Thailand in mourning: what to tell your clients

FOLLOWING the death of
Thailand’s revered King
Bhumibol Adulyadej, local
tour operators have reported
that there have been no
cancellations for Thailand
with minimal concern about
travelling from South Africans.
However, they suggest that
travel agents warn their
clients about what to expect
during the country’s period of
mourning.
Entertainment
While the mourning period will
be most strictly applied during
the first 30 days, it officially
lasts for a year, meaning
travellers can expect popular
events like Songkran – the
Thai New Year and water
festival – to be more subdued
in 2017.
The government has asked
entertainment venues to
refrain from conducting any
“boisterous performances”.
Several music concerts and
parties have been postponed
or cancelled. The famous Full
Moon party on the island of
Koh Phangan, which was due
to begin on October 17, was
cancelled.
Christopher Simonsen,
product and operations
manager of Checkout Tours,
says although there is no
official curfew, entertainment
establishments are able to
decide their operating hours.
“Restaurants and shops
will operate as normal, but
bars will be required to tone
down their entertainment,”
says Zahedah Bhorat, kulula
holidays product manager for
the Far East.
Sightseeing
The Tourism Authority of
Thailand says, because many
people will be travelling from
the provinces to Bangkok to
pay their respects to the king,
there may be congestion in
certain parts of the city.
Most tourist attractions
will be open as usual with
the exception of Wat Phra
Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald
Buddha) and the Grand
Palace, as they will be the
venue of the Royal Funeral
Rites.
“Certain temples and official
sites might be closed,” says
JJ Carr, product manager of
The Holiday Factory.
“The Emerald Buddha and
the Grand Palace have been
closed, affecting some day
tours in Bangkok,” says
Christopher. He says although
dinner cruises on Chaophraya
River are continuing, no music
will be played and lights will
be dimmed.
Appropriate attire
The Thai people will be
wearing black, as the official
colour of mourning. TAT
says it is not mandatory for
travellers to wear black during
their holidays, but that clothes
in muted colours would be
appreciated.
Watch your words
Zahedah warns that visitors
should not comment or
discuss the Royal family as
this is considered a crime
and could lead to a possible
15-year jail sentence.