On April 22nd, 2024, Mr. Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, the President of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), publicly revealed that Thailand is officially entering the low season. Thai Tourism operators may struggle with low incoming tourists after the Songkran Holidays.
Right after the Songkran Celebrations, Thailand would officially enter the low season as it does every year. Many tourism-related businesses might have to keep the business alive and meet the tourists' demand with alternative tourism, according to Sisdivachr.
This was the nature of the tourism sector that did not change for the past decade. The low season caused the number of western, eastern, and European tourists to gradually decrease. However, China visitors were estimated to visit Thailand as there was a current visa exemption between Thailand and China, stated Sisdivachr.
Additionally, Taiwanese and Indian visitors generally stayed strong during the low season months.
Despite the World Songkran Festival 2024 events in Thailand, the number of Chinese tourists who visited Thailand during that time was considerably low as flight tickets were expensive, according to Sisdivachr.
Sisdivachr further added that the trend of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand was averaging approximately 20,000 to 22,000 individuals daily which was considered to be a good result. If the number was maintained until the 4th quarter of 2024, it would likely meet the goal set by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) at 8 million Chinese individuals by the end of the year.
The current situation is stable concerning the ongoing Middle East conflict between Israel and Iran. However, if the war zone breaks out into a further war, it would definitely affect the global economy, and the Thai tourism economy accordingly, said Sisdivachr.
Sudawan Wangsupakitkosol, minister of tourism and sports, reports that the Economics Tourism and Sports Division has summarised the latest information on Thai and foreign tourists during the Songkran Festival 2024, from April 1-21.
The festival generated a total income of 140.335 billion baht, which is higher than the ministry's previous estimate that during these 21 days, the total income would be around 132 billion baht.
Sudawan said that during the 21 days, 1,926,443 foreign tourists visited Thailand, generating an income of 90.208 billion baht, while Thai tourists made 13,897,988 trips, generating an income of 50.127 billion baht.
They propose the implementation of a 300-baht tourism tax, which they believe could alleviate the problem. Their call for action comes in response to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's commitment to make 2025 a pivotal year for Thai tourism.
The Federation of Thai Tourism Associations (FETTA) is set to present a white paper to the government outlining solutions to over-tourism, a significant issue in Thailand pre-pandemic. Secretary-General of FETTA, Adith Chairattananon, pointed out that major tourist destinations like Phuket, Samui, and Pattaya are on the brink of over-tourism, with a projected 40 million tourists.
During peak season, these popular destinations suffer from traffic congestion and water shortages, with international airports running out of slots for airlines. Adith suggests a key strategy could be to divert tourists from these hubs to the country's secondary cities. These cities offer numerous potential attractions and have adequate space to accommodate an influx of tourists.
Adith also proposed incentives for airlines to operate direct flights to provincial airports, such as U-Tapao, Khon Kaen, and Krabi. Such a move would ease congestion at major airports, like Phuket Airport or Suvarnabhumi Airport, and stimulate regional business opportunities.
Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) Vice-President Surawat Akaraworamat supports the idea of a 300-baht tourism fee. He believes it could fund tourism development as the plan and all related preparations have been finalised. Surawat suggests that the tax would not deter foreign tourists, as the fee is minimal compared to countries like Bhutan, which charges a tourist tax of over US$100 (approximately 3,700 baht) per night.
The additional revenue could be used to develop infrastructure in second-tier provinces, attract tourists away from overcrowded locations, and enhance attractions that have deteriorated due to over-tourism, reported Bangkok Post.
Surawat called for a trial phase of tourism tax collection through a mobile application or kiosks, mirroring the approach taken by many countries that collect taxes from tourists through flight tickets or hotel stays.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has recently announced that the upcoming edition of Michelin Guide Thailand 2025 will expand its reach to cover Chon Buri Province. Chon Buri, a coastal province located around 80 kilometers from Bangkok, is popular among Thais and foreigners not only for its well-known tourist attractions, but also for its regional specialities and fresh seafood. The Michelin Guide Thailand has played an important role in promoting Thai food to the world. The 2025 edition is scheduled to be released at the end of 2024. In this edition, Chon Buri becomes the latest destination, joining Bangkok and surrounding provinces (since 2018); Phuket and Phang-Nga (since 2019); northeastern provinces (since 2023); and Ko Samui and Surat Thani (since 2024).
