For tourists, Thailand trip could be a little more enjoyable and easier, if they keep in mind these few insider tips.  If you are planning a visit to Thailand, these tips will definitely help you.

Always Carry Cash

Beside swanky restaurants, high-class hotels and sky-touching malls, Thailand streets have a plenty for the tourists. These roadside stalls and stores are primarily the cash-based businesses, and they may not be accepting credit cards. You can expect to make payment in cash to enjoy the best bargains that street shops offer here.

Stay Healthy

While on a trip, you often little care for your health. But do care for your health and do not neglect to choose healthy food and drink plenty of water. It’s better to apply sun cream regularly, particularly when you are on the beach. During the rainy season, mosquitoes may trouble you, and wearing long clothes in the evenings can save you from mosquito bites.

Choose Your Accommodation Carefully

In Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and other tourist places in Thailand, there are numerous hotels and service apartments that claim to offer you luxurious facilities at unbelievable prices. Don’t just believe them, but check hotels yourselves before booking your room. We, at Smart Suites Boutique Hotel, care for a tourist’s complete satisfaction and provide rooms and services that suit an individual’s interest.

Mind Your Pace

Oh, there are so many things to do in Thailand. But don’t attempt too much in a single day. Maintain your pace. Otherwise, you may feel exhausted on a sunny day. Instead of rushing to grab everything, spend a few minutes in planning and then start exploring tourist attractions one by one. You can spend a few days in Bangkok, before heading to Pattaya or Phuket.

Rely on Your Negotiating Skills

Bargaining is a common practice in Thailand. From renting a scooter to shopping at a flea market, your negotiating skills could prove a boon. If you can master this art, you can save huge on your Thailand trip. Your haggling skill can get you the best deals on accommodation, food, shopping and activities as well.

Language Could Be Challenging

Being a tourist nation, English is widely spoken in most of the tourist places here. Still, the language may prove a barrier when you try dealing with the local shoppers in the streets. There are several translation apps available today, which will allow you to converse in Thai with the local population. You can write down some common terms in Thai that you may often need to use in your conversation.

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Some thirty days later and I am now staying on the east side of the island at a gorgeous resort called Serenity Resort and Residences and have been enjoying every minute of it. This side of the island is away from the regular, popular tourist jaunts and as such is untouched beauty.

Basic pleasures like watching an early morning sunrise or hearing the soft tones of the gentle waves brushing the coastline are priceless and treasured moments. When I speak to my brothers back in the UK who are stuck in their homes and bored of the whole situation, that word comes back to me again. Fortunate. Fortunate that I am on such a glorious and stunning island like Koh Chang during this terrible times in the world.

Read more at https://danaboutthailand.com/2020/05/03/kayaking-on-the-east-side-of-koh-chang/

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BANGKOK: How do we sensibly and effectively restart travel and tourism, the industry that employs 1-in-10 workers globally? A workforce decimated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTCC) travel and tourism’s direct, indirect and induced impact last year in 2019 accounted for:

US$8.9 trillion contribution to the world’s GDP

10.3% of global GDP

330 million jobs, 1 in 10 jobs around the world

US$1.7 trillion visitor exports (6.8% of total exports, 28.3% of global services exports)

US$948 billion capital investment (4.3% of total investment)

Tourism recovery is the No.1 topic and all sections of our industry are looking and learning.

The plethora of webinars popping up with recovery and ‘next step’ discussions is testament to the energy and interest in getting back to work.

But are webinars useful? Earlier this week respected publisher Don Ross (TTR Weekly) suggests that webinars often fall short in good common sense. “Since the Covid-19 pandemic banished us all to our homes to live under lockdown, we are inundated with promotions for webinars that promise to navigate the travel industry back from the brink to a new norm. The deluge of webinars promises to show us the way forward, but so often when we tune in to the talkfests, they fluff on the details. They avoid the obvious and concentrate on the obscure, I suspect we attend webinars hoping the experts can offer some old fashioned common sense to help us survive the financial storm,,” he wrote.

