Business
AMCHAM Forum: Staying ahead of the game in the ‘New Phuket’

PHUKET: For the last few decades, Phuket has been evolving into a mainstream, mass-market tourist destination. Now the island’s beaches have undergone extreme makeovers and some even more dramatic changes are on the horizon.
“In the aftermath of Thailand’s political crisis, which saw martial law and a nationwide curfew imposed in May, Phuket experienced a sharp drop in visitor arrivals. This peaked in the month of June when combined international and domestic passenger arrivals dropped by 14% year on year,” notes Bill Barnett, Managing Director of leading consulting firm C9 Hotelworks.
But writing in the current edition of his Hotel Market Update, a comprehensive report that will be distributed in the Phuket Gazette due out this Friday, Barnett says that recent positive changes on the island allow those involved in the tourism industry to look with hope on the future.
“Phuket is expected to benefit from an extensive government-led clean-up of illegal oceanfront structures and an anti-corruption campaign which has resulted in a remarkable clearing of the island’s beaches,” he notes.
But only the best informed hospitality and tourism managers can expect to come out on top. That is why this Friday’s American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) forum, entitled “Focus on the New Phuket”, is a must for anyone seeking to succeed in what will likely become an even more competitive market.
To stay ahead of the game, join David Keen, CEO of QUO, as he leads a discussion on visionary destination branding and the latest developments in Phuket. He’ll be joined by Khun Wichit Na-Ranong (owner and managing director of Indigo Pearl); Anthony Lark (VP- business development for the Montara Hospitality Group); and Daniel Meury (general manager of Andara Resort and Villas).
Scott Gorsuch will also be presenting a special segment on “Phuket before and after”.
At this special event, our esteemed panel of industry leaders will discuss the crossroads at which Brand Phuket now finds itself. Come high season, how will visitors perceive the new beach experience? How are locals reacting to the “New Phuket”? Is the Pearl of the Andaman Sea losing its adventurous luster, or is it on the brink of an illustrious new chapter?
The forum, which takes place in the Angsana Resort & Spa at Laguna Phuket, is not to be missed by those in the hotel, tourism, real estate and yachting sectors.
Registration begins at 4pm, with the presentation and discussions running from 4:30 to 6pm. Networking drinks will follow. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Admission for non-AMCHAM members is 100 baht. To sign up, please visit amchamthailand.com or contact Sheree Tanpensuky on 02-254 1041. Or email sheree@amchamthailand.com.
— AMCHAM / Phuket Gazette
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Business
Governments & old media versus social media – who will win? | VIDEO

We look at the recent changes made by the Australian and Indian governments to except control over the world’s biggest social media platforms. India has issued strict new rules for Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms just weeks after the Indian government attempted to pressure Twitter to take down social media accounts it deemed, well, anti social. There is now an open battle between the rise of social media platforms and the governments and ‘old’ media that have been able to maintain a certain level of control over the ‘message’ for the last century. Who will win?
The rules require any social media company to create three roles within India… a “compliance officer” who ensures they follow local laws; a “grievance officer” who addresses complaints from Indian social media users; and a “contact person” who can actually be contacted by lawyers and other aggrieved Indian parties… 24/7.
The democratisation of the news model, with social media as its catalyst, will continue to baffle traditional media and governments who used to enjoy a level of control over what stories get told. The battles of Google and Facebook, with the governments of India and Australia will be followed in plenty of other countries as well.
At the root of all discussions will be the difference between what governments THINK social media is all about and the reality about how quickly the media landscape has changed. You’ll get to read about it first, on a social media platform… probably on the screen you’re watching this news story right now.
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Business
The social media giants in battle with ‘old’ media and world governments | VIDEO

“The rules signal greater willingness by countries around the world to rein in big tech firms such as Google, Facebook and Twitter that the governments fear have become too powerful with little accountability.”
India has issued strict new rules for Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms just weeks after the Indian government attempted to pressure Twitter to take down social media accounts it deemed, well, anti social.
The rules require any social media company to create three roles within India… a “compliance officer” who ensures they follow local laws; a “grievance officer” who addresses complaints from Indian social media users; and a “contact person” who can actually be contacted by lawyers and other aggrieved Indian parties… 24/7.
The companies are also being made to publish a compliance report each month with details about how many complaints they’ve received and the action they took.
They’ll also be required to remove ‘some’ types of content including “full or partial nudity,” any “sexual act” or “impersonations including morphed images”
The democratisation of the news model, with social media as its catalyst, will continue to baffle traditional media and governments who used to enjoy a level of control over what stories get told.
The battles of Google and Facebook, with the governments of India and Australia will be followed in plenty of other countries as well.
At the root of all discussions will be the difference between what governments THINK social media is all about and the reality about how quickly the media landscape has changed. You’ll get to read about it first, on a social media platform… probably on the screen you’re watching this news story right now.
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Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Business
Turbulence ahead for Thailand’s aviation industry | VIDEO

When the airlines, in particular, were asking the government to put their hands in their pockets for some relief funding in August last year, it was genuinely thought that international tourists would be coming back for the high season in December and January. At the very least local tourists and expats would head back to the skies over the traditional holiday break. And surely the Chinese would be back for Chinese New Year?
As we know now, none of that happened. A resurge in cases started just south of Bangkok on December 20 last year, just before Christmas, kicking off another round of restrictions, pretty much killing off any possibility of a high season ‘bump’ for the tourist industry. Airlines slashed flights from their schedule, and hotels, which had dusted off their reception desks for the surge of tourists, shut their doors again.
Domestically, the hotel business saw 6 million room nights in the government’s latest stimulus campaign fully redeemed. But the air ticket quota of 2 million seats still has over 1.3 million seats unused. Local tourists mostly skipped flights and opted for destinations within driving distance of their homes.
As for international tourism… well that still seems months or years away, even now.
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