Junta in Thailand promoting martial law tourism
The military crackdown in the kingdom is good for tourists because it ensures their safety, according to one top official
A foreign tourist poses for a photo with Thai Army soldiers after martial law was declared on May 20, 2014 in Bangkok Photo: Rufus Cox/Getty Images
The military coup in Thailand put an abrupt end to the long-running political protests - but it also prompted a big downturn in the number of tourists visiting the kingdom.
Yet it seems that policymakers believe martial law – put in place to pave the way for the military coup in May – could actually be an attractive selling point to potential tourists.
In an interview with the Thai Rath newspaper, translated by the Khao Sod news website, Thawatchai Arunyik, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is reported to have said: “The TAT is preparing a campaign called '24 Hours Enjoy Thailand' to attract foreign tourists to visit Thailand under martial law.”
He went on to state that martial law, which gives the government far reaching powers and bans political gatherings of more than five people, is beneficial to tourism because it ensures that foreign tourists can be safe 24 hours a day.
Mr Arunyik was speaking less than a month after British backpackers David Miller, 24, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, were brutally murdered in the early hours of the morning on September 15 on the island of Koh Tao.
Two Burmese suspects are in custody but there has been widespread criticism of the way the investigation has been handled. Prime Minister David Cameron personally intervened last week to convince Thailand's military dictator General Prayuth Chan-ocha that British police should be sent to Thailand to assist in the investigation.
Tourism is a cornerstone of the Thai economy and accounts for around 16.7 per cent of its GDP with Bangkok being named the most visited city in the world last year. Meanwhile, Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok was the single most geotagged location on Instagram.
The coup earlier this year was executed with such ruthless speed and efficiency that there was no need for bloodshed or violence and, apart from a curfew which has long since ended, the impact on tourists has been negligible.
However, it is clear that many visitors are not keen on the idea of travelling to a country in the aftermath of a military coup which has seen democracy suspended and freedom of speech severely restricted.
The latest tourist figures make for bleak reading. The Immigration Police Bureau reports that between January and September, international arrivals at Suvarnabhumi stood at 9.1 million, a significant decline from the 11.3 million who flew into Bangkok’s busiest airport in the equivalent period last year.
Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Thai Travel Agents Association, recently told The Nation newspaper that martial law was putting off prospective visitors.
"Foreigners are still unsure about their safety in the country and feel uncomfortable about coming here at a time when martial law is in force. The only way to return confidence would be to lift this law," he said.
Martial law has been criticised by campaign group Amnesty International, which says it has created a climate of fear in Thailand. Sandwich-eating and reading George Orwell's 1984 are among the "protest" activities outlawed by Thailand's military junta.
However, General Chan-ocha has made it clear that he has no immediate intention of revoking martial law.
Meanwhile the junta has been responsible for a series of tourist-friendly schemes such as clearing unlicensed vendors off the beaches and trying to introduce reasonably priced public transport to areas where the trade had previously been controlled by local mafias who were charging exorbitant prices.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatnews/11173757/Junta-in-Thailand-promoting-martial-law-tourism.html
Tourism is a cornerstone of the Thai economy and accounts for around 16.7 per cent of its GDP with Bangkok being named the most visited city in the world last year. Meanwhile, Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok was the single most geotagged location on Instagram.
The coup earlier this year was executed with such ruthless speed and efficiency that there was no need for bloodshed or violence and, apart from a curfew which has long since ended, the impact on tourists has been negligible.
However, it is clear that many visitors are not keen on the idea of travelling to a country in the aftermath of a military coup which has seen democracy suspended and freedom of speech severely restricted.
The latest tourist figures make for bleak reading. The Immigration Police Bureau reports that between January and September, international arrivals at Suvarnabhumi stood at 9.1 million, a significant decline from the 11.3 million who flew into Bangkok’s busiest airport in the equivalent period last year.
Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Thai Travel Agents Association, recently told The Nation newspaper that martial law was putting off prospective visitors.
"Foreigners are still unsure about their safety in the country and feel uncomfortable about coming here at a time when martial law is in force. The only way to return confidence would be to lift this law," he said.
Martial law has been criticised by campaign group Amnesty International, which says it has created a climate of fear in Thailand. Sandwich-eating and reading George Orwell's 1984 are among the "protest" activities outlawed by Thailand's military junta.
However, General Chan-ocha has made it clear that he has no immediate intention of revoking martial law.