The tourism industry has taken a huge hit from the coronavirus, the UNWTO puts the loss at US$ 450 billion. The virus has infected at least 3.48 million people worldwide and killed more than 244,000. Top tourist destinations such as the United States, Spain, Italy and France are among countries with the highest number of infections.

People will only travel again if they feel it is safe to do so – this was best expressed by Don Ross again when he wrote,

“ In the Covid-19 world, common sense dictates we will travel when it is safe and when we have the spare cash. That’s what we are not addressing in webinars. The pandemic is breaking the bank for everyone, but how will we ensure health safety in order to reboot travel?”

Recovery is upper most in the minds of Skål International and the UNWTO. The Board of Affiliate Members, which CEO of Skål International, Daniela Otero, is a member, has been discussing how to structure a response for the tourism sector, especially in the recovery phase and what should be the priorities to be taken into consideration by governments.

Work is already underway at the UNWTO on the first drafts of possible reopening protocols applicable to all the sectors of the industry, noting that once governments allow, it will be necessary to move quickly with action as tourism is among the hardest hit industries due to COVID-19 and its consequences.

The UNWTO estimates the losses to international tourist arrivals worldwide this year could fall by as much as 30%.

The UNWTO recalls that tourism has been a reliable driver of recovery in the wake of past crises, generating employment and revenue. Tourism, the UNWTO states,

“Has wide-ranging benefits that have transcended the sector, reflecting its broad-based economic value chain and deep social footprint.”

Around 80% of all tourism businesses are small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the sector has been leading the way in providing employment and other opportunities for women, youth and rural communities and tourism has a great capacity to create jobs after crisis situations.

Since the start of the current crisis, UNWTO has been working closely alongside the World Health Organization (WHO) to guide the sector, issuing key recommendations for both high-level leaders and individual tourists.

To rebuild and restart travel we are so dependant on air uplift. Once airlines start flying again the industry can recover. How long that will take is widely discussed.

PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy said, “The number one question on everyone’s minds is, how long before we recover? This isn’t a simple question to answer.”

Asia he believes, will deliver the largest rebound in travel to the Asia Pacific region in 2021, according to the updated forecast released by PATA. Their research claims visitors should deliver 610 million visitor arrivals in 2021 (of which 338m are inter-regional). A growth in total visitor arrivals of 4.3% compared to 2019 (585m).

The growth in international visitor arrivals (IVAs) is likely to vary by source regions, with Asia expected to rebound with the fastest growth rates relative to 2019.

During the expected recovery phase in 2021, Asia should generate significantly improved arrival numbers, rebounding from a loss of 104 million visitors between 2019 and 2020 to grow 5.6% to 338m in 2021 relative to 2019.

It will not be all plain sailing. We will face competition from around the globe for tourists, and our regular visitors – including those from mainland China.

Hong Kong Tourism Board chairman Pang Yiu-kai noted that while it was difficult to predict when the industry would recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, a V-shaped rebound was impossible in the face of restrictions overseas and flight suspensions.

What was certain he said was that every market would spend hundreds of millions of dollars, or even billions, to chase after tourists as the pandemic had paralysed global travel and battered the industry since February, he said.

“The tourism landscape will be reshaped, there will be a new normal,” the HK tourism chief said during its annual conference to 1,500 industry stakeholders.

Pang also said that based on market analysis, mainland tourists and those from short-haul markets would travel domestically soon after the pandemic died down. The tide will turn.

“The post-pandemic recovery would contrast with that after the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003,” he said.

“In 2003, the SARS outbreak was mainly in Hong Kong. For Covid-19, the whole world is affected,” Pang said.

Although economic activities had gradually resumed across the border and people were returning to work, mainland travellers would place greater emphasis on health and nature after months of confinement, Pang said agreeing with our earlier comments from Don Ross.

“When choosing destinations for future trips, they will be more price conscious and will favour those that pose low risks to health,” he said. “The MICE market on the mainland has slowed down and activities have been held online or postponed.”

