Asian Tourists Avoid Thailand - Bars May Be Forced to Stop Selling Alcohol

[Gaybutton]

The part about bars being forced to stop selling alcohol is probably what caught your attention more than the rest of the article. The final two paragraphs of the following article state:

 

"The new bill, which is awaiting approval from the military-installed parliament, bans alcohol sales within 500 metres of schools, temples and government offices.

 

"That would prevent many bars and restaurants from selling alcohol, which means tourists might spend less money or just pack up for a neighbouring country, the Federation of Thai Tourism Associations said."

 

I don't know how many bars in Pattaya would fall within the 500 meter limitation, if this bill passes, but it could happen . . .

 

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST:

_____

 

Asian Tourists Vote with their Feet

 

Bangkok (Agencies)

 

Official statistics show that tourists from the region have begun turning away, prompting concern the neighbours are avoiding Thailand because of continuing insecurity and political woes.

 

The number of tourists arriving from East Asia dropped by 7.3 per cent in the first two months of the year, compared to the same period in 2006, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said.

 

"Sensitive Asian tourists, from Japan for example, have been scared away from Bangkok due to security concerns," said Pornthip Samerton, managing director of travel agent Destination Asia.

 

The TAT numbers showed a general drop-off in February among tourists from around the world, as overall arrivals fell six per cent from January. Arrivals were still slightly up from the year before.

 

Pornthip said that many tourists may have reconsidered their travel plans following the deadly New Year's Eve bomb blasts in Bangkok that killed three and injured dozens.

 

Since then, several foreign embassies have upgraded their travel warnings for Bangkok, citing the threat of more blasts.

 

Meanwhile, a separatist insurgency in southern Thailand has sharply escalated, and the military that took power in a coup last September has threatened to invoke a state of emergency in Bangkok over political protests.

 

"After the bombs, the political situation and the insurgency in the south have added to tourists' concerns. Meanwhile, changing regulations regarding foreign investments have had an impact on business arrivals," said TAT spokesman Chattan Kunjara na Ayudhya.

 

Foreign investment has dropped off since the Bangkok of Thailand imposed tough currency controls in December, and the government in January proposed tightening foreign business rules.

 

"Those factors led to a decline of arrivals, and those from Asia fell short of our targets," he told the AFP news agency.

 

Tourism is a key money spinner for Thailand, generating about six per cent of gross domestic product.

 

Las Vegas-based tourism consultant Globalyis said that Thailand could still expect to see an 8.0 per cent increase in overall arrivals this year to 14.9 million -- assuming there is no more political turmoil.

 

"Any further incident in the country's capital or another popular tourist destination could trigger panic and drive away many tourists who may be concerned for their safety," the consultancy said in a recent paper.

 

"Traditionally in the region, tourism revenues are directly correlated with political stability," Globalyis warned.

 

"Reduced foreign investment could see Thailand lose out on tourism development in the coming years in favor of its competitive neighbours in the region," it added.

 

Southeast Asia has seen increasing competition for tourist dollars, especially among Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and Hong Kong.

 

Tourism groups have also warned that Thailand could see its annual expected tourism earnings of 800 billion baht ($22.85 billion) slashed by 10 per cent because of a proposal to tighten rules on alcohol sales.

 

The new bill, which is awaiting approval from the military-installed parliament, bans alcohol sales within 500 metres of schools, temples and government offices.

 

That would prevent many bars and restaurants from selling alcohol, which means tourists might spend less money or just pack up for a neighbouring country, the Federation of Thai Tourism Associations said.

[Guest xiandarkthorne]

The part about bars being forced to stop selling alcohol is probably what caught your attention more than the rest of the article. The final two paragraphs of the following article state:

 

"The new bill, which is awaiting approval from the military-installed parliament, bans alcohol sales within 500 metres of schools, temples and government offices.

 

"That would prevent many bars and restaurants from selling alcohol, which means tourists might spend less money or just pack up for a neighbouring country, the Federation of Thai Tourism Associations said."

 

Quite frankly, I don't thik a ban like that is going to work. And if it did, it would be to the detriment of the tourism industry. The problem isn't in the availability of alcohol. It's in the drinking. The simpler and in the long run, I think much more effective solution is to educate the school kids about the effects of consuming alcohol. I mean all the authorities have to do is to take the kids out on a walk in the early morning hours and they can see and smell for themselves, right?

 

[Gaybutton]

Quite frankly, I don't thik a ban like that is going to work.

 

You're using logic making sense. That's precisely why I wouldn't be surprised if they do go ahead and pass this bill. In Thailand it is not at all unusual for the powers-that-be to come up with something that makes no sense at all and defies logic.

[Guest wowpow]

I wonder what the logic of combining a post on alcohol controls and tourism decline would be?

