Tensions on the border with Cambodia are sending shockwaves through Thailand, severely affecting tourism.
Pattaya , one of Thailand's most popular beach destinations, is suffering a sharp drop in attendance and bookings as concerns spread across the country.
Border areas hit hard by the crisis
Tourists on Chantaburi Beach. Photo: Bangkok Post
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has reported severe impacts on tourism in the eastern and northeastern regions of the country following the border crisis from July 25 to 28.
Border towns like Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo province have seen hotel bookings drop to zero.
In Trat, all hotel bookings have been cancelled in districts adjacent to Cambodia, while island destinations such as Koh Chang, Koh Mak and Koh Kood have suffered cancellations of up to 60%.
Further north, in Ubon Ratchathani, Surin and Sisaket, group tours were almost entirely cancelled, with occupancy limited to journalists and emergency personnel.
The repercussions did not stop there.
Waves of travel cancellations in top destinations
Chiang Mai city. Photo: Nuwat Chanthachanthuek
Major destinations, including Bangkok , Chiang Mai and Phuket , have seen waves of trip cancellations, some of which were directly linked to the border situation.
Phuket alone lost more than 500 overnight stays during the period in question, 63 of which were directly linked to the unrest.
While some of these destinations have rebounded thanks to new bookings, others, such as Pattaya, remain fragile.
TAT Director Thapanee Kiatphaiboon said the agency was working hard, monitoring the situation through its domestic and international offices and coordinating with other government agencies to reassure tourists.
"The psychological impact spreads quickly," she said.
“We are launching campaigns to rebuild trust and provide real-time information on security and readiness.”
Pattaya hit hard
Pattaya beach resort.
In Pattaya, traders say the damage is not only psychological, but also financial.
Beach vendors, nightclub operators and hoteliers are lamenting a sharp decline in attendance, just as Pattaya was hoping to emerge from the rut after months of recovery efforts.
Heavily dependent on domestic weekend travelers and international groups, Pattaya is now considered a priority in the national tourism recovery plan.
Authorities are considering several strategies to revive the city, including campaigns to reassure tourists about safety, flexible promotions and coordinated itineraries with neighboring provinces less affected by the crisis.
Visible signs of order, such as the presence of lifeguards, clean beaches and active surveillance by law enforcement, are considered essential to restoring public confidence.
While the border is once again calm, the shock to Thailand's tourist heartland has revealed how interconnected and vulnerable the sector remains.
In Pattaya, the next few weeks will be decisive: will the city manage to revive its momentum, or will it slip back into a slow season dominated by fear more than reality?
TAT Governor Thapanee is leading response efforts and calling for public confidence amid growing concerns.
See also:
Thailand: Trips canceled due to conflict with Cambodia
Thailand postpones tourist tax due to drop in tourism
Thailand: Tourism collapses as Chinese visitors drop
Thailand's tourism faces a difficult year: a change of strategy
Thailand-Cambodia conflict: a child recounts the horror of the bombings
The Roots of the Thai-Cambodian Border Conflict
Source: Pattaya Mail
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4 comments
In areas far from sensitive areas, it is not the war that is preventing tourists from coming to Thailand.
I think Thailand no longer has the facilities suitable for high-class tourists.
Maintenance and adaptations are not done.
The structures are dilapidated and the quality is no longer there.
Indian and foreign hotel owners do not do any renovations.
Tourists prefer quality, and low-end tourists don't have enough money.
So recession.
Mass tourism can make money in the short term, but it is not a guarantee.
In Switzerland, a very expensive country, tourism continues to come, even if the price is significantly higher.
He who sows the wind reaps the whirlwind.
Very dark days for Thailand.
The border conflict plays a huge role, it impacts tourism, the image of the country in the world (invader), the exodus of Cambodians fleeing the country, therefore lack of labor, drop in product exports and a good political crisis...
in short, everything is going badly.
I just came back from 2 days in Pattaya.
The problem in this city is not the conflict, which is far removed.
The city has become very dirty and a strong smell of sewage persists in all the streets.
Additionally, I found that fares have become very expensive and the quality of service poor compared to other destinations in the country.
Finally, the general atmosphere is increasingly gloomy with a clientele well past retirement age, like most of the infrastructure...
In short, the tourism project needs to be overhauled, because it is outdated and no longer seems really suited to today's clientele.