Jan 3, 2015, 10:09 pm
Last edit by: aBroadAbroad
This thread is for Thailand news/events and general discussion. It is meant to reduce clutter in the main forum. If you notice a topic here that deserves its own thread, please alert a moderator.
READ FIRST: Thailand Lounge-Thread Guidelines
Special thanks to FlyerTalker Kalboz for launching the original Thai News & Open Discussion lounge back in 2009!
READ FIRST: Thailand Lounge-Thread Guidelines
- This thread is subject to the general FlyerTalk Rules and will be moderated accordingly.
- Like all FT Forum Lounges, this thread provides a place for members to engage in off-topic discussion. Please be reminded, however, that this is not OMNI or OMNI/PR. Content that strays too far into such controversial areas as politics or religion may be edited, moved or deleted by moderators.
- As always, when challenging other members' viewpoints and opinions, please do so respectfully and thoughtfully. Posts containing personal attacks are unacceptable and will be deleted. Replies to such posts will also be deleted.
- Please alert a moderator to any concerns via the "Report Bad Post"
button that appears in the lower left corner of every post.
- Repetitive posting that unnecessarily clutters the thread, or appears to be for the primary purpose of post-padding, is subject to merging or deletion. If you wish to reply to several prior posts, please use the multi-quote function to create a single response.
Special thanks to FlyerTalker Kalboz for launching the original Thai News & Open Discussion lounge back in 2009!
Thailand Forum Lounge-Thread: Thai News & Open Discussion
Dec 2, 2016, 10:30 am
#796
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
No no ... just on toughening the zero-dollar purge which I have seen (and I'm sure you have seen it too) its affect on Thailand, its environment, its tourism sector, and even on some of the Thai's view of tourists.
Last edited by Kalboz; Dec 2, 2016 at 10:39 am
Dec 3, 2016, 2:48 am
#797
formerly known as 2lovelife
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: ORF : UA_Premier_Gold4Life, Bonvoy_titanium, Accor_Plat
Posts: 6,952
Kalboz. But these tours provide a huge stream of income to the tourism and transportation sectors. Is it really smart to be turning it away? I'd be furious if I was an operator in this sector.
Dec 3, 2016, 3:20 am
#798
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
Zero-dollar tour suspects plead 'not guilty'
Seven suspects have pleaded not guilty to charges in connection with the crackdown on zero-dollar tour scams in August.
They were among 13 defendants, including the six firms they ran, to enter pleas at the Criminal Court yesterday.
The six companies were OA Transport Co, Royal Gems International Co, Thai Herb Co, Bangkok Handicraft Centre Co, Royal Paradise Co and Baan Kanom Thongthip Co.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/...ead-not-guilty
PM toughens zero-dollar purge
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday pledged to move ahead with a crackdown on zero-dollar tour operations while assuring efforts were under way to help cushion any impact on the tourism industry.
His remarks were made when asked about a drop in tourist arrivals during his visit to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports ahead of the upcoming tourist season.
Gen Prayut said the crackdown on tourist scams was giving tourism and related businesses a hard time, but stressed that the government was working to address the repercussions.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gene...o-dollar-purge
Seven suspects have pleaded not guilty to charges in connection with the crackdown on zero-dollar tour scams in August.
They were among 13 defendants, including the six firms they ran, to enter pleas at the Criminal Court yesterday.
The six companies were OA Transport Co, Royal Gems International Co, Thai Herb Co, Bangkok Handicraft Centre Co, Royal Paradise Co and Baan Kanom Thongthip Co.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/...ead-not-guilty
PM toughens zero-dollar purge
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday pledged to move ahead with a crackdown on zero-dollar tour operations while assuring efforts were under way to help cushion any impact on the tourism industry.
His remarks were made when asked about a drop in tourist arrivals during his visit to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports ahead of the upcoming tourist season.
Gen Prayut said the crackdown on tourist scams was giving tourism and related businesses a hard time, but stressed that the government was working to address the repercussions.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gene...o-dollar-purge
Dec 3, 2016, 9:22 am
#799
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ*G, Mar LTT, Hyatt Glb, AA LTG, LY, HH, IC, BA, DL, UA SLV
Posts: 12,018
Dec 3, 2016, 9:57 am
#800
formerly known as 2lovelife
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: ORF : UA_Premier_Gold4Life, Bonvoy_titanium, Accor_Plat
Posts: 6,952
You think the customers are flying for free? Airport/immigration taxes were waived, hotels were giving free rooms, tour buses and guides are donating their time for free and filling their tanks with free gas? Do you think that they were stopping at restaurants who let them eat for free whose rice, meat, produce, water, and beverages like Pepsi are given or provided for free....? Maybe at the free market? No, all of those bills were paid... by the agency. Just like any other all inclusive around the world.
Like 'em or hate 'em. Those airplane seats, government fees, tour buses, guides, petrol, hotels, restaurants, and all the rent, fees, produce, staff, electric, gas, payroll, supplies, etc are ALL PAID FOR.
