kinyara

TAT's forecast range was 24 million to 30 million, no real surprise at figures within that range being mentioned, i.e. 25 million, when you have 6 months of actual arrivals data within that range to go on. I personally like to look at the monthly numbers compared against the same month in 2019 to see how well the tourism situation is going as it takes account of the seasonality. Yet to see a decline despite the fact Chinese tourism is only running at a paltry 25% of average numbers in 2019. January : 58% February : 59% March : 64% April : 68% May : 74%

Disappointing, I liked having a Thai meal at the Tops breakfast bar while getting my car cleaned at the carwash next to the KFC. Of course the the convenience of them being quieter outlets no doubt contributed to their demise. The Baan & Beyond has been deserted the times I have been in recently, I think that points to some degree of weakness in the property sector compared to past times

I wonder if any of the old guys drinking beer at 9 am in the morning on Beach Road ever saw him doing his exercise walks.

Per the predictable script I'd expect the political situation will start to deteriorate from next week onwards as the obstacles to Pita's selection as PM have to formally materialise in line with the parliamentary timetable. Whether it's Pheu Thai, the Electoral Commission, the Constitutional Court or just the Senators it's going to happen. In light of that political/civil disobedience uncertainty I'd expect the baht to continue to weaken in the short term, the economy seems shaky at the moment even without the inevitable political strife.

Chinese tourist arrivals Jan-May actual - 1,131,121 ( monthly average 226,246 ) Jun-Dec for 5m - 3,868,879 ( monthly average 552,697 ) May saw 285,547 arrive so a near doubling of current numbers for the rest of the year required to achieve 5 million target.

They were spot on in 2022 for the overall tourist numbers, not that they'd get any credit on here from all the experts that said throughout 2022 that their 10 million target was pie in the sky. Strangely silent surprise surprise when they were the nonsensical fools not TAT. Looks like 2023 will also fall within their realistic range of 24-30 million, nothing ridiculous or exorbitant there.

ME TOO. Not disputing your observations of airline pricing pre/post Covid having personally experienced it, not much Thailand can do about it unfortunately for them.

I notice a lot of comments regarding increased pricing regards Thailand often comparing to when long-term visitors first came here. I really don't understand why people expect Thailand to be immune from the effects of inflation over time just like every other country in the world. Obviously Thailand can't control the global airline industry's pricing either.

" Thailand is nowhere near pre pandemic levels ". That's not really the case if you look into the actual figures. April was 73% of April 2019 and the only significant difference causing that shortfall is China. Top 10 countries for the first 4 months of 2023 compared to average for 2019 : Russia - 137% Germany - 101% Malaysia - 98% UK - 92% Vietnam - 89% Korea - 85% USA - 82% Singapore -78% India - 69% China - 23% Pretty remarkable recovery in such a short period of time given reduced flight capacity, increased flight cost and world economic headwinds.

There is no guesthouse element to the business anymore in the new location, bookshop only with a nice little enclosed basic cafe service set-up with tables and chairs . It's a large container now as opposed to a permanent building structure. As mentioned I think the best the OP could likely hope for from Canterbury is a bit of exchange credit in return for his own books. Personally during COVID I donated a couple of big container boxes of my mainly SE Asia travel books that were gathering dust in my condo to the Thai owned used bookshop/cafe on Chayapreuk just up from the traffic light turn far end of Jomtien Beach Road. Felt like they needed all the help they could get at the time, the lady was genuinely grateful for some additional stock.

Yes but as TOPT mentioned above it relocated from its original location on Soi Pothole to Soi Bongkot last year. The advantage for me is there is easy parking in front of the Mini Mart just before the new shop/container.

I've always used Canterbury Tales in Pattaya which has a huge selection and has been around for years, added advantage I can read my books by the condo pool all year round without the need for breathing apparatus.

The situation so far re Chinese tourist arrivals, average monthly arrivals 2019 - 916k vs 2023 : Jan - 92k Feb - 156k Mar - 270k Apr - 328k

A couple of questions : 1) For a 5 year renewal what is the current cost of doing it yourself vs what agents are currently charging ? 2) Does the Jomtien Immigration office charge for the Residence Certificate and do you get it same day as application ? Thanks.

