Hotelier: Stay away this weekend
March 11, 2010 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under News
A leading hotelier and former president of Bangkok’s Skal Club, Andrew Wood, describes cancellations and outlines a disturbing escalation that suggests Thailand’s tourism is about to face its biggest challenge.
He issued a situation assessment and update to Skal Club members in Thailand, earlier this afternoon.
He suggests that if visitors are not travelling on essential business to Bangkok they should not travel to the city this weekend.
In his observations he outlines a scenario of serious unrest and the possibility of an escalation involving mortar attacks as part of a plan to destroy government buildings. None of the information has been independently verified and there are reports that government officials are providing misleading information possibly to justify a heavy-handed crackdown.
His email to hundreds of travel industry executives comes as many of the industry are attending ITB in the hope they can drum up business for the country’s travel business that has suffered significant revenue losses since the airport closures in 2008.
Mr Wood states:
• “Update on this weekend, things are deteriorating.
• ALL functions in my hotel this weekend have cancelled including three major weddings and international conferences and an airline function showing the F1 Race live to top agents.
• The Royal Navy is stopping pro-red gun and ammunition supply boats coming into Bangkok from Ayutthaya via the Chao Phraya River. A number of major roads will be closed inside Bangkok tomorrow including Wireless Road. There are also helicopters visible over the city.
• The British Embassy security staff in their security briefing this morning to the Bangkok Chamber of Commerce Thailand that the red shirts’ only objective is to bring down the government by Sunday.
• There is a high probability of violent outbursts including mortar and grenade attacks on government buildings.
• The demonstration is expected to spill over from Friday to Monday.
• All schools in Bangkok are either on holiday or plan to be closed until the middle of next week.
• The UK Embassy believes there are enough contingency plans on hand to ensure the airports remain open.
• Be prepared for major disruption in your journeys to and from work as roads are closed down.
• Be prepared for further cancellations from group and tour operators.
• Many airlines have already relocated their airline staff and air crews to the airport hotels.
• Airlines are opening check in desks four hours prior to take off, expecting many passengers to be delayed with road closures.
• Roads linking major red assembly sites and roads leading to government house and embassies are closed from tomorrow.
• I think it is fair to say that if you do not need to come to Bangkok it would be best to avoid it this weekend.”
I hope we can say Amen to this sad episode in Thailand’s history and start in earnest our plans for recovery.
STOP this! It’s high time hoteliers and other members of the Thai travel industry did something constructive, instead of denigrating each other.
And here’s a very good start: – type “Bangkok gem scam” into Google, and prepare to be shocked.
So, how is it that this decades-old national disgrace, which clearly involves the complicity of ‘higher’ powers, has continued without a united protest from the private sector? Are we so impotent that – collectively, as a very powerful voice – we cannot put an end to this?
John appears to be bashing someone who has spent over 20 years in Thailand with a rich and diverse network of contacts and information. All the points made by AW have been accurate incl the mortar grenade attacks unfortunately. With regards to his abilities, Andrew has expertly crafted the Chaophya Park into a great hotel over the years. Calling him an inn keeper, by the way, is a wonderful compliment John even thoguh you try to make it sound something else. That is so sad. You are so sad. Dont knock the hotel it until you see it and knock the messenger, who was on with his assessment. Have a great life John
Having completely lost sight of the initial point, correspondents now stoop to the lowest form of web intercourse, insult and stupidity. This is not about an obscure hotel in the suburbs, or its bed maker, but about an act of terrorism against Bangkok tourism. Read the TAT and PATA statements, and you will find that advising all and sundry to stay away, millions could well have been lost to the decent establishments in town. It was irresponsible and opportunistic, as always. The support for this nonentity is encouraging, though, as clearly none of the writers have a clue what they are talking about. Business as usual.
John, you are one mixed up individual. You accuse people of “stoop(ing) to … insult and stupidity”. Yet, are you the same John who in this same thread has described Andrew Wood, in a manner clearly intended to be derogatory as being an “innkeeper”, running a “backstreet hotel” and state that “the only thing he leads with is his chin”.
These comments sound both stupid and insulting to me.
You sound like a sad “can dish it out, but can’t take it” person to me. What is your contribution to the world that makes you so much better than someone like Andrew? Tell us something you have done to add value, rather than just constantly sniping at everyone.
John, your chief problem appears to be that you are annoyed that no-one agrees with you. And this guff about an “act of terrorism against Bangkok tourism” is a new dimension in hyperbole.
In any case, I thought the lowest form of intercourse involved limbo-dancing?
Bless me, Sheila, for I have sinned. Amen.
Surely he meant “Peccavi!” Jim Thompson does a nice line in ash cloth, by the way.
I have known Andrew Wood for many years and he has always been a “gentleman” and has always been factual – so I for one believe his 14 points would be Factual, and a honest personal opinion of the expected situation. (free speech and all that !)
John, how dare you get personal and try to play God – by saying “I hope his work permit is in good order, because he might be flying home any day soon for breaching protocol” ( who’s protocol?) Yours?
Further more u say “This is the job of officials, not some inn keeper”
Do the officials care about what the innkeeper says or does not say ? After all it was common knowledge to the inn keepers contacts what was more or less expected on the weekend
John getting personal or what? Have we forgot how this all started?
Was it an inn keeper who took in Joseph and Mary ? – just as you refer to Andrew Wood, who you refer to as the “inn keeper”, stated the FACTS and helped to keep friends abreast of the situation in Bangkok .
Here are a few more Facts for you to get personal…..
FACT 1.- today is the first time I read this blog!
FACT 2 – I have been visiting Thailand for business and pleasure for many years –
FACT 3 – for the past year I would not even consider visiting Thailand or BKK, for business or pleasure, or recommend anyone to consider Thailand in the next 12 months
FACT 4 –Above decision not because of the inn keepers personal comments
FACT 5 – but because of the issues that are apparently escalating out of control in Thailand – Thailand and BKK is not perceived as a safe place to be right now, and I am sure the last years tourism stats say it all – and this trend will continue until the political situation, regardless of who wins, is stabilised. –
FACT ! I could go on and on but would only bore you or the readers of this blog…………..
John I do not know you, but, I honestly think you should take a good look at yourself before attacking any more inn keepers – it is a free world and we all have our say.
Comments come and go – I know your comments, like mine, will be long forgotten within the hour. So why not give it a rest in attacking inn keepers and take time to be kind – not only to yourself but everyone around you.
Sheila Williams