Thailand : Indian hotel invasion nears

Indian hotel invasion nears
18/02/2012

Tourism and wedding markets the draw

About 20 large Indian hotel chains are expected to invest in Thailand within the next 3-5 years to benefit from the growing tourism industry, says Satish Sehgal, president of the Thai-India Business Association.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reports 1 million Indian tourists are expected to visit Thailand this year, a 20% increase from last year, generating income of 33.8 billion baht.

"All these Indian tourists are why businessmen want to set up hotels here," said Mr Sehgal, adding that incentives from the Board of Investment (BoI) also play a role in the decision.

Potential growth in the Indian wedding market also is a factor. With a population of 1.2 billion, India has the largest number of billionaires in Asia, said Mr Sehgal, adding that 300 million are in the emerging middle class or millionaires.

"This niche [the wedding market] was targeted by the TAT six to seven years ago and has become very successful," he said.

It costs 30-50 million baht to host a wedding, which is usually held for seven days and seven nights, with 300-500 people participating.

Mr Sehgal expects at least 100 weddings to be held in Thailand this year. Costs in India are 2-3 times higher for a wedding.

Mr Sehgal expects most of the 20 chains planning a local hotel will be interested in three- or four-star hotels with rates of 1,500 to 2,000 baht a night.

"I think Thailand already has a sufficient amount of five-star hotels, and the upper end will go to Samui and Phuket," he said, adding that Thailand now has seven or eight Indian-owned hotels.

But the wedding sector brings a new set of challenges such as customs declarations, as Indians tend to bring a large amount of jewellery and clothes with them.

"Visitors feel very uncomfortable about this. Gold prices in India are higher than in Thailand, so who would want to sell them here?" asked Mr Sehgal.

He pointed out Thai-owned restaurants have a good opportunity to invest in India, while Indian educational institutions are interested in investing in Thailand because it is difficult to enter universities in India.

"In the past, [parents] would send their children to study in the US and England, but now they arre looking at neighbouring countries," he said, adding many are studying in Singapore.

"We should take a serious look at this [education] market. But if Thailand wants to appeal to Indians, the medium of instruction should be English."

bangkokpost.com

The Cowboys are already in position

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Originally Posted by Mid

It costs 30-50 million baht to host a wedding, which is usually held for seven days and seven nights, with 300-500 people participating.
bangkokpost.com

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one million to almost two million dollars for a wedding?

As long as they bring their whores with them and don't use ours.

But Indians are dirt poor. Few rich people there could be a good segment to market Thailand to, but I see this article pointing to opening few 300 baht/night hotels.

Why is it that TAT seems to market Thailand to all the wrong people? Indians and Russians, who no one else wants. Indians do not bring any money and russians only bring crime.

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Originally Posted by Mid

Indian hotel invasion nears
18/02/2012

Tourism and wedding markets the draw

About 20 large Indian hotel chains are expected to invest in Thailand within the next 3-5 years to benefit from the growing tourism industry, says Satish Sehgal, president of the Thai-India Business Association.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reports 1 million Indian tourists are expected to visit Thailand this year, a 20% increase from last year, generating income of 33.8 billion baht.

"All these Indian tourists are why businessmen want to set up hotels here," said Mr Sehgal, adding that incentives from the Board of Investment (BoI) also play a role in the decision.

Potential growth in the Indian wedding market also is a factor. With a population of 1.2 billion, India has the largest number of billionaires in Asia, said Mr Sehgal, adding that 300 million are in the emerging middle class or millionaires.

"This niche [the wedding market] was targeted by the TAT six to seven years ago and has become very successful," he said.

It costs 30-50 million baht to host a wedding, which is usually held for seven days and seven nights, with 300-500 people participating.

Mr Sehgal expects at least 100 weddings to be held in Thailand this year. Costs in India are 2-3 times higher for a wedding.

Mr Sehgal expects most of the 20 chains planning a local hotel will be interested in three- or four-star hotels with rates of 1,500 to 2,000 baht a night.

"I think Thailand already has a sufficient amount of five-star hotels, and the upper end will go to Samui and Phuket," he said, adding that Thailand now has seven or eight Indian-owned hotels.

But the wedding sector brings a new set of challenges such as customs declarations, as Indians tend to bring a large amount of jewellery and clothes with them.