Let's face it if they don't get him on this they've probably got numerous other obscure lines of attack ready in reserve. I daresay the establishment have got their finger on the pulse of how many Senators are currently leaning towards voting for him as PM if not removed, and the recently announced recounting of supposed ballot box irregularites is an attempt to counteract numbers by turning a few seats making his success impossible even if he beats the legal threat.

Link to the TAT website to give those clearly without a clue an education lesson on its promotional activities both at home and abroad. I don't suppose most posters have much of an idea or care what Tourist Authorities do in their own countries, which makes it all the more surprising TAT stirs their ire here. https://www.tourismthailand.org/home

Are any of your health problems related to high blood pressure ? Whenever I read your rants I've got a vision of a guy frothing at the mouth punching his keyboard in an uncontrollable fit of rage. Pour yourself a highly taxed glass of red and chill out while marvelling at the steady and wholly predictable recovery of the Thai tourist industry, despite your unfounded protestations of its demise. 17 months of continual % increase relative to the same months in 2019, now reaching 73% of May 2019 if 1.98 million is the confirmed figure for May. They have re-opened the doors and the tourist numbers are back, sans only Chinese. Regarding wealthy tourists, although like you I have no evidence to quantify the level of their existence or spending patterns in Thailand, I refuse to believe that the numerous five star hotels, high end restaurants or shopping outlets are existing without the patronage of significant levels of foreign customers, even though the spend at such establishments is primarily going in the pockets of the already rich Thai elite owners of such businesses. The extra tax benefit is always welcome to hopefully trickle down to the masses outside those top 1% granted.

I genuinely feel sorry for you, to start every day with such a negative outlook on life often focussing on scenarios you are unlikely to personally encounter must be an unbelievably miserable existence.

Maybe someone who frequents go-go bars these days in Walking Street and LK Metro can answer your pricing point, from Hooters online menu a pint of Chang works out at 230 baht and a bottle of Heineken 175 baht. The only certainty is it isn't remotely comparable entertainment wise to a go-go bar. As a customer to me it's neither one thing nor the other entertainment or food wise, which I think at it's price point makes it hard to succeed against the vast choice of venues offering either dedicated female entertainment or those concentrating purely on food.

Yeah, epicentre of those prepared to pay Hooters prices.

It's the perfect springboard in making the transition from an enthusiastic and talented amateur to a professional chef by your definition as several previous winners have shown, opening their own restaurants or working in top ones. Given this lady's drive, charachter and obvious talent I'm in no doubt she'll go on to achieve her goal of opening her own restaurant.

Looking at the average for the first 4 months of this year the Chinese are the only major tourist market NOT to have returned yet using the 2019 monthly average as the previous best benchmark. Given their massively decreased volume it's probably why people get the impression tourism is quiet despite the fact other markets excluding China have recovered remarkably well given global flight prices and inflation/cost of living increases. Russia - 137% Germany - 101% Malaysia - 97% UK - 92% Korea - 85% USA - 82% Singapore - 78% India - 69% China - 23%

True if you were comparing 1 European against 1 Indian on a standalone basis, however as a target market if you look at the last decade the European market has pretty much peaked with very little potential for future growth, whereas the Indian market is growing and has the potential to grow much further in the future. Patterns of expenditure are also different, a European spending in their favourite beer bar for weeks isn't better for the traditional tourist event venues or pursuits.

How much does that AIS package cost you ? I only use my 749 baht/month 3BB package for watching YouTube videos, which often buffers due to I suspect toold cables/junction box, and general surfing and pay a small amount for internet add on on my phone. I think I'd rather have an unlimited package on the phone if it could handle YouTube casting and do away with the 3BB.

Really I don't know why, I'm all for enjoying the Asian tour when you're young but at some point they'll realise they have to face economic reality like everyone else. The fact the lot that you describe disappeared overnight from Thailand when Covid hit despite the visa situation actually working in their favour showed just how shallow, inconsequential and hand to mouth their existence was/is. Nothing more than backpackers with a computer playing at work, a million miles from successful ambitious entrepreuners with solid business models, ideas or qualifications.