Meanwhile the junta has been responsible for a series of tourist-friendly schemes such as clearing unlicensed vendors off the beaches and trying to introduce reasonably priced public transport to areas where the trade had previously been controlled by local mafias who were charging exorbitant prices.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatnews/11173757/Junta-in-Thailand-promoting-martial-law-tourism.html
For almost six months, the Thai military has used the martial law to detain anti-coup protesters. Recently, however tourism of Thailand have bad images. Foreigners are still unsure about their safety in Thailand and feel uncomfortable about coming here at a time martial law is in force.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to sign my name and id.
DeleteName: Miss Sasinapa Krangtanalod sec. 02 id: 5504580
Build confidence among tourists. If they come , they will be safe. Martial law is coming out No assembly is to make it happen, which ensures that it can travel safely.
ReplyDeletePaweena Kantakanan
5503696
sec02
The martial law in the country on 21 MayThe past may be another ball that struck monsoon mean. Damage to the Thai tourism industry after the airline. Have reduced flights to Thailand and a lot of the 6 months. "The martial law it is serious, if looked at from the perspective of foreign. But if you look at it another way, this will affect the safety and confidence with the tourists ".
ReplyDeleteItsariya Kaewjan 5504737 sec:02
Martial law in In view of tourists is good. Because foreigners see that it's safe. But for Thailand, it is forbidden to do so, say the combination of up to 5 people. reviews definition Do not go out to 4 pm.
ReplyDeleteName:Paweena Sukkaew ID:5503911 sec.01
The potential risk is build confidence among the international tourists to feel safe but could not determine whether they believe or not believe. A campaign for build confidence that is safe for tourists (can be safe 24 hours a day) . However, the international tourists are still unsure about their safety in thailand and feel uncomfortable about coming here at a time when martial law is in force.
ReplyDeleteName:Rungkanda Somwong ID:5502368 sec.01
To build confidence for the tourist season, it will reduce the risks and feel more secure. It depends on whether the tourists believe how much. International perspective now considered unsafe, which affect Thailand's tourism industry. So it should come up with measures to maintain the safety and legal impetus to reassure tourists.
ReplyDeleteHaritchanan Kaewwongsa
ID : 5500868 Sec.02
Foreigner look for image of Thailand have a risk Because The soldiers coming to govern but some Foreigner not fear come to travel in Thailand because the congregate will have a specially some area. but tourist remain interesting in tourist attraction in Thailand .
ReplyDeletePichayada Buasai ID 5501875 Sec 02
The new government wants to reduce any risks that make tourists unsure about travelling safety. It's a good campaign but it's doesn't work because they have contradicting about thinking. The new government wants success the campaign "Thailand safe 24 hour' under curfew. But many tourist disagree because they want the rights to travel around town anytime,but they can't do under curfew.
ReplyDeletewarittha Jamroonvongwattana
5504960 sec 02
The martial law, It's good for international tourist because it adds trust that Thailand is safe and reduce risks . This martial law will help tourist add amount and come back again
ReplyDeletechanida pongprasert 540547 sec.01
the martial law is good for international tourist because its can make they trust that in Thailand is safe and reduce risks . Jaruwan Kong-Yoi 5502028 sec.02
DeleteI have to do servey about project international tourist ,they dont know about martial law. I think it not risk and is a good campaign . Foreigners are feel safty in the country and feel uncomfortable about coming here at Thailand, because the military coup are always help us.
ReplyDeleteNisachon Sirivute 5500713 sec01
Government try to decrease risk for make sure international tourist come to travel in Thailand. They create image about the soldier innocuous, tourist can take a photo with them, have personality friendly. I think the martial law ,the international don't understand about this situation in Thailand but it not make risk but opposite make feel safe too tourist.
ReplyDeleteSupicha Kachentarush
5508678 sec:01
The risks are foreigners are still unsure about their safety in the country and feel uncomfortable about coming here at a time when martial law is in force. And I think it may be work, because this is the way to return confidence would be to lift this law. I’m not sure about this, but it is a way that it makes foreign tourists sure.
ReplyDeleteName: Miss Kanokvilai Khongpho Sec02: ID:5502221
The risks are foreigners are still unsure about their safety in the country and feel uncomfortable about coming here at a time when martial law is in force. And I think it may be work, because this is the way to return confidence would be to lift this law. I’m not sure about this, but it is a way that it makes foreign tourists sure.
ReplyDeleteName: Miss Kanokvilai Khongpho Sec02: ID:5502221
Because foreigners are still concerned about the declaration of martial law in the country and do not dare to Thailand because foreigners are only one side of the media that does not look to the country.
