newnative

Sorry, your information is incorrect. You're simply repeating false information you have read, or incorrect tidbits picked up here or there, along with your false observations. In the latter, you see a number of groups being lead by someone with a flag, and you think, all Chinese travel in tours. Incorrect. And, they may not even be from China; they could be from Korea or Taiwan. Of course, a big group is far more visible than a couple traveling, or three or four friends traveling, but perception is not always reality. As I said in my earlier post, the majority of the Chinese tourists in 2019 were independent travelers and, no, they were not 6 million backpackers. 6 million, by the way, is not, as you say, a 'few independent' travelers, it's a lot. Like far more than the visitors from any other country. Chinese tourists spent 543 billion baht in Thailand in 2019 and, once again no, the 543 billion did not end up back in China, no matter what so and so says. Had that been the case, why would Thailand be trying so hard to get the Chinese back? If there's no money in it, why make the effort? This is not brain surgery.

As a gay man, who grew up with very little gay representation in movies or on tv, and most of that being of a very negative, hurtful nature, I am pleased at the number of shows with positive gay characters that can be found these days. Recently, Sex Education and Heartstopper were both well-done, I thought. I think you will find that majority straght character shows still far outnumber majority gay character shows. So, relax. And, take heart, nobody is going to turn gay--or straight, for that matter--by watching a gay or straight tv show or movie. For maybe the millionth time, it doesn't work that way. For the OP, being gay is perfectly normal--for a gay person. Just like being straight is perfectly normal--for a straight person. Hard to believe that in 2023 we would have someone like you complaining about gay shows making being gay seem 'perfectly normal'. It is, get over it already. I suggest watching some of the shows you distain and perhaps you'll learn something. Maybe start with the two shows I mentioned--they both have lots of straights, too!

Utter nonsense. The 543 billion baht was spread all over Thailand. The 10 million Chinese tourists in 2019 had to sleep somewhere, eat somewhere, be transported to different places, and entertained at various tourist attractions all over the country, etc., etc.. It bears remembering that the majority of Chiese tourists in 2019 were not with tour groups. They were independent travelers, spending independently wherever they wanted in Thailand.

Just more empty, useless chitter chatter. 'Encourage'. Yeah, that'll work.

Well, that was smart waiting until next year--likely he will be paroled by then. Problem solved. That was easy!

Thanks for the info. Hope things work out with your sister.

Yes, absolutely. Bears remembering that he lost the popular vote badly in both elections. The majority of the voters rejected him both elections.

I think the complete description is authoritarian-narcissist-serial lying-grifter.

Send the money now. I'm doing 3 transfers from the US to fund 2024 spending.

Or, why not make all the visas free.

No great loss if the party disappears. Far too many parties already.

And, well it should. Absolutely disgraceful behavior. Seems we are only hearing about the accident, which happened Dec. 8, because Taiwan has stepped in wanting answers. Really no excuse that something like this still happens. Let them be slammed. As others have said, the penalties are way too weak and should be strengthened.

This just gets more and more ridiculous. It's really just so simple--send him back to prison, where he belongs. Not to the army--or anywhere else.

Agree. I've made the same argument when posters have discounted the Asian market because the spend is less per tourist--not to mention the tiresome argument that none of the tourist revenue stays in Thailand. Thailand will continue to draw more of its tourist numbers, and revenue, from regional Asian countries. Which actually is pretty normal--the top seven countries visiting France are its regional neighbors. Thailand is fortunate that the 2 most populous countries in the world are short plane rides away, not to mention Indonesia at #4. My spouse and I were in the Hunan province of China last week and the plane ride was less than 4 hours from Bangkok. Things may be slow now but these Asian numbers will return. One thing I found interesting from the 2015 to 2019 stats was that visitors from the US increased almost 35%. In comparison, the European countries that were tracked increased by only around 5 to 13%, except Russia. Even with USA's big increase, the 2019 figure for visitors from America was only 1,168,000. There are 339 million Americans vs. just 68 million in the UK, yet the UK's 2019 numbers were close to America's, at nearly a million. Looking at the comparison between the US and the UK, it would seem that TAT has an opportunity to tap the American market and increase the visitors from that country. The 35% increase from 2015 to 2019 shows that more Americans were willing to make the long trip during that period--and, as an American, I can vouch that it is a long trip. Now that the world is opening up again, TAT could see about improving the American numbers. Given the population size, I think they should be higher.

The majority likely came in the first quarter of 2020. The country was still open in the first quarter, flights were suspended on Apr. 4.

