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Two sand dunes named “Dragon Spine” is introduced last year as a new tourist attraction in Trang province. /file photo
Trang suffers '100-per cent booking cancellation'
Khanittha Sritong
The Nation
August 13, 2016
Prateep Jongthong, president of Trang tourism association, Saturday insisted that the August 12 bombings and arsons in various southern provinces including Trang had adversely impacted tourism as many visitors cancelled their planned travels.
As a result, he urged the government to solve the problem to boost tourists’ confidence.
He said Trang saw all 100 per cent of tourists’ cancellation rate and expressed his view that the bombings were likely stemmed from politics although the authorities were still probing such incidents for causes.
He also expressed that the impacts of these bombings could be felt until the tourist season in October, hence the government must solve the problem and explain to visitors to boost their confidence.
.....
Khanittha Sritong
The Nation
August 13, 2016
Prateep Jongthong, president of Trang tourism association, Saturday insisted that the August 12 bombings and arsons in various southern provinces including Trang had adversely impacted tourism as many visitors cancelled their planned travels.
As a result, he urged the government to solve the problem to boost tourists’ confidence.
He said Trang saw all 100 per cent of tourists’ cancellation rate and expressed his view that the bombings were likely stemmed from politics although the authorities were still probing such incidents for causes.
He also expressed that the impacts of these bombings could be felt until the tourist season in October, hence the government must solve the problem and explain to visitors to boost their confidence.
.....
Response:
Larry Westfall - Gonna be kinda hard for Kobkarn to spin this one and right after she said there would be minimal, short-term impact. And, then all the fluff articles in today's Bangkok Post from tourist interviews. Wonder how many in Hua Hin, Phuket, and elsewhere have cancelled.
THAILAND RISK REPORT
Larry Westfall - Gonna be kinda hard for Kobkarn to spin this one and right after she said there would be minimal, short-term impact. And, then all the fluff articles in today's Bangkok Post from tourist interviews. Wonder how many in Hua Hin, Phuket, and elsewhere have cancelled.
ooo
THAILAND RISK REPORT
Security travel advice for Thailand
Source: Intelligent Protection
SECURITY INFORMATION
Threat level: Medium-High
On-going incident 11/8/16: On a day that saw a number of coordinated bomb blasts across the country, two bombs hidden in plant pots spaced 50m (164 ft) apart, exploding within a 20-30 minutes of each other in the popular seaside resort of Hua Hin. Four people have already been confirmed as killed, with 20 people including foreign tourists injured. More information to follow...
At the moment the attacks are not thought to be ISIS related, but more likley linked to the southern insurgency, a 12-year internal conflict which has seen more than 6,000 killed over time.
The attacks so are as follows:
Four blasts over 24 hours in Hua Hin (two dead)
Two blasts in Surat Thani (one person dead)
Two blasts in the tourist beach town of Patong on Phuket island
One blast in Trang (one dead)
Blasts in the beach province of Phang Nga
Any travellers who are in these areas of Thailand are strongly advised to remain indoors and do not visit the blast sites. As the attacks have been so spread across the south of the country, more could follow at any time. Information to be updated as received...
The current travel safety advice for Thailand is to remain vigilant in areas popular for tourists, public and governmental offices due to the ongoing terrorism risk. The terror threat level is now at its highest following recent indiscriminate bomb and grenade attacks on locations often visited by expatriates and travellers.
There have been a number of multiple attacks in recent years in the main cities of Thailand, including in Koh Samui in 2015, Bangkok in 2015 and 2012, and in Chiang Mai in 2010.
Since 2005 there have been regular daily incidents, including suicide attacks in the south of the Thailand. Both civilians and members of the security forces, government offices, and tourist hotels have all been targeted in these attacks. Many of these terror attacks are connected to such extreme groups as Adem Karadag and the Grey Wolves. Remain vigilant at all times.
Although there is a high risk in Thailand, people still travel there and the tourist industry is still in good stead. The Thai people rely heavily on the tourist industry and are eager to continue their high standards of hospitality towards foreign visitors. Most travellers have an enjoyable and trouble free visit, exploring the diverse cultures and destinations the country has to offer.
The political situation in Thailand is currently very unpredictable and can sometimes be volatile. Over the recent years there have been many instances of civil and political unrest resulting in large demonstrations and in some cases violence on a large scale.
Recent Security Risk Events
In Koh Tao there have been a number of suspicious deaths, most noticeably in 2014 when two British backpackers were found dead on the beach. The Thai police have not undertaken investigating such high profile crimes to the standards expected, nor in dealing with press interest. The poor policing of these cases has led to international criticism of the Thai police and government.
Many of the Thai islands are notorious for non-stop parties, relaxing beaches and cheap alcohol. Occasionally tourists can get hurt or fall ill when consuming vast amounts of alcohol, particularly when bought as 'buckets' from street vendors. It is advised that you monitor the amount of alcohol you are drinking and avoid mixes of unknown drink.
In November 2015 there was a bomb blast at a village checkpoint in Thailand’s far south Khok Pho district of Pattani, one of three Muslim-dominated provinces, which killed four people and wounded countless others. As with many bombings in Thailand, there was no claim of responsibility as to who carried out the attacks.
Security Risks
In 2014, Thailand was going through a period of political instability. This led to anti-government protests that took place between 2013 and 2014, by the People's Democratic Reform Committee. The protests were first triggered by a proposed blanket amnesty bill that would have immunised several politicians from various charges. The democratically elected government was then found to be corrupt, resulting in a partial coup and governmental change. The last coup before this one was in 2006, when the Prime Minister at the time Thaksin Shinawatra was toppled by the armed forces after he was accused of corruption.
A number of people have been killed in political violence since 2013. Today the remnants of civil unrest are still apparent in parts of Thailand especially the south, government soldiers still patrol areas such as Chiang Mai
International Relations
In recent years, despite its political instabilities, Thailand has now increasingly become more of a role model in the international community. When East Timor gained its independence from Indonesia, Thailand was one of the first countries, for the first time in Thai history, to contribute troops to the international peacekeeping efforts. Thailand also has strong diplomatic relations with the Republic of China and India.
Travel considerations
Be vigilant against pickpockets and bag snatchers in all areas of Thailand. Backpackers in particular have had items snatched by thieves on mopeds when walking in built up areas, or travelling in open transport like tuktuks. If you decide to travel by coach or train, make sure all your personal possessions such as passports, cash and valuables are kept securely. Passengers have had items taken from bags while asleep, especially on overnight trains where you might have to share a carriage with someone you don’t know.
...
To read more:
https://www.intelligent-protection.co.uk/thailand-country-brief.html