Zero dollar is a falsified term for 'all inclusive' All the money ends up in Thailand.... except the commission. The Thai companies who used to scrape off the commission are now crying that this profit is now being skimmed off. Losing this profit margin has Thai companies crying the blues. They thought up a great term 'zero dollars' and the lie fooled them all.
The result has been that an unspecified number of travellers whose bills were all paid by the agency have now been cancelled. All those bills were previously paid in full.
Thailand is the looser. Big time. They are seeing it now.
Like 'em or hate 'em. Those airplane seats, government fees, tour buses, guides, petrol, hotels, restaurants, and all the rent, fees, produce, staff, electric, gas, payroll, supplies, etc are ALL PAID FOR.
Zero dollar is a falsified term for 'all inclusive' All the money ends up in Thailand.... except the commission. The Thai companies who used to scrape off the commission are now crying that this profit is now being skimmed off. Losing this profit margin has Thai companies crying the blues. They thought up a great term 'zero dollars' and the lie fooled them all.
The result has been that an unspecified number of travellers whose bills were all paid by the agency have now been cancelled. All those bills were previously paid in full.
Thailand is the looser. Big time. They are seeing it now.
Dec 3, 2016, 10:18 am
#801
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
That was the intent but it's not a reality and they are purging the whole scheme because it is NOT translating to real $$$ or Baht or very minimal income in comaprison to the damage they are causing,
Dec 3, 2016, 11:01 pm
#802
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
Engine failure
The green shirts last week got what they came for back in May 2014. While happiness was returned to the National Council for Peace and Order, it became unclear how long it will last.
There are tough days ahead for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and allies. His regime has performed the completely predictable military trick of turning a so-so economy into muck -- the downfall of the last military regime.
.
.
.
Every day for two months, Thai and Chinese airlines and charter firms have cancelled 30 or more flights -- 18,000 tourists a day, a quarter of a million a month. Don Nakornthab, senior director of the Bank of Thailand's macroeconomic and monetary policy department, pinpointed the unique reason for this massive loss of tourists, income, jobs and taxes -- the prime minister's personal decision in August to attack firms running so-called "zero dollar" tours.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/o...engine-failure
The green shirts last week got what they came for back in May 2014. While happiness was returned to the National Council for Peace and Order, it became unclear how long it will last.
There are tough days ahead for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and allies. His regime has performed the completely predictable military trick of turning a so-so economy into muck -- the downfall of the last military regime.
.
.
.
Every day for two months, Thai and Chinese airlines and charter firms have cancelled 30 or more flights -- 18,000 tourists a day, a quarter of a million a month. Don Nakornthab, senior director of the Bank of Thailand's macroeconomic and monetary policy department, pinpointed the unique reason for this massive loss of tourists, income, jobs and taxes -- the prime minister's personal decision in August to attack firms running so-called "zero dollar" tours.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/o...engine-failure
Dec 5, 2016, 1:47 am
#803
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
Flash flood warning issued for South
People in 10 southern provinces have been urged to be vigilant for severe weather and possible flash floods as heavy rain continues in the South.
The Meteorological Department said on Monday the active low-pressure area over northern parts of Sumatra and the strong northeast monsoon across the South and the Gulf of Thailand would bring heavy to very heavy rain in many parts of the upper and lower South.
The affected provinces are Chumphon, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phuket, Ranong, Songkhla and Surat Thani.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gene...sued-for-south
Floods paralyse southbound trains from Bangkok
All trains to the southern region have stopped at Thung Song junction station in Nakhon Si Thammarat after heavy flooding damaged tracks.
Trains on the southern line cannot go beyond Thung Song at least until Tuesday and the State Railway of Thailand has provided buses from the station to transport passengers to their destinations.
The services affected by the floods includes all express and rapid trains from Bangkok to Trang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Hat Yai, Yala and Sungai Kolok in Narathiwat, as well as all local services from Thung Song.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gene...s-from-bangkok
People in 10 southern provinces have been urged to be vigilant for severe weather and possible flash floods as heavy rain continues in the South.
The Meteorological Department said on Monday the active low-pressure area over northern parts of Sumatra and the strong northeast monsoon across the South and the Gulf of Thailand would bring heavy to very heavy rain in many parts of the upper and lower South.
The affected provinces are Chumphon, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phuket, Ranong, Songkhla and Surat Thani.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gene...sued-for-south
Floods paralyse southbound trains from Bangkok
All trains to the southern region have stopped at Thung Song junction station in Nakhon Si Thammarat after heavy flooding damaged tracks.
Trains on the southern line cannot go beyond Thung Song at least until Tuesday and the State Railway of Thailand has provided buses from the station to transport passengers to their destinations.
