April 2003 88th Issue

Tourism Growth, but not as much as expected

Thailand has cut its forecast for 2003 tourism arrivals, a major source of export earnings, but still sees 1.7 to 4.0 percent growth over last year, despite the risk of a U.S.-Iraq war, Tourism Authority of Thailand (T.A.T.) has revised down its growth forecast for visitor numbers this year from six percent to take into account expectation of a conflict in the Middle East.
In 2002 10.8 million tourists visited the country, up 7.3 percent on the previous year.
Thailand expects to see around 1.7 percent more tourists if any U.S.-Iraq war lasted more than six months. But a short war would leave room for up to four percent growth in visitor numbers, these predictions fly in the face of a report issued recently by the World Travel and Tourism Council, which said Thailand could lose nearly 160,000 travel industry jobs and experience a 4.3 percent drop in tourism if there were a prolonged war in the Middle East.
Officials from the authority said predominantly Buddhist Thailand had been unaffected by the negative fallout for the region's tourism industry from the bomb blasts in Bali last October, which prompted several Western governments to issue travel advisories on Southeast Asia, citing the threat of Islamic militant attacks.
Thailand continues to attract tourists mainly due to its image as a stable and peaceful country with excellent quality of products and services at good value for money.
The growth in 2002, which came in spite of considerable global instability, has given a boost to efforts to make Thailand the tourism capital of Asia within three years.
The authority said tourism revenues to the country in 2002 had risen by 11.5 percent to 360.6 billion baht ($8.50 billion), accounting for around 6.7 percent of the country's gross domestic product.
T.A.T. would intensify its marketing campaigns in major markets this year, particularly in Malaysia, Japan, China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia.
Malaysia, which suffered a 5.8 percent fall in tourist arrivals last year, continued to supply the most visitors to neighbouring Thailand in 2002, with 1.3 million people crossing over, an 11.8 percent increase from 2002.
Japanese were the second largest group of tourists in Thailand last year, with 1.22 million visitors, a 4.6 percent rise on the previous year. Some 760,000 Chinese tourists entered Thailand, a 30 percent jump.
Tourists from Britain totalled 570,000, up 10 percent on 2001, making them the largest national group from Europe.

Seaside rest home for veterans

It was reported in the Bangkok Post that the military plans to build a rest home for forces personnel recuperating from injury or illness on beach front land in Hua Hin.
In addition to the rest home a small resort will be built nearby for tourists, which would earn income to help fund the rest home. Staff would be recruited from ex servicemen and their families.
The government will be asked for help in funding the project.
Construction will begin in 2004.

Beach clean-up and Sand sculpture comp

The second annual Hua Hin Beach Clean Up and the first ever Sand Sculpture Competition, hosted by Webster University's Special Events Team, proved to be a phenomenal success for the university on Saturday, 1 March.
In conjunction with the Municipality of Hua Hin, more than 50 faculty, staff and students joined together in an effort to heighten awareness of the university's role in the community.
The Hua Hin Beach Clean Up began at 9am, and continued through until noon. The clean up was proceeded by a brief speech by Webster University's Director, Dr George Hegarty, and a warm welcome for participants from the Mayor of Hua Hin.
Hua Hin's first ever Sands Sculpture Competition commenced at 1pm in front of Sofitel Central.
A total of ten groups took part and each and every one of the groups created impressive designs of sands sculptures from the most simple but very well decorated Mt Fuji, to the artistic creation of a professional, who turned out to be the overall winner of the day.
Four major Thai TV networks were in attendance to capture footage of the competition: Channel 4, Channel 11, Channel 7 and ITV.
Hua Hin's Mayor, along with the Webster University's Director, Dr George Hegarty and the Assistant Director, judged the six-category competition at 4.30pm.
Prizes ranged from 750 baht, to 3000 Baht for the overall winner. Certificates of achievement were given to all the children who participated.
The whole day was an undoubted success for Webster University and the community of Hua Hin.

It is with great regret that we announce the passing of Leroy Brown

Leroy was killed recently in a road traffic accident on the way back from a fishing trip.
The owners and staff at the Observer, and his many friends will miss Leroy for his friendship and his sense of fun.
A very sad loss for the town of Cha Am which Leroy loved dearly.

