khunpa

From a Thai government point of view that is pretty much it. Foreigners are here to give their money away and should pretty much happy with being allowed to experience “Amazing” Thailand. It does not matter if the Thai people are suffering now and unemployed, as it does not affect the billionaires in charge.

Out with the old and poor… Big welcome to the rich! What’s there to be confused about?

With all the hidden cases here, due to people fearing the consequences of getting tested positive…… more holidays sounds like a great way for more hidden infections. Ohh well, most Thai people will not have any money to spend anyway. But for sure will be great for all government workers.

Thailand’s official numbers will never go high as most will never get tested, due to what happens if you are positive. So low infection numbers, high death rate and lots of hidden infections walking around.

I hope they remember to tell the tourists on the consequences of getting tested positive on arrival.(Being dragged off to isolation no matter your condition) Anyone who books a 14 day holiday here now, needs their brain checked.

The numbers of infected are only low, because of limited testing and especially many avoiding being tested, as you will be “dragged away” to isolation no matter your condition. Thailand way of handling this is only creating more and more hidden infections. And no wonder when they treat infected like it was Ebola. I would also be very hesitant to get tested here. But at least it keeps the official numbers down. And guess that must be the plan.

Of course they will fail, because they don’t really have anything else to offer. Thailand is for middle-class families, common sex tourists and backpackers. It will always be like that. Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia etc… is where rich people go to enjoy their holiday around here. Much better shopping options, much safer and a much more “high-end” infrastructure. Thailand on the other hand is optimal for those who want to “feel” rich for a short time, until they go head back their regular job. Aiming for “high-end” tourists is like a normal bargirl wanting to be a luxury escort. It’s just never going to happen.

LOL! Reminds me of my Thai Ex-wife. Thai women are overall pretty awesome, when it comes to “taking care”, but damn they can also drive you nuts. Especially when it comes to being stubborn and totally immune to common sense of any kind. Personally I really like Thai women, but realized it’s much easier to just be single, enjoy the good stuff and then let the married men deal with the daily headaches.

“Yet” LOL!!!! Truly amazing and shows just how corrupt this country really is.

For a long time it has always been a plan to get rid of the “sex tourism” image. Only problem is the this industry is very much driven by the social and financial differences in Thailand. A situation that has become much worse during Covid. Many more poor people now. So when things open up again, I am pretty sure the girls will be back ten-fold and the authorities on the ground, will due to their corrupt nature keep a blind eye towards it. Thailand will never change until education is drastically improved and the gap between rich and poor is highly reduced. Something that will never happen, as the Elite will never let go of their personal greed and power. Fine talk is one thing… Reality is another. Thailand has talked about high-end tourism for years. It never happens for a good reason.

So they got very few tourists coming which normally would account for over 20% of GDP. Plus of course the HUGE grey economy behind that making millions unemployed and more poor than ever. About 50% of small shops have closed down forever and most others will slowly follow during the next months. Because no support or help for them, as funds needs to be used on railway projects etc. Overall a completely destroyed economy. But still they carry on as nothing has happened and keep announcing fake numbers in relation to the economy and tourism. Its amazing!!!! You would think at least they would let people have a beer to relax and forget the reality for a while…

Why does Thailand need any donations???? They clearly have money to spend on submarines, weapons, huge railway-projects and other useless stuff. At the same time they expect stuff for free from Farang countries, who they further exploit if their citizens decide to live or invest in their country. They don’t even care about their own population. Don’t give them anything!! Let them learn to spend their own money wisely instead.

Sure the amount of cases will go up as the tourists gets infected here. The good thing is that since all the foreigners gets tested, they can be blamed.

I am sure they were all super-rich and just avoided flying private as they wanted to support the opening. They are now out spending millions on condos to ensure their long-term visa. Happy days!

Well the thing is they do not want “normal” tourists like before. They want the super-rich only, who they believe will be attracted to walking down the street with closed shops, dangerous smelly sidewalks and watch food-lines for the poor. Bars, Clubs, Alcohol and other fun stuff is only for the poor it seems.

Unfortunately, I think it will take much longer. Also I think we will see many more expats leaving Thailand in the coming years, including myself. I believe many who have experienced the “mad-decision-making” during the pandemic, have had enough and will be seeking a more foreign friendly and open environment to live in. Let’s face it, Thailand is no longer what it once was and has been going downhill since 2014. And unless that changes, it will be difficult to see much future progress. A thing that maybe in the long-run could save Thailand would be a financial meltdown and the THB losing a large portion of its value. That could maybe lure tourists, expats and investors back. Also a change in government could be of value to the country. Until then, I think most will seek destinations that are much easier to live in and provides a way better holiday experience.

They could make the food lines and all the abandoned shops a tourist attraction. Something that tourists could visit after a day at the beach and before they have to get to bed at 9.30 pm.

Personally, I would pack my bags, take any loss, move on and forget about the whole thing. Sure it sucks to be cheated, but this is Thailand where seeking the truth or your “rights” often just brings you more problems. I have been cheated a lot of times here over the years. Funny enough my worst encounter was a Farang. You should stay clear of doing any business with those.

Even if the expectation is correct, it is still 15 times less within an industry accounting for 20% of GDP. With rising numbers in even high-vaccinated countries the situation looks bad. But it makes sense for Thailand to try to get some tourists here, although the task to reach high numbers is basically impossible. I wonder how long it will take to finally admit that the country is in recession and the THB to reflect the true situation of the economy?

Hmm let me see… 1. Complicated paper-work before travel. 2. Risk of being dragged off to field hospital if tested positive after arrival. 3. Risk of being arrested for enjoying a beer on your holiday. 4. Most things closed at destination and the few open venues close very early. Make sure to be in bed at 10pm. I am sure many will come as this seems very stress-free and great fun.

The times when you could party all night and really have fun in Thailand are long gone. The decline already started before covid, especially with the limiting of opening hours. Now it has become a place with arrests for drinking and bars/restaurants closing at 9pm to ensure people are home sleeping at 10pm. Even sex-videos privately shared online will now result in arrests and public humiliation. Gone are the days, when more crazy stuff like ping-pong shows were advertised openly without consequences. I guess the plan of making Thailand a “family with kids destination” or a place for “rich boring people” is unfolding. Tip: For investors: Opening “Build-A-Bear” shops might be the smartest move going forward. Happy days! Enjoy you holiday and don’t forget that lights are out at 10pm ????

Tourism = 20% of GDP Tourism = Dead! 100% - 20% = 80% Forecasted growth = 4% So are we at 104% or -16%????

Can not be true, as this they keep announcing economic growth.

Great to hear everything will be well. I don’t see any signs at all of it around me, but maybe I just don’t understand how the economy works here…

Pretty amazing how strong and efficient this virus is. China for sure has improved their product quality control and you can no longer say things “Made in China” are bad quality.