All Calm: Thai Tourism Operating Normally

Sep 21, 06 | 8:00 am

Tweet Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) members in Thailand are keen to reassure the global travel trade that the coup d'etat currently underway in the country has so far been non-violent, and that travel and tourism facilities and services are currently operating normally. 
 
PATA President and CEO Mr Peter de Jong wrote to Thailand-based PATA members this morning: "Even before this political crisis in Thailand comes to a resolution, we at PATA feel that it is important to send a clear message to the global travel industry that, so far at least, the situation here is calm and non-violent."
 
Responses to his e-mail have been overwhelmingly reassuring. To the question, "Are your current guests feeling comfortable about the situation on the ground?" all respondents have so far answered in the affirmative.
 
CB Richard Ellis EVP-Corporate Planning Mr Jeffrey Leong wrote: "There was some apprehension among guests last night after news reports and talks of road closures in Bangkok. However, last night's peaceful coup was a relief, and there is a sense of heightened awareness this morning and an expectation that the transition will remain peaceful in the days ahead."
 
He added: "News coverage, headlines and pictures of tanks and military personnel are not representative of the main parts of Bangkok. Other than some government offices and communication networks occupied by a military presence, most other parts of Bangkok are normal."
 
Bangkok-based Grand Diamond Suites Hotel General Manager Mr Chetsada Techprasertporn wrote: "All our guests are comfortable and continue to enjoy their shopping and sightseeing." He was keen to reassure the global travel trade that "nothing untoward has happened, especially to tourists visiting Thailand".
 
Despite the relative calm, Central Hotels & Resorts, Grand Diamond, Minor International and Wired Destinations have all reported cancellations.
 
Chaophya Park Hotel & Resorts General Manager Mr Andrew J Wood wrote:
 "Occupancy has dropped from 74% to 51% and many government functions have been cancelled.
 
 "Everyone is remaining very calm and most guests, both local and overseas, understand very well the political background of current events."
 
 Thai Airways International has announced that it will maintain normal operations for both domestic and international flights.
 
 Updated Thailand tourism information is online at www.PATA.org/crisis .


 

PATA President and CEO Mr Peter de Jong wrote an e-mail to PATA members in Thailand at 1030 (10.30 am), September 20, encouraging them to report on the status of their operations and the effects of the coup d'etat on bookings.

Ambika Tours

Are you continuing to operate normally? Yes  

Have you closed down or cancelled any tours, transfer services, check-in counters or any other service related to your business? No  

Are your current guests feeling comfortable about the situation on the ground? Okay  

Have you experienced any cancellations of bookings from overseas suppliers? Very few  

Asian Trails

All flights to/from/within Thailand operate normal and transfers are organised as usual.  

Everything is calm in the streets of Bangkok and even the Grand Palace is open. On a  few intersections some army personnel may be seen.  All tours outside of Bangkok such as floating market, Ayuthaya  and Kanchanaburi as well as all round trips are conducted normal without any restrictions.  

Tourists and residents  had not been in any danger at any time. All staff of Asian Trails in Bangkok, Phuket, Ko Samui and Khao Lak are working normally and make sure that there is not shortcoming of service in this situation.  

There is absolutely no reason to cancel/postpone any trip to Thailand at this stage.  

CB Richard Ellis

Are you continuing to operate normally? All our properties and services are operating normally.  

Have you closed down or cancelled any tours, transfer services, check-in counters or any other service related to your business? None.  

Are your current guests feeling comfortable about the situation on the ground? There was some apprehension among guests last night from CNN news and talks of road closure in Bangkok. While last night's peaceful coup was a relief, there is a sense of heightened awareness this morning and an expectancy that the transition will remain peaceful in the days ahead.  

News coverage, headlines and pictures of tanks and military personnel are not representative of the main parts of Bangkok. Other than some locations of government offices and communication networks occupied by military presence, most other parts of Bangkok are normal.  

Have you experienced any cancellations of bookings from overseas suppliers? None.  

Central Hotels & Resorts

In response to your message, we are pleased to elaborate on our situation as follows:  

1. We are still continuing to operate as usual for all services provided in all hotels throughout Thailand.  

2. No services have been closed.  

3. Management has been in contact with guests to update of the situation and they mostly understand.  

4. Business from domestic government sector has been cancelled. While less cancellation from overseas, group business mainly postponed.  

