22-25 ttg_lux_feature Thailandv3 15/6/09 11:44 Page 24
It’s the early will be guided by the principles of demo- Jas Anand, whose Anand Collection
hours of the morning and I’m on the cracy, good governance, transparency and represents several high-end properties in
terrace of a buzzing cocktail bar on the respect for justice and the rule of law.” the country, is upbeat. “Thailand is very
55th floor, overlooking the glittering With everyone looking carefully at quick to react to market conditions, miles
skyline of the 14-million-strong megapolis costs, Vejjajiva highlighted results from a ahead of some of its Asian rivals. We are
and
that is Bangkok. Yet an hour’s flight away UK Post Office holiday-costs survey that seeing all the hotels offering previously
and I’m in another world: riding on an rated Thailand as the best-value long-haul unheard-of high-season special offers and
elephant through lush jungle which destination for European travellers. Costs deals to operators and trade partners.”
doubled as Leonardo DiCaprio’s killing were found to be less than half of the most Anand also has faith in the quality of
fields in The Beach, and face to face with expensive EU destination and 41% lower the destination. “The feedback I get from
monkeys in a hidden lagoon after kayaking than the cheapest parts of the eurozone. operators is it’s good for repeat visitors. It
through bat-filled caves in those impossibly Tourism Authority of Thailand director reinvents itself. There’s so many lesser-
exotic islands where James Bond sought Tanes Petsuan says the strategy for boosting known islands to visit and always new
out The Man with the Golden Gun. business now includes a strong focus on attractions in Bangkok.”
These contrasting scenes are what make agent support, mainly via an online For many visitors, Bangkok is merely an
Thailand a favourite with backpackers and training scheme and a series of fam trips. airport transfer for connections to Phuket,
Thail
luxury travellers alike. Ko Samui, Krabi and other hotspots. But
And yet, Thailand is in trouble. The Bangkok bargains it’s a shame to miss this incredible place, so
potent combination of the 2004 tsunami, For consumers, the situation means there recommend spending some time here. In
global economics and recent political are plenty of bargains to be had, which 48 hectic hours I learned meditation from
disturbances has created what one hotelier may put five-star options on the radar of a a Buddhist monk, cycled through tranquil
described as “the perfect storm”. new sector of clients. water-pastures on the pottery-making
However, despite continuing conflict
making the news here, the country seems
determined to keep its tourism industry
on track. The country’s prime minister,
44-year-old Oxford-educated Abhisit
Vejjajiva, spoke directly to the travel trade
at a meeting in London earlier this year.
“The past three years have not been easy,”
he admitted. “But Thailand is back in
business – and the business of tourism is at
our forefront.”
He addressed the concerns about
Thailand’s somewhat strained political
credibility. “Not only business, but Thai
politics is back on its proper course,” he
24
said. “And I can assure you my government
feature thailand
summer 09
ttgluxury.com
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