ReplyDeleteParinya Prajakjang 5605247
Martial law in In view of travelers is good soldier will be protect travelers from harm. I have survey in some places, there are many tourists they don't know about martial law. They said feel comfortable and some travelers they feel uncomfortable at the time has curfew. But is not too much to say uncomfortable when Thailand in curfew.
ReplyDeleteName: Tidawan Siangboon sec.01 ID.5500134
The new government is trying to lessen of risk about travelling to Thailand. The TAT is preparing campaign called "24 Hours Enjoy Thailand" to attract foreign tourists to visit Thailand under martial law. The campaign is beneficial to tourism because it ensures that foreign tourists can be safe 24 hours a day. But many foreign tourists do not understand martial law of Thailand. They are still unsure about their safety in the country and feel uncomfortable about coming here at a time when martial law is in force.
ReplyDeleteName: Prapaporn Pensot ID: 5500434 sec. 01
It is a social risks that The Government is trying to lessen tourists.
ReplyDeleteI think The martial law is actually good for tourism because it ensures foreign tourists can be safe 24 hours a day. However tourists still feel uncomfortable while travel in Thailand.
Name Dalada Nonthasap 5502275 sec01
What are trying to minimize the risk among tourism to a more secure under Martial Law is the assembly up to 5 people and has 24-hour security.
ReplyDeleteSiriwimon Leesatanakun
5502240 TRM 319 Sec 02
We need to communicate information to foreigners know that Martial Law is not a scary as you think. Foreigners and tourists in the country , they would be safe there.
ReplyDeleteSuarpa Phonsena
5401117
sec02
The martial law to detain anti-coup protesters. because this is the way to return confidence would be to lift this law and will have a specially some area. but tourist remain interesting in tourist attraction in Thailand.
ReplyDeleteName Tadtaporn Kumsub 5504031 sec02
The new government have a big campaign called "24 hours Enjoy Thailand".Because The old government can't take care Thai people and image of Thailand decreased by Argument during two political.Now Thai government is expected by Thai people.
ReplyDeleteSasiwimol Pladsena 5503760
DeleteFirstly, foreigners are still unsure about their safety in the country and feel uncomfortable. And I think it may be work, because this is the way to return their confidence.
ReplyDeleteID; 5404181 Pornpimon Yamsiriwong
The declaration of martial law does not reduce the safety or risk of harm.Of trips and do not create confidence for tourists. The number of tourists has decreased.
ReplyDeleteName Unchale Meechant ID 5500780 Sec.01
The new government is trying to increase the amount of foreign tourists who came to visit Thailand. The amountsot tourists decreases after this law was declared in May. Itowever, the military claims that the marbial law is good for tourists because it eusure their safety althouyh the foreigner are still unsure about their safety in the country and feel uncomfortable about coming to Thailand.
ReplyDeleteName : Peeriya Panyapol
ID : 5503382 Sec.01
The risks are foreigners are still unsure about their safety in the country and feel uncomfortable about coming here at a time when martial law is in force. The TAT is preparing campaign called "24 Hours Enjoy Thailand" to attract foreign tourists to visit Thailand under martial law. The campaign is beneficial to tourism because it ensures that foreign tourists can be safe 24 hours a day. I think The martial law is actually good for tourism because it ensures foreign tourists can be safe 24 hours a day
ReplyDeleteKwanruan Pliankham 5506938
The risk that the new government is trying to lessen among international tourists happened because of the promoting martial law tourism in Thailand. After a long political protest, the martial law is apply in Thailand and it effected to the number of tourists visiting our country. Because it still constructed fear atmosphere to tourists. To fix the problem, the strategy of '24 hours enjoy Thailand' by the tourism authority of Thailand (TAT), has been use to attract foreigners to visit our country under the martial law, and they said the tourists will be safe 24 hours with the rules applied. In another way, the decrease number of international arrivals at suvarnabhumi airport from 11.3 million to 9.1 millions has show that there are still distrustful among foreigners. Anyway, the junta has provided many tourist friendly methods as the news mentioned which are the good advantages to both Thai and foreigners. But for the best way to bring back the confidence is to lift up the law to meet international tourist's needs.
ReplyDeleteTanarit prasertpracha Sec.01 ID 5703278
i think because due to the curfew from the new government. The tourists won't be able to come out to travel at night. The limitation of tourism. Because the tourists want freedom in tourism. Tourist group therefore disagree on the curfew of the new government.
ReplyDeleteRapeeporn No. 5403361 Sec.01