The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) has begun their crying, wailing, and gnashing of teeth regarding the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) scheduled to begin in 2015.

President of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, is already bitching to the Thai Government that the ASEAN Economic Community is going to allow foreign devils the opportunity to invest in Thailand and steal tourism business from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Association of Thai Travel Agents Raw Sewage

In case you are unfamiliar, the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) 2015 is a long-term plan, agreed upon by the 10-member countries back in 2007, to ease the flow of goods and services between the member countries.  Sort of a Band of Brothers plan to make it better for all 10 countries working together so they can all prosper.

But, since Thailand does not like foreigners in general, and despises foreigners who want to invest in the Kingdom, the ATTA is now bitching to the Thai Government that jobs will be lost and business will be stolen from under the noses of greedy Thai businessmen.

The Bangkok Post reports today in an article, Agents’ group wants barriers to restrict foreign operators, that the Association of Thai Travel Agents wants to make it extremely more difficult for foreigners to invest in Thailand – precisely the opposite of the AEC plan.

The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) plans to draft tougher requirements for foreign tourism operators wishing to do business in Thailand.

The move is aimed at helping small tourism businesses to survive, as they may be unprepared for the heavy competition from foreign operators entering the Thai market once the Asean Economic Community (AEC) is formed in 2015.

They are DEFINITELY not prepared despite having 4 years now to get ready for this plan.  The RoadMap for AEC and the Blueprint (that actually was drawn up in 1997 with a vision of accomplishment in 2020 and accelerated to 2015)  have been available online since inception and regularly scheduled meetings are held to discuss the progress each country is making.  And, now, Thailand decides it doesn’t want to play nice with other countries.

The ATTA said local tour operators had not displayed a firm understanding of the effects that the AEC could have on Thai tourism. One of the concerns is an influx of small foreign players because the language skills of Thai tour guides are inferior to those of other Asean guides.

And whose fault is this? The Association of Thai Travel Agents or the Thai Government or the Ministry of Tourism and Sports or the Tourism Authority of Thailand or the tour operators?  I choose “E” – All of the Above.

However, the main threat is industry domination by major foreign companies offering one-stop services.  ATTA president Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn said many big foreign tour operators had already set up here through nominees, providing all-inclusive services _ tour packages, hotels, restaurants and car rentals.

Shame on Thailand for not seeing this 10 years ago and planning for it. Oh, I forgot.  There is no Thai word for “plan”.

“If the government does nothing about this, then most local tour operators, most of whom are SMEs, will have to close their doors when the AEC is implemented,” he said.”Requirements for foreign operators wishing to be in Thailand must be tighter. Tourism-related laws should be amended to help our SMEs.”

Great idea.  Shoot yourself in the foot, cry and moan, and toss the blame to the current Thai government.  Make restrictions tighter so that no one wants to invest in Thailand and the other 9 ASEAN countries will be standing in line to kick Thailand out of ASEAN.

The ATTA is now looking at tourism laws in countries such as China and Singapore to see how they can be applied to Thai tourism.

Thailand is NOT China or Singapore and should be doing just the opposite.  They should be looking at ways that the AEC can benefit Thailand instead of doing everything in its power to ensure failure in the tourism sector.

For example, the minimum registered capital required for a foreign travel agency to open in China is equal to 5 million baht, while Thailand requires only 100,000 baht, said Mr Sisdivachr.

Gee!  China is only about one million times larger than Thailand, more advanced, and with a bazillion people who are now planning on traveling globally.  How many Thais are standing in line to visit China?

The research and drafting of new regulations will be completed next year for government approval.

Ah – shouldn’t that be for government review?  Let’s see.  Next year is already 2012 when investors can up their investment from 49% to 70% so it looks like it will be a moot point by then.

“If this government truly cares about the country and tourism operators, it will help us to prepare in time. Then Thai operators won’t lose competitiveness and the market won’t be dominated by foreign players,” said Mr Sisdivachr.

What a crybaby!  Blame the current government when this goes back at the minimum 4 years.  Why not ask why Khun Abhisit and his establishment didn’t do anything when he was Prime Minister?

Next on the ATTA agenda will most likely be getting the Thai Government to do everything in its power to restrict the ASEAN Community from coming to Thailand for work – again – just the opposite of the AEC plan.

Apart from the AEC issue, the ATTA is concerned about the EU debt crisis and its effects on major Asian tourism markets such as China, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan.

Good to finally see that someone understands the impact of a global recession.  Please contact the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and explain it to him.

Chidchai Sakornbadee, the general manager of Special Journey Co, said inbound operators focusing on Europe will have to maintain their present package prices until next year if they want to keep their customers.

I think that if they want any customers at all they would need to offer substantial discounts or they will see their customers going to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.  Maybe the ATTA should focus more on cleaning up the beaches in Thailand and educating hotel owners and vendors on the impact of sustainable tourism.

So, to the The Association of Thai Travel Agents I say to you – tough shit!  You have had plenty of time to prepare for the AEC 2015 and you and the Thai Government have done absolutely nothing in preparation.  Now, you want restrictions and will want more in the future.  Time for Thailand to just walk away from ASEAN and become totally isolationist.

Tags: 2015 AEC asean asean economic community Association of Thai Travel Agents atta crybaby tourism authority of thailand