BANGKOK – Thailand, a country that has long held a special place in the hearts of British travelers and expats, is witnessing a significant drop in the number of visitors from the United Kingdom. A detailed analysis by the Pattaya Mail, along with insights from industry experts, highlights a complex set of factors driving this shift. This trend raises concerns for Thailand's tourism-dependent economy, its expat community, and its future appeal to British travelers.
From Staple Destination to Shifting Tides
For decades, British tourists have flocked to Thailand's sun-drenched beaches, vibrant cities, and affordable cost of living. Expats have enjoyed the tropical climate, entrepreneurial opportunities, and the Thai hospitality that made the country a popular choice for establishing a life abroad. However, a combination of economic, bureaucratic, and competitive pressures is eroding Thailand's traditional appeal for British travelers.
The Cost Factor: Rising Expenses and Neighboring Options
The rising cost of international airfare, fueled by global inflation and fluctuating fuel prices, is taking a toll on British travel budgets. Simultaneously, other Southeast Asian destinations like Vietnam, Indonesia, and Cambodia are becoming increasingly popular. These destinations offer similar cultural experiences and exotic allure, often at a lower price point. This increased competition puts pressure on Thailand to offer a uniquely compelling value proposition to attract cost-conscious tourists.
Expat Challenges: Bureaucracy and Diminishing Opportunities
British expats in Thailand report navigating increasingly complex immigration procedures, including stricter visa requirements and work permit regulations. This bureaucratic maze is discouraging potential expats, while those already established may feel a waning sense of security.
"Thailand used to be welcoming to foreign entrepreneurs and skilled workers," remarked a British expat running a business in Bangkok. "Now, it feels like they're putting up roadblocks, which makes you think twice about the long-term viability of staying here."
Furthermore, a perception is growing among British expats that high-quality job opportunities, particularly in sought-after sectors like education and technology, are dwindling. This creates uncertainty for those planning a move and disincentivizes existing expats who may be considering other locations in the region.
The "X-Factor": Thailand's Evolving Image
Beyond tangible costs and regulations, a subtler shift in Thailand's perceived image may be at play. Some British tourists mention concerns about overdevelopment in certain areas, diminishing authenticity, and occasional reports of scams or incidents targeting foreigners. While these issues might not be widespread, they can contribute to an overall impression that influences a traveler's decision-making process.
Consequences for Thailand
The decline in British tourism and the shrinking expat community could have far-reaching consequences for Thailand. British visitors have been a consistent source of revenue, particularly for businesses catering to Western tastes and preferences. A decrease in spending power from this demographic could strain local economies dependent on tourism.
Additionally, the expat community plays a vital role in Thailand's workforce. British expats often possess skills and expertise that contribute to sectors like education, hospitality, and entrepreneurship. Their diminishing numbers could create gaps in the labor market and stifle innovation driven by foreign business ventures.
Potential Strategies: Rekindling the Connection
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is acutely aware of these trends and the need to adapt. Targeted marketing campaigns highlighting Thailand's unique offerings, such as its rich cultural heritage, diverse natural landscapes, and world-renowned cuisine, could help re-ignite British interest. Additionally, the government may need to reassess policies affecting expats. Streamlining visa and work permit processes, and fostering a welcoming environment for foreign businesses, could reverse the perception of increasing barriers.
Conclusion
Whether this decline represents a temporary dip or a long-term change in British travel preferences remains to be seen. Thailand has an opportunity to address the underlying causes and revitalize its connection with British tourists and expats. Success will depend on navigating economic realities, easing bureaucratic hurdles, and preserving the qualities that made Thailand a beloved destination in the first place.
A total of 2,044 road accidents, with 2,060 injuries and 287 deaths, were reported on Thursday (April 18th) by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) in the 'Seven Days of Road Safety Campaign' during Songkran (April 11th – April 17th) 2024.
The province with the total highest fatalities was Chiang Rai with 17 deaths.
The total highest number of accidents was also Chiang Rai with 82 and the highest number of injuries was Phrae with 80 injuries.
There were 28 deaths, 224 road accidents, and 224 injuries in total reported on the seventh day (April 17th) of the campaign.
Most were caused by excessive speeding (45 percent). About 81 percent of the accidents involved motorcycles. Most road accidents occurred on highways (42 percent) between 5:01 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn reported to police on April 2 to answer charges of money laundering. He was subsequently released on bail.
The acting national police chief has suspended deputy chief Surachate Hakparn and four subordinates accused of involvement with an online gambling network, according to a source familiar with the case.