“Regionally, young and middle-aged Japanese, Koreans and Taiwanese would be the most eager to travel, but would favour short-haul trips because of financial and holiday leave constraints,” he said.

Long-haul travel would take longer to recover and Hong Kong’s outbound sector might not resume until the last quarter of this year, he added.

Executive director Dane Cheng Ting-yat said the HK board had earmarked HK$400 million (1.66 billion baht) to support the industry through a three-stage approach.

It was currently carving out a recovery plan as the first stage.

Tourism is one of Hong Kong’s four pillar industries, contributing 4.5% to gross domestic product in 2018.

Andrew J Wood

About the author:
Andrew J Wood
Andrew was born in Yorkshire England, he is a professional hotelier, Skalleague and travel writer. Andrew has over 40 years of hospitality and travel experience. He is a hotel graduate of Napier University, Edinburgh. Andrew is a past Director of Skal International (SI), National President SI Thailand and is currently President of SI Bangkok and a VP of both SI Thailand and SI Asia. He is a regular guest lecturer at various Universities in Thailand including Assumption University’s Hospitality School and the Japan Hotel School in Tokyo.

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I want to focus on Pattaya as I have lived and worked in the city for over 15 years. I know what makes it tick and have a deep understanding for the dynamics at play. Having worked in media throughout it means I have sat with business owners across all channels, from restaurants, legal, property to even fitness. I know their challenges and how they operate.

The Western Market in Pattaya has had it hard recently

Changing behaviours become habits

Did you know, on average, it takes around 2 months before a new behavior becomes automatic — 66 days to be exact. And how long it takes a new habit to form can vary widely depending on the behavior, the person, and the circumstances. Some people formed a new habit after only 18 days! You can read the full article on the subject just click here.

As we enter the second month of restrictions in Thailand – and of course Pattaya – it means expats, like me, have been going about life very differently.

Instead of going for a beer, we watch a film on Netflix. Instead of going out for dinner, we have been eating indoors

Instead of going for a beer, they watch a film on Netflix. Instead of going out for dinner, they have been eating indoors. Much like our stay at home counterparts in the UK and the likes actually!

How will have Expats habits changed during this lock down?

So the question, at what point does this become a habit and mean how we once acted pre-Covid-19 will not be how we act post-Covid-19? I am serious, we do not know how we all emerge from this pandemic. These are new territories none of us have ever experienced before.

This is problem number one for the Western market in Pattaya to be cautious of.

Read more at https://danaboutthailand.com/2020/04/29/why-i-am-concerned-for-how-the-pattaya-western-market-may-re-emerge-post-covid/

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I am sure most of you have heard of this word before “willpower” but what does it really mean? What has to do with the power we got to be a success on weight loss and the next we might lose it all and fall off the wagon?

Let me introduce you to your own superpower (aka willpower). Think of willpower as our drive, determination, self-discipline, self-control, self-regulation, effortful control.

How do we refuse that chocolate cake after dinner?

What about we go out for a walk instead of watching Netflix all day?

And how do we keep being strong when we want to light up that cigarette?

Or we say no to our colleague about after work drink? That is your willpower!

I know it is not easy for all the things we have tested or experienced before and that were so good. It is those sweet temptations that we wanted to give ourselves in because it is easier to do that. But we have to say no because we have this big goal. However, sometimes it is easier to say no but sometimes I just say yes without thinking twice. How come?

Well because our willpower is limited just like the energy in our body if you have used them all up, you might still have some left within you, but it is going to be much harder for a very difficult task. Also, if you are tired, lack of sleep you tend to lose to those temptations easily.

Therefore you should use your willpower for the most important task first, for example, it might be work on your project first thing in the morning before you check your social media because you know that once you start to scroll down you will get sucked in for hours and by the time you realise you probably do not have this creativity anymore. Or in the evening put on your sneakers and just go outside for a walk before you sit down on a couch and turn on your Netflix because you know if you do that, you will be lazy for the rest of the evening.

