peter48

Thailand is not Pattaya. Millions come here without going there. But it does indicate like Hua Hin there is a fall off of travellers but I expect BKK or ChangMai or Koh Sumui are still busy. The strong baht has not helped. Reducing Visa time in a new age of different types of travel, working, flexibility is so critical for an economy like Thailand and it should not put up more barriers. Look how Dubai took off. I know less about Portugal or Costa Rica but I bet their increased popularity for Europeans & others is based on a welcoming visa attitude for long stayers not a restrictive bureaucratic one.

The Midfle East situation by the way is not about wait a few weeks and see. Read the FT last week end and all top experts believe this is biggest upset since 1970s for oil and gas. Air tickets will rise exceeded high & already companies are cutting like BA flights to Asia via the Gulf. not now but into May, June etc. Prices are doubling to BKK or are being held back. And of course we are not even talking about all those tourists who will face high prices at home this year before they consider taking off on long haul flights. You sound harsh. Vietnam is a longer visa stay. People, young like gap year students, or mid lifers having a break or older travels may have more open plans and want to stay longer. Today ppl working on line can be anywhere. Why are you being so inflexible in your approach. This is not Europe or Trumps USA, its Thailand facing serious economic issues & highly dependent on tourists, travellers & new types of independent workers like Dubai or Portugal or Costa Rica. Thailand is at its best when its is flexible, open & progressive not restricted.

Reduce Visa length time. Sounds effective as Thai Tourist numbers seriously drop even before Trump's global turmoil & air travel impacts.seriously hit. tourism. Veitnam economically improves based on different approaches. Thailand faces serious debt issues for many people & its economy is challenged. But yes let's reduce visa length & make things harder for longer stays.

What are you on about? Visas for legal immigrants which are over 95% + into UK are now the most expensive in Europe. You try bringing in a foreign born lady wife for example. Moreover legal migrants do a lot of work like carers, cleaners, Amazon deliverers, kitchen staff, construction work etc Illegal migrants, boat ppl etc are often escaping wars and awful oppression like Afghanistan or Africa etc. Moreover under human rights laws established post Holocaust when Jews were killed in their millions we created human rights for Asylum Seekers. Maybe your reading the papers for elderly right wingers like Daily Mail or Daily Express which peddle much nonsense.

Another thing a high baht surely must damage Thai exports? ( of course Tourism here is a form of exports like UK earns millions of £££ on fees from richer foreign students). I guess rich Thai owners get more revenue from high priced exports but also can purchase foreign assets at lower prices.

The strong baht is first,second & third reason for Thailand's tourist decline. How on earth do you maintain the Baht rate so high for ppl from developed advanced economies like UK. Recently as low as 41. Thailand is not an advanced economy but a strongly emerging and developing one. When Brits were buying up Thai property before and in early 2010s baht £ rate was circa 55.

The number one problem for Thailand is the strong baht. So despite border Wars, Trumps Tariffs, changing government's etc the £ falls and falls and I think it dropped below 42 baht to 41 last week. For Tourists thats not good nevermind ATM charges of over £5 a time etc. For younger tourists nevermind oldies etc Cambodia or Vietnam offers more value.

Not sure on that , each bit from whoever lifts the fares and the strong baht becomes an obstacle to some tourists young or old. Even in quiet months you dont get little change from. £700+ (indirect) on the main airlines. Some want to come twice a year etc. With rising cost of living in Europe/ UK its obviously cheaper to fly 3 or 4 hrs to Southern Sunny Europe like Spain, Greece etc.,

Yes makes you think: enjoy your life as much as possible as long as you can. Trouble is as you get into later 70s & 80s your health is less predictable, eyes, legs, mobility. Etc . Although I know a 100 yr lady who goes to philosophy classes & asks intelligent questions.

Really is there no hidden enjoyable bar off the beaten track less visible with lovely staff

Can't believe there are anti vaxers here. Imagine your in a rural area you get Flu or Covid, you're a senior, you're lungs are seriously affected, you're gasping. Have they got good well experienced medics, have they got ventilators, good scanners? In these smaller hospitals? Elderly are vulnerable thats why better off nations give vaccinations.

Intelligent and educated and knowledgeable people like here in UK & Europe get a Flu jab and over 70s a Covid jab. The point is if you are medically vulnerable , over weight etc or elderly you are likely if unlucky to suffer from lung issues, you can deteriorate quickly and go down hill quick. Moreover if you're in a local hospital in a rural area its likely you would not get high medical expertise, resources etc Not having a vaccine in 2025 is so medieval.

Without doubt the high strength of the Baht is a factor. How can a country affected by Trump's high tarrifs have such a strong currency? Something does not seem logical. Inflation has affected many ppl in Europe, UK included. The fares are higher even if you come indirect. Back under Thaksin in the early 2000s it was far better as for example £ was getting 55 baht and middle aged/older farang bought property. Not now its far more challenging. Moreover the younger travellers keep favouring Vietnam for friendliness and likely costs.

So whatever, he is rescued by fellow humans and let's rejoice at that. Have faith and belief for God's sake , he was only 19 yrs old not 69 yrs.

We rejoice at this good news anyone who has had a teenage child knows the agony they went through. God bless all concerned and the family.