Thailand's Southern Provinces.
Problems in Hat Yai but Prosperity in Hua Hin.
The insurrgency in Thailand's southern provinces is having a devastating effect on the tourist trade, yet Hua Hin on the Gulf Coast continues to attract new hotels.
Violence in Yala, Pattani and Songkhla
The tourist trade is under great strain in Thailand’s deep south, with many hotels and other facilities fighting for survival. The escalating violence by the insurgency groups in the provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, Songkhla and Satun, is to blame for this says a government spokesman, and despite the series of measures put into effect to support business in the South, the economy is not looking healthy.
Many tourists are surprised when they find that travel between Thailand and Malaysia through Thailand's southern provinces, is fraught with danger. The insurrgency in that area has made travelling dangerous for all but the most dedicated, plus the reduced number of beds is causing more problems. .
The government's measures, including stationing more forces there, has not been enough to restore confidence, and more than 10 medium-sized hotels in the region have gone out of business while shops and other related businesses have shut down.
This is an area where domestic tourism was once king, and where the income from tourists from Malaysia and Indonesia was not inconsiderable. Now the hotel occupancy rate is only about 20% against the previous rate of 70% and many small businesses are closing daily in the face of high financial burdens and lack of consumer spending.
Government Measures to Help Tourism.
A move to persuade the government to organize a National Economic Drive Exposition in Hat Yai, Songkla, to stimulate the economy, seems to have worked, and Thailand, in cooperation with Malaysia and Indonesia, will hold a Tourism and Trade fair in Hat Yai in April, 2008.
It is hoped that a Fair in the province would help support businesses in the problem areas and increased figures of 30% and being discussed.
The Fair will be held from January 11th to January 20th and it is hoped it will be attended by between 100 and 150 tourism companies with 800 traders from the local area. Malasia and Indonesia have also said they will participate.
Thailand’s Gulf Coast continues to Prosper.
Centara Hotels and Resorts is opening a new resort in 2008 to be named the Centara Grand Silapura Beach Resort and Villas, in the growing resort of Hua Hin on the Gulf Coast.
The resort will consist of only 46 rooms in a 3-storey building and 28 luxury pool villas. Each room will have a personal Jacuzzi, and there will be a restaurant and bar, fitness centre and a Spa.
This newsest venture will join Centara’s other 12 hotels and resorts in major Thai destinations including Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Samui, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and Mae Sot.