The source said Pol Gen Kitrat Panphet signed the order, which took immediate effect on Thursday.
Apart from Pol Gen Surachate, aka Big Joke, the order applied to Pol Col Kittichai Sangkhathaworn, deputy police commander of Songkhla province; Pol Lt Col Krit Pariyaket, deputy chief of the Phra Samut Chedi police station in Samut Prakan; and two traffic patrol policemen: Pol Sgt Natthawut Wadwaew and Pol Sgt Natthanan Chuchak.
All five are suspected of being involved in money-laundering in relation to the BNK Master gambling network.
The source said that Pol Gen Kitrat based the decision on a disciplinary investigation, noting that the courts had approved warrants for the arrest of the five suspects.
Pol Gen Kitrat discussed the decision with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin at Government House after a cabinet meeting on Thursday morning, the source said.
The five have the right to petition against the order.
On March 20, the prime minister transferred Pol Gen Surachate and national police chief Torsak Sukvimol to inactive posts and named Pol Gen Kitrat as the acting chief.
The two sidelined senior officers had been engaged in a long-running feud, with public accusations flying back and forth about involvement with illegal gambling networks.
Pol Gen Surachate on April 2 turned himself in to police to answer charges of money laundering, just hours after investigators obtained a warrant for his arrest. He was subsequently released on bail.
A committee set up by the prime minister to investigate the affair said recently that it had found there were grounds to the allegation that Pol Gen Surachate was involved in money laundering.
On Thursday Pol Gen Kitrat also formed a new investigative committee to look into the roles of the five suspects he suspended.
The committee consists of 14 police officers who range in rank from lieutenant colonel up to general.
It is headed by Pol Gen Sarawut Karnpanich, a deputy national chief, and also includes Pol Lt Gen Nopawat Arayangkun, a deputy police inspector-general; and Pol Maj Gen Montree Theskhan, head of the Crime Suppression Division.
The new panel will follow up on the work of an earlier investigation by a committee that included detectives from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau.
The previous investigation found that the administrator of the BNK Master gambling website transferred money to a bank account held by Pol Lt Col Krit, though not in his name.
Money was then transferred from that account to the accounts of the two suspected sergeants. They in turn were reportedly ordered to deliver envelopes of cash to Pol Gen Surachate's residence. The transactions took place between Feb 8 and Nov 3, 2022, the investigators found.
Pol Gen Kitrat Panphet has been serving as acting national police chief since last month when Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin transferred Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, who held the chief's office, and Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn to inactive posts in the PM's Office pending an investigation into allegations against both men.
Vehicles pack the Bangkok-bound lanes of the Mitraparp highway in Nakhon Ratchasima province on Tuesday. (Photo: Prasit Tangprasert)
Road accidents killed 243 people and injured 1,837 others during the six days of the Songkran festival holiday.
Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob said on Wednesday there were 1,811 traffic accidents from April 11- 16, when many workers returned to their home provinces for Songkran celebrations. Motorcycles were involved in 84.9% of all traffic accidents.
The northernmost province of Chiang Rai had the highest number of accidents (71) and the highest death toll (15).
Another northern province, Phrae, reported the most people injured (68). Nine of the 77 provinces were free of traffic fatalities during the Songkran Thai New Year festival, Pol Gen Permpoon said.
On the final day of the road safety campaign, April 16, there were 242 traffic accidents, leaving 32 people dead and 237 injured. Speeding was the most common cause, accounting for 37.6% of the accidents, followed by drink-driving (23.9%) and cutting in front of other vehicles (21%).
Pol Gen Permpoon said most Songkran travellers had already returned to work.
Ruangsak Suwaree, director-general of the Probation Department, said that from April 11-16 there were 5,786 traffic violation cases, 96.6% of which involved drink-driving. Bangkok had the most drink-driving cases (493), followed by Samut Prakan (313) and Chiang Mai (302).
A road is covered with water, talcum and garbage in Muang district of Phitsanulok on Tuesday morning after Songkran celebrations on Monday night. (Photo: Chinnawat Singha)
Traffic accidents during the first five days of the Songkran road safety campaign week killed 206 people and injured 1,593 others, according to data released on Tuesday.
The 1,564 traffic accidents reported from April 11-15 represented a decrease of 10.4% from the 1,745 reported in the same five-day period a year ago. The number of deaths was up from 200 last year but injuries were down by 8.3% from 1,737.
Out of 77 provinces, 17 were free of fatal traffic accidents so far, Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew said on Tuesday.