"Visitors feel very uncomfortable about this. Gold prices in India are higher than in Thailand, so who would want to sell them here?" asked Mr Sehgal.

He pointed out Thai-owned restaurants have a good opportunity to invest in India, while Indian educational institutions are interested in investing in Thailand because it is difficult to enter universities in India.

"In the past, [parents] would send their children to study in the US and England, but now they arre looking at neighbouring countries," he said, adding many are studying in Singapore.

"We should take a serious look at this [education] market. But if Thailand wants to appeal to Indians, the medium of instruction should be English."

bangkokpost.com

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Originally Posted by the dogcatcher

As long as they bring their whores with them and don't use ours.

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No probs there but the Tuk Tuk drivers could be out of a job. The Indians have all but taken over the taxi industry in Australia.

Little bastards don't know where there going also. :banhim11:

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Originally Posted by Mid

1 million Indian tourists are expected to visit Thailand this year

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That's almost 1/2 million cokes and 25 bar fines, bring on the good times.

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Originally Posted by guyinthailand

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Originally Posted by Mid

It costs 30-50 million baht to host a wedding, which is usually held for seven days and seven nights, with 300-500 people participating.
bangkokpost.com

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one million to almost two million dollars for a wedding?

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They do take their nuptials rather seriously, don't they?

I think it should have said 3-5 million baht (that even sounds like too much)

I can see 30mil-50mil for a wedding party for 500 people- just rooms alone (assuming double occupancy, so 250 rooms x 7 nights x 10K per night at a 5-star- that's 17.5mil right there), then you have to add in lavish dinners and gifts, plus the associated wedding costs- that could get real pricey real fast.

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Originally Posted by FailSafe

I can see 30mil-50mil for a wedding party for 500 people- just rooms alone (assuming double occupancy, so 250 rooms x 7 nights x 10K per night at a 5-star- that's 17.5mil right there), then you have to add in lavish dinners and gifts, plus the associated wedding costs- that could get real pricey real fast.

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That would be for the ultra-rich. Middle class in India is poor compared to, say, Thailand.

^

I realize that, but the article mentions the rich as well, so they're probably taking their estimates from the highest end of the scale- of course you could put on a wedding considerably cheaper, but a high-end wedding for 500 people at a 5-star for 7 days could easily run you over 30mil in LOS.

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Originally Posted by nostromo

But Indians are dirt poor.

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GDP (current US$)

GDP, in current US$, is at purchaser's prices. It is the sum of gross value produced by every person in the economy plus any product taxes and minus any subsidies not included in the value of the products.

9th as of 2010[3]

Fact sheet on India - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"We should take a serious look at this [education] market. But if Thailand wants to appeal to Indians, the medium of instruction should be English."

And we all know that Thailand is the hub of quality English teaching!!!!!

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Originally Posted by Mid

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Originally Posted by nostromo

But Indians are dirt poor.

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GDP (current US$)

GDP, in current US$, is at purchaser's prices. It is the sum of gross value produced by every person in the economy plus any product taxes and minus any subsidies not included in the value of the products.

9th as of 2010[3]

Fact sheet on India - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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There are about billion Indians. You can see the fact sheet you posted above (disclamer: I do not know where it came from) for per capita (for one person) figure.

If anything the issue of population simply reinforces the point that Indians enmass are NOT dirt poor .

They rank 9th in GDP globally and the figures come from here :

Indicators | Data

as was referenced in the original cite [3]

Pattaya's already full of them, and try find a Thai selling watches on Sukhumvit.

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Originally Posted by nostromo

Indians do not bring any money and russians only bring crime.

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The Indians are no slouches when it comes to organized crime.

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Originally Posted by Mid

If anything the issue of population simply reinforces the point that Indians enmass are NOT dirt poor .

They rank 9th in GDP globally and the figures come from here :

Indicators | Data

as was referenced in the original cite [3]

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India per capita GDP PPP is about third of Thai.

But further than that, you encounter poor and unbelievable living conditions in India much more than in Thailand. Thailand is extremely rich country compared to India, that is why Indians want to come here.

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Originally Posted by robuzo

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Originally Posted by nostromo

Indians do not bring any money and russians only bring crime.

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The Indians are no slouches when it comes to organized crime.

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Dont think they match Yakuza or SRV...

