DonniePeverley

Thanks to Wilcop932 for this write up, brilliant said : Thailand’s Tourism Rebound is a double-edged sword. Tourism is a major component of the Thai economy, contributing roughly 20% of GDP. However, COVID-19 dealt a devastating blow to the industry. Prior to the pandemic, tourist arrivals in Thailand steadily increased. COVID-19 brought travel to a near standstill from 2020 to 2022, with 2021 seeing rock-bottom numbers. Determined to revive this vital sector, Thai authorities have implemented measures to jumpstart tourism. 2023, the first "COVID-free" year, witnessed a remarkable turnaround: visitor numbers doubled from 11 million in 2022 to over 28 million. However, a significant shift in tourist demographics occured in 2023. Over two-thirds (20 million) of visitors originated from Asia, followed by Europe (6 million), the Americas (1.3 million), and the Middle East/Africa (around 700,000). This contrasts with the pre-pandemic visitor base, which leaned more heavily towards Europe and China then taking 25% This surge in Asian tourists reflects a change in travel preferences. Many new visitors flock to established tourist hotspots catering to their specific interests. Regular visitors to these areas may have noticed increased density in 2023, while those returning might have observed some "derelict" businesses as the industry recovered. The future: - Returning to Pre-Pandemic Levels and Beyond Tourist arrivals in Thailand have been steadily climbing since the pandemic, with projections indicating a full recovery to pre-pandemic levels (30-35 million visitors) by the end of 2024. The first quarter of 2024 alone saw 10 million visitors, a 44% year-on-year increase. The government's relaxed entry requirements further fuel optimism. These relaxed regulations, coupled with a potential increase in visa-free entry from 57 to 93 countries, are predicted to sustain growth at pre-COVID rates or even surpass them. Notably, relaxed entry conditions for countries like Russia, China and India are already leading to a noticeable rise in visitors from those regions. Airlines, with underutilized fleets post-pandemic, are well-positioned to handle the influx of tourists. While the tourism rebound is positive news, there are concerns. The focus on sheer visitor numbers might overshadow the "quality of the product" and the environmental impact on Thailand's natural beauty – the very resources that attract tourists in the first place. So, I think that although Thailand's tourism industry is experiencing a remarkable comeback, ensuring sustainable growth requires a balanced approach that prioritizes not just visitor numbers, but also the quality of the tourism experience and the preservation of Thailand's unique environment. It seems that the current government is not interested in this.

Mass cheap tourism, attracting some rite dross has actually made me think of going elsewhere. Seems everything is now geared to tourism and nothing else.

I think what he means is can you get this visa over and over again during those 5 years. If so, then many have wasted big money on the elite visa.

Pattaya truly attracts the cess pitt of the world

I'll be honest if you were in my condo i'd be the first to complain about you. Especially bringing friends up to the pool area and drinking. You simply cannot do that. If you want to do that kind of behaviour then either take them to your room, or go buy your own place. If i saw you at my condo, and you had just bought some mates up and were drinking by the pool i'd have a word with you myself. It's a condo, the public spaces are shared by the residents, and they aren't your own personal space. No alcohol by pools is shared universally by almost every modern condominium. You signed up to the rules too. I see nothing wrong in what the condo implemented.

Hong Kong is definately very decent. Some 20 years ago it was a magical experience, but as years have gone on it has become a very cloned Chinese metropolosis - albeit some breathtaking skyline views.

With mine, they became suspicious because a British couple had just passed a few minutes ago, and they were triggered another british couple were also looking for a visa on arrival. We got taken to further 'interogation' where she literally tried to tear my passport with a screwdiver, because she felt that we had a forged passport. I asked what made her think that, when we had nearly 40 stamps around the world, including USA arrivals. She didn't answer why she though that. At one point, i became so concerned she was going to rip my passport up with the screwdriver i was about to tell her to leave it. No trip to Disney was worth a damaged passport and would have left me in limbo to even get back to Thailand. Eventually she gave up, then put me back in the queue. But she seemed very angry. I didn't quite work why she was so annoyed my passport was legit. But we did think this wasn't worth it

Maccause is nothing like the tourist experience you get in Las Vegas. Vegas for all it's fault is a top notch entertainment capital, whilst Maccau despite the grandeuse show building is hardcore gambling without the entertainment.

Mass tourism is a complete enviromental disaster for the natural beauty of the island. It's such a great place that it needs quality tourists, if could just build up some infrustructure, cut out the scams, etc

Okay controversial opinion. But i found Tokyo one of the most overrated cities in the world. I was expecting some kind of different utopia metropolosis, full of an alien specices. But it was just your bog standard western city, modelled pretty much on New York. It was no different.

Thailand is attracting cheap tourism. They aren't going to be paying thousands to go into a Disney here. Hong Kong attracts quality tourists.

The face of Thailand is going to change with these visa changes. Go look on Indian forum immigration pages. You have people already preparing to move here for a long time, and looking to come here to work. The sheer vast numbers is going to be ridiculous. Especially during the peak season when most tourists venture here - can you imagine the numbers now? Enviromentally a disaster for some of Thailand's most natural beauties. Quality tourism over Quantity was the reset mantra during covid they wanted. Thrown out the window.

If you leave the UK, and reside abroad then all pensions, perks should be cancelled. Do Thai's pay their citizens when they leave to other countries? No. I got relatives in Canada, who claim a state pension in Canada, and get their UK pension too. With dual citizenship they then come to the UK to use the NHS, and get all dentistry taken care off. Ridiculous lax system.

Do you really just want to move a tourist town ?

There's been a few Youtube channels where by the host goes around a destination (including Thailand) and then charges followers to come along with the youtuber. Accomodation and everything included. Definately skirting the line on legality of being a tour guide.

Too many racist British lads in Pattaya being racist in this topic.

Sounds interesting, but i can't be bothered to go to China again. Trying to get to Shanghai with a visa on arrival was soul destroying and they were determined to not let me in, to the point the immigration person was almost ripping my passport up in their belief it was a forged document.

Surely everyone has done Kuala Lumpur and Singapore by now. I was hoping to find something of the beaten track.

Dude the fee is about the cost of a sandwich in the UK. Chill out.

Intriguing. Do tell us more ....

I went to Ho Chin Minh City. We enjoyed our two days there. Saw plenty of attractions (historical). Enjoyed the coffee culture, the motorbikes whizzing around, the old government palace there was brilliant to see. Really enjoyed it for a weekend away. It could be a destination to rival Bangkok, but unfortunately it lacked that craziness that Bangkok has. There was no huge massage culture, and of course it really lacked a metro system to get around - albeit the traffic is nowhere near as bad as Bangkok.

What are the differences between this and a Thailand beach destination ?

Totally respect that opinion, and thanks. I did imagine i would see the Himalayas in a sort of rural setting, didn't realise it would be a polluted city. That's a bummer.

Does this visa begin tomorrow ? Already looking on the Indian websites, and they practically see it as an apportunity to come to Thailand to work and live.

That would practically mean you are permanent resident then.