Tourism
What Natural Disasters Could You Experience in Thailand?
Natural Disasters Happen All Over the World, but Which Does Thailand Get and Should You Worry?
If you’re thinking of traveling to Thailand and are the type that worries about natural disasters, put your mind at ease and read on.
Tsunamis – Of course, as the whole world knows, Thailand can experience a tsunami. In December, 2004, it was one of the countries severely impacted by a tsunami wave that killed hundreds of thousands. In Thailand, the official death toll was over 8,000 although, many Thais accused the government of a huge cover-up, saying deaths were much higher due to the presence of thousands of undocumented migrant workers. The 2004 tsunami in Thailand was the worst natural disaster Thailand has ever experienced.
I have been to the affected areas in Thailand many times though, both before and after the tsunami, and would never hesitate to travel there. Tsunamis are just about a once in a lifetime occurrence and now that Thailand has a high-tech tsunami warning system installed, that type of high death toll is highly unlikely to happen again.
Floods – Thailand is one of the many countries in the world that has a tropical climate. Monsoons are normal during the rainy months and, because of this, floods are common throughout Thailand. Cities like Chiang Mai have had severe floods in the last few years, with main streets in the city having to be sandbagged. Bangkok too floods every year although the flooding usually drains within an hour or so of the rain stopping.
Almost every year, several people are killed in Thailand during the rainy season. A few years ago, a group of tourists died after they went into a cave system in the south to shelter from the rain. The cave flooded and they drowned. For most visitors to Thailand, natural disasters like floods are not of paramount urgency however. Simply stay inside when the rain starts, don’t try to drive down flooded streets and use some common sense. It’s not likely flooding in Thailand would overly affect you, particularly in tourist areas.
Cyclones – Thailand does have some cyclones in the south of the country, although not every year. Between 1901 and 2004, according to The Earth Institute at Columbia University, there were 23 cyclones affecting Thailand with 1,468 people killed. Thailand has a heavy fishing economy and most of the deaths were of fisherman or locals who live close to the affected areas. Cyclones are not normal in Thailand and, with modern technology, much less dangerous than they were 100 years ago. For a tourist to Thailand, cyclones should not be a concern.
Drought – Although a monsoon climate, Thailand does also experience another natural disaster – droughts. Particularly in the north of Thailand in the Isaan area, populated by mostly poor subsistence farmers, droughts can be a concern. However, for a tourist a drought isn’t going to affect you. It’s the farmers who suffer the most.
Earthquakes – Thailand doesn’t have them. We do very occasionally get the tail end of extremely mild shakes from an earthquake occurring somewhere like Myanmar but, as Thailand is not on a fault line, earthquakes don’t happen in Thailand. Even the earthquake that resulted in the 2004 tsunami did not occur in Thailand.
Tornadoes – Unlike the US, Thailand does not experience tornadoes. With the violent storms Thailand does have, it’s often surprising to visitors tornadoes don’t occur. But, they don’t.
Volcanoes – Another natural disaster that doesn’t occur in Thailand is volcanic eruption as the country doesn’t have any active volcanoes. Millions of years ago, Phanom Rung and Doi Pha Khok Hin Fu were active volcanoes, but they have been extinct for many millennia. Thailand could feasibly be affected if there was ever a large volcanic eruption in a country like Indonesia, as volcanic ash would eventually make its way on winds into Thailand. Overall though, volcanoes are the last thing you should ever worry about on a trip to Thailand.
As you can see, out of the natural disasters mentioned the only ones happening with any frequency in Thailand are floods. With other natural disasters, they either don’t occur in Thailand or with such infrequency (literally once every hundred or thousand years) that they shouldn’t be a worry to any traveler planning a trip to Thailand. – By Cassandra James
People from more nations will be now able to enter Thailand without a visa beginning Monday. This is part of an effort to increase tourism and encourage visitors to stay longer, Interior Ministry spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul said on Friday.
According to Ms. Traisuree, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has signed four documents that will make it easier for foreigners to travel. These modifications will all take effect on Monday, provided they are published in the Royal Gazette.
The instructions include 93 more nations on the list of individuals who can visit Thailand without a visa, up from 57 previously. People from these countries can stay for a maximum of 60 days. Additionally, from 19 to 31, nearly twice as many nations will be able to obtain visas on arrival in Thailand.
To attract digital nomads, artists, and tourists interested in learning or practicing skills such as cooking and Muay Thai, the country will also introduce the Destination Thailand Visa service.
The new form of visa, which is valid for five years, allows travelers to stay for up to 180 days.
According to Ms. Traisuree, students holding visas for master’s degrees or higher will not be required to leave Thailand immediately upon graduation. They will be able to stay for an additional year to hunt for work or vacation.
In order to enhance the economy and tourism, the cabinet took a general decision on these additional measures in May. The statement was meant to be released in June, but it was pushed back.
