Popular Post webfact Posted February 11, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 11, 2020 Koh Samui: Build a second airport for budget airlines, much better than a bridge, says MP File photo Fresh calls have been made to build a new airport on the holiday island of Koh Samui in southern Thailand. New Palangdharma Party MP Dr Ravee Maschamadol told parliament that tourism in Samui was on a downward spiral. He suggested that the current airport arrangement that has existed for years is a rip-off and is only for well heeled tourists. He wants PM Prayuth Chan-ocha to consider building a new airport for low cost carriers. This would be much better than building a bridge from the mainland, an idea mooted in recent years and raised again in the last few weeks. Dr Ravee said that the current airport used by Bangkok Airways just meant price gouging for the consumer. Their current 5,490 baht price was often even higher at 6 - 7,000 baht. A return trip could cost well in excess of 10,000 baht while low cost airlines offer trips to the south to places like Krabi, Surat Thani and Trang for as little as 1,000 baht. Tourists could spend the money they save helping local economies. He said that tourism in Koh Samui had been going down and down for the last three to four years. Right now hotels are empty even in the high season. And the coronavirus outbreak is only making matters worse. He said that a new, second airport needs to be built for low cost airlines that would cater to budget minded tourists rather than the current arrangement that serves only wealthy tourists. This would mean more tourists, greater revenue and be much better than constructing a bridge for vehicles to cross from the mainland. Source: Manager Online -- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-02-11 Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info 2 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PJPom Posted February 11, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 11, 2020 (edited) Why not issue a compulsory purchase order for the current airport citing national interest ?. It will no doubt end up in Court for years meanwhile the flights increase as it is opened to low cost carriers, the costs diminish and tourism has a boost. The main problem will be the current owners, just how much influence do they have and who are they connected to. Edited February 11, 2020 by PJPom Clarity 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post KhunBENQ Posted February 11, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 11, 2020 (edited) 21 minutes ago, PJPom said: The main problem will be the current owners, just how much influence do they have and who are they connected to. Resistance will be strong. It's a money machine. 7000 or more for a domestic return flight from Bangkok. Other routes are less than half the price. A former work mate wants to come to Samui in June. I am uncertain whether I should throw out money and go meet him. Kill more unspoiled nature to make room for a second airport on a 228 km2 (88 sq mi) island? Edited February 11, 2020 by KhunBENQ 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gulfsailor Posted February 11, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 11, 2020 I prefer quality over quantity. Thailand has plenty low cost destinations already, and are struggling more than Samui. The reason affluent travelers visit Samui is because it’s not like Pattaya or Phuket. The hotels that are struggling on Samui are the low and mid tier ones. The luxury accommodations are doing fine. Let’s not ruin that with plane loads of budget travelers please. 9 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mavideol Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 1 hour ago, webfact said: New Palangdharma Party MP Dr Ravee Maschamadol he's new, not enough experience yet.... but building a bridge would allow for more Thais (who can't afford a air plane ticket) to visit Samui and surrounding areas thus bringing in extra business for the locals 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrTuner Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Or, do the right thing, invest in quality instead of quantity. Although it's probably too late now, I was driving along Chaweng yesterday, the place is an overbuilt mess (the current roadworks aren't helping either). Last time I visited was in 2009 I think, gone downhill. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mavideol Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 1 minute ago, DrTuner said: Or, do the right thing, invest in quality instead of quantity. Although it's probably too late now, I was driving along Chaweng yesterday, the place is an overbuilt mess (the current roadworks aren't helping either). Last time I visited was in 2009 I think, gone downhill. since 2014 not many things in Thailand moved up hill.....oh, ok, one at least, the quantity of the thick envelopes 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiekerjozef Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 what causes more accidents a bridge or an airport (both during construction and afterwards)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metempsychotic Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 (edited) Why not shatter the monopoly and expand the existing facility. Currently anyone who wants to can fly into surat and bus and boat over. Still a hell of alot faster than road travel. One can only hope the bridge will not extend to koh phangan. Edited February 11, 2020 by metempsychotic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Vacuum Posted February 11, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 11, 2020 1 hour ago, PJPom said: The main problem will be the current owners, just how much influence do they have and who are they connected to. Probably connected to the 'Do You Know Who I Am' group. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30la Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 2 hours ago, webfact said: He suggested that the current airport arrangement that has existed for years is a rip-off and is only for well heeled tourists. I remember that some years ago some of your colleagues officially declared that they want only classy people for Samui, what is it now? With the Chinese you also accept some lower levels ... A second airport is a big wane, force Bangkok Air to drop prices and allow other airlines to land at their airport! Ups, I asked for an absolutely impossible thing ... 