“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”

– Mahatma Gandhi

In a classic willpower study, Walter Mischel, now a psychologist at Columbia University set out to study self-control in children, with a simple yet effective test.

Known as the marshmallow test (another good book recommended), Mischel and colleagues presented preschoolers with a plate of marshmallows. Each child was then told that the researcher had to leave the room for a few minutes and if they waited until his return, the child could have two marshmallows. If the child couldn’t wait, he could ring a bell, the researcher would immediately return, but he could only eat one marshmallow.

Years later, the research team followed up with these kids and found that the children who waited for the second candy were generally faring better in life scoring higher SAT’s and lower body mass index (BMI), 30 years after the initial test.

What is this telling us? Well if you have more self-control or self-discipline you tend to have more willpower, and those with will power will be more successful in their lives, career, financial, health, relationship.

Read more at https://expatlifeinthailand.com/health-and-beauty/willpower-2/

Source: Expat Life Thailand

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Amazonia represents 60% of the national territory of Brazil and has dozens of places to practice adventures active tourism: tribal visits, wildlife abounds and camping in the Amazon rainforest, canopy tours, boat trips, fishing, wilderness lodge, biking, hiking, whitewater rafting. In addition to stunning landscapes, the greenest region on the planet has a lot to offer.

The Legal Amazonia encompasses nine states in Brazil, among Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Mato Grosso, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima and Tocantins and part of the State of Maranhão, totaling an area of more than 5 millions square kilometers.

Still covers some 40% of the South American continent and includes parts of eight South American countries: Bolivia, Peru, Equador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guiana, Suriname and Guiana Francesa.

Amazonas is the largest state in Brazil. It has more than 1.5 million square kilometers and occupies more than 18% of the national territory. Its 62 municipalities have at the same time the highest lands in the country, such as the peak of Neblina (2,993 meters of altitude) and the peak of March 31 (2,972 meters of altitude) and the largest extension of lowlands, with less than 100 meters altitude, from Brazil. The population of the State is 4,1 millions inhabitants, of which 2,18 millions inhabitants live in capital Manaus.

The Amazon is bathed by the Amazon hydrographic basin, which accounts for approximately 20% of the planet’s fresh water. The main rivers are Negro (which bathes the city of Manaus), Amazonas-Solimões, Madeira, Juruá, Purus, Içá, Uaupés and Japurá. In Brazil, a characteristically tropical country, the Amazon is dominated by the equatorial climate, predominant in the Amazon, with an average temperature of 26 ° Celsius. It is also the most preserved state in the country, with 98% of its original forest cover. Only its areas protected by federal and state laws, such as parks and forest reserves, occupy a territory equivalent to 20 times the size of Lebanon and twice that of Portugal. Allied to this green universe are rivers, lakes and streams, essential components to mark unforgettable contact with the wonderful Amazon nature

Manaus, capital of Amazonas state, is the main metropolis and the most popular tourist destination in northern of Brazil. Located in the heart of the Amazon rainforest and on the banks of the beautiful Negro Rive. The city Manaus is surrounded by nature, the city is the gateway to several ecotourism tours in the region.

Nature tourism, or ecotourism, is the main attraction of the Amazon tours. The visitor has the opportunity to know, learn and appreciate the importance of the rainforest and the inhabitants who live in it, who are the main responsible for its conservation. For its direct contact with nature, the Amazonas State is part of the itineraries offered by the agencies in the boat programs, overnight stays in jungle hotels and tours through the forest. Ecotourism can be practiced in Amazonas throughout the year, as the seasonality that occurs in the lowland forest, where communities live, offers two beautiful landscapes, allowing tourists to experience the forest in times of drought and flooding. In addition to hiking in the forest, canoeing on the water trails, observing the beauty of nature and those who live in it, the tourist still enjoys living with the forest man, knowing his modus vivendis and interacting in his daily life .

Amazonia is a place full of mysteries, magic and secrets. Only travellers willing to explore this space will have the privilege of knowing the spirit of adventure and courage.

