Business
Phuket’s marine tourism on AMCHAM agenda [video]
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PHUKET: The American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in Thailand has organized a special forum event focusing on the future of Phuket’s marine tourism industry to be held on November 21.
The event will take place from 4:30pm in the Outrigger Laguna Beach Phuket’s new Similian Ballroon, and will feature a diverse panel of speakers, all of whom have a stake in and hope for a bright future for the industry.
The event will be largely interactive, with participants having the opportunity to ask the panel questions and put forth opinions of their own.
Phuket is widely known and respected for its varied marine industry and aquatic life. The island boasts a vibrant yachting scene, healthy diving industry and is blessed with easily accessible snorkeling spots.
However, the reputation of the island’s sparkling big blue is under attack. It is feeling the effects of diminishing fish stocks, boat accidents, poor safety maintenance, the keeping of wild dolphins in captivity, yachting restrictions and pressures put on the diving community by authorities.
Natasha Eldred, of Shine PR, will lead a discussion on the current challenges and what can be done to counter them. Among the topics to be discussed will be how the introduction of new tourist attractions will affect the island’s track record of marine conservation, and how the fight against such places has brought communities together in the fight to stop such venues from opening.
Joining in the discussion with Ms Eldred will be speakers such as Claude Sauter, the general manager of The Surin and president of SKAL; Ric O’Barry from The Dolphin Project and award-winning documentary The Cove; Vincent Tabuteau, owner of Asia Marine, who will comment on the recent new restrictions and regulations in the yachting industry; Parusu “Khun Por” Komaradat, a well-established instructor, trainer and technical diver, who will speak on behalf of the diving industry; and John Gray, a well-loved local environmental leader of change.
The forum is open to the public, with admission for non-AMCHAM members costing only 100 baht. Networking drinks will follow after the forum ends.
To sign up for the forum, visit www.amchamthailand.com, or contact Khun Orn at eventbooking@amchamthailand.com or call 02-2541041 ext 214.
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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.
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
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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