TCT estimates losses

In an about face on earlier assessments, the Tourism Council of Thailand now says prolonged political turmoil could cut tourist arrivals by 400,000 in January.
TCT president, Piyaman Techapaibul, said that over the New Year holidays visits from China and Russia – Thailand’s two major markets – dropped by 25% to 30%, mainly to Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin and Cha-am.
However, the northern provinces of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai enjoyed growth from the middle of last year compared to other regions in the country, she added.
“Most visitors to the North were from China, Europe and the United States…the acute drop in temperature last month attracted more domestic tourists.”
The TCT president added: “Tourism during the New Year holiday was down and this forced tour operators in several provinces to adjust their marketing strategies.”
Earlier, the TCT argued that tourism to Thailand was resilient and would not decline substantially despite protests, and travel advisories issued by 40 countries warning their citizens to show extreme caution when visiting Bangkok.
The original prediction of 2.5 million arrivals this month due to Chinese New Year travel, may be short by 400,000 visits, and revenue will also decrease by about Bt18 billion.
She said so far, 40 countries have issued travel advisories to their citizens, suggesting they stay well clear of demonstration sites while some countries have elevated their warnings against visiting Bangkok since 1 January.
If the protesters close 20 intersections in the inner city, it will prove to be very difficult for tourists to avoid the demonstration sites, prompting some governments to advice travellers to go elsewhere in the country.
Suvarnabhumi Airport has advised travellers to arrive at the airport four hours before flight departures.
Suvarnabhumi Airport director, Raweewan Netrakhawesana, said the anti-government protests will cause heavy traffic and make it very difficult for people to reach the airport.
The best option is to transfer to the Makkasan Airport Rail Link station and go by train to the airport that takes 20 minutes. If possible travellers should use the BTS or MRT to transfer to the airport rail link stations. The first train service starts at 0600 from Makkasan and operates every 20 minutes.
The last train from the airport departs at midnight.
The airport may ask Association of Thai Travel Agents to check in their customers at the Makkasan Airport Rail Link station to speed up the process but it is only practical for small groups.
The Ministry of Transport will also would arrange a short shuttle train service between Don Muang station in front of the airport and Laksi station, in case Vibhavadi Rangsit Road is blocked. However, that plan will place visitors close to the centre of a demonstration area at the government office complex area on Chaeng Wattana Road and still a good 20 km from the inner city. They will also need to continue their journey from Laksi by taxi or bus through a demonstration site at Lat Prao intersection near Mor Chit to get to the BTS station.
The most practical solution would be organise shuttle train services from Don Mueang Airport to central Hua Lampong Railway Station (Rama IV Road) to avoid all the demonstration sites. It would take around 40 minutes to transfer from Don Mueang Airport by train to the main railway station in the inner city. The station is close to a MRT station on the line to Silom and Asoke-Sukhumvit the main tourist districts.
Bangkok Mass Transit Authority operates air-conditioned bus routes between Don Mueang Airport and two points in inner city; Mor Chit bus terminal and Victory Monument. But the route will pass through demonstration sites and traffic will be backed up a considerable distance.
BMTA’s public relations division said the two routes serve Don Mueang Airport from the city’s northern Mor Chit Bus Terminal (A1 route) and from the Victory Monument (A2 route).
Services on both routes operate from 0900 to 2400.
Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Hong Kong Airlines have decided to reduce flights to Bangkok from the middle of this month to avoid the political conflict. Singapore Airlines cancelled all flights to Bangkok during 14 January to 25 February.
Some Chinese airlines in Shenzhen are considering cancelling flights to Bangkok as well. TV stations claimed as many as 60 flights would be cancelled.
Protesters have threatened to bring the Thai capital to a standstill, 13 January, by closing seven strategic intersections that will in effect gridlock 20 road junctions in the inner city. They have said they will not close airports, but closing the inner city will have the same impact marooning thousands of tourists who will not be able to transfer to airports by taxis or even take a taxi to the nearest airport rail link stations.
Travellers who have booked a Bangkok-stay 13 Jan should ask travel agents to relocate them to hotels outside the city either to the north at Ayutthaya or Sukhothai, Kanchanaburi on the River Kwai or to the east as far as Pattaya and Rayong beach resorts. If at all possible rejig the holiday to spend time well away from the capital, Fly to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai where the the protests are off the radar. Phuket is packed but there are rooms available on Samui Island and Hua Hin on the Gulf of Thailand’s west coast.

Sourced: ttrweekly