Tips to make your holiday smooth

Thai people believe the head is the most sacred part of the body. Refrain from touching a Thai person on the head.
The feet should not be used for pointing at people or objects.
The Buddhist faith is strong here, it is considered disrespectful to wear beach clothes to a temple, or to climb over Buddha images.
The Royal Family is deeply loved, and speaking ill of any its members is considered a serious matter.
Displays of affection in public is poor form as is topless sunbathing.
Most independent small businesses and street vendors are open to bargaining. All discussions should be done in a friendly manner.
Thailand and in particular Hua Hin/Cha Am remain very safe for tourists with almost no violent crime, pickpockets and credit card crime rares its ugly head from time to time.
Respect for the police should be shown at all times, they do not take kindly to rude or loud talk.
Take particular care on the road, motorbike spills are very common and can ruin your holiday. If you hire a motorbike and it is damaged, you will have to pay for its repair. The major car hire companies do have insurance, but check first. An accident can be very costly.

Remember these Thai phrases throughout your stay “Sanuk” which describes anything which is fun, and “Mai pen rai” which means never mind, and all will be well!

Songkran - No More Thimbles

Gone are the days of pouring thimblefuls of water on images of the Buddha, modern Song Kran means business.
No Thai holiday inspires such a range and intensity of emotions as does the festival of Song Kran, taking place April 13-15 each year. It marks the Thai new year (the third and final in a series of new year celebrations). It has become known as the water splashing festival, read that as water war! Because for three days (luckily Hua Hin suffers for just one day), anyone has the right to drench anyone else with water. April being the hottest and driest month of the year, this drenching can be welcome, and thousand of people make each other as wet as possible.
In the good old days the splashing offered the chance to pay respect to elders and Buddha, this was achieved by pouring scented water over the hands of elders and Buddha images. The elders would offer blessings to the youngers.
Song Kran was also a plea to nature for plentiful rains.
In the villages the gentle side of Song Kran continues, however in the cities and tourist resorts, Song Kran has become war. A war where there are no clear sides and anyone is a target for hoses, water canon and plastic bags full of H2O. No one is safe, policemen wrap their walkie talkies in plastic bags!
Part of the evolution of Song Kran has been technology, high power guns with back pack water canisters, and pipe sprayers are the weapons of choice.
Warrior troops are mobilised in pick up trucks with tanks of icy water at hand to fling on anyone in range.
Many people believe that these changes have spoiled the traditional spirit of Song Kran, to be sure the festival has it’s excesses, with motorcyclists knocked from their bikes by the powerful spray, eye damage from the perfumed powder splashed liberally around, and the road traffic accidents caused by drunken driving, but it’s fun for the majority. Where else can you see aged Europeans more used to business suits, running around with neon coloured water pistols and powered white faces.
You can always lock yourself in your room until it’s over!
I will be looking for a good book and a couple of DVDs, until it’s safe to venture out.

Life in the slum

‘The Slaughterhouse’ a collection of 22 true stories from Bangkok’s notorious Klong Toey Slum as told by Father Joe Maier. The author came to Thailand as a missionary in 1967, in 1972 he founded the Human Development Foundation and has tirelessly worked among Thailand’s slum dwellers ever since.
This book brings home to readers, that there is life on the ‘other side of the tracks’, in the main unseen and ignored but most definately there.
It cannot be easy to write about child rape, glue sniffing, and Aids orphans and to keep a sense of humour. Father Joe does just that, he also gives a sense of hope.
In the pages of this book, you will read about abuse: Little Sao, who at nine years old was living with her paedophile grandfather, you’ll read about joy: - the same little girl’s happiest day when she was given the chance to be a bridesmaid for a famous model.
There is friendship as in the story of Soey and Ann, Soey is legally blind, she had perforated ear drums, she had lice and worms, her heart needed an operation, plus she had two thumbs on one hand. She was catatonic. Ann, who also has her problems took Soey under her six year old wing and became her ‘big sister’. Being a big sister means you cannot hit your younger sister until her glasses are removed! Which of course means Soey could not see to fight. Being a big sister means when you run away from the shelter, you take along your charge, and teach her something useful, like begging, because you don’t want to forget how to do it, and it’s a useful skill for sister to learn.
There is also triumph, Samlee, a hero, who would never quit and has now worked her way to becoming a teacher, a mother proud of her children.

The Rev. Joseph H. Maier, C.S.s.R.’s book ‘The Slaughterhouse’ is available in paperback from Bookazine at 250 Baht.

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