Resort owner’s courage a lesson for all
Youthapong Charoenpan
Chompunuch Prasertpornpong, the owner of Bangniang Beach Resort in Khao Lak, the well-known beach resort located in Phang Nga province’s Takua Pa district, had just completed a new 50-million baht (US$1.5-million) upgrade when disaster struck in the form of the devastating December 26, 2004 tsunami.
Youthapong Charoenpan talks to this courageous businesswoman to find out how she battled to re-establish her resort and discovers how tourism is progressing in the province four years later.
 Youthapong Charoenpan (YC):What’s the situation like for hotels and resorts in Khao Lak right now?
Chompunuch Prasertpornpong (CP): When some hotels reopened towards the end of 2005, the number of tourists visiting the area remained fairly low. But by the beginning of this year, things had started to look up, and we clearly experienced an improvement, bringing about greater confidence among resort and hotel operators.
At the present time, I would estimate that occupancy rates still stand at about 50-55% of pre-tsunami levels.
YC: As many of the hotels in Khao Lak are family-owned businesses, it’s been said that many operators did not have sufficient funds to reopen their businesses. Would you agree with that?
CP: Yes, that’s right. I know some operators who lost their loved ones in the tragedy. Either through the misery this created or through fear, some decided to put their land up for sale and move away. It was, indeed, a real tragedy for them.
YC: What’s the situation with regard to financial support from the government and private sectors towards rehabilitating tourism in the area?
CP: Operators received support in the form of funds for reconstruction through the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (Osmep), as well as other bodies, such as the Tsunami Fund Recovery Program. But the complicated procedure involved in accessing these funds posed a challenge, particularly to those who had lost a lot of faith in doing business through having to cope with their own personal grief.
YC: I’d just like to say that I’m personally extremely impressed by your strength in fighting back in spite of the tragedy and subsequent hindrances to reopen your resort.
CP: (Smiles) Thank you so much. I have to admit, it’s been a tough job, though. After losing my elder brother in the tsunami, our family had to deal with the grief.
We were a bit luckier than other hotel operators in some ways because our family also has another business (a hardware store) in Takua Pa district. It certainly helped us in terms of reallocating funds.
Eventually, I decided to reopen the resort with the assistance of a commercial bank we had been in touch with. Fortunately, the bank offered us a competitive interest rate in order to start the reconstruction work.
YC: Could you explain what ‘Bang Niang’ refers to?
CP: Certainly, it’s the beach where our resort is located.
It can be a little confusing at times because while the area is often referred to as Khao Lak, there are actually three stretches of beach. Khao Lak is the southernmost stretch and is isolated by the majority of resorts by a rocky headland. Nang Thong occupies the central part and there are plenty of accommodation options available there. Bang Niang is a lovely long stretch of beach and is just perfect for swimming.
YC: Are any particular nationalities particularly prevalent among the foreign tourists visiting Khao Lak?
CP: One of Khao Lak’s main claims to fame is that it’s cleaner and quieter than Phuket’s main beaches. This makes it popular among families rather than those seeking an active nightlife scene.
This rather ‘calmer’ environment has led to numerous German, Norwegian, and Swedish package tourists basing themselves here rather than Phuket.
But before the tsunami struck, the area had been undergoing a development ‘boom’. And wherever the money goes, bars, pollution and other ‘nasties’ often follow in its wake.
YC: Could you tell our readers a bit more about Bang Niang Beach resort and how it’s developed?
CP: Sure. Firstly, the resort is much ‘bigger and better’ these days. The ‘near death’ experience we endured changed my life and these days I always try to attain the very best possible results.
YC: Any message for people who remain hesitant about visiting or revisiting Khao Lak?
CP: Firstly, I accept that I have a bold character when compared with some other women. I’d just like to point out that life and risk ‘walk hand in hand’. After all, you can suffer an injury or worse within the confines of your own home!
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 YC: How have things gone since reopening?
CP: Very well, actually. I’ve been quite encouraged since arrivals have been increasing since reopening in December 2007. But, on the other hand, on behalf of other hotel and resort owners, I’d like to say that we still have a lot to do in order regain tourists’ attention.
YC: It sounds like quite a challenge.
CP: Indeed, but luckily there are two streams of visitors we can tap into (international and domestic tourists).
The Tiew Thai Hai Sanook … Term Kram Suk Hai Cheewit (“Travel within Thailand … Create More Happiness in Your Life”) campaign is an ongoing effort to boost domestic tourism.
The combination of domestic and foreign visitors ought to generate a reasonable level of revenue this year, although improved cooperation among travel agents and the network of tourism partners needs to be promoted. Additionally, Khao Lak should be promoted among the country’s top destinations due to its diverse natural attractions and its peaceful disposition.
YC: Finally, I’d just like to say thanks very much and wish you all the very best for the future.
CP: You’re welcome. Thank you.
For further information about Bang Niang Beach Resort, or to make a reservation, Tel: +66 (0)76 443 471 to 5.
Transport connections:
Air: Several carriers operate flights to Phuket departing Suvarnabhumi International Airport daily, including Air Asia, Bangkok Airways, One-2-Go, Nok Air and Thai Airways (THAI). From Phuket International Airport, you can take a taxi or a minibus to your hotel, resort or other destination.
Bus: Air-conditioned and regular buses depart the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok regularly – the blue luxury buses typically take about 14 hours to cover the 891-km journey, while regular buses take about 15 hours. For further information, contact the Southern Bus Terminal on Tel: +66 (0)2 434 7192 or +66 (0)2 434 5557-8.
For information on the return journey to Bangkok from Phuket, call Phuket Bus Terminal on Tel: +66 (0)2 435 5019.
Train: There is no rail route to Phuket although you could feasibly take a train to Surat Thani from Bangkok’s central Hualamphong Station and the connect via a bus service from there. For further information, call the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) on Tel: +66 (0)2 220 4444.
In loving memory: Wittaya Prasertpornpong
FAO: Chompunuch Prasertpornpong
Please accept, on behalf of ThaiAsiaToday.com, our deepest sympathies for the loss of your beloved brother, Wittaya Prasertpornpong, during the tragic events of December 26, 2004. May he rest in peace. |
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