Expat Tom

If the government officials had any common sense they would focus on making those people currently living in Thailand who have overseas incomes, often many times that of the average Thai, feel wanted, appreciated and happy. The Thai government should make them ( expats like me and most of the readers of this blog) part of the solution rather than continually trying to make us into the problem. I live here and have for a long time. I contribute at least 100,000 baht per month in the Thai economy. Many people spend less and many spend more. I am here now. Encourage me and those like me to enjoy Thailand and spend more.  

Only a complete idiot or a money hungry miser would allow people from the country that infected the world to come into Thailand. Well, here as a reality check for the geniuses in Bangkok. The Chinese are not going to travel outside of China any times soon. I speak online with Chinese 7 days a week. NO ONE is traveling as a tourist. The China has suffered so much economically due to the trade war and the Wuhan Coronavirus that the leaders do not want unnecessary capital out flow. Most people in China are not even going to travel outside of their home city. 

Thailand will eventually become a vassal state to China. Apparently, some highly placed people in Bangkok want to speed up the process. By the way, with India, Australia, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan and the USA all lining up against China, Thailand should seriously consider which side they will eventually come down on. Thailand will not be able to ride the fence forever as they did in WWII.    

If I were Thailand, I would be careful about congratulating myself prematurely. Whatever the reason, I am happy to be here and not in the USA or Europe.

The whole thing is completely bizarre. Here is a reality check for the brilliant minds in Bangkok:

1) Citizens from countries with open societies and freedom of information that declare their true Wuhan Virus numbers will not be allowed into Thailand while those from China where the virus originated (Along with the Asian Virus, the Hong Kong Virus, SARS, Avian Virus, Swine Virus and the Wuhan Coronavirus) will be welcomed guests. ANYONE who believe ANYTHING that the CCP says is an idiot. Example, the CCP is admitting to about 100 new cases in Beijing while the government has taken over 7 major hotels with a capacity of 4000 people for quarantine ? Those number do not add up. I speak to a highly placed Chinese gentleman about 4 times a week. He works for a major Chinese news organization and is well aware of the true state of affairs in China. The "minds"in Bangkok are not.

2) I talk to Chinese people in China 7 days a week in my job. I ask everyone one of them if they will travel for their summer holiday. NOT ONE plans to travel outside of China. Many will not travel outside of their city or provence. The Chinese government does not want money flowing out of China now as their true unemployment rate is near 20% and 600,000 Chinese live below the poverty line. If anyone expects the "low dollar" mass Chinese tourism will rescue Thailand's tourism industry then they are sadly mistaken.

3) The countries mentioned in previous travel bubble schemes do not have enough population to greatly affect tourism. Australia has less about 1/3 the population of Thailand. New Zealand has the population of about 1/3 of Bangkok. Get real people.

4) The key to successful tourism in not in masses of tour bus Chinese on package deals that they payed for in China. The key is attracting tourists who will actually spend money here. Further, the biomass of millions of low dollar Chinese will contribute to disease, infrastructure degradation, resource depletion and pollution far greater than their economic contribution.      

I could write a few thousand more words but it would all be in vain. The elite in Bangkok will do what is best for themselves personally and not what is best for Thailand.

I teach Chinese people English online. I've got news for you. I have talked to NO Chinese who plan on traveling outside of China any time soon. Some Chinese schools are telling their students to not travel outside of their districts in China. The authorities in Thailand who think that the Chinese hoard will come thundering back to rescue the tourism industry are smoking too much funny weed. It isn't going to happen.  In addition, anyone who believe that the CCP is telling the truth about there health situation is deluding themselves. Finally, the Chinese government does want money flowing outside of China now. GET REAL!

Ithin that maybe 3/4 of the expats here might want to leave too. My name is on that list. Xenophobic as always...It would be fitting it the tourists didn't come back.

This is what the temperance league of Bangkok has wanted for years. Once again, Thailand will shoot itself in the foot given the opportunity. Vietnam is opening up is "adult tourism" and Thailand is closing down. What do you think the result will be?