In Thailand, the official period of mourning has begun in connection with the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The country dresses in black and white, and this is not a metaphor: in the Thai media, one of the most discussed topics today is an appeal to local merchants to provide the country in the required quantities of strict clothing and accessories of the appropriate colors and not to raise prices for them. Even mannequins in fashionable shopping centers are dressed in mourning clothes. In monotones - all the official sites of Thailand, including the tourism office, as well as all information sites and print publications of the kingdom.
According to the country's government, the official mourning will last for a year. Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-Ocha also called on compatriots to refrain from any recreational activities for 30 days. But he also made it clear that life must go on and called on Thai businesses to remain open to providing for the nation and tourists so that the country "does not lose its credibility."
"Vestnik ATOR" tried to figure out how the national mourning will affect the tourism industry in Thailand and what to expect for tourists who are going on vacation to this country.
Five things that won't be the same
1. Closed Big Royal Palace in bangkok, where the necessary religious rituals are performed today according to Buddhist tradition. How long the process of parting with the monarch will last is not yet known exactly, but it may drag on for months. Also, Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) will have a special format of work. In general, all the main tourist sites in the country they will work as usual.
Who was King Bhumibol Adulyadej for Thailand?
It is not for nothing that King Bhumibol Adulyadej is called a man of amazing destiny. The monarch was born on December 5, 1927 in Cambridge (USA). His name in the language of ancient texts means "Strength of the country, incomparable power." In 1928 Bhumibol Adulyadej came with his parents to Bangkok, then in the 40s. received an excellent education in Switzerland. He was officially crowned on May 5, 1950, and in 1987 received the title of Great.
Bhumibol Adulyadet was actively involved in scientific research, was interested in the development of agricultural technologies. He is the author of a number of inventions, including one of the developers of the lens for the Canon camera (the king is depicted with this camera on banknotes of 1 thousand baht, 1999 series). In his youth, the future monarch was fond of music and even was a saxophonist in Benny Goodman's jazz orchestra. But his main achievement was that he rallied the nation, opened Thailand to the world and to tourism. During the reign of Bhumibol Adulyadej, more than 20 prime ministers have changed in the country, 18 constitutions have been adopted, and 19 coups d'état have taken place. And in no case did any of the opposing sides call for the overthrow of the king.
“Thanks to his efforts, diplomacy, his own examples, attending events of various levels aimed at developing tourism in the country, we now have the most developed tourist space in South-East Asia... The man “with kind eyes in glasses” made a lot of efforts to make his country always hospitable and open to foreigners, ”says Philip Obruchev-Mironov.
Recall that more than 30 million tourists visit Thailand every year. Tourism revenues account for about 10% of the country's GDP. About a million Russians are waiting for this in Thailand. In the first six months, the country was visited by about 570 thousand tourists from Russia, which is 20% higher than the figures for the same period last year.
In connection with the death of King Bhumibol, Adulyadej will not in any way affect Russian tourists vacationing at the resorts of this country. According to tour operators, on this moment most of the bars, restaurants and discos are operating normally. Excursion programs are also carried out without any significant changes, although minor adjustments are still possible.
“Nothing has actually changed in the resort areas at the moment. Both in the first days after the death of the king, and during the year, these changes will not be noticeable to our tourists, "- said on the air of the TV channel" Russia 24 " Executive Director Association of Tour Operators of Russia (). According to her, the introduction of mourning did not affect the demand for tours to Thailand. “Travel agencies do not record any refusals, or cancellations, or issues related to any possible changes in the conditions of nailing in the country in connection with mourning,” Ms. Lomidze explained. At the same time, the representative of ATOR stressed that the unrest that took place in the country earlier concerned the government, but not the king, who had the status of an actual deity on the territory of Thailand. “Further possible destabilization certainly cannot be connected with his death. Moreover, there is an heir who has already been announced - this is the son of the deceased ruler, ”added Maya Lomidze.
On the whole, the tour operators themselves agree with this. “The situation in the resorts of Thailand is calm. The Kingdom's airports are operating normally. Any restrictions on the part of government agencies that could affect the functioning of the tourism industry and the presence of foreign citizens in Thailand were not introduced, "the TURPROM newsgroup was told in the press service of" "with reference to the data of its office in Thailand. They also noted that the service of tourists is carried out according to the standards of the company. "Sights, with the exception of objects directly related to the upcoming mourning ceremonies, function without changing the working hours," explained the press service of "Tez Tour". “The whole infrastructure: hotels, bars, discos, transport, etc. - will work in full and in the current mode. Most likely, only mass events will be reduced, a number of festivals and holidays will be canceled, ”added PR-director of the tour operator Larisa Akhanova.