The services affected by the floods includes all express and rapid trains from Bangkok to Trang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Hat Yai, Yala and Sungai Kolok in Narathiwat, as well as all local services from Thung Song.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gene...s-from-bangkok
Dec 6, 2016, 8:25 pm
#804
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
Phuket hotels ready for influx after airport upgrade
Upgrades at Phuket's airport and an increase in direct international flights are set to further stimulate growth of the island's tourism industry. Pobchai Jivavisitnon, the owner and managing director...
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/...irport-upgrade
Upgrades at Phuket's airport and an increase in direct international flights are set to further stimulate growth of the island's tourism industry. Pobchai Jivavisitnon, the owner and managing director...
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/...irport-upgrade
Dec 9, 2016, 6:33 pm
#805
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
Thailand hopes to pass ICAO inspection
Thailand hopes to pass the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)'s next inspection after its flag carrier was not on the European Union's air safety blacklist updated on Thursday.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/tran...cao-inspection
Thailand hopes to pass the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)'s next inspection after its flag carrier was not on the European Union's air safety blacklist updated on Thursday.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/tran...cao-inspection
Dec 10, 2016, 6:11 pm
#806
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
The making of a soi
The anatomy of a typical Bangkokian side-street
http://www.bangkokpost.com/lifestyle...aking-of-a-soi
The anatomy of a typical Bangkokian side-street
http://www.bangkokpost.com/lifestyle...aking-of-a-soi
Dec 13, 2016, 2:58 am
#807
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
Airport exec urges extra travel time
Passengers are being urged to plan extra travel time to Don Mueang International Airport during the New Year festival as an increasing number of passengers are expected to use the airport during the break.
Phet Chancharoen, the airport's general manager, said the number of passengers at the airport is expected to increase from 670,000 during last year's New Year festival to more than 700,000 during this coming festive season (between Dec 29, 2016 and Jan 4, 2017).
He urged passengers to allow for at least two to three hours of extra travel time to the airport.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gene...ra-travel-time
Passengers are being urged to plan extra travel time to Don Mueang International Airport during the New Year festival as an increasing number of passengers are expected to use the airport during the break.
Phet Chancharoen, the airport's general manager, said the number of passengers at the airport is expected to increase from 670,000 during last year's New Year festival to more than 700,000 during this coming festive season (between Dec 29, 2016 and Jan 4, 2017).
He urged passengers to allow for at least two to three hours of extra travel time to the airport.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gene...ra-travel-time
Dec 18, 2016, 5:48 pm
#808
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
TAT rethinks plan as China arrivals fall
THE TOURISM Authority of Thailand (TAT) is reassessing the Chinese market after arrivals from the Kingdoms No 1 source destination dropped for three consecutive months due to the Thai governments crackdown on zero-dollar tours and illegal tourism businesses.
TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the number of tourists from mainland China fall 16 per cent in October and 30 per cent in November compared to the same months last year. The number is expected to drop by 10 per cent in the current peak season compared to December last year.
The government has cracked down on zero-dollar tours and illegal tourism businesses since September, including the seizing of OA Transport, which controlled more than 2,150 tourist buses that mainly served the China market.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news...urism/30302372
THE TOURISM Authority of Thailand (TAT) is reassessing the Chinese market after arrivals from the Kingdoms No 1 source destination dropped for three consecutive months due to the Thai governments crackdown on zero-dollar tours and illegal tourism businesses.
TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the number of tourists from mainland China fall 16 per cent in October and 30 per cent in November compared to the same months last year. The number is expected to drop by 10 per cent in the current peak season compared to December last year.
The government has cracked down on zero-dollar tours and illegal tourism businesses since September, including the seizing of OA Transport, which controlled more than 2,150 tourist buses that mainly served the China market.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news...urism/30302372
Dec 21, 2016, 5:27 pm
#809
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
Car-nage on Ekkamai.
TRUCK PURSUED BY POLICE INJURES 18 IN EKKAMAI
BANGKOK — A police pursuit ended with 18 people injured in the capital’s Ekkamai area after the driver of a delivery truck plowed through a roadblock and damaged dozens of cars Wednesday afternoon.
Police opened fire on the truck driven by Ekkapoj Yodsiri, 27, who they managed to arrest and take to the Thonglor Police Station for questioning.
No one was seriously injured, but more than 30 vehicles were damaged in the incident, which took place in front of the Big C store near Soi Ekkamai 8. Police temporarily closed Soi Sukhumvit 63 to traffic.
TRUCK PURSUED BY POLICE INJURES 18 IN EKKAMAI
BANGKOK — A police pursuit ended with 18 people injured in the capital’s Ekkamai area after the driver of a delivery truck plowed through a roadblock and damaged dozens of cars Wednesday afternoon.
Police opened fire on the truck driven by Ekkapoj Yodsiri, 27, who they managed to arrest and take to the Thonglor Police Station for questioning.
No one was seriously injured, but more than 30 vehicles were damaged in the incident, which took place in front of the Big C store near Soi Ekkamai 8. Police temporarily closed Soi Sukhumvit 63 to traffic.