AOT lacks creativity

Re: “Asian airlines to fly in more tourists”, ( BP, Nov 10).

The government’s rightfully alarmed at the drop in tourists, with October 2018 figures being down 14.89% year-on-year and down 11.77% since this August. But we’re not scratching where it itches, nor is the junta attacking the root causes of the plunge.

In July 2018, a tourist boat laden with Chinese tourists sank in Phuket, drowning 47 Chinese. We have the deadliest roads in the world, killing more tourists (and Thais). Our two-hour immigration lines are legendary. This year, the AOT forecast 51-minute arrivals at Suvarnabhumi, well above its capacity of 45 minutes. No wonder foreigners think twice before coming here.

The government seeking to bring in more tourists by increasing low-cost carrier flights or reducing visa-on-arrival fees are just short-term band-aids that will increase our overcrowding. I don’t understand why the AOT cannot solve long immigration lines. But, years ago, it took me several days to renew my passport at the Passport Office at Bang Na, compared to 12 minutes last year: the difference was that the whole process has been outsourced. We need to apply the same kind of creativity to AOT’s problems.

Our government must cease its mai pen rai attitude towards safety. Recently, a bus full of tourists was filmed overtaking another vehicle on a blind curve at a high speed, terrifying passengers and making national news. The cops fined the driver a mere 5,000 baht; there was no jail sentence, and no penalty for his employer. He should have been jailed and had his licence suspended for six months — and his employer put on notice that a second offence by any of their drivers would result in the firm’s licence be- ing suspended for several months.

Let’s make Thailand a more attractive, safer place for our foreign guests — and ourselves. BURIN KANTABUTRA