Scores of package tours to the Nov. 2 Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan have been cancelled due to the continuing train strike in Southern Thailand, dealing a lethal blow to the island’s already struggling tourism industry. Trains to Suratthani have stopped since Oct. 16, leaving tourists from Hat Yai and Bangkok unable to travel to Koh Phangan.
“This is a black mark on the country’s image and could further discourage foreign visitors,” according to Mr. Seni Phuwasethaworn, president of the Koh Samui Tourism Association.
“This will hurt our reputation. This will be another factor ruining the industry,” he said. Some holiday-makers intending to head to famous resort destinations like Suratthani, Koh Samui and Phuket right after landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport had been remained stranded in the capital, he said.
Charoen Wangananont, managing director of Kangwal Tour, a major domestic tour operator, said many local and foreign tourists had cancelled their travel plans between Bangkok and the South. Many families had given up on taking the children to see Bangkok by train during the school break, including one of Charoen’s relatives.
“Most travelers going to Koh Phangan prefer to take the train more than the bus. As with the airport shut down last year and the continuing political instability in the country, the train strike will have lasting effect on Koh Phangan’s tourism,” he said.
Phanu Woramit, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Suratthani office, said some Malaysian tourists had been asking for updates on the situation, although not many Singaporean and Malaysian visitors to Koh Phangan and Samui used train services.
The paralysis of long-haul land travel comes at a time when the country is entering the high tourism season.
Songkhla Chamber of Commerce chairman Surachai Jitpukdeebodintra said the disruption hurt both domestic commuters and local vendors, as well as shipments of commodities like oil and cement.
The labor union should call off their walkout as soon as possible and resort to other means to achieve their demands, he said.
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