Amphawa Floating Market is far from a deserted tourist locale, contrary to recent rumors online. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke has stepped forward to refute these claims, stating that both Cha-am Beach and Amphawa Floating Market remain bustling with visitors. Reports suggesting these locations are empty are simply fake news intended to harm Thailand’s tourism image, he explains.
Last weekend, a viral video showed a seemingly quiet Cha-am Beach in Phetchaburi, and social media jumped to the conclusion that the area was suffering from a steep tourism decline. Paired with assertions that Amphawa Floating Market in Samut Songkhram now lacks visitors, these claims set off alarm bells, suggesting that the current economic climate was driving tourists away.
But Mr. Chai took to X to denounce these misleading reports. He linked to a news story that featured the president of the Thai Hotels Association and local entrepreneurs asserting that Cha-am Beach still draws a fair share of tourists. “People are trying to distribute fake news on social media nowadays to damage the image of Thailand’s tourism,” he wrote.
Bolstering Mr. Chai’s statements, officers from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) visited Cha-am Beach and found the area to be lively with tourists, not the ghost town that the viral video portrayed.
The Thai Hotels Association’s president and local hotel owners supported these findings, revealing that 50-60% of hotel rooms at Cha-am Beach are usually booked. For the approaching long holiday, that number increases to 70-75%. Clearly, tourist activity remains robust.
Over in Samut Songkhram, TAT officers visited Amphawa Floating Market and were greeted by a throng of both Thai and foreign tourists leisurely exploring the market. It may not be as packed as the pre-Covid days, admits Krittaya Meetawee, the mayor of Amphawa, but the market still attracts a significant number of visitors, including many foreign travelers, especially from China.
Mr. Krittaya acknowledges that the initial decrease in visitors was due to some shops and tour businesses temporarily closing because of economic difficulties. These businesses are now back in operation, he says. He also clarifies that the viral video showing an empty market was misleading as it was filmed in a less frequented part of the market, far from the bustling tourist hotspot.
In summary, while both Cha-am Beach and Amphawa Floating Market might not be at their peak capacity, they are far from deserted. Thailand’s tourism sector continues to thrive, and these treasured destinations remain resilient and welcoming to visitors from around the globe. Spreading false information does nothing but harm the industry and mislead the public. So the next time you see reports of deserted tourist spots, remember: there’s more than meets the eye.
It’s ridiculous how easily people believe fake news. Just because one video shows an empty section doesn’t mean the whole place is deserted.
Yeah, but sometimes there’s a kernel of truth in these posts. Maybe the crowds aren’t as big as they used to be.
True, but the article says they’re not empty. Just not at pre-Covid levels. That’s understandable.
Exactly, we can’t expect instant recovery. The fact that locals say it’s busy means something.
Honestly, I think people are too quick to dismiss anything as fake news these days. Sometimes the truth hurts.
But isn’t the motive behind spreading lies about tourism obvious? It can really damage local economies.
Sure, but sometimes officials and businesses also downplay issues to keep tourists coming. There’s two sides to every coin.
I’ve been to Amphawa recently and can confirm it’s still bustling. Don’t just trust videos online!
That’s great to hear! Seems like social media just likes to dramatize everything.
Fake news or not, the reality is people are more cautious traveling. Not surprised if numbers are down.
Travel habits have changed, but that doesn’t mean places are deserted. It’s all relative.
People need to fact-check before believing everything they see online.
I think the issue is deeper. Even if it’s not completely deserted, can we trust official reports? They have a vested interest in keeping tourism alive.
There’s definitely a balance needed. Blindly trusting either side won’t get us anywhere.
I was in Cha-am Beach a month ago. Plenty of tourists, albeit more local than international.
Exactly, a lot of places are seeing more domestic tourists nowadays.
I think it’s wrong to say all these claims are fake news. Tourism numbers are down globally, it’s not just Thailand.
Whether it’s fake news or not, one video shouldn’t be the basis of sweeping assumptions about an entire area.
I hiked near Amphawa last week. There were tourists but mostly locals. The international crowd isn’t as strong as before.
Makes sense. People are traveling domestically more post-pandemic.
Still, people should support these destinations. They need our help to recover fully!
Agreed! Visitor support makes a difference.
What if this is just a ploy to keep tourists coming? Both sides could have their own agenda.
You have a point. It’s tricky to know who to trust these days.
I understand the skepticism, but you can’t deny the damage false narratives can cause.
Sometimes you just have to go and see for yourself to know the truth.
Fake news is becoming a tool for manipulation. We need to be smarter.
Spent last summer at Cha-am. Beautiful as ever. Always some tourists around.
Yeah, but what about the shops and businesses? Are they really recovering as they say?
According to the article, shops are reopening. Steps towards recovery take time.
Maybe less tourists isn’t a bad thing. More sustainable tourism should be the goal.
It’s pretty shady to spread false news just to get clicks and views online.