craigt3365

I read an article sometimes back that the Chinese are flowing in Thailand because of cheap or even free package tours. The main source of income for those arranging the tours is by taking them to the shops chosen in advanced and over charging them when they buy something (up to few times over charge). They do the same with restaurant etc. So you never know they may still keep coming though Yuan weaken.

Very true. They do this in China also for domestic tourism. But I think they've tried to stop this deceitful practice. Here, they are taken to shops/hotels owned by Chinese. So the money doesn't really get to the local community.

Seems Castro, along with many others, allied themselves with the wrong partner.

Castro came to power in 1959 following a revolution. Relations with the United States were broken in 1961 as Castro led Cuba rapidly into a socialist model allied with the Soviet Union.

I've done that route in a car several times. It is amazingly beautiful. Since I'm no longer young, I think I'll have to stick with the car! But sounds like an amazing journey.

Use as many search engines as you like I've never found one single hotel that I could have booked cheaper on a site than emailing the Reservation Desk direct period.

Obviously you havent stayed in every hotel. Many hotels will not take bookings from customers and even if they do, they will push you to a 3rd party booking site. Also, many hotels rices are much cheaper on the sites. Ive even had hotels tell me this. The world is changing, we have to change with it.

Many times, I've stood at the reception desk either wanting to make a new reservation or extend an existing one, and been told I need to do it online. One hotel even kept a terminal on the front desk for customers to do this. They looked at the booking number and checked you in. But you could have done it directly with them, unfortunately at significantly higher rates!

As has been reported, some of the bookings sites don't allow hotels to offer cheaper prices. I'm sure some smaller hotels will try to work around this, but the larger ones won't risk the problems.

The stats are hard to figure out. China is the #1 producer of Seafood globally. According to this report, the US get 20% of Thailand's exports:

http://www.rt.com/usa/243841-slave-caught-seafood-us/

Thailand is one of the key seafood suppliers to America which buys up to 20 percent of the country's $7 billion annual exports in the industry.

Europe seems to get about 10%:

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/apr/21/eu-threatens-thailand-with-trade-ban-over-illegal-fishing

Thailand’s global fish exports were valued at €7bn (£5bn) in 2013. Last year, €642m of that catch – weighing 145,907 tonnes – was destined for European dishes, where it made up over 3% of the continent’s overall fish imports.

The US imports 90% of the seafood that's eaten there. Quite a bit is caught locally, but sent to other countries for processing. Very complicated.

http://www.fishwatch.gov/wild_seafood/outside_the_us.htm

Today, up to 90 percent of seafood consumed in the United States is imported, and about half of this is wild-caught. A significant portion of this imported seafood is caught by American fishermen, exported overseas for processing, and then reimported to the United States.

I'd say a significant amount of Shrimp imported to the US is from Thailand. But other countries seem to supply a larger percentage overall of all seafood.

http://www.fishwatch.gov/farmed_seafood/outside_the_us.htm

http://www.worldfