THE bombing incident at Haadyai and the political turmoil in Thailand has put many Perakians’ plan to visit the Land of Smiles on hold. Many of those interviewed by The Star said they preferred not to travel to Thailand or its border towns for now until the security conditions at these areas have been stabilised.
A retiree, who wished to be known as just Albert, said the incidents would definitely affect his plans of travelling to Haadyai and Bangkok in the immediate future.
“I was just talking about the matter with my friends over breakfast this morning.“Our conclusion is that if it can be avoided, we will definitely choose not to visit Thailand,” the 66-year-old said.
Albert said that if one were going for business purposes, then they wouldn’t have a choice but he would postpone his plans if it was for leisure. “We go on holidays because we want to enjoy ourselves, so why would we go somewhere that would put our lives at risk?” he said.
Haadyai was rocked by two explosions on May 6, leaving 14 people injured and many vehicles destroyed. On May 8, Thailand’s Constitutional Court had dismissed Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and nine ministers for abuse of power, leaving the country in a political crisis. Businesswoman Clara Ooi, 30, said she has postponed her travel plans to Haadyai after learning about the incidents.
“I was planning to go there for a vacation with my family for a few days. “I would be lying if I say the bombing incident didn’t affect my decisions at all,” she said. “I was really looking forward to visit the famous floating market but it will have to wait now,” she added.
Ooi said she was now scouting for other tourist destinations to spend the holidays with her family. “I am thinking of somewhere more affordable and close to Malaysia as well,” she said. Student Lee Chi Leong also said he would not want to visit places that could pose possible danger to him or his family.
“The political situation in Thailand has become unstable after the sacking of Yingluck Shinawatra. “Therefore I don’t want to risk my family’s safety by going there at this critical moment,” the 23-year-old said. “I think Taiwan should be a safer choice if I have to choose a place to visit,” he added. Lee said he felt that affordability was a key factor for Malaysians when choosing a place to visit.
“I think it is the main reason why people chose to visit Haadyai, where there is plenty of good food and shopping areas,” he said. See Moi Moi, 57, said she has no plans to go to Thailand in the immediate future. “The last time I went to Bangkok was four years ago.
“There were also protests going on during that time but I didn’t feel my life was threatened,” the tailor said. “Mostly people would follow travel groups to Thailand and I don’t think that a tour would go ahead if the agencies feel that the tourists’ lives could be in danger,” See said. “However, I feel it all comes down to one’s luck and fate. If something is to happen, it will happen no matter where you go,” she added.
A share broker who only wanted to be known as Wong, said he felt that Haadyai appeals to Malaysian tourists for various reasons. “Most people go to Haadyai to enjoy the Thai massages and shop at the local markets for cheap items.
“They also like to spend their holidays there due to its proximity to our country, which is only about a two-hour drive from Malaysia’s northern border,” he said. However, Wong said that given the current political turmoil and the bomb attacks, he would put his travel plans to Haadyai on hold indefinitely.
“If I had to go, I would choose Betong,” the 58-year-old added.
Vendor Wong Kok San, 75, said there were other affordable vacation destinations other than Thailand. “There are many more affordable spots for Malaysians to holiday like Indonesia and Cambodia, among others. “I wouldn’t want to go for a vacation where I constantly have to worry about my safety throughout the trip,” Kok San said.
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