Controls to ease Grand Palace congestion

BANGKOK Association of Thai Travel Agents suggests three measures to handle the number of visitors visiting the Grand Palace and Rattanakosin island area particularly Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha).

ATTA’s public relations spokesperson, Thongyoo Suphavittayakorn, said a management plan to control tourist flow was needed urgently.

“The Bureau of the Royal Household, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Ministry of Tourism and Sports and related sectors have discussed a revised plan for visiting the complex and a decision is likely within three months.”

The plan has three basic elements. The first one will create “a fast track route for international visitors.”

Online ticketing also should be provided for visitors to purchase ticket in advanc,  but visits should be limited to 17 sessions per day so has not to exceed 2,000 visits per session, he said.

Another provision will offer training programmes for tour guides especially for Chinese speaking to guide visitors at the Grand Palace.

He added information for brochures and video presentations will be updated to provide current information to visitors.

“Wat Phra Kaew is the main attractions for visitors to Thailand; 80% of foreign travellers will visit mainly in the morning ….we have to ease the congestion as well as help tour operators to make their tour programme more convenient for their clients…if the daily allotment of online tickets  are sold out, then the travel agent has to arrange another programme for customers.”

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha had earlier ordered the tourism ministry to ensure there were areas for worship at Wat Phra Kaew for Buddhists, off limits to tourists, and different zones of the temple designated for sightseeing purposes only.

Thai Buddhists are allowed to enter the temple at 0730, while foreign visitors are can enter at 0830.

Currently, around 15,000 tourists visit the temple daily.

The temple stands next to the iconic Grand Palace in the heart of Bangkok’s heritage district known as Rattanakosin.