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Originally Posted by nostromo

Thailand is extremely rich country compared to India, that is why Indians want to come here.

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FFS , your initial assertion was Indians are dirt poor ........................

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Originally Posted by nostromo

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Originally Posted by robuzo

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Originally Posted by nostromo

Indians do not bring any money and russians only bring crime.

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The Indians are no slouches when it comes to organized crime.

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Dont think they match Yakuza or SRV...

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Ever heard of Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Rajan? The Indian mob is enormous and multi-national.

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Originally Posted by Mid

About 20 large Indian hotel chains are expected to invest in Thailand within the next 3-5 years to benefit from the growing tourism industry, says Satish Sehgal, president of the Thai-India Business Association.

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Thailand to deport Indian businessman for protests
05 Feb 2014

Satish Sehgal defied emergency while leading stir
Bangkok, 4 February

A Thai-Indian business tycoon, Satish Sehgal, a core member of the anti-government protests, is to be deported for defying the state of emergency, a spokeswoman for the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) said today.

The centre already ordered the Immigration Department and police to commence the procedures to deport Satish.

Mr Sehgal, an ethnic Indian, has publicly and openly criticised the Yingluck government on a People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) stage.

The chairman of the Thai Indian business association, Mr Sehgal, led protesters in Bangkok’s business district.

On 22 January, the caretaker government put Bangkok and part of its suburbs under a state of emergency that is to continue for two months.

Earlier reports said Mr Sehgal and four other non-Thai citizens faced deportation due to their active roles in the protests led by former Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban.

The PDRC has been leading protests for nearly three months in a bid to topple Yingluck.

It has been demanding that she should hand over power to an unelected “People’s Council” to carry out massive reforms aimed at curbing the political dominance of the Shinawatra clan.

Thailand has a sizable population of ethnic Indian businessmen who have largely remained focused on increasing their business presence.

thestatesman.net

Typical Thai shit, talking up a market in which they smell a profit and speculate in hyperbolic terms so that all their fantasies come true.

As they say in my part of the world, one swallow doesn't make a summer.

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Originally Posted by Mid

1 million Indian tourists are expected to visit Thailand this year

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Couple of hotels should be more than enough.

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Originally Posted by nostromo

But Indians are dirt poor

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Except for the ones that aren't- and there are many of them, in absolute terms.
Downtown Bombay is quite an eye opener these days, i'm told.

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Originally Posted by nostromo

Dont think they match Yakuza or SRV...

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They certainly do in India. :rolleyes: It's well corrupt, should fit right in in Thai.

When they say 7 or 8 Indian owned hotels here, wonder if they mean Thai Indian, or Indian nationals? There is a very wealthy, long established Indian community in Bangkok- they own the Rembrandt complex, Nana Plaza, in fact a whole lot of land and buildings in Sukhumvit area. I believe it dates from a royal land grant, way back when.

Anyway, looks like Oberoi is coming to town- maybe Taj too. There is much Indian wealth actually.

PDRC slams Satish deportation
5/02/2014

The People's Democratic Reform Committee has warned the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order that its order for the deportation of Indian businessman Satish Sehgal for joining in anti-government activities could affect relations with India.

PDRC spokesman Akanat Promphan demanded CMPO chief Chalerm Yubamrung fully explain the decision and take full responsibily for any consequences which may follow.

Mr Satish is president of the Thai-Indian Business Association.

Mr Akanat said the Indian businessman had never been involved in anything conducive to violence.

Mr Akanat also asked Mr Chalerm to explain whether the CMPO really has the power to deport foreign residents.

The PDRC spokesman said he heard that a sign had been put up in front of the Nong Khai immigration office prohibiting foreigners from taking part in a protest in Thailand. He questioned whether this was intimidation and against people's basic rights.

Thaworn Senneam, a PDRC core member, said the government should be aware of the possible consequences.

Mr Satish had not caused any unrest in the country. He just hated the corruption practised by this outgoing government, Mr Thaworn said.

Mr Thaworn said that ever since the emergency decree was imposed Mr Satish had not joined in any PDRC protest and was therefore was not liable for deportation.

He called for caretaker Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan to rethink this matter, saying that action against Mr Satish could affect the country's foreign investment.

He said he was considering providing Mr Satish with legal assistance.

