Thailand’s Political, Tourist Woes Continue

by Josh Lew on

Southeast Asia’s top tourist destination can’t seem to break out of its slump. Supporters of two major political parties have been clashing in the streets. Former PM Samak Sundaravej was forced from office following scandals and protests. Now, just two weeks into his run as prime minister, Somchai Wangsawat, Samak’s replacement, is under investigation for breaking the government rules about owning shares in companies that do business with the government (it’s an obvious conflict of interest). If charged, he could be tossed out of the government.

While other nations in the region seek to bolster their position as economic players and tourist destinations, Thailand is hurting. The recent riots led to a spate of cancellations. Tourist numbers for the country that once dominated Southeast Asia’s vacation trade are down. And those who are looking for any sign that things are going to get better are only able to find evidence of a worsening situation. Thailand has always bounced back from political woes before. However, with other regional player like Vietnam gaining steam, would-be tourists have other options these days. Why opt for uncertainty when there are other viable destinations out there?

Hanoi Holiday (Inn)

by Josh Lew on

Though the rapid rate of development has not hit Hanoi as hard as it has Ho Chi Minh City, the capital city of Vietnam still seems overwhelmed with new constructions. How this affects tourism numbers in the long term remains to be seen, but, for now, the number of visitors is rising (2 million international visitors projected by 2010).

Hanoi is known for its lakes and for being a city built by many different influences. Tourists are drawn by the unique blend of French, Chinese and Vietnamese architecture, art and cuisine. Hanoi is rushing to compound its tourism success. New roads, shopping centers and hotels are a big part of the effort. One wonders if the charm and urban quaintness that has attracted people in the past will be lost amidst the blitz of all things new.

An example of this modernization: a Holiday Inn, Hanoi’s first, will be completed in 2010. The glitzy 300 room hotel will sit at the middle of a large upscale shopping, commercial and entertainment complex in the central Dong Da District. InterContinental Hotels Group, which is responsible for bringing the well known hotel brand to Vietnam, is banking on its name to help it succeed. Holiday Inn is a familiar hotel and, in an up-and-coming destination like Hanoi, that might lead to many people choosing it as a default when it comes to accommodation.

The coming of Holiday Inn and its ilk might be a bad signal for all the family-run guest houses and locally owned inns that dot the city. I’m not going to say that all this development is ruining the Hanoi experience. I’m going to think it, but I won’t say it. You can’t really criticize a city for trying to modernize and bring more dollars into its economy. At the same time, those of you who want to experience the deep sense of history and the diverse cultural influences might want to start booking your flight soon, lest you find nothing but Holiday Inns and KFCs.

How Long Can Thailand be “Amazing”?

by Josh Lew on

Thailand has always been at the top of Southeast Asia’s tourism game. The P.R. for the country as a tourist destination is head and shoulders above the rest. You’ve probably seen the pictures: silhouettes of sky-high temples, smiling local residents, quaint floating markets, comely service industry workers flashing their most photogenic wai. But is the image that Thailand has spent so long building for itself becoming cliché?

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the whole Amazing Thailand campaign is just getting started. Industry insiders at TTGAsia report that TAT is going to ride its campaign into the ground:

“TAT is considered to be repeating the same old story. It is Amazing Thailand again. It is Seven Amazing Wonders product again. It is even Visit Thailand Year (tagline) again.”

Will that type of campaign continue to fly? What if some of the negative press that the Land of Smiles has been getting lately continues: rumors of another coup, ongoing complaints about Suvarnabhumi Airport (like having to walk half-a-mile to reach the W.C.), and security threats from southern militants?

Add to that the fact that regional player Vietnam is upping the ante by constructing a new airport and new rail system for Ho Chi Minh City.

Most visitors to Thailand still buy the “amazing” thing. But, one wonders if TAT will have to come up with a new branding scheme sometime soon.


Beware of fake malaria drugs in Asia

by Erik McLaughlin on

A really interesting article over at Medical News Today looks at the prevalence of fake anti-malarial medications being sold, especially in China. The article is the result of a communal project involving physicians, public health workers, and Interpol participating in “Operation Jupiter” to uncover the unfortunately common practice of fake medication being sold to travelers. The original article, published in the Public Library of Science can be read here.

The anti-malarial drugs often contained no medications of benefit to malaria prevention. Worse than that were the medications that actually contained harmful substances such as banned medicines and ingredients from the street drug Ecstasy. But wait, it gets even worse! Some of the medicines sold had trace amounts of the known anti-malarial drug called Artesunate. There was just enough to pass the drug screening test, but not enough to provide any decent protection. This means that a resistance to Artesunate can build, rendering a very potent anti-malarial drug worthless.

One suspect, from the Yunnan province, is charged with selling 240,000 packs of fake Artesunate. This is an amount large enough to give false hope of protection from malaria to almost a quarter of a million people. However, only ten percent of this was able to be seized and removed from the market.

This article underscores the importance of knowing where your medication comes from. There are many reputable pharmacies worldwide, but there are also some shadier, backdoor places that have these unlicensed and harmful products. The best advice would be to get your medications from your home country or from a known and confirmed reputable place.

Make sure you get the medications you are paying for and are actually being protected from malaria.

Savvy Traveler: Never Point Your Feet at People

by Iva Skoch on

…that would be in Southeast Asia. According to Schott’s Almanac 2007, here is some elementary etiquette when traveling to that part of the world:

  • Dress modestly, especially when visiting holy sites or important buildings (My take on it: Nope, those shorts with “Juicy” across your butt are not gonna cut it)
  • Remove shoes before entering temples, mosques, pagodas, and private homes (My take on it: This is especially true if you are wearing Crocs; unless you are 3 years old, you should just remove those things at the airport and leave them there)
  • Buddhist monks are not allowed to have close contact with women, so do not stand or sit too near them
  • The head is considered sacred, therefore it is considered very rude to touch another person’s head
  • Feet are considered unclean, so avoid pointing them at any person or religious image (My take on it: I assume he means the bottoms of one’s feet. Otherwise, I am not sure how you avoid pointing your feet at other people, or at least other people’s feet)
  • Left hand is used for personal hygiene, it is impolite to shake hands or eat with it

For those puzzled over what “Southeast Asia” means, here is a list of the countries.