Economic crash causes Sriracha Tiger Zoo to reduce staff salaries by 22%

Published : December 05, 2008 :: 15:12:39 [ 137 views ]

Economic crash causes Sriracha Tiger Zoo to reduce staff salaries by 22%

The world economic crisis and Thailand's political situation have caused the almost complete loss of tourists for Sriracha Tiger Zoo and similar venues. Sriracha Tiger Zoo claimed staff salaries and animal food cost them 15 million baht per month and to survive they will be forced to reduce staff salaries by 20%, instead of laying them off. Hopefully, the situation will improve within three months. Nongnuch tropical village might well have to do the same.

Mr. Suphadol Chom-mongkol, Sriracha Tiger Zoo Manager, confirmed that they are still opening as normal, even though the tourists have disappeared almost completely due to the world economic crisis.

During the past month of November, the political problems was largely responsible for the domestic tourists not coming. Normally, there are at least 2,500 ? 3,000 tourists who visit the Sriracha Tiger Zoo per month. But for the moment there are only 50 ? 100, of which 35% were Thai tourist and 65%. foreign.

“Lately, there have been virtually no foreign tourists coming to Sriracha Tiger Zoo at all. Even when we had the bird flu virus crisis, we still had at least 30% tourists, but during this period, we are affected 100%”, a spokesman declared.

The management of Sriracha Tiger Zoo have decided the only way to survive is by by reducing individual staff salaries by 20%, instead of laying them off until the situation gets back to normal.

“We have to try every way to save costs and keep the business running. This time is the worst for of all of us and we have the expense of staff salaries and animal food, costing approximately 14 ? 15 million baht per month” Mr. Suphadol said.

Apart from Sriracha Tiger Zoo, Pattaya Nongnuch Tropical Village is also facing similar problems and is likely to reduce staff salaries instead of laying off staff as well..