Expat Tom

Presumably, Thailand has an Embassy in China staffed with educated people who can inform the government officials in Bangkok of the state of current affairs in China. Even if one doesn't have first hand information from the embassy in China, the internet is a wonderful source of information. Of course, you can't believe everything you see on the internet so some basic cross referencing and critical thinking skills are required. Given the information available, it would seem to be quite naive to base one's hope for tourism revival on China. The economy in China is imploding. Unemployment is rampant in all demographic groups. Major cities in China are facing possible bankruptcy. The Chinese government is confiscating passports and discouraging tourism abroad to stop capital out flow. Additionally, Thailand and it neighbors, especially Vietnam, have benefited from major businesses relocating from China. All of this, and more, is open source information. I speak with people on mainland China daily and consult with companies seeking to relocate outside of China. This is not a conspiracy theory or rumor. It seems to me to be the height of pure folly for Thailand to base its future tourism hopes on China. A better approach would be to focus on domestic tourism, near shore tourism from other SE Asian countries and distant tourism from Europe and North America.

First CCP (Chinese Communist Party) Police on Walking Street and next the Chinese Masters will require the Thai government to engage in censorship? Once they get their foot firmly in the door, who knows what may come next? Might be time for me to start looking for options and developing an exit plan....regretfully.

I love Thailand and it has been my second home for many years. My advice to all expats is to avoid any involvement in Thai politics. This isn't your country. You are a guest here. We expats seem to forget that too often. No doubt, 99% of us arrived by airplane and the last I checked the planes fly in both directions. If the leaders of Thailand believe that it is in the best interest of the country to bring in Chinese police, who will ALL be members of the Chinese Communists Party and serving roles other than tourism police, to help promote "0" Dollar Chinese Tourism then it is their decision. Weather to remain in Thailand is my decision, as it is for all expats. I am not seriously viewing my options and making my exit strategy....just in case more brilliant decisions from the authorities are on the horizon.

Well, when a country makes tourism from Africa, India, Russia, and China (as well as a few other garden spots on the globe) its mainstay there might "accidently" be a few unsavory characters slip in. Obviously, there are bad apples from everywhere. Every time I hard of a story like this, I am thankful that the criminal is not one of my countrymen. Thailand is a warm welcoming country and I love it here. Sometimes it is too welcoming the only criteria being money to spend. Come the think of it, the Thai government even welcomes those who pay for 90% of their holiday here in their own country before the board the airplane. ??