[vernotixas]

Quote[/b] (bobattopsail @ Mar. 02 2005,04:47)]SARS in 2003 ? I thought Thailand never had a CONFIRMED case of SARS ??

Yes, that's true, but SARS did scare people who planned to visit Thailand and affected their decision to visit the Kingdom or not.

[olivelappers]

I think for the next few years the tourism will be reduced alittle. Every time someone mentions thailand here in the US, the word "tsunami" always seems to follow. A tsunami can happen anywhere though and you can always go to pattaya as it would be almost impossible for a tsunami to do any major damage in the gulf.. It is quite easy to just go to a different part of asia for the average tourist, but I don't think it will stop the true thailand lover.. It's not stopping me

SARS in 2003 ? I thought Thailand never had a CONFIRMED case of SARS ??

[Roorseprate]

There is one advantage to a downturn in the Thai economy, well this will lower the Thai Baht, so making my Australian dollars go further. Well this is good for the tourist, but not so good for the Thai people.

[Roorseprate]

Yes, I think tourism will be affected by this disaster.
In Australia, I her an advertisement on radio for tourist to come back to Thailand, as the best way to help the people of Thailand in this disaster. I also think, this disaster will affect tourism for this year, but most people would think this is a rare event and could happen almost any where, so most regular tourist to Thailand will come back.
I see the bigger problem to Thai tourism, is the greater competition to for the tourist dollars, with newer, more cheaper Asian destinations that have more recently opened there doors to tourism and are starting to get more and more popular. Countries like Vietnam are now getting as much publicity as Thailand in the travel industry now, as it is much cheaper, now 10 years ago, going to Vietnam was a rarity.
I would personally still prefer to go to Thailand, but I must admit, the way Vietnam is being marketed, it is looking very attractive to the budget traveler.

[Zdmlscid]

Yes.

[vernotixas]

Do you think less people go to Thailand this year because of the tsunami, the subway- and the boat accident?

[vernotixas]

Well, I have to admit that I liked it when there were less tourists in Thailand, but I'm also aware of the fact that the Thai economy won't like it at all.

[vernotixas]

In 2003 I didn't see too much tourists in Thailand as a result of SARS. Do you think this year's situation will be quite similar to 2003 with regard to tourism?

[baskentt]

Taking from what seeker said in another forum:

Those who do not come, let them go. Keep the tourist who do, coming back, for rest of your life! And Thailand can!