The press service of "" said that in connection with the declared mourning until November 14 in Thailand, restrictions were imposed on the work of some nightclubs and bars. So, during this period, streets in Pattaya and Bangla Road will be closed on. Restaurants and shows are working as usual. “In our expert opinion, this situation will not be reflected critically on the rest Russian tourists... Entertainment, working in a regular mode, is quite enough for a rich and exciting pastime in Thailand. Tour guides, guides and entertainment workers continue their work and are ready to delight their clients, ”the company noted.
“According to our data, in connection with the imposed mourning, fewer entertainment establishments will operate in Thailand. But the main part of the bars will continue to work. In principle, we do not expect any global changes, "added Gennady Kosarev, Deputy President of" ". The expert noted that the only thing worth fearing is popular unrest. However, according to him, the country's leadership has already adopted all necessary measures to ensure security. Talking about excursion programs, the interlocutor stressed that at the moment there was no information about any major changes.
We add that any travel agency can place a weather widget in the form of a beautiful interactive map, thereby significantly improving the perception of your Internet resource on the part of potential tourists. So, if you have a section dedicated to Thailand on your site, then insert the following widgets there:
- weather in Thailand -
Royal cremation ceremonies are scheduled for October 25-29 in Bangkok. These are the most touching and solemn events over the last hundred years in the history of the Kingdom - the nation says goodbye to its beloved monarch.
Ethics
In Thailand, the annual mourning continues for the late His Majesty the King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej. Many Thais still wear black clothes as a sign of sadness and memory.
Show tact and respect for the people as you visit Thailand in October 2017, adhere to a more restrictive dress code and subdued colors in public places.
“We would like to ask you to observe the solemnity of the Royal Cremation and refrain from inappropriate or disrespectful behavior,” reads a press release released by TAT.
Bangkok
From 1 to 29 October Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha are closed to visitors as they will be the site of royal funeral ceremonies.
All other attractions in the capital of Thailand in October 2017 will be open to travelers.
Shopping malls, banks, hospitals and transportation in Bangkok will operate normally.
But it should be borne in mind that thousands of Thai residents will come to the capital to pay tribute and say goodbye to King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Popular tourist destinations in Thailand
Copies of the Royal Crematorium are being built in all provinces and administrative centers of the Kingdom. They are expected to be the venue for mourning commemorations in honor and memory of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in the provinces from October 25-29.
All tourist attractions in the country's resorts are open to visitors.
In early October, Thailand marks the end of Buddhist fasting, which marks the end of the rainy season.
Rains in October are still possible in southern provinces and in the east of Thailand, but these are already short-term showers.
Daytime air temperature in Thailand averages + 30 + 32 ° С, at night it becomes cooler up to + 24 + 26 ° С. The water temperature in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand is + 29 ° С.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand recommends that travelers traveling to the Kingdom in October 2017 follow the recommendations of local authorities, tour operators and follow the news in the media on the rules and guidelines for royal funeral ceremonies.
10/14/2016 at 14:33, views: 11469The Thai government has declared a year of mourning for the deceased King Bhumibon Adulyadej. During the first 30 days, national flags will be lowered, and residents of the country will have to avoid recreational activities. Since the laws of Thailand apply not only to its citizens, but also to tourists, mourning will affect their rest. What unpleasant surprises our travelers may encounter and whether it is worth forgetting about Thai resorts for a year, the correspondent of "MK" learned from an expert.
The UK government has already released a list of rules that vacationers in Thailand must follow. All citizens of the country must wear black or dark clothes, and in order not to show disrespect, tourists are also advised to adhere to this norm. It is true that it does not apply to beaches, but when visiting temples and places associated with the royal family, it is better not to risk it: for offending monarchs or mocking them in Thailand, criminal liability is provided, even for foreign citizens. You can go to jail for a careless statement or behavior for 15 years.
Access to entertainment venues, restaurants, bars and shopping centers during the first month, mourning may also be limited. Some of them will change the operating mode, and some will be closed for a while. Many shops have already stopped selling alcohol, and concerts, sporting events and festivals have been postponed. In the future, most likely, strong drinks will still be released, but at certain hours. Bangkok's famous red-light district has also shut down.
