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The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Cannabis reclassification boosts tourism, say Thai tourism associations
Tourists who do not use cannabis often feel unsafe in environments where its smell is pervasive, discouraging families with children from visiting. - AFP BANGKOK: Tourism operators believe the reclassification of cannabis as a narcotic will yield more benefits than drawbacks, particularly in attracting family travellers. Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), said that although the reclassification is a government policy, feedback from the tourism sector indicates it will have a positive impact. He noted that tourists who do not use cannabis often feel unsafe in environments where its smell is pervasive, discouraging families with children from visiting urban areas. While cannabis tourism may appeal to a small niche, he said, it should be confined to designated areas. In the past, cannabis shops had spread widely along streets, affecting the overall image of Thailand as a family-friendly destination. Since family travellers are a key market segment, prioritising their needs outweighs catering to the smaller cannabis tourism market, he argued. He added that data from online travel agencies such as shows family travel is growing faster than other segments, making it a market Thailand cannot afford to neglect. Adith Chairattananon, secretary-general of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), said the move benefits both society and tourism. He expressed concern over the normalisation of cannabis among young people, which could lead to imitation and misuse. He pointed out that in Asia–Pacific markets, which account for 70 per cent of Thailand's arrivals, cannabis remains illegal. This can affect tourism cooperation, with some governments discouraging travel to countries where cannabis is permitted. For example, South Korea conducts random drug tests on returning travellers. ATTA president Sittiwat Chewaratanaporn agreed, adding that major source markets such as China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia do not favour cannabis use. Some countries, including South Korea and China, have conducted random urine tests on tourists upon their return. In contrast, cannabis-related tourism mainly appeals to a small European segment, he explained. Social media comments from foreign tourists have also criticised Thailand's previous liberal cannabis policy, while some governments issued warnings due to legal risks in their own countries. Restricting cannabis to medical purposes will therefore improve Thailand's appeal to these markets, he said. Kitti Pornsiwakit, president of the Association of Thai Tourism Marketing (ATTM), said tightening regulations to allow only medical cannabis has both benefits and drawbacks for the industry and the country. On the positive side, it addresses concerns from Asian tourists about cannabis contamination in food, boosts family tourism and aligns the private sector's focus with the original medical-use intention. It also offers an opportunity to position Thailand as a high-quality cannabis wellness hub and helps prevent youth cannabis addiction. On the downside, some European cannabis tourists may be deterred, and over 20,000 cannabis-related businesses and communities may have to close or adapt. Without clear government support measures, such changes could harm investment sentiment and be perceived as policy instability, he said. - The Nation/ANN
Asia News Network
01-08-2025
- Asia News Network
Thai tourism hit by border conflict, hotel bookings cancelled across nine provinces
August 1, 2025 BANGKOK – The ongoing border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has begun to significantly impact Thailand's tourism sector, leading to a wave of hotel room cancellations across nine major provinces. The Thai Hotels Association (THA) has revealed that Chiang Mai is the worst-hit region, with Thai tourists accounting for the majority of cancellations, followed by Asian visitors. The primary factor influencing these cancellations is the impact on travel insurance policies. Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), revealed on Thursday that the preliminary findings of a survey conducted among THA member hotels regarding the unrest. Since 24th July 2025, 24 hotels across nine provinces have reported a total of 5,266 room cancellations. This figure includes cancellations due to all causes, as well as those directly attributable to the Thai-Cambodian border situation. The survey indicates that Thai tourists account for the highest number of cancellations, with Asian tourists following closely behind. When breaking down the impact by province, Chiang Mai has experienced the most significant number of cancellations, with 2,089 rooms affected. Bangkok follows with 1,863 cancellations, then Chonburi (668 rooms), Phuket (566 rooms), Nakhon Ratchasima (408 rooms), Phang Nga (140 rooms), Surat Thani (133 rooms), Rayong (87 rooms), and Nong Khai (12 rooms). While new bookings since 24th July 2025 stand at 6,835 room nights – a figure higher than the cancellations – Thienprasit noted that the pace of new bookings is clearly slowing. Provinces bordering Cambodia are experiencing more severe impacts than other regions. The THA expresses hope for a swift resolution to the unrest to mitigate further adverse effects on tourism. A crucial factor accelerating these cancellations is the issuance of travel advisories by some countries to their citizens. Such advisories not only create a psychological impact on travellers but also directly affect travel insurance policies, which are a key requirement for certain tourist groups. Other existing safety concerns, such as the abduction of Chinese tourists linked to scammer networks in specific areas of the ASEAN region, have not yet been clearly communicated. This, coupled with the emerging border conflict, further erodes travel confidence in the region, particularly among Chinese tourists who remain wary about safety.
