Minister calls for calm

BANGKOK, 21 February 2012: Although Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa-archa said the bomb blast in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit 71, 14 February, was a psychological damper on tourism, there was still no provable link between the incident and terrorism.

His comments followed news that the fifth arrest warrant had been issued for an Iranian suspect.

In view of that development, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports has decided not push for a visa on arrival facility for Iranian visitors.

According to the Ministry, it has been lobbying for the Immigration Department to allow 15-day visas on arrival for Iranians because arrivals had grown 20% to 30% in the past three years.

It is also very likely that other nations that have been linked to terrorism acts will be subject to tougher visa rules.

The government allows 20 countries the privilege of a 15-day visa on arrival.

Minister Chumpol said the return of travel warnings on Thailand may divert foreign tourists from this country over the next few months. But he noted that there had been1.9 million visits since January which indicated the impact had been minimal, so far.

“I have instructed related authorities to clarify the situation to the global community,” he said on Monday. “We will provide proper security measures for tourists to raise confidence in Thailand.”

Tourism Council of Thailand Planning and Policy president, Kongkrit Hiranyakit, said the police need to come up with solid evidence that the bomb attack was not related to terrorism to ally tourist fears.

“The government should beef up security and we have to take the warning seriously as even Deputy Prime Minister, Chalerm Yubamrung, insisted it was impossible for any government to guarantee absolute safety.”

He warned that travel warnings reintroduced, last week, will deter travel regardless of what the government says.

At the moment 14 countries have issued travel warning on Thailand. They are: United States; United Kingdom; Canada; Iceland; Austria; Netherlands; Japan; South Korea; Brazil; New Zealand; Italy; Norway; Israel; and Taiwan.

“If it is confirmed that the suspects were linked to terrorism, the tourism industry will feel the pain until the Songkran festival,” Mr Kongkrit.  “The tourism mood is damaged and hotel reservations for Songkran could decline.”

Critics say the government is splitting hairs when it claims the attacks did not fall into the “terrorism” category.” There is some evidence to suggest it might have a failed attempt on the lives of high-ranking Israeli diplomats.

However, would-be visitors will not make the distinction between a political assassination attempt and terrorism. They will probably fear that any incident involving bombs, or grenades, in a city district where expatriates reside in considerable numbers is a negative for the country’s scorecard.

Meanwhile, Association of Thai Travel Agents president, Sisdivachr Cheewaratanaporn, said the government should be very cautious in what it says until it has all the facts.

“Although there are no serious cancellations  right now, the situation could change if the government is not careful.”

Thai-Chinese Tourism Alliance Association president, Kasian Wattanachaopisut, said “there is no doubt If it was an act of terrorism, it would affect tourism no matter what we say.”

Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau president, Akapol Sorasuchart, said tourism-related businesses are explaining the situation as best as they can.

To heighten security, Bangkok police chief deputy Pol Maj General, Saroj Phromjaroen, said all 88 police stations in Bangkok have been instructed to step up random checks on foreign passengers travelling in taxis.

This measure is being enforced in popular tourist spots such as Khao San Road, as well as near embassies and the residences of foreign diplomats. It covers an area along Sukhumvit Road from the tourist strip (Soi 1) to the Emporium shopping mall (Soi24) and beyond to Soi 71 a popular area for expatriate residents.