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The news you quoted were dated Sept 2019 April 2022. I take updated news, not yester-year news as you were so keen.

As expected

You understand the trend and reality, not quite for USA Biden and Blinken. Biden refused to accept the reality and visited Saudi in Aug 2022 empty handed coming back after the visit. Joe Biden subsequently said to review USA-Saudi relations. Five months had gone, nothing still.

Credit to Thai government which was the first recognizing Saudi Crown Prince had committed turning to the East and resetting Thailand-Saudi diplomatic relations in early 2022. Updated News on March 11, 2023 Saudi Arabia official and Iran official met face-to-face to ease multi-decade long confrontation and reset to start diplomacy. The talk was held in the Foreign Ministry office in Beijing on March 6-10 2023 ( Washington was probably kept in the dark ). This was unthinkable just months ago. But it is now possible after China Xi visited Saudi Riyah in Dec 2022 and Iran Raisi visited China Beijing weeks ago. USA wouldn't like this development, so USA news outlet would make it low profile and low priority. .

AS expected

Up the curve, the concave portion is simple enough, the Convex part is far far more difficult. There is Maturity cycle, and my prediction is NO and NO, they will not get 80 millions in 2027.

Whoever wrote this second paragraph, I think there is a misconception. The Shift towards Higher FIT percentage and lower group tour percentage is more about Repeated Trip --- second/third timers are surely eager to visit on their own rather than in a tour group. Thailand tourism had kept growing over many years and decades ever since 1970s' are largely attributed to success in drawing repeated tourists to the Kingdom.

Your info Outdated by ........ ? Western world predicted the sudden shift in China Covid policy announced in late Nov 2022 would drag all economic activities for 3-6 months. Turned out the drag and slowdown empty streets throughout most place lasted 5 weeks ( early Dec 2022 to first week of Jan 2023 ). Did you hear anything on China's Evergrande Property Group in the last 4 months ? The Government had steadied the sinking ship on the real estate issue nationwide and the worst had been over. That's why nothing on the media, particularly WESTERN MEDIA lately. Smarten up. Non-Western media and Non-English media are far more updated and ahead in reporting China and CCP news.

I am an old, below average skilled, infrequent table tennis player. Stay in Jomtien too. May be not this week. May search and contact you later.

Thailand tourism commenced in early-mid 1970's and had been well known in Asia by early 1980's. Timeline of various then new-built 4 star hotels in Bangkok is good reference. Philippines did same a bit earlier. Indonesia Bali started way earlier too and had been well known in late 1960's. Phuket was built up and promoted in 1980's, way ahead of Samui. The title of this thread comparing Thailand and Vietnam is totally Novice . Thailand Vs Philippines tourism or Thailand Vs Indonesia tourism make far better sense.

I had Apex breakfast buffet once in Early Jan 2020, just before the Pandemic. Recalled around 150 B per head. Yes, barely OK - not good and not bad for that price. While at that time, 150B is also average pricing of an American Breakfast set including one cup of coffee.

Have two simple questions about Retirement Non-Imm "O" Visa 1-year Extension in Jomtien. / Do the immigration office need single copy or 2 copies of all papers ? / Is "O" Visa extension process and requirement same as "O-A" extension less the insurance certificate ?

Hi, Is LK Empress Hotel buffet breakfast open now as of Feb 2023 ? If yes, I will go soon. I had my last run there in Jan 2020. Then of course the place had been closed down. This place had been excellent value for over a decade despite LK Empress might be 3.5* hotel. Witnessed them grew yearly, from low 150B per head to more customers, more food options, doubling up seating space, quick turnover and eventually charging 300B each. The location is very central too

Calculation per Year may make more sense as there are once-in-a-while items popped from time to time outside the monthly budget. Causal on alcoholic drinking and nightlife, 650,000 B per Year for a single in Bangkok is certainly doable. Less if you stay in Pattaya/Jomtien.

Eric I did not see your comment until weeks later. I don't think the mood of most Thai ( or Thai Senate ) is strongly anti-Thaksin or Anti-Thaksin family now in 2023. But the mood is against Thaksin-showing-in-Bangkok. The Thai just don't like seeing Thaksin stepping foot on Thai soil that will cause whatever trouble to follow. I think The Thai are fine in giving the young and inexperienced lady the huge step-up being the next Prime Minister, but the Thai don't like her father coming back for her.

Doable

Plenty of chairs everyday in Jomtien Beach. No problem in weekend either. One small change in Jomtien beach. Northern Part of Jomtien beach remains same. Southern Part of Jomtien beach has been enlarged and extended further to the seaside and more roomy now. Chairs everywhere in Pattaya beach too. Note that one weekend in Feb 2023 they will stage Kite Festival at Pattaya Beach. And One weekend in March 2023 there will be Music Festival in Both Pattaya and Jomtien.

You were correct in one observation that tourism in Pattaya had been declining gradually prior to 2019, such that high season 2018 was not as busy as 2017, and 2017 was not as busy as 2016 ........ In 2020/2021 Your predictions were very, very wrong though. Times and again during Covid period, you predicted tourists would ditch and avoid Thailand and headed to other destination such as Vietnam etc. after Covid. You predicted Thai tourism would not be able to recover after Covid. ( Need us to dig out your hundred postings on pessimistic view in 2020/2021 to refresh your memory ? ) From below 5% capacity during Covid time to the current 60-80% capacity in Pattaya, I am of course cheering and happy for the Thai locals.

Another good news for the Thai locals. I like.

Very good news for Thailand.

No idea who actually wrote the original article. IMO there are two many points scattered out. So I talk just one particular here and merely address to one statement of the original "This is not Mexico in 1970 " The top Brazil ever assembled had been 1958 and 1970. ( mind you, Brazil 1958 was cross-continent victory which was much more difficult in those days ) Brazil 1982 could not compare to the two above due to very weak link of keeper and centre forward in 1982. IMO, Brazil 2022 is as good as the those two great ones 5/6 decades ago. As of now, Brazil at least had all the games and alteration ( third game resting ) so far. I think a Brazil Vs France Final would be the ideal ending as most anticipate.

I paid 3100 B, no extra cost.

I went just days ago. This was my first experience. Driver came to my residence at 5 am. Back home at 5 pm. One snack/toilet stop each way. It was on a 10-passenger mini-van, not bad overall. Was taken to Ban Laem border. Procedure at the border was rather smooth. But there were a bit of line-up for the immigration-PP control windows. I think they insisted leaving early with good reason.

In Nov 2022 I asked Maneerat twice, by phone and also stopped by their office around SOi 13/2. Both times they said no. Don't have this service now.

The Crown Prince just left Thailand with a new Honorary PH. D. added to his title that he had received hours before departure. Yes I understand you are jealous as usual.