An excellent editorial in the Bangkok Post, Resorts not the only problem, published today shows the challenges that the new Thai Government and the Tourism Authority of Thailand face.

The reference to “resorts” in the title, has to do with some elite Bangkokians who have encroached on National Forestry land and built houses and resorts that are facing eviction and a complete razing of “their” property. Local tourism, the specialty of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, may take a hit.

Tourism Authority of Thailand Dinosaurs

The only part of the editorial that I didn’t like is the references to the numbers of tourist arrivals, since the author chose to use the bogus Tourism Authority of Thailand numbers.  Other than that, the writer can definitely read the handwriting on the wall.  I wonder if the Tourism Authority of Thailand can.

Representatives of the tourism industry have been watching the lobbying for cabinet posts with keen interest. While not naming names, they have made it clear they do not want another “old-style” politician to be given the ministerial portfolio. Instead, they are hoping for a knowledgeable leader able to capitalise on the country’s newly found political stability, deal with the decline in our traditional markets and the emergence of new ones and prepare the industry for the creation of the Asean Economic Community in 2015.

Hits the nail on the head.  Decline in traditional markets – same old same old temples, markets and elephants.  Emergence of new ones – yet to be seen.  Preparation for AEC in 2015 – Thailand is about 2 1/2 years behind the other 9 countries in this effort. Yet, the Tourism Authority of Thailand insists that tourist arrivals increase every year.  Bull.

Experience with previous governments has left scant room for optimism. Most have paid little heed to this vast sector employing up to 3 million people and bringing in 600 billion baht in revenue from local and foreign tourists every year. For not only is the Tourism and Sports Ministry considered a “non-core” one but it has been lumped in with sport, which makes little sense. In recent years the industry has suffered badly as a result of political turmoil but that is no excuse for the lack of long-term vision or the absence of an integrated approach to tackle problems that are clear for all to see.

Planning and long-term vision are concepts unknown to the Thai Government Agencies.  And, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand there are never any problems and anything that happens anywhere in the world will have no impact on tourism in Thailand – not tsunamis, not earthquakes, not global recession, not riots in the Middle East, NOTHING affects tourist arrivals in Thailand.

These deficiencies have to be rectified if the industry is to be developed and kept ahead of its competitors in the region, none of whom should be underestimated. Many of the current problems are to do with rapid growth. In 1999, foreign tourist arrivals reached a record 8.3 million, partly due to favourable exchange rates which made the country a beautiful bargain. Today, as a result of unregulated development and the stronger baht, it is somewhat less beautiful and no longer such a bargain.

Thailand will lag behind Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Taiwan, Laos and others and continue to lose market share.  The Tourism Authority of Thailand continues to spout eco-tourism, sustainable tourism, green tourism, but they are mere buzz words with no action and no plan behind them resulting in beaches that are totally polluted, over grown areas of hotels and vendors, and scams galore.

Here is the part that I disagree with – the numbers only:

Despite all this, Tourism Authority of Thailand projections for this year have been upgraded to 18.3 million tourists. Of these, more than 5 million will flock to Phuket and the Andaman coastal region, creating a fresh assault on an environment that is already becoming bruised and battered by the effects of mass tourism and commercial overdevelopment. The incoming Pheu Thai-led government has yet to issue its official policy statement, but during campaigning it pledged to double tourist arrivals to 30 million, boost domestic travel, build new convention centres in the provinces, promote the kingdom as a location for shooting movies, hold major events across the country and ask Thai restaurant owners overseas to help promote Thailand.

Some of the ideas that the Pheu Thai Party are a bit ridiculous – like getting Thai restaurants owners in America and Europe to promote Thailand.  And, the number of tourists to 30 million is not attainable by 2020 as the Party wants.  They base the doubling on the Tourism Authority of Thailand and their 15 million tourist arrival claim last year when MasterCard said it was closer to 10 million.

These policy gurus should ask themselves if 30 million foreign tourists can be considered sustainable. Congested, litter-strewn beaches, noisy and overloaded long-tail boats, safety concerns, jet-ski scams and poor policing are not factors that attract high-end tourists. The industry has been trying to paint itself green for more than a decade but it is still plagued by environmental pollution and a lack of waste management.

BINGO!  Add to it corruption, graft, other scams, and high prices.  Plus, a promised minimum wage increase will cause hotel prices to go up and quality to go down with fewer staff on the payroll.

Here is the part about the encroachment:

While the crackdown on resorts illegally built in Khao Yai national park will help nature catch its breath, there has been no explanation, as yet, of the legal status of, say, Koh Samet in Rayong province, which is also a national park playing host to luxury resorts or the building of restaurants and guesthouses on Phuket’s beaches, along with other questionable activities.

Koh Samet is slowly being ruined by primarily Thais from Bangkok.  The beaches are trashed and raw sewage seeps into the sand and sea.  Speed boats zoom in and out of swimming areas with death waiting to happen.

Appalling things have happened to some of our beautiful coastlines, villages, culture and ways of life because of mass tourism and overbuilding. If we cannot learn from the mistakes of the past 40 years, then our world-famous beauty spots are in danger of being stripped to the bone as tourist arrivals soar. Our tourism model is flawed and must be brought up to date. That is why the tourism industry is in need of a powerful voice in the new cabinet _ one that will be listened to.

Actually, they need a whole lot more than one voice in the ministry.  They need to educate an entire kingdom and teach people about having a future and not only living for the day.  I doubt it will happen regardless of who is appointed Tourism Minister.

Because, the Tourism Authority of Thailand will disregard any policy and continue to screw up tourism in Thailand their way.

Tags: arrivals pollution resort scams tourism authority of thailand tourist tourist minister