Pattaya’s top business advocate believes the recent switch from martial law to a constitutional order granting the military unlimited power will boost tourism in Pattaya, as prospective visitors now will be able to obtain travel insurance.
Martial law was replaced by an order promulgated under Section 44 of the interim constitution that gives the National Council for Peace and Order sweeping authority over all branches of the government. So, in essence, nothing has changed for Pattaya residents and expats said Sinchai Wattanasartsathorn, president of the Pattaya Business & Tourism Association.
PBTA President Sinchai Wattanasartsathorn shares his opinions about the lifting of martial law.
However, there will be one big difference for tourists: Travel-insurance companies generally do not offer coverage in countries where martial law officially has been declared. With that now lifted, travel insurance should be easier to get, he said.
The name “martial law” frightened some tourists, Sinchai said, making them hesitant to travel into Thailand due to the restrictions of insurance policies.
The lifting of martial law, he said, should boost the momentum tourism in Pattaya has built up this year. It’s also a sign, he said, the government feels more positive about the situation in Thailand.
Insurance companies hopefully will hear of the change, he said, and issue travel polices to travelers as before.
However, Sinchai noticed, the law is only one of the problems affecting tourism in Pattaya. He cited traffic, flooding, corruption and crime problems that, he said, the local government has not moved strongly enough to resolve.