Mr Thaworn said he had an appointment to meet Pol Maj Gen Adul Narongsak, a deputy metropolitan police chief, and commanders of Metropolitan Police Divisions 5 as well as chief of Lumpini, Thung Mahamek and Pathumwan police stations at a hotel this afternoon to discuss security for PDRC protesters at Lumpini.

One of the issues to be raised is for police entering the rally site for intelligence mission not to carry a weapon. If found with a weapon, they would be told to leave the rally site, Mr Thaworn said.

bangkokpost.com

I was in Patts in November and I was quite surprised how many well to do wobblies were in evidence. I even saw this smartly dressed couple ogling the tarts in one of the gogo's, she looked like she was really getting off on it.

Yeah but even the ''ultra rich'' Indian tourists are tight fisted bastards

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Originally Posted by leemo

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Originally Posted by Mid

1 million Indian tourists are expected to visit Thailand this year

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Couple of hotels should be more than enough.

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And they'll keep about a dozen bargirls busy.

Don't most Indian tourists bring their own food in with them? Probably why not many go on holiday to Australia

Indian facing deportation says will back Thai protests

Bangkok, 7 February: A prominent Indian businessman facing deportation from Thailand has said that he will continue to participate in anti-government protests, even as the Thai authorities were considering his case.

Mr Satish Seghal, former president of the India-Thai Business Association, appeared on the main rally stage at the busy Pathumwan intersection in the capital last night and expressed solidarity with the protesters.

It was Mr Seghal's first appearance after the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order decided on Monday to deport him for joining the People's Democratic Reforms Committee that has been holding protests against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for the past two months seeking her ouster.

Department of Special Investigation chief, Mr Tarit Pengdith said yesterday any appeal would be invalid because Mr Seghal's deportation was activated under the state of emergency, which was put into effect by the CMPO.

Talking to protesters, Mr Sehgal said he would continue to go on anti-government platforms despite the caretaker government's move to deport him.

Earlier, Mr Sehgal had said that he stopped speaking at opposition-backed anti-government rallies after the state of emergency was invoked last month.

Protest leader, Mr Suthep Thaugsuban also spoke in support of Mr Seghal.
Mr Seghal, who has been living in Thailand for more than 50 years but still holds an Indian passport, was an advisor to many former ministers, including those in the administration run by former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Shinawatra's brother.

Meanwhile, the CMPO will seek court approval for warrants to arrest an additional 39 rally leaders for violating the emergency decree, centre chief, Mr Chalerm Yoobamrung has said.

The CMPO has already obtained 19 arrest warrants for rally leaders, and ordered assistant national police chief Winai Thongsong to take them into custody without using force. Police are confident they can detain the suspects within a year.

A dozen special task forces headed by senior police officers would be appointed to arrest the 19 leaders of the anti-government PDRC, he said.

thestatesman.net

Indian facing deportation says will not leave Thailand
Feb 9, 2014

https://teakdoor.com/images/imported/2014/02/1647.jpg
Anti-government protesters wave Thai national flags as they march through central Bangkok, Thailand.
(AP photo)

BANGKOK: A leading Indian businessman, facing deportation from Thailand for participating in anti-government rallies defying the state of emergency, on Sunday said he would not leave the country despite the action taken against him.

Satish Sehgal, former chairman of the India-Thai business forum, denied that he was taking refuge inside the Indian Embassy and said he was at his home and would not flee because he was confident that he had done nothing wrong.

"Whatever the outcome of my case, I insist I will not leave Thailand because this is my dearest home," he was quoted by Nation newspaper as saying.

Sehgal, who has been living in Thailand for over 50 years but still hold an Indian passport, claimed he was not a core leader of the anti-government protest and had carried out political activities to protect the country and its institutions.

At the same time, he announced to end his political activities with the anti-government Peoples Democratic Reforms Committee (PDRC), which has been holding protests across Bangkok for the past two months calling for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to step down.

"(To keep the situation from getting worse) I have to stop playing a role in all political movements, the members and PDRC core leaders are understanding about this matter," Sehgal said.

The businessman has also turned to National Human Rights Commission for help to fight the expulsion order.

The Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) decided on Monday to deport Sehgal for joining the PDRC, alleging he led protesters to besiege several government offices.

