Bangkok security fears fade
February 10, 2012 by Wanwisa Ngamsangchaikit
Filed under News, Thailand
BANGKOK, 10 February 2012: Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday Thailand is regaining confidence after several more nations lifted their travel warnings leaving only two alerts in place in Italy and Romania.
The ministry spokesperson, Thani Thongphakdi, said: “Only Italy and Romania were still giving information to raise security awareness among citizens visiting Thailand.”
Mr Thani believes the withdrawal of travel alerts was indicative of a recovery in travel confidence.
Thani Thongphakdi
He claimed it also showed there was more confidence in how the Thai authorities handled internal security.
Nations that revoked travel warnings earlier: China; Israel; Greece; Germany; France; Norway; Brazil; Netherland; Denmark; the United States; the United Kingdom; Australia; Austria; Taiwan, South Korea; Japan; and Canada.
The UK was one of the last to lift the warning, claiming its travel alerts were part of an important information service for citizens.
The contribution of tourism to Thailand’s GDP has been dwarfed over the years by the electronics, automotive and agri product sectors. It is no longer in the double digit category so status quo policies of the Royal Thai Government persist.
Does anyone actually take anything this government says seriously? No floods, guaranteed. Bangkok flooded. No bombs. Bombs in Sukhumvit. What next? No coup? Yeah, right. This lying is playing havoc on tourism, but let us bet the numbers will be exactly as promised, in spite of all the empty hotels, cancelled flights, empty bars. Same old, same old, but not different.
It is time for credible arrivals numbers, honest assessments and an end to this childish lying from the top down.
I think you miss a point, which is that EVEN Thais discount anything their government says. That’s why there is anarchy.
I always wonder why occasionally they decide to obey one particular law. EG: you can’t buy a beer at 3pm but you can ride your motorcycle on the pavement (or buy *** though that is expressly illegal). There are thousands of further examples – can anyone shed light on why some laws get enacted and not others?
Not true. American Embassy has not revoked its travel warning – you can see it here – http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/011312emergencymessage.html
British warning is also still there – http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/thailand
Note also the separate and pressing Chinese warning against travel to Chiang Mai. The government has been less forthright about getting angry with Beijing than with Washington about advisories.
But then Thais believe whatever they want to believe. If they say it’s all OK now, they think everyone should agree.
Oh, and did anyone confirm the end of the threat about the four tonnes or so of bomb-making chemicals? Probably still there for someone to pick up.