Central Samui Beach Resort

We are pleased to inform that we are operating our hotel as normal and that none of our operations has been affected by the current political situation.

We did, however, receive a few cancellations and enquiries from staying guests who might seek early departures.  

Chaophya Park Hotel & Resorts

Everything is peaceful and calm. Military Coups have been a part of political life in Thailand for many years ... in Thailand we take them in our stride recognising them to be part of a process to bring about change.  

And for visitors to Thailand ... what might they expect to see? Well ... very little actually, there maybe an increased military presence in some key areas in Bangkok, for instance around the parliament buildings and the Palace, but very little else. Tourists will still be on the beach, visiting temples and tourist attractions, playing golf, eating and drinking as normal. It is considered unlikely that a curfew will be imposed as the military are keen to restore normalcy as soon as possible.  

With regards to my hotel guests, they were obviously concerned and many had questions. Occupancy has dropped from 74% to 51% and many government banqueting functions have been cancelled. The story is repeated around town ... everyone is remaining very calm and most guests, both local and overseas, understand very well the political background of current event.   

It is my best guess that we will be back to almost ‘business as normal' in a matter of weeks.  

East West Siam

Are you continuing to operate normally? Yes, except that the office building has no air conditioning.  

Have you closed down or cancelled any tours, transfer services, check-in counters or any other service related to your business? No. Not a single transfer was cancelled or even disturbed.  

Are your current guests feeling comfortable about the situation on the ground? So far we have not been contacted by many guests so I guess they are okay.  

Have you experienced any cancellations of bookings from overseas suppliers? So far no. Too early in the day.  

Grand Diamond

Further the situation in Bangkok, we are pleased to inform you that the Grand Diamond Suites Hotel in Pratunum, Bangkok still operates normally.  

All check-in counters remain open.  

All inhouse guests are comfortable and continue to enjoy their shopping and sightseeing.   

Only a few cancellations from overseas.  

Please note that nothing untoward has happened, especially to tourists visiting Thailand.  

Minor International

Are you continuing to operate normally? Yes  

Have you closed down or cancelled any tours, transfer services, check-in counters or any other service related to your business? No  

Are your current guests feeling comfortable about the situation on the ground? Yes  

Have you experienced any cancellations of bookings from overseas suppliers? Yes  

Portal Asia

Are you continuing to operate normally? Yes  

Have you closed down or cancelled any tours, transfer services, check-in

counters or any other service related to your business? No  

Are your current guests feeling comfortable about the situation on the ground? Yes  

Have you experienced any cancellations of bookings from overseas suppliers? No  

Samui Dive Supply

Are you continuing to operate normally? Yes  

Have you closed down or cancelled any tours, transfer services, check-in counters or any other service related to your business? No  

Are your current guests feeling comfortable about the situation on the ground? Yes  

Have you experienced any cancellations of bookings from overseas suppliers? No  

Siam Dive n' Sail

Are you continuing to operate normally? Yes, of course.  

Have you closed down or cancelled any tours, transfer services, check-in counters or any other service related to your business? No.  

Are your current guests feeling comfortable about the situation on the ground? So far.  

Have you experienced any cancellations of bookings from overseas suppliers? no, but it's only been a few hours.  

It's no big deal, we've seen it before, this one will be calmer than even the ones in the past if my suspicions are true.  

Wired Destinations

Are you continuing to operate normally? Yes, reservation staff at work, however all other employees (accounting/IT etc) stay at home.  

Have you closed down or cancelled any tours, transfer services, check-in counters or any other service related to your business? No  

Are your current guests feeling comfortable about the situation on the ground? Yes  

Have you experienced any cancellations of bookings from overseas suppliers? Yes

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 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
 PATA Communications
 David Gillbanks / Paveena Olansuksakul
 Tel: (66-2) 658-2000
 E-mail: communications@PATA.org
 Online pressroom: www.PATA.org/news
 
 ABOUT PATA

 Mission statement: "The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a membership association acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry. In partnership with PATA's private and public sector members, we enhance the sustainable growth, value and quality of travel and tourism to, from and within the region."

 Founded in 1951, PATA is the recognised authority on Asia Pacific travel and tourism. PATA provides leadership and advocacy to the collective efforts of nearly 100 government, state and city tourism bodies, more than 55 airlines and cruise lines, and hundreds of travel industry companies. In addition, thousands of travel professionals belong to dozens of PATA chapters worldwide. PATA is a not-for-profit organisation.