But Sehgal said he was innocent. "I don't understand why the CMPO would have to expel me from the country. I'm innocent and think that I will get fair treatment in the society."

On the the proposed deportation of Sehgal, acting Labour Minister Chalerm Yubamrung said the case rested with an Interior Ministry committee which would consider whether there were sufficient grounds for it.

"If it meets the criteria, I will have to sign [the deportation order]. But if it does not meet [the criteria], I won't."

Chalerm said he was also waiting for a letter from National Human Rights Commissioner Niran Pitakwatchara, inviting him to testify on why the CMPO needs to expel Sehgal from Thailand.

Department of Special Investigation chief Tarit Pengdith said the DSI would announce tomorrow the names of 58 suspects believed to have financed the anti-government PDRC protest.

Meanwhile, a group of residents and businessmen from the Silom business district, today held a brief rally in front of the Indian Embassy here to give moral support to Seghal.

The group said it planned to submit a letter to Indian Ambassador to Thailand Harsh Vardhan Shringla, asking the mission to protect the rights and liberty of Seghal.

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

They get about don,t they.
Not paying white man bribes.

Ministry to deport Sehgal
22/02/2014

The Interior Ministry's immigration committee has resolved to deport Indian businessman and anti-government co-leader Satish Sehgal for defying the emergency decree.

https://teakdoor.com/images/imported/2014/02/4503.jpg
Sehgal: Intends to seek court help

The committee will propose the CMPO revokes Mr Sehgal's permit to stay in Thailand, said a committee source.

The decision was made at the second round of meetings on the case on Monday. The committee had previously decided on Feb 11 that there was not enough evidence to deport Mr Sehgal.

The committee has already forwarded its resolution to permanent secretary for the interior, Wibul Sanguanpong, who has submitted the proposal to CMPO director Chalerm Yubamrung, said the same source.

Mr Sehgal is the president of the Thai-Indian Business Association. His family has lived in Thailand for more than 50 years.

He stands accused of harming national security by leading People’s Democratic Reform Committee’s protesters to besiege state offices, including the Department of Civil Aviation.

Mr Sehgal's lawyer said his client had been unofficially informed of the decision by a committee member.

''The resolution was decided based on police claims that Mr Sehgal raided state offices and intimidated state officials while he joined protesters at government offices,'' he said.

''The claim is definitely untrue. He has never broken the law," the lawyer said.

"We noticed the resolution was made in a rush, just two days before the Civil Court overruled the emergency decree invocation on Feb 19."

If the deportation is approved by CMPO, Mr Sehgal intends to seek the court's help for justice, said the lawyer.

bangkokpost.com

I thought the OP read

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Indian hotel invasion fears

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Satish Sehgal fights 'false' deportation charges | Bangkok Post: news

Sehgal fights 'false' deportation charge

Published: 27 Feb 2014 at 17.00
Online news: Politics

Chairman of the Thai-Indian Business Association and People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) member Satish Sehgal has accused state agencies of treating him unfairly and wrongly claiming that he broke the law.

The Interior Ministry's immigration committee has resolved to deport the Indian businessman and anti-government protester for defying the emergency decree. But Mr Sehgal has appealed against the decision.

A Senate committee on corruption and good governance on Thursday held a meeting to discuss Mr Sehgal's appeal against his deportation. The meeting was chaired by Rayong senator Sai Kangkavekin and attended by Mr Sehgal and Pol Maj Gen Kritsada Surachetpong, commander of the Immigration Bureau, Division 1.

Appointed senator Paiboon Nititawa, a member of the Group of 40 Senators, argued that the Immigration Bureau should reconsider its decision to deport Mr Sehgal because the Civil Court has already ruled against the orders of Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO). The Immigration Bureau could risk violating the constitution if Mr Sehgal is deported, Mr Paiboon said.

But Pol Maj Gen Kritsada said Mr Sehgal is a non-Thai citizen with no political rights, who must be dealt with in accordance with Thai immigration law.

Mr Sehgal told the meeting that he had been treated unfairly by all state agencies and denied breaking the law by breaching the emergency decree.

"I've been an advisor to ministers six times. This is a political position. Why didn't you take legal action against me since then?

"I am always very loyal to the monarchy and I have brought benefits to the country like bringing in Indian investors to invest in Thailand," the high-profile businessman said.