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bkkz
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Source: The Nation
The Tourism and Sports Ministry
The Tourism and Sports Ministry has submitted 13 tourism recovery measures for government approval. The proposals include waiving visa fees, cutting air fares and reducing airport charges.
Minister Chumpol Silapa-Archa said the proposed measures were handed to the government's economic team yesterday.
"The ministry has compiled [the measures] from the needs and proposals from the private sector," Chumpol said.
The tourism industry, which normally generates about 6-8 per cent of gross domestic product, is suffering from the global economic crisis and last year's eight-day closure of Bangkok's two commercial airports.
Among the measures proposed to revive sector, the ministry will urge Thai Airways International and other carriers to cut fares by 50 per cent to encourage more advanced bookings.
It is also urging the government to waive visa fees for tourists from all countries for six months, with a possible extension of a further six months.
The ministry has also asked the government to reduce value-added tax on hotel room rates for one year, and Airports of Thailand to reduce landing and parking fees at the country's international airports in a bid to persuade more airlines to restore their Thai operations.
Other measures would require government organisations to adjust their budgets for outside meetings and seminars so as to boost domestic tourism, plus a proposal that private companies' tax refunds for meetings and conferences be doubled.
Moreover, hotel operators have asked for an exemption from the annual fee of Bt80 per room they have to pay to the Revenue Department.
Banks, meanwhile, will be encouraged to extend debt-repayment periods for operators in the tourism sector for three years.
The ministry also plans to promote the major destinations of Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga for local tourism by reducing airport taxes and surcharges. In addition, all national parks should play their part by waiving entrance fees for three years.
The government has also been urged to help workers in the tourism sector, which faces a high risk of increased job losses.
Chumpol said the ministry would seek an additional budget from the government to assist the tourism sector.
The Cabinet on Tuesday approved Bt1 billion to help tourism and related businesses, but more funding was needed to support the recovery effort.
Prakit Chinamourphong, president of the Thai Hotels Association, said three- and four-star hotels planned to discount room rates by 50 per cent for people visiting the country in February and March.
Among the main target markets are China, India, the Middle East, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan.
Shopping centres and tourist attractions in Bangkok and other key destinations are also supporting the tourism-recovery campaign.
Most hotels in Bangkok and other major tourist cities are running at lower-than-usual occupancy rates following the airport closures.
New promotion and marketing activities in both local and overseas markets are also planned.
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 5:55 pm on Jan. 14, 2009
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harold444
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cut airfares by 50%? not gonna happen.
what about barfines....................lol. possible by gov. order I guess.................
or at least guarantee old thai girls with hand clappers go to jail if they try to shut down airports again. this was a big disaster los didnt need.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 6:53 pm on Jan. 14, 2009
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bkkmaster
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I know the airfare from Hawaii to Bangkok on China just dropped by about $80 this weekend on Saturday. If it drops by half I will be a little on the sad side. 
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 10:36 pm on Jan. 14, 2009
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Mr Alan
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How about restoring democracy instead of mob rule? In a democracy, you cannot over-throw the government just because you happen to believe that the majority of voters are idiots.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 11:49 pm on Jan. 14, 2009
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Mel Gibson
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Mr Alan,, the majority of the population are ISAAN - read Laos - Read rice farming, lao khao drinking,,,,,,,read very different to the true Thais.
Mel
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 6:53 am on Jan. 15, 2009
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Joe Wood
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"The government has also been urged to help workers in the tourism sector, which faces a high risk of increased job losses. "
The Nation 15th.January 2009
Does this mean that if a bj is subsidized to the extent of 699 Thai baht, if I just show my passport to the Star of Light cashier, I'l get a bj for 1 Thai baht ?
Not that I'm a Cheap Charlie....................
It's just that the thought appeals............
If the government were really concerned, they would subsidize each bj to the tune of 1000 Thai baht and I'd only have to hand over the tip.
Oh, the money I could save !
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Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 8:38 am on Jan. 15, 2009
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thaiaficionado
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Waive the visa fees for 6 months? They should waive the bar fines instead.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 9:29 am on Jan. 15, 2009
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harold444
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check hnl to bkk on china on jan 25.
540$ or low 600$ w ta x and woteva added in as of a few days ago.
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Thai Girls : Meet Active Thai Girls
Posted on: 1:22 pm on Jan. 15, 2009
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don5252
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So nice to see the U.S.A. wasn't on the list of countries that will have the govt's welcome back policy, is there a message there?
The latest price on C.I. r/t LAX BKK is $1108, up about $50 from last Nov. not a big deal, but not what I was expecting, travel agent says wait a little bit in hopes of a lower fare (for Apr.)
Of more concern to me is if the govt can keep their Crown Jewel (airport) open
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 4:00 pm on Jan. 15, 2009
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Valetta
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Mr Alan "mob rule" surely you are overlooking that it is middle/upper middle class mob rule.These people are so much better dressed,nicer,intelligent,respectable and with impeccable table manners that their mob rule is not only acceptable,but desirable.They even seem to have Royal support,so it must be alright.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 7:09 pm on Jan. 15, 2009
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