Ms. Traisuree believes that this is the greatest sort of visa for persons who want to work from home in the Land of Smiles and explore the nation without the various restrictions and complications that come with conventional tourist visas.
Getting a DTV will give you a 5-year multiple-entry visa that lets you stay in Thailand for a total of 180 days a year, with the opportunity to stay for another 180 days.
Ms. Traisuree said that the Destination Thailand Visa is great if you want to work from home in the Land of Smiles and see the sights without the many restrictions and problems that come with a regular tourist visa. The Destination Thailand Visa will cost 10,000 THB.
Qualifications for the Thailand Destination Visa (DTV)
According to Thai Embassy, to be eligible for the visa, you must fulfill the following conditions (which could change):
- You have to be 20 years of age or older
- You have to be able to afford the cost of the visa
- To sustain your stay in the nation, you must demonstrate that you have at least 500,000 THB in your bank account
- Proof of your employment with a recognized company is required.
For digital nomads or remote workers who want to make the most of their travels and yet have the opportunity to work while they’re there, the Destination Thailand Visa is designed just for you. Additionally, it is ideal if you are traveling to Thailand in order to partake in any of the following activities:
- Thai food prepared with Muay Thai
- Instruction and conferences
- Sports medicine therapy
- International talent International music and art events
Thailand DTV Visa Benefits
Additionally, there is uncertainty about these details and they could change:
- In comparison to other Southeast Asian nations that provide comparable visas, Thailand has less stringent income requirements and charges for the visa. For another 10,000 THB, you can extend the visa once, for a maximum of 180 days.
- There are ninety-three foreign nations that qualify for the Thailand DTV Visa.
- With this visa, you can lawfully operate remotely for foreign clients and companies while in Thailand.
- Your spouse and any children under the age of twenty may accompany you.
- You are exempt from paying taxes on your foreign income because the visa allows you to stay in Thailand for up to 180 days.
Drawbacks of a Thailand DTV Visa
You are unable to work for a Thai company that needs a Thai work visa, even though you are still able to engage in some activities and make money. Your DTV will end if you decide to change the kind of visa you are currently on.
Additional information on the visa’s release date and application process will be available in late June or early July of 2024. You will most likely be able to apply for it via the Thai immigration office, a Thai embassy, or a Royal Thai Consulate.
Thailand’s Hotels Association (THA) reports that another German tour operator has gone bankrupt, but that this will have a far less effect than the recent bankruptcy of FTI Touristik.
Following notification from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Thai Hotels Association has now confirmed that the Cologne-based luxury tour operator Itravel Group has formally filed for bankruptcy.
Southern Thailand is home to numerous high-end resorts, which Itravel aims to attract, according to Thai Hotels Association president Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun.
As a result of Itravel’s bankruptcy, he said, the hotels association is currently collecting data from its members.
On Monday, the organization wrote to the TAT and the Foreign Ministry, requesting that they assist hotel operators in keeping up with legal developments surrounding the bankruptcy of the German tour operator FTI, which resulted in a loss of almost 111 million baht for hotels around the country.
Hotels having issues with Itravel
On Monday, during the THA monthly meeting, Mr. Thienprasit noted that they also emphasized the case’s urgency to Minister Sermsak Pongpanit of Tourism and Sports.
In response to allegations that hotel operators with business partnerships with Itravel were experiencing issues with financial transactions, the agency issued an alert to the industry, according to Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.
He speculated that the losses might be lower with Itravel, an online travel agency that focuses on the niche luxury market, than with FTI, the third operator.
According to the Bangkok Post, at Monday’s THA meeting, Mr. Sermsak stated that the ministry will look into measures to assist hotels, especially since the goal of 3.5 trillion baht in tourism earnings for this year is still very ambitious.
According to Mr. Thienprasit, the organization is opposed to the government’s plans to increase the legal foreign ownership of condominiums from 49% to 75%. This, he added, might lead to an increase in unlawful accommodations and make other condo residents feel uneasy about having more guests around the clock.
Unscrupulous investors
He said that some international investors are already breaking the law by renting out their rooms to day guests, even though the Hotel Act only permits rentals of at least 30 days.
An increase in the foreign ownership quota for condos, according to Mr. Thienprasit, could entice unscrupulous investors and lead to the construction of even more unlawful rooms, which now exceed the number of registered hotel rooms by a factor of two.
The success of Thailand’s hotel industry is highly dependent on the business of tour operators. These collaborations bring in a constant flow of visitors, particularly during busy seasons.
It is more convenient for passengers to book comprehensive packages offered by tour operators, which include hotel accommodations and activities. Because of this arrangement, hotels may anticipate a specific amount of bookings without having to spend a lot on advertising.
Additionally, hotels are able to provide more affordable rates, which appeals to guests who are mindful of their budget. But if tour operators go through slumps or start focusing on other places, this dependence might be disastrous.
Source: Bangkok Post, Thai PBS
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SEE ALSO: Thailand Named Top Spot for Most Popular Tourist Destination
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