 

I am feeling a bit sorry for the young men who like to pop out for a Gin and Tonic during playtime.

 

Is Pattaya's Boyztown 500 meters from the school by the traffic lights? What about Day Night Plaza? There again distances can be flexible - see View Talay 7 trail! )

 

[Guest xiandarkthorne]

I wonder what the logic of combining a post on alcohol controls and tourism decline would be?

 

I am feeling a bit sorry for the young men who like to pop out for a Gin and Tonic during playtime.

 

Regarding alcohol controls and tourism, the sad fact is that all too many of my fellow Asians seem to think that only the view out of a bottle's bottom is rose-tinted. Ergo, no alcohol, no sanook.

 

And as for young men popping out for a quick gin and tonic, I think they should be caned and expelled if they are caught with alcohol on their breaths during school hours. I admit my views on school kids drinking alcohol are a bit strong but having recently observed well-heeled Eton school boys on holiday in Italy, I sincerely doubt that I shall be inclined to change my opinions any time soon.

[bedbugy]

well you can forgert malaysia for beer ect it's cheaper in europe than malaysia 7ringet 90 cents for a small can of tiger beer at 7/11 wow

[Guest fountainhall]

As highlighted in letters to the press over recent months, one of the main issues here is the way the government taxes alcohol. For some reason, unlike almost every other country in my experience, the tax on hard liquor is much lower than it is on wine and beer - with the result that it's much easier and cheaper to get drunk on whisky than is is on wine! There is a lobby to bring Thailand into line with other countries, but another pushing to maintain the status quo. So, being Thailand, either nothing will be done or there will be a degree of compromise that satisfies no one!

[Guest buaseng]

well you can forgert malaysia for beer ect it's cheaper in europe than malaysia 7ringet 90 cents for a small can of tiger beer at 7/11 wow

Malaysia IS a predominently Muslim country where Islam is the official state religion. You're lucky to be able to get beer at all

[Guest xiandarkthorne]

well you can forgert malaysia for beer ect it's cheaper in europe than malaysia 7ringet 90 cents for a small can of tiger beer at 7/11 wow

 

And why would you go to a 7-11 in Malaysia to buy beer when you can get it at a much cheaper price in a sundry shop or coffeeshop or by the boxes at a discounted rate at one of those huge soulless hypermarkets?

 

The sad thing is that in spite of it being more expensive by comparison, we still have alcoholics a-plenty in Malaysia, too...just walk into any KL bar and watch the young idiots drink themselves to death - never mind the financial cost. Being a heavy smoker, I understand that there's no stopping anyone when we're determined to kill ourselves with our favourite poisons.

[Guest kenrfc]

Another silly trial balloon from this silly government. To paraphrase Stephen Colbert (of the "Colbert Report") this government isn't sinking, like the Titanic. Its SOARING, like the Hindenburg!

 

First they talk about raisning the drinking age to 24. Then they want to ban all booze advertising. Now this nonsense, packaging it as if they are trying to help "The Children", as if the little tykes are stopping off during recess for a toot.

Personally I think this nonsense is coming from the Moslem General in charge.

 

We tried Prohibition in the US for 12 years. It was a damn stupid idea and it didn't work. People ended up more drunk than ever on Bathtub Gin and bootleg Rotgut.

 

Well, at least if the bars go dry in Thailand there's always Uncle Somchai's still.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

Malaysia IS a predominently Muslim country where Islam is the official state religion. You're lucky to be able to get beer at all

 

 

While it is true that Malaysia is predomionately Muslim, Kuala Lumpur is muchmore diverse than the rest of the country. Getting alcohol in KL is no problem at all. You can even get pork. he he he

[Guest xiandarkthorne]

While it is true that Malaysia is predomionately Muslim, Kuala Lumpur is muchmore diverse than the rest of the country. Getting alcohol in KL is no problem at all. You can even get pork. he he he

 

Sorry to be a nitpicker but Malaysia is NOT predominantly Muslim. Malaysia is officially a Muslim nation aand we are also proud to be the most progressive and harmonious one in the world.

 

Heck. In spite of what a certain cerebrally challenged person posted on the Internet (there was an earlier thread with a link to a report about this), you can see pork and pork products openly sold all over Malaysia - even in Kelantan, the most traditionally oriented of all the states. We don't have a problem with it because we have learned to respect the racial, cultural and religious differences of the five major races to be found in Malaysia.

 

The difficulty for the person (I refuse to say 'gentleman' - even if THAT word is an insult to me) who posted an internet report about not being able to buy pork in KL, must have been the fact that the person in question couldn't tell the difference between a Muslim and a Chinese coffeeshop. Or maybe he only knew how to eat port and not what it looked like?