Thai Industry calls 500 Baht tourist fees ‘unsuitable’

 

Tourism operators have raised concerns about the 500 baht fee to be collected from foreign tourists next year, worried that the timeline of this policy may not be appropriate for an industry in dire need of recovery.
Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), said the concept of setting up a transformation fund for the tourism industry is promising, but there are uncertainties next year that could jeopardize the tourism situation.

Even though the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) predicted that Thailand will win back 10 million tourists in 2022, the latest forecast from the Bank of Thailand (BoT) revised down the number to 6 million, mainly attributed to possible virus spread and new variant, low consumer confidence and stimulus measures that still need consistency.

“Fee collection will impact decision making as the additional cost is considerably high compared with the average expenditure while traveling in Thailand, such as hotel room per night of just 1,000 baht. If the government really has to move forward, it should not implement this policy in the first half of next year,” said Mrs Marisa. (continues)

Source - BangkokJack 

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#Thailand - TAT seeks China’s help to stop damage by Chinese tourists

                             Frequent cases of Chinese tourists damaging coral reefs and other fragile sea natural resources have prompted the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to seek help from its Chinese counterpart.

Phanu Woramitr, director of the TAT office for Hat Yai, Songkhla and Satoon said on Tuesday that TAT has sent a letter to the Chinese tourism agency asking it to warn Chinese tourists to behave while visiting Thailand.

The Chinese tourism agency was asked to tell Chinese tourists to strictly observe Thai laws and regulations when they visit national parks, temples, seas and coral reefs to avoid damaging fragile natural resources.

Chinese visitors have been asked not to touch anything while visiting such places so they won’t cause damage, Phanu said.

He said park and provincial officials have also been alerted to help warn visiting Chinese tourists against damaging the places they visit.

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 The chief tourism and sports officer for Satun, Atcharin Muangchan, said she has been compiling information about environmental damage caused by tourists, especially Chinese tourists, to coral reefs.

The information will be raised during a meeting to develop Satun tourism on March 2, which will be chaired by the Satun governor and will be attended by representatives from all relevant sectors, Atcharin said.

She said the provincial administration would produce pamphlets in the Chinese language to distribute to tourists to warn them against destroying fragile sea natural resources during their visit.

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Source - TheNation

Authentic Ayutthaya comes to life at Japanese Village’s Virtual Reality Street Museum

                             Smart technology enriches history, offering unforgettable, immersive experiences in celebration of 130th anniversary of Thai-Japanese diplomatic relations.

Thailand and Japan are celebrating the 130^th anniversary of official diplomatic relations with a Virtual Reality Street Museum, located at the Japanese Village in Ayutthaya province.  

Created as an integral part of the permanent exhibition and multimedia of “Yamada Nagamasa (Okya Senabhimuk) and Thaothongkeepma” in the exhibition hall next to the Chao Phraya River, the Virtual Reality Street Museum features an innovative experiential showcase and is complemented by historic information about the former capital of Ayutthaya, the roles of the Japanese Village, and the international fabric of society at the height of the Ayutthaya period. 

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said, 

“Ayutthaya is one of Thailand’s most visited destinations, with both Thais and international guests appreciating the rich tapestry of Thai heritage that is brought to life in the area. The Virtual Reality Street Museum at the Japanese Village will be a valuable addition to this, by bringing history into the 21^st century.” 

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The newly-opened Virtual Reality Street Museum provides visitors with an immersive VR Theatre equipped with the latest VR Scope Technology, offering a spectacular 360-degree view of historic Ayutthaya, which was considered one of the most important trading posts connecting the East and the West by facilitating the exchange of trade, culture, politics and diplomacy.  

With Ayutthaya and the Japanese Village at the heart of the exhibition showcase, the advanced technology portrays an engaging story through 96-million-pixel resolution computer graphics, which depict the naval trade journey of Yamada Nagamasa that established the relationship with the 17^th century Siamese Kingdom, and set the foundations for the flourishing relationship today.  

Through the Street Museum’s technology, visitors can scan a QR code with their handheld devices; such as, smartphones and tablets to enjoy the vast landscape of the Japanese Village both today and from the 17^th century through virtual reality on their screens, with audio guides available in three languages: Thai, Japanese and English.   