Read more at https://expatlifeinthailand.com/travel-and-leisure/amazonia-epic-wonder-and-unique/

Source: Expat Life Thailand

Inspire is delighted to have teamed up with Expat Life magazine to bring you more great content to do with Thailand

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We are currently staying on Koh Chang in self-isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic and our highlight to our day is going out for some food. After this experience, it may no longer be something my wife looks forward to so much.

Source: https://danaboutthailand.com/2020/04/25/chicken-feet-meal-for-the-wife-but-did-she-enjoy-it/

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This crisis has hit them also and they are in urgent need for food and drink for their children.

Father Ray Foundation Emergency Appeal
Website: https://www.fr-ray.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fr.rayfoundation/

Source: https://danaboutthailand.com/2020/04/22/emergency-appeal-for-food-and-drink-from-father-ray-foundation/

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Within practically no time we went from curious, doubting the seriousness to the situation to fearful. Some, in my opinion, naively rushed to point out the fact more people were dying from road traffic accidents each day in Thailand and that we were being quarantined unfairly. I think we all have ways of dealing with situations and downplaying the significance of such a virus, a lot must be put down to underestimating just how dangerous a virus like this can be.

Regardless, what cannot be doubted is the devastation this pandemic has had on Thailand. Heartbreaking images of Thai people forced to queue in long, long lines – anything but practicing social distancing – just so they can feed themselves and families. It’s downright tragic. If people cannot afford the basics of food and water, you will have to wonder how this will impact on local crime rates. Desperate people will need to do desperate things.

Business being forced to close, people losing their jobs. Whilst business that remain open are still being unprecedentedly hit.

But here is where I am worried, to what extent can we really start loosening the restrictions when there is no vaccine? At best we can hope to see provinces open for locals, but how can tourist centric locations like Samui, Phuket and Pattaya look to make any form of recovery with no tourists?

At this point, I should just clarify, this is all just my opinion based on what I am being led to believe. The outcome in Thailand over the course of this year could very well be different – but I would need convincing otherwise.

Who will want to get on a plane and do a long haul flight any time soon, I mean what psychological damage has been done to people after their enforced global lock downs? At what point will people be confident to travel again from country to country? Further more, what is the financial damage that has been done that will mean even if people wanted to travel, they just cannot afford too? We have no idea how the aviation industry is even going to emerge, I note Virgin Australia has just gone into voluntary administration as an example.

It is this mass of uncertainties and questions – and all whilst no vaccine is due for at least 12-months – that suggests the road ahead looks to be rocky. Very rocky.

What stumps me is how can we expect any recovery when there is no cure? If we start to get out and about and socialise with others the risk is the whole virus explodes up again. You don’t have to be an expert to recognise this.

Does human instinct force us to become deluded?

None of us have ever experienced this so I am guessing we try and rationalise the situation based only on what we know and come up with our own answers. I think most of us think we have done the self-isolation for a month now, surely that is enough and now we can all go back to normal. But as I sit and rationalise this based on everything I am reading, how can that really be the case?

I read an interesting article where a psychologist explained why we are all probably delusional and it makes a lot of sense when looking at how people are interpreting Covid-19 and the future landscape for our lives over the next 12-months. You can read the article . We like to believe what makes us feel safer and more secure.

Until we get a vaccine, I fear progress will be very slow.

Read more at https://danaboutthailand.com/2020/04/21/do-we-really-know-what-thailand-will-look-like-post-covid-19/

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These are indeed curious times we find ourselves during this pandemic with much uncertainty both here in Thailand and globally. Mike Bridge, a long term resident in Pattaya, has started a daily vlog from his home sharing his thoughts and experiences during this crisis.

Below is his very first vlog that kicked it off and if you want to more from Mike to view his YouTube channel.

Check out Mike’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7dWGiETCkqhBfTI9L28xYA

Source: https://danaboutthailand.com/2020/04/20/70-year-old-expat-daily-vlogs-during-isolation-in-thailand/

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