Tourism story on Thailand: Reporter does not want to be named

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Written by Linda Hohnholz

The military is in charge and is ruling Thailand and also the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) with a strong message: We want positive coverage from the international media!

The military is in charge and is ruling Thailand and also the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) with a strong message: We want positive coverage from the international media!

Generally the Tourism Authority of Thailand press conference during the Thailand Travel Mart (TTM) is all about numbers, marketing strategies, and future development. This time, it was all about media being invited to report about the positive side of Thailand tourism – a parallel to be done with the recent order from Thailandโ€™s new strongman, General Prauth Chan-ocha, to the media to report fairly, stop asking irritating questions, and even โ€œcheering him on.โ€

The traditional press conference of the Tourism Authority of Thailand yesterday was all about fair reporting over Thailand after the military took over the government.

Of course, Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Thawachai Arunyik was not so specific. But the TAT strong man asked media to report what they do experience and spread the word that Thailand is safe for tourists. Speaking at the Thailand Travel Mart, TAT Governor Thawatchai Arunyik said, โ€œWe would like to inform you that the word โ€˜coupโ€™ in Thailand is not considered as sensitive as it means in other parts of the world. โ€˜Coupโ€™ in Thailand is still peaceful and safe for both the local people and visitors to the country.โ€

This is right. Thailand is a safe destination for foreign travelers coming to the Kingdom. TAT showed to media during its press conference video clips with tourists being asked in various areas of Bangkok to tell their impressions. The unanimous answer: it is safe, and people are welcoming. The hosting of the TTM itself testifies of a normal situation. Close to 400 buyers and 100 media from around the world joined the event.

The Governor added, โ€œAs you may see, the Thai people can enjoy their daily life as normal. Eating out, shopping, traveling, business meetings, even holding an important event like the TTM Plus is running normally. We strongly believe that Thailandโ€™s tourism industry will rapidly bounce back again by the utmost efforts not just by TAT alone but with the cooperation from all of you.โ€

But Thailand is at crossroads, and despite the idyllic description of the bloodless peaceful military coup, the situation remains uneasy. This can be judged by the fact that Bangkok remains under curfew. And according to Arunyik, there is little chance that the curfew for the capital might be reviewed anytime soon, in contrary to other destinations. This is also for security reasons.

There is also the ugly part of the recent military intervention, which of course has little to do with tourism. Hundreds of people were arrested around the country as they were considered a threat to security due to their difference of opinion or their opposition to the military coup. This is likely to create a certain malaise among some people concerned about the respect of freedom of speech around the world.

Meanwhile, TAT now predicts that total arrivals will be slightly down to 25.8 million tourists this year compared to over 26 million last year. Luckily, the military coup took place during the low season.

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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