TAT is also supporting the VR Street Museum by providing a glimpse into the Ayutthaya way of life. Experiential market life is on display inviting visitors to enjoy an Ayutthaya culinary experience inspired by recipes of the renowned Thaothongkeepma (Marie Guimar) – who was a cook in the court of King Narai the Great; such as, Thong Yip, Thong Yot, and Foi Thong.  

With the Virtual Reality Street Museum now open for visitors, tourists can easily add this immersive technological experience to their historic Ayutthaya itinerary.

Source - TheNation

#Thailand - TAT seeks China’s help to stop damage by Chinese tourists

Frequent cases of Chinese tourists damaging coral reefs and other fragile sea natural resources have prompted the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to seek help from its Chinese counterpart.    

     Phanu Woramitr, director of the TAT office for Hat Yai, Songkhla and Satoon said on Tuesday that TAT has sent a letter to the Chinese tourism agency asking it to warn Chinese tourists to behave while visiting Thailand.

She said the provincial administration would produce pamphlets in the Chinese language to distribute to tourists to warn them against destroying fragile sea natural resources during their visit.    

            

The Chinese tourism agency was asked to tell Chinese tourists to strictly observe Thai laws and regulations when they visit national parks, temples, seas and coral reefs to avoid damaging fragile natural resources.

Chinese visitors have been asked not to touch anything while visiting such places so they won’t cause damage, Phanu said.

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.

He said park and provincial officials have also been alerted to help warn visiting Chinese tourists against damaging the places they visit.

The chief tourism and sports officer for Satun, Atcharin Muangchan, said she has been compiling information about environmental damage caused by tourists, especially Chinese tourists, to coral reefs.

The information will be raised during a meeting to develop Satun tourism on March 2, which will be chaired by the Satun governor and will be attended by representatives from all relevant sectors, Atcharin said.

Source - TheNation / Phuketazette

#Thailand - TAT official denies boat ban at Phi Phi’s Maya Bay as parks grapple with environmental toll

                             A PROPOSAL to close Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi Ley to boats to limit damage to the beach was just an idea that was still being considered, the head of Krabi’s tourism office said yesterday.

Apichai Aranyig, director of the Krabi office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), denied reports in international media that said the once-pristine Thai bay, which became a tourist magnet after the 2000 movie “The Beach”, would be closed to boats for several months this year to prevent further damage to coral.

Hordes of tourists flock daily to Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi Ley to take selfies and relax in front of the famed limestone cliffs and blue waters, leading to complaints of environmental damage.

Apichai said there were several proposals to protect the beach being discussed by an advisory committee of Hat Noppharat Thara Beach and Phi Phi Islands National Park. The measures include closing the beach to boats, allowing boats to drop tourists off at the beach and pick them up later, and requiring boats to moor at a designated area, from which a trail would be constructed to the beach.

“We won’t close the island or the beach. We just try to find a solution to allow the beach to regain its natural beauty,” he said. 

“Currently, boats occupy 70 per cent of the beach area, leaving only a small area for recreation. So it is necessary to prevent the ruin of the tourism area,” said Apichai, who declined to disclose the number of tourists and boats that visited the beach each day. 

The committee had not yet made a decision, he said. 

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 His response came after AFP reported on Wednesday that Worapoj Lomlim, an official with the Phi Phi islands National Parks, had told the agency that the picture-postcard beach would be closed to boats from June to September this year.

“For around 20 years the bay has welcomed boats to moor in front of the beach ... but their engines have damaged coral reefs and caused problems with the sand,” said Worapoj. 

“Overcrowded tourist boats have also blocked the view,” he added, saying tourists would still be able to reach the beach by foot from an adjacent bay where boats could park.

Apichai will today meet Worapoj, who is responsible for the measures, to discuss the matter.

The plan is the latest effort to mitigate damage caused by tourism, a major revenue-earner for the Thai economy with more than 35 million visitors coming to the country last year.

Environmental experts and officials are worried that mass tourism is causing irreversible damage to idyllic beaches, with litter and unchecked development disrupting local ecosystems.

Smoking has been banned on 20 of the country’s most famous beaches since the start of high season, with hefty fines or even jail for smokers who violate the law.

Source - TheNation