Plans to give tourists cash coupons widely criticised - “It’s like paying foreigners to visit Thailand”

[rooster59 10,711]

Plans to give tourists cash coupons widely criticised - “It’s like paying foreigners to visit Thailand”

 

 

Leading politicians have questioned tourism minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn's proposals to hand out vouchers to foreigners in a move to boost tourism and dampen problems from the strength of the Thai baht. 

 

The "Eat, Shop, Spend" scheme last year saw 1,000 baht vouchers handed out to Thais in a move to stimulate the sluggish economy. 

 

The scheme proved so popular it ran for three separate phases throughout 2019.

 

In total more than 11.7 million people signed up to the scheme, with  participants spending Bt13.11 billion.

 

According to Thai media, Pipat wants to introduce a similar scheme for visitors to Thailand, essentially offering foreign tourists a cash coupon they can spend on tourist related activities or in restaurants and shops. 

 

Sirikanya Tansakun of the Future Forward party wanted to know several things. 

 

Not least of all where the money was coming from and would it be 1,000 baht or what?

 

She said that the free Visa on Arrival scheme that is set to run until August would already cost the state 12 billion baht.

 

Had the government done any research to show that more visitors would really come to Thailand if they were given spending vouchers or would it just be wasted money, she asked. 

 

Pheu Thai’s deputy leader Phaophum Rojanasakul also criticised the idea saying the plans were like paying foreigners to come to Thailand, adding that he urged the government to rethink the proposal.

 

However, late on Friday, TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn told Thai daily Khaosod the whole thing was a misunderstanding. 

 

He said that tourism minister Pipat was merely sounding out ideas, rather making an official policy announcement and that foreign tourists to Thailand will not be given cash coupons.

 

Source: Thai Rath
 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-01-25

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[BritManToo 28,242]

How about a voucher entitling me to enter a park for the same price as Thais?

Or how about a voucher that stops Thai immigration from turning me back at the airport, even though they sold me a VISA to come here?

Edited January 25 by BritManToo

[unamazedloso 3,245]

Yep, never give a discount to a farang!! What the hell were they thinking?

That wasnt a very Thai thing to suggest at all.

[ThreeEyedRaven 6,474]

"We are giving free vouchers to tourists!"

"Have you thought this through?"

Back flip worthy of an Olympic gold later...

"We are not giving free vouchers to tourists. Bad idea!"

[EVENKEEL 2,270]

Bar fine tokens sounds reasonable....

[bluesofa 29,887]

15 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Pheu Thai’s deputy leader Phaophum Rojanasakul also criticised the idea saying the plans were like paying foreigners to come to Thailand, adding that he urged the government to rethink the proposal.

Given the alleged success of the "Eat, Shop, Spend" scheme last year, is he saying it should only be used to encourge Thais to visit Thailand?

[RotBenz8888 12,205]

32 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

offering foreign tourists a cash coupon they can spend on tourist related activities or in restaurants and shops. 

Even if they did launch something extraordinary like this, foreigners would only face extra fees to compensate for the Thais loss, like increase the double pricing. No way they would let foreigners get away cheaper, in particular falangs.

Edited January 25 by RotBenz8888

[Youlike 1,636]

How about cancelling the 225 surcharge to use an atm in thailand...it's pure theft!

[Destiny1990 5,600]

Lets try free one night staying hospital vouchers.

[dcnx 7,772]

How about stop the double charging and turning people away at the airport. That would be a good start.

[TallGuyJohninBKK 19,563]

This is Thailand. Money only come in. Never give out, especially to farang!

[Chazar 6,629]

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

In total more than 11.7 million people signed up to the scheme, with  participants spending Bt13.11 billion.

yeah yeah yeah yeah yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

[DrTuner 14,850]

If I was a tourist, I think free flights, lodging and 2500eur/d would be the lower limit for me to consider holiday in Thailand. Ah yes and free N95 masks.

[sanemax 20,505]

34 minutes ago, Youlike said:

How about cancelling the 225 surcharge to use an atm in thailand...it's pure theft!

Free for over the counter withdrawals

[yokat 418]

4 hours ago, rooster59 said:

In total more than 11.7 million people signed up to the scheme, with  participants spending Bt13.11 billion.

So people spent on average 1120 baht thanks to this plan handing out 1000 baht vouchers, truely a success.

 

Foreigners don't come here expecting to save 30bucks, they will spend this voucher if they happen to visit a shop AND remember they have it. If they visit a shop with the intent of spending this voucher you can be sure they won't spend much more.