Also, it's best not to ask local residents questions about the king, and if you do it, then with the utmost respect. And the main thing is not to argue with the representatives of the law if they make a remark to the tourist. When the supreme patriarch of Thailand, the head of the order of Buddhist monks, Somdet Phra Nayanasamvara, died in 2013, local authorities already asked foreigners to change their brightly colored outfits for something more modest, the British newspaper The Guardian notes.
The Australian government also reminds vacationers that the death of the king could provoke political unrest amid a traditionally high terrorist threat.
“The resorts will be less affected by mourning, it will mainly affect Bangkok,” Maya Lomidze, executive director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia, told MK. - If you just follow the instructions that are at the objects of tourist inspection, then there should be no problems with the authorities. Most likely, restrictive measures against entertainment establishments will last no more than a month. And then the practical tourists will not feel that the country is in mourning. The main thing for which our vacationers go - the sea, excursions - no one cancels. As for the dress code, there are no official instructions from the local government for tourists yet. V resort area you can still wear anything, and if someone came to an official institution in a beach form, they would not have understood him before. "
However, as noted by the Bloomberg agency, a significant reduction in the flow of tourists to the country should be expected soon. After all, Thailand has long been an entertainment destination for lovers of nightclubs, alcohol and other joys of life, without which the resort will lose the lion's share of its attractiveness.
Recall that the king of Thailand Bhumibon Adulyadej died on October 13 at the age of 88 after a long illness. His son Vachiralongkorn has confirmed that he will act as heir, but has not yet ascended the throne. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-Ocha explained this by the fact that the crown prince needs time to mourn with the nation.
Colorful everyday life, even more colorful holidays and such carnival-like processions ... funerals - it's all about Thailand. In an exotic state, they are seen off on their last journey according to Buddhist traditions and with the calmness typical of Buddhists. But the procession itself is so replete with flowers, cheerful (even despite the mourning) faces of Thais, and sometimes even fireworks that it can be easily confused with a holiday.
According to Thai customs, the deceased remains at home for 7 days after death.
It all starts with preparation
Every day, several monks come to the house for funerals and prayers. At the same time, relatives and friends come, wishing to say goodbye, neighbors converge. The arrivals light incense and place it at the head of the coffin as an offering to the deceased.
The rectangular coffin is thickly decorated with flowers, garlands are made, and a photograph of the deceased is placed next to it. While the guests are saying goodbye, they set the table in the courtyard so that they can have a snack and drink local rice vodka at any time. If a well-to-do Thai is buried, waiters are hired to serve drinks and light snacks during parting.
The funeral itself takes place on day 8
The procession is led by monks dressed in saffron, they read prayers.
A coffin is being carried behind. Recently, coffins began to be carried by car, and if the deceased was a wealthy person, a special platform is being built for him.
It is decorated with flowers, LED strips, drapery, and the procession itself is accompanied by an orchestra.
Only cremation is considered acceptable in Thailand
Crematoria are located at monasteries, but sometimes Thais burn the deceased right under open air along with a dressed up platform.
The ashes, if desired, can be buried in a columbarium, a monastery wall or in the ground, marking the place with an unusual, filigree monument, which itself looks like a temple.
According to tradition, 100 days after the funeral, the relatives of the deceased visit the temple. They bring monks money in an envelope and small household gifts - clothes, soap, fruits.
A characteristic feature of a funeral in Thailand is a calm, even mundane attitude towards the death of all participants in the procession.
Death here is just a transition to another state: this philosophy is instilled from childhood on everyone who is brought up in the traditions of Buddhism. Only close relatives can cry, and then you will see this rarely. Basically, everyone is very calm, they talk a lot, even laugh, and some are even photographed against the background of the coffin.
The people of Thailand are so naughty in terms of death that they even lie in a coffin without fear, while still in good health.
Funeral failures
One monastery has a tradition that is popular with Thais and attracts tourists from all over the world - to bury failures.
Everyone who wants to part with their old life is invited to this temple. Elegant and rather comfortable coffins await them here. The participants in the ritual fit into these coffins, and a monk walks around them.
He reads special prayers that plunge all participants in the ceremony into a trance. Then the monk wakes up the sleeping ones, but it is believed that a new person has already woken up, and all his failures have been successfully buried.
By the way, Buddhist funerals are sometimes held in Russia as well. This is not surprising: our country is multinational and keeps hundreds and thousands of the most diverse customs and traditions.