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post robertson468 Posted February 11, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 11, 2020 2 hours ago, PJPom said: Why not issue a compulsory purchase order for the current airport citing national interest ?. It will no doubt end up in Court for years meanwhile the flights increase as it is opened to low cost carriers, the costs diminish and tourism has a boost. The main problem will be the current owners, just how much influence do they have and who are they connected to. I can see a "brown envelope" being bunged at some official to block this idea, sadly. Quite a few Thai people on the Island had been petitioning the Government for a long time to address this rediculous situation. It costs less to fly from Bangkok to India than it costs to fly Bangkok to Koh Samui! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post spidermike007 Posted February 11, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 11, 2020 Kudos to Ravee for calling out the BA mafia. For many years they have been discussing alternatives to that abusive monopoly. An airport near DonSak was discussed for a long time. Also one in Koh Phangan. I think another one on Samui, or Don Sak is a great idea. Leave Phangan alone. It is a gorgeous island that would be wrecked by an airport. Regardless of how much BA invested in the land, granting them an eternal monopoly on Samui was beyond ridiculous and no doubt was a result of high corruption. A 20 year monopoly would have been reasonable. I can fly from Los Angeles to Miami (4400 km.) for what it costs to fly under 300km. from Samui to BKK. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legend49 Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 1 hour ago, Mavideol said: he's new, not enough experience yet.... but building a bridge would allow for more Thais (who can't afford a air plane ticket) to visit Samui and surrounding areas thus bringing in extra business for the locals You missed his thinking. He gets more brown envelopes in building an airport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jane Dough Posted February 11, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 11, 2020 2 hours ago, Gulfsailor said: I prefer quality over quantity. Thailand has plenty low cost destinations already, and are struggling more than Samui. The reason affluent travelers visit Samui is because it’s not like Pattaya or Phuket. The hotels that are struggling on Samui are the low and mid tier ones. The luxury accommodations are doing fine. Let’s not ruin that with plane loads of budget travelers please. Goodness! how things have changed since I stayed on Chaweng in 1982 for 25 baht - myself and a friend shared a bungalow that cost 50 baht. It was wonderful. Mind you I wouldn't go there now if you paid me. Rooster 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post spidermike007 Posted February 11, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 11, 2020 Considering the fact that the average cost of a bridge over the sea, seems to be in the neighborhood of $60 million per km. it is doubtful this silly bridge idea would ever happen. Another airport is a good idea. If the well connected BA makes a big legal stink, sieze Samui airport under eminent domain. They have already made their fortune on it. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlandtday Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 8 minutes ago, spidermike007 said: Considering the fact that the average cost of a bridge over the sea, seems to be in the neighborhood of $60 million per km. it is doubtful this silly bridge idea would ever happen. Another airport is a good idea. If the well connected BA makes a big legal stink, sieze Samui airport under eminent domain. They have already made their fortune on it. 60 million can buy a lot of mercs... airport equals a lot of civics... case closed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayduke Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 (edited) 4 hours ago, webfact said: He wants PM Prayuth Chan-ocha to consider building a new airport for low cost carriers. Have they decided who to name the new airport after? Edited February 11, 2020 by Hayduke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post hotchilli Posted February 11, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 11, 2020 3 hours ago, Mavideol said: he's new, not enough experience yet.... but building a bridge would allow for more Thais (who can't afford a air plane ticket) to visit Samui and surrounding areas thus bringing in extra business for the locals Bring in the low end tourists who can't afford anything and the trash vendors will follow after for a fast buck. 5 year down the line Samui will have gone from a half decent place to a hell-hole! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beggar Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 (edited) 16 minutes ago, hotchilli said: Bring in the low end tourists who can't afford anything and the trash vendors will follow after for a fast buck. 5 year down the line Samui will have gone from a half decent place to a hell-hole! Samui was a paradise about 20 - 30 years ago. With the Baht crises the mass tourism started and this was the end of the paradise. Visited it the last time about 10 years ago. Booked for 2 weeks but fled after a couple of days. Edited February 11, 2020 by Beggar 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post khunPer Posted February 11, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 11, 2020 It's not a question about airport or bridge, it's a question about infrastructure and how much tourism the environment can bear. Bear in mind that Europen tourist destinations, and even countries, have or are proposing to tax tourists, because the infrastructure and environment cannot take more, there are already too many. The benefit with one private airport, and relative high fees for using it, is that it in a way sort the tourists, so the better spenders that can afford Samui are those arriving. And for those that wish to travel cheaper it's both affordable and fairly easy to use Air Asia to Surat Thani, and their link with bus/ferry to Samui. There are by the way probably not enough affordable accommodation available for a massive increased numbers of budget travellers. Another question is, if there also is a huge enough increasing demand for visiting the island...???? 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sydebolle Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Dr. Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth, Chairman of Bangkok Airways, is the visionary behind Bangkok Airways as well as the airport on Samui island. He bought the land and built the airport to make Samui - aviationwise - "online". Bangkok Airways is a true boutique airline and not comparable to a low cost carrier. I happened to be on a 6-passenger-flight in a 100-passenger aircraft and, despite being possibly the loss leader of that particular day, the flight was operated - which was very, very important to me. This is something which cannot be said by most other airlines in Thailand. Dr. Prasert and his team of leading professionals put Samui and their airline where they are today. The "expensive" part comes from all those half-empty hotels overcharging tremendously (a bottle of local soda at Baht 90++) and blocking entire sections of the beach for private hotel guests (restaurant guests spending more than B 1000/head did not count). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jasonsamui55 Posted February 11, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 11, 2020 11 minutes ago, khunPer said: It's not a question about airport or bridge, it's a question about infrastructure and how much tourism the environment can bear. Bear in mind that Europen tourist destinations, and even countries, have or are proposing to tax tourists, because the infrastructure and environment cannot take more, there are already too many. The benefit with one private airport, and relative high fees for using it, is that it in a way sort the tourists, so the better spenders that can afford Samui are those arriving. And for those that wish to travel cheaper it's both affordable and fairly easy to use Air Asia to Surat Thani, and their link with bus/ferry to Samui. There are by the way probably not enough affordable accommodation available for a massive increased numbers of budget travellers. Another question is, if there also is a huge enough increasing demand for visiting the island...???? The infrastructure is already a mess. Traffic is a nightmare even now. when there is supposedly nobody here. Samui could a lot better with about 75% reduction of cars on the roads these days. If there is so much traffic on the road, who else could it be? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cake Monster Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 And Hey ! The new Airport could be Named " Prayuth Chan o Cha Airport." after our great leader. Better than naming a paltry Bridge after him. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazykopite Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Bangkok airways which is privately owned generates the majority of its annual income directly from the Koh Samui flights this information was released last year without Samui airport and the extortionate prices they charge they would go bust within months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burma Bill Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Whether a new road bridge or a new budget airport, it will be a slap in the face for Bangkok Airways and its over-priced monopoly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DefaultName Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Hmmmm, I wonder who owns a bit of land that would be ideal for an airport? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digger70 Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 5 hours ago, Gulfsailor said: I prefer quality over quantity. Thailand has plenty low cost destinations already, and are struggling more than Samui. The reason affluent travelers visit Samui is because it’s not like Pattaya or Phuket. The hotels that are struggling on Samui are the low and mid tier ones. The luxury accommodations are doing fine. Let’s not ruin that with plane loads of budget travelers please. So what are you thinking out loud . That you belong with the Hi So and like them don't like the Normal people /Tourists. I always been thought that we are All equal. or do you think that Hi So people cost more from Making than Normal people. I don't think so It makes no difference that you are Made in the backseat off a cat or in an Posh Hotel room. ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ThomasThBKK Posted February 11, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 11, 2020 16 minutes ago, digger70 said: So what are you thinking out loud . That you belong with the Hi So and like them don't like the Normal people /Tourists. I always been thought that we are All equal. or do you think that Hi So people cost more from Making than Normal people. I don't think so It makes no difference that you are Made in the backseat off a cat or in an Posh Hotel room. ???? He's thinking out loud that this low quality mass tourism isn't sustainable, is that so damn hard to understand? And no 10 people spending 1000 bath each are not better nor equal than 1 spending 10k THB. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CG1 Blue Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 1 hour ago, khunPer said: It's not a question about airport or bridge, it's a question about infrastructure and how much tourism the environment can bear. Bear in mind that Europen tourist destinations, and even countries, have or are proposing to tax tourists, because the infrastructure and environment cannot take more, there are already too many. The benefit with one private airport, and relative high fees for using it, is that it in a way sort the tourists, so the better spenders that can afford Samui are those arriving. And for those that wish to travel cheaper it's both affordable and fairly easy to use Air Asia to Surat Thani, and their link with bus/ferry to Samui. There are by the way probably not enough affordable accommodation available for a massive increased numbers of budget travellers. Another question is, if there also is a huge enough increasing demand for visiting the island...???? Absolutely right, and this being a key point: "And for those that wish to travel cheaper it's both affordable and fairly easy to use Air Asia to Surat Thani, and their link with bus/ferry to Samui." It would be sad if they decide to destroy even more of the diminishing natural habitat on this small island to build another airport. If all the trees are cut down and replaced by concrete, then they'll really see a drop in tourist numbers - forever! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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