The northernmost province of Chiang Rai had the most traffic accidents with 61. Nan, also in the North, had the most injured people at 60. Bangkok and Chiang Rai had the most fatalities, at 13 each.
On Monday alone there were 301 traffic accidents, 39 fatalities and 314 injured people, the health minister said. The most common cause was speeding which caused 43.2% of accidents, followed by drink-driving (23.9%) and cutting-in (15.3%). Motorcycles were involved in 83.8% of all accidents.
Chaiwat Chuntirapong, director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, said traffic was heavy on roads heading for Bangkok on Tuesday, and drivers should guarantee they are fit to drive.
Ruangsak Suwaree, director-general of the Probation Department, said that from April 11 to 15 there were 4,132 traffic violations, 96% of which involved drink-driving.
Bangkok had the highest number of drink-driving cases at 446, followed by Nonthaburi with 238 and Samut Prakan with 214, he said.
Thailand's roads are the deadliest in Southeast Asia, with the ninth-highest rate of road fatalities in the world at 32.7 per 100,000 people each year, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report in 2018. About 20,000 people, or 56 per day, die in traffic accidents each year.
162 people killed, 1,279 injured in road accidents in past four days
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Another 38 people were killed and 311 others were injured in 317 road accidents on Sunday, bringing total death toll for four days since April 11th to 162. Altogether 1,279 people were injured.
Bangkok and Roi-et recorded the most fatalities, at 10 each, while Nakhon Si Thammarat has the most road accidents and injuries, at 50 and 54 respectively.
Speeding accounted for 37.22% of road accidents yesterday, drunk driving, 25.87% and poor visibility, 15.46%. Motorcycles were involved in 87.51% of the road accidents.
Meanwhile, 2,136 traffic violators were put on probation by the courts yesterday, most of them found guilty of drunk driving.
In the past four days, 3,890 people have been put on probation, about 96% of them were found guilty of drunk driving. Bangkok has the most cases of drunk driving, at 399, followed by 227 cases in Nonthaburi and 214 cases in Samut Prakan.
During Songkran, which is Thailand's traditional New Year festival, splashing water is a common practice.
However, it's important to respect the wishes of those who do not want to participate. According to the Lawyers Council of Thailand, splashing water on people who do not wish to join the water festival could result in legal action.
If someone is found to be causing a nuisance or damaging property by spraying water on non-participants, they could face legal penalties. These could include a prison sentence of up to one month or a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or possibly both. It's advised to ensure that people are willing to get wet before splashing them, especially since some may have work or other commitments.
Although one could file a police report in regards to unwanted water splashing, it's not guaranteed (and quite frankly, unlikely unless someone was seriously injured) that the matter would be enforced. If one truly wanted to press charges against another person for unwanted water splashing, it is recommended they hire a lawyer, such as Issan Lawyers, to assist in drawing up formal charges and with the legal process. The filer would also need to know who splashed them and be able to prove they made it known that splashing water on them was unacceptable.
In reality, it is unlikely that such a case would proceed forward, but were one to have enough time and money to pursue legal action, they could, in theory, according to the Lawyer's Council of Thailand.
Please remember to celebrate Songkran with respect for others' rights and safety. If you're in Thailand during this time, enjoy the festivities responsibly!
Consider reaching out to Issan Lawyers, contact information below, for assistance with any problems you may have had or questions regarding legal matters, including criminal case related problems.
Isaan Lawyers specializes in providing legal services for expats and overseas nationals in Thailand.
— *Disclaimer: This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Consult with a qualified attorney for personalized guidance.*
48 killed and 411 injured in road accidents on Songkran Day
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Forty-eight people were killed and 411 others were injured in road accidents on Saturday, bringing the total dead and injured for three days of Songkran to 116 and 968 respectively in 936 road accidents.
40.05% of the accidents were caused by speeding, 27.81% involved drunk driving and 16.84% were caused by cutting in. 85.50% of the accidents involved motorcycles and 81.63% occurred on straight routes.
Nakhon Si Thammarat and Songkhla provinces recorded the highest number of road accidents in three days, at 19 each. Bangkok had the highest death toll in the three days, with eight, while Songkhla had 45 injured.
Chaiwat Chuntirapong, director-general of the Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, said today that officials had adjusted preventive measures, to correspond with the realities on the ground, by focusing on secondary roads and communities, where motorcyclists tend to engage in speeding, without wearing crash helmets and after drinking alcohol.
