management on this beach perceive that the probability of
a tsunami occurrence on Hua Hin beach is very low. Hence, we do
not post any tsunami warning.”
Furthermore, a member of the management of a tourism association
did not welcome a survey on crisis management in case of
a tsunami.
“Tsunami is a taboo word that should not be mentioned in our
industry because it would destroy our marketing campaigns.
Thailand has already suffered from several crises. So we have to
encourage people to travel. Tsunami warnings would remind
tourists about past tragedies and such messages would result in
cancelled beach front hotel bookings and discourage tourists
from traveling to Thai beaches.”
Similar to the studies by Feickert et al. (2006), Groeneboom and
Jones (2003), and Rittichainuwat and Chakraborty (2012), some
tourism suppliers still believe that crisis management creates
unwanted safety concerns and the probability of a tsunami on the
Gulf of Thailand is very low. However, Supharatid (2010) and
Ruangrassamee and Saelem (2009) note that beaches along the
Gulf of Thailand are considered tsunami-prone destinations in the
event of a large tsunami in the South China Sea.