Fair helps restore confidence in Deep South tourism

Following a spate of recent insurgent attacks across Thailand's Deep South, local entrepreneurs have been working to rebuild confidence in the region's economic prospects.
The city of Hat Yai, site of a deadly March 31st bomb blast at the Lee Garden Plaza Hotel, hosted a large handicraft fair to demonstrate what artisans and manufacturers in the Deep South have to offer. It showcased goods produced across the far southern provinces under a government-sponsored local entrepreneurship programme dubbed One Tambon (subdistrict), One Product (OTOP).

The fair, held from July 20th through 29th at the Prince of Songhkla University International Convention Centre, featured 320 exhibitors' booths showcasing a wide range of goods including souvenirs, locally-produced Halal foods, décor items, garments and much more – including live entertainment on stage and even a "Miss OTOP" beauty pageant. Its opening coincided with the onset of Ramadan.

Sawat Meetam heads the Songkhla Provincial Community Development Office, the main organiser of the event. "OTOP products and tourism are closely intertwined. Whenever Thai tourists come to visit another province they always search out as souvenirs the top products made in that province," he told Khabar
"This creates a kind of healthy competition that helps develop communities to be economically self-reliant and creates a sense of pride in tourist attractions, encouraging people to keep them clean and attractive. That's why we want to work hard to develop all of our local OTOP products to five-star standards," he said.

"We hope this fair will help stimulate economic investment in the region and prepare the entire region for tourism," he said.

OTOP, originally launched by former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, encourages communities to improve the quality and marketing of local products. The best products from each tambon are selected to receive OTOP branding status.

Once in the programme, the products are ranked from one star (lowest) to five-star (highest) in quality.

OTOP food products from the Deep South also get “Hal-Q” [Halal-Quality] certification, further increasing confidence among Muslim consumers in Europe and Asia, where Thai food products already have a strong reputation for quality and good taste.

Creating markets for local products and jobs for local people

Among the Deep South exhibitors was 33-year-old Sapa Billa of Tambon Tapoyo, Yi-Ngo District. He was selling soap and skin lotions produced from goat's milk.

"I didn't set a big sales target [for this event], but my products are selling well. I set up a sort of workshop to show consumers in a clear way how the product is produced that is attractive to customers too," he told Khabar.

"I think the OTOP project helps create jobs in the community. We have a goat dairy and ranch. I can make more money when other businesses are interesting to buy goat milk to produce other products," he said.

Another Narathiwat-based exhibitor was 43-year-old Mahama Moona of Tambon Kaluwo Nuea. His OTOP product is a packaged, crunchy fried fish snack, eaten as an appetizer.

"Sales are not too bad -- about 2,000 to 3,000 baht ($64-$95) per day. The OTOP project has given our community of fishermen an extra revenue stream besides just selling our catch. After this event they will have another OTOP fair at Muangtong Thani in Bangkok. I think I may take part and I feel lucky that my product gives me the chance to travel all over Thailand," he said.

Moving ahead despite insurgent violence

Asked about the ongoing bloodshed carried out by rebels in the Deep South and whether he has become afraid of living there, Mahama replied in the negative.

"I'm not afraid because there has never been any unrest in my village. I'm observing Ramadan by fasting just like other Muslims and will continue to do so until the month ends on August 19th," he said.

Somporn Siriporananon, deputy chairman of the Songkhla Chamber of Commerce, told Khabar that the tourism situation in the province was gradually returning to normal in the wake of the Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel blast, which killed five people and scared visitors away from the area.

"Tourists are regaining confidence and hotel occupancy rates now stand at 40% to 50% on weekends; about 30% during the week. However, based on booking information from before the car bombing we think hotels in downtown Hat Yai would have been at full capacity on weekends at this time of year had the attack not occurred," he said.

The long-term perspective gives reason for optimism, Somporn added.

"On the investment side there is still a great deal of confidence in Hat Yai as an important tourism hub in the region, especially with the approach of the measures of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) that will go into effect in 2015. Last month we had a delegation of Malaysian investors visit the governor to seek advice from the governor about investment in hotels and hospitals," he said.

"I don't think the unrest has adversely affected the investment climate in Hat Yai, but we still have to maintain strict security measures," Somporn said.

Sourced: khabarsoutheastasia