I, for one, don't see much of a need for TAT. I've said before that my spouse and I have never decided to visit any country because of anythng done by any country's tourist department. We've been to China 3 times--never seen a single ad or promotion for China. We want to visit, so we do. Same for Europe, Australia, Japan, etc. If we want to learn about a country or an area of a country, there are usually plenty of Youtube videos. If you held a gun to my head and forced me to choose, I'd look at the 2015 to 2019 tourist data. Asian numbers expanded qute a bit in those years, western numbers mostly made just modest gains, with Australia and Singapore dropping slightly. I think the Asian numbers will take care of themselves. Since I think its a good thing for a tourist country like Thailand to have a diverse tourist demographic, and it's perhaps a harder sale to attract long distance tourists, I'd concentrate the budget on those countries, with perhaps some of the budget used for untapped markets.

Horrible this happened. Yes, investigate this hospital and set an example with a huge fine. Hopefully, other private hospitals will take note.

Pitiful showing by Nissan--they couldn't even outsell Isuzu. Very skimpy product selection. They really need to step it up majorly, they're being left in the dust.

The number of visitors tells just part of the story. European visitors, including the UK, spend 68,000 baht per tourist vs. around 41,000 baht for ASEAN tourists. Smaller numbers but larger spending. They also stay longer. Of course, larger numbers, even with smaller spends, are going to be the most important--no argument there, and I've said just that a number of times. 10 million Chinese spending 49,000 baht each in 2019. Easy to see why Thailand wants this market back. Obviously, some markets are going to be much more important than others. I think its inaccurate, though, to say, as you do, that the UK's contribution in 2019 of 1 million tourists to Thai tourism is so small it's 'not part of the equation'. Using your reasoning, in 2019 only 2 countries would actually qualify to be 'part of the equation', China and Malaysia. All the other countries sent less than 2 million visitors, numbers too small to, apparently, bother with. Except, the numbers do add up, and the spending. In 2019, Asian tourists, not including China, spent the most money in Thailand, 677 billion baht. China was next, with 543 billion. In third, Europe, including the UK, with 461 billion--not the most but certainly not nothing. Perhaps even 'meaningful'. It's a bit like my stock portfolio. I have 30 dividend stocks, paying varying percentages in dividends, some more, some less. Together, they earn me about $11,000 a year. Some, of course, make a more important dividend contribution but all of them are 'part of the equation'.

I think nurture plays a part but it's mostly nature. Some examples from my life. First, I'm gay, and I was born gay. Nurture had nothing to do with my sexual orientation. I have 5 siblings, all straight, all brought up with the same nurture I had. I knew I was gay before I even knew what gay was. Nature, not nurture. I also have what is called mixed-handedness, which is somewhat different from being left-handed or ambidextrous. In my case, I use my left or right hand depending on the task. I eat and write with my left hand--except, if I'm writing on a blackboard, I use my right hand. Play sports right-handed. When I am painting, I use a paint brush with my left hand and a paint roller with my right hand. Use tools and scissors with my right hand. It's not a conscious decision to use one hand or the other, it just happens naturally without any thought. Nature, not nurture. Recently, I was diagnosed with a very high calcium plaque score (CAC) for my heart arteries. Since 2010, my partner and I have lived together in Thailand. Neither of us smokes and we both rarely drink alcohol. Both go to the gym 2 or 3 times a week. He works at home with his job and we have eaten practically the same diet for the past 13 years, with some exceptions when we eat out--but even then we often order 3 dishes and share. Eating about the same diet for years, my CAC score very high, his very low. Nature, not nurture.

avenue.co.th

My partner and I use 5% and we list our properties with as many agencies as possible. That has worked well for us. If 3% and a small number of agents involved works for you, that's great.

It's meaningless to use 2020 stats. Those are covid numbers. In 2019, UK visitors were about 1 million. Less than the US at 1.16 million but more than any other European country except Russia. In numbers UK, came in at #11. I don't think it's correct to say that UK is economically irrelevant to Thai tourism. Even in your above recent totals, UK is at #8, and very close to USA at #7. Obviously, neither country is sending tourists in numbers to match the numbers of China, India, Malaysia, etc., and likely never will. But both are in the top 10 and do contribute to Thailand's tourism.

That's a list of possible double pricing but it's not evidence that double pricing has any impact on tourism. There was double pricing in 2019 when 39 million foreigners visited.

Thanks for your message. I will be in your same boat when my debit card expires in 2026--my brother-in-law is moving back to Thailand in 2024. Maybe let your sister cool off a bit and then see if she might send the cards and check with DHL or Fed Ex. She wouldn't be dealing with the US or Thai post offices.