similar way to Thai Airways today, Malaysia Airlines (MAS) was on the verge of bankruptcy in 2006. It went then through a painful but successful restructuring process. With new cash injected into the airline, Malaysia’s government also told the management that it would be the last time they would bail out the national carrier. But they also promise not to interfere into MAS management and commercial decisions. Today, Malaysia Airlines is again profitable. A lesson to be meditated by Thai authorities and Thai Airways board of directors.


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Thailand plans $450 million to help tourist sector

($450 million) package for reviving its important tourist sector, badly hit by a crippling week-long airport blockade, the Tourism Minister said on Thursday.

"If businesses fail, it will cause damage to the country," Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa-Archa told reporters after meeting with private tourism operators.

The 4-year rescue plan will help a tourist industry suffering from the effects of the closure of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport closure during November as it was blockaded by anti-government protesters. The blockade paralysed the industry and stranded 300,000 travellers. The government fears the period may have tarnished its image as a tourist destination for years.

Tourism directly employs 1.8 million people in Thailand and brings in the equivalent of 6 percent of gross domestic product, making it a major economic driver.

"We have already lost 100 billion baht in revenues and more than 2 million tourists from the airport closure," he said of the blockade during the peak tourist season. He did not elaborate.

The $4-billion airport handles more than 100,000 passengers and outbound cargo worth around $85 million each day.

Apichart Sankary, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, said he expected the number of foreign tourists of 12-13 million next year, compared with 16 million projected by the Tourism Authority of Thailand before the airport siege.

"If the situation gets better, we may have more than 13 million tourists next year," he told the meeting, but gave no projection for this year.

Apichart said normally Thailand welcomed 8,000-12,000 foreign tourists a day during the peak season that started in November, but the number fell to 5,400 after the airport shut.

"Now we seem to have three low seasons in a row," he said.


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Bangkok Airways to reduce fuel surcharge

BANGKOK Airways and Siem Reap Airways have reduced their fuel surcharges by 15 percent for all international and domestic flights, a BA sales department officer told the Post on Thursday.

Surcharges on flights between Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam will be reduced to US$40 from $45," the spokesman said.

"The reduction is being made because of a drop in the price of international crude." A manager at the Phnom Penh office of Siem Reap Airways, who requested anonymity, said all airlines faced difficulties when international oil prices hit US$150 per barrel, but that now it has dropped to less than $90 per barrel.

"We decided to lower the fuel surcharge because of a drop in the international price," the manager said.

He added that while fuel surcharges would fall, the price of airfares would remain the same. "We do not want to take advantage of people and try to earn more money after the price of crude has already dropped," he said, adding that all passengers would immediately notice the cost of airfare is cheaper because of the drop in the surcharge.

So Mara, secretary of state for the Ministry of Tourism, said the move would further strengthen the sector by improving services.

"We have to improve all types of services, especially in the tourism sector," he said. Cambodia is recognised by international travellers as a safe and politically stable destination, insulated from regional crises and connected to several Asean nations by direct flights, So Mara said.

"If we use this advantage [drop in surcharge] to improve service, the tourism industry will remain a major source of income for national growth," he said.

In a related story, Thai Airways International said it is cutting flights, especially on regional routes, due to a sharp drop in passenger demand.

"The situation has deteriorated from bad to worse, well beyond our expectation. [It] is becoming more critical for us to reassess our frequencies,'' executive vice president Pandit Chanapai told the Bangkok Post.

The extent of the cuts has yet to be worked out and Thai may take steps such as merging flights to suit passenger numbers and contain losses, he said.

Thai's cabin factor in September dropped more than it expected and the deepening political strife in Thailand is making conditions worse.

The airline's passenger load factor was only 70 percent in the third quarter. "What is terrible about the current political crisis is in its open-ended nature. "Unlike 9/11, SARS and the tsunami, we don't know when it will end,'' Pandit told the Bangkok Post.


Source Phnom Penh Post

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