Bangkok Post
31-07-2025
- Bangkok Post
Hoteliers take a hit from border clash
The tourism industry in the seven provinces along the Thai-Cambodian border has been decimated by recent clashes, with a 100% cancellation rate in most areas, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The Thai Hotels Association (THA) has reported the cancellation of 4,085 room nights, while new bookings for the coming high season remain slower than usual. THA president Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun said the cancellations occurred quickly once the clashes started escalating on July 24. Of the total cancellations reported by members, 1,881 room nights were cancelled directly as a result of the border unrest, while new bookings over the past week totalled 6,835 room nights. The association plans to reassess the impact of the dispute in a few days, as the number of hotels surveyed was limited and the conflict between the two countries still hasn't been fully resolved. Mr Thienprasit said the recovery rate of hotels this week was uneven, as some hotels could not secure healthy forward bookings. The main concerns lie with Asian markets, which are more sensitive to security issues. 'The dispute between Thailand and Cambodia should not affect individual travellers who book via online platforms, as they're able to cancel or postpone their bookings if the situation requires,' he said. 'We estimate this event should not have a significant impact on the upcoming high season.' TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said the seven provinces experienced varying levels of impact. Among those recording a 100% room cancellation rate from tour groups were Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, and Aranyaprathet district in Sa Kaeo. She said tourists refrained from visiting those areas, but some hotels received new bookings from donors visiting evacuation camps, as well as media personnel, allowing them to maintain a 50-70% occupancy rate. Ms Thapanee said Buri Ram, which had a 70% cancellation rate, closed its famous attractions such as Phanom Rung Historical Park and Prasat Muang Tam Historical Park, while Chang International Circuit postponed all activities throughout the past week. Surin and Chanthaburi reported 80% cancellations and postponements from tour groups and individual travellers in the area, she said. Ms Thapanee said most room bookings in Trat, particularly along the border, had been cancelled or postponed, including on the three islands: Koh Chang, Koh Mak and Koh Kut. The cancellation rate on Koh Chang and Koh Mak was 30%, while Koh Kut recorded a 50-60% cancellation rate.
Japan Times
31-03-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Massive quake is latest blow to Thai tourism hit by safety woes
The deadly Myanmar earthquake is set to hurt foreign tourist arrivals to Thailand in the coming weeks, the latest blow to an industry already reeling from dwindling Chinese visitors worried about travel safety. International tourist arrivals are expected to drop by 10%-15% or even more in the next two weeks as Friday's 7.7 earthquake shook buildings in Bangkok and other Thai tourist hot spots, spooking prospective travelers, the Thai Hotels Association said. About 10% of foreign tourists checked out early after the quake, said Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the association, citing an initial survey among the group's members. Some tourists, however, later returned to their hotels as they had no other options, he said. "A short-term impact is expected for the tourism industry because of safety concerns,' Thienprasit said by phone on Saturday. Even a short-lived impact on tourist arrivals will hurt an economy where the industry employs one in five of the country's workforce and accounts for about 13% of gross domestic product. Thai authorities are betting on an improved tourism performance to propel growth to 3% this year as merchandise exports, another key driver of growth, faces headwinds from the Trump administration's trade tariffs. Thai authorities have in the meantime reassured foreign tourists. The country is safe for tourists, Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong said Saturday, adding that the government has ordered a safety audit of hotels and major tourist attractions. While the earthquake rattled buildings across Bangkok, leading to mass evacuations and suspension of public transport for a day, the city emerged largely unscathed in contrast to the massive destruction in Myanmar. The collapse of a high-rise building under construction in Bangkok was the biggest hit from the temblor, killing 10 workers and trapping dozens under its debris. To be sure, tourist arrivals were already on the decline due to safety concerns in recent months. A series of high-profile cases of human trafficking to scam centers in Myanmar via Thailand prompted some travelers from China, Thailand's largest source for tourists, to shun the Southeast Asian nation. Hotel bookings during the country's Songkran festival next month haven't been as good compared with two years ago, and post-tremor safety concerns could further hurt confidence among foreign visitors, Thienprasit from the hotel group said. Foreign tourist arrivals have been falling on a weekly basis since the end of the Lunar New Year rush in early February. Bank of America economists expect downside risk to its forecast of 38.1 million tourist arrivals this year with the country moving into the low season when European tourists subside and Chinese tourist arrivals still showing no sign of recovery. Thailand — popular among tourists for its pristine beaches, vibrant nightlife and Buddhist temples — has welcomed 8.9 million tourists since the start of the year, up 2.9% from year earlier, according to latest official data. Foreign visitors traveling in groups aren't as concerned about safety as seen from the normal flight schedules at key Thai airports, said Adith Chairattananon, secretary-general of the Association of Thai Travel Agents. "But tourists, who haven't made bookings to Thailand, may decide to halt travel plans,' Adith says. "The impact could surface in the next two weeks.'
South China Morning Post
30-03-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Still reeling from drop in Chinese visitors, earthquake gives new blow to Thai tourism
The deadly Myanmar earthquake is set to hurt foreign tourist arrivals to Thailand in the coming weeks, the latest blow to an industry already reeling from dwindling Chinese visitors worried about travel safety. Advertisement International tourist arrivals are expected to drop by 10 per cent to 15 per cent or even more in the next two weeks as Friday's 7.7 earthquake shook buildings in Bangkok and other Thai tourist hotspots, spooking prospective travellers, the Thai Hotels Association said. About 10 per cent of foreign tourists checked out early after the quake, said Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the association, citing an initial survey among the group's members. Some tourists, however, later returned to their hotels as they had no other options, he said. 'A short-term impact is expected for the tourism industry because of safety concerns,' Thienprasit said by phone on Saturday. Even a short-lived effect on tourist arrivals will hurt an economy where the industry employs one in five of the country's workforce and accounts for about 13 per cent of gross domestic product. Advertisement Thai authorities are betting on an improved tourism performance to propel growth to 3 per cent this year as merchandise exports, another key driver of growth, faces headwinds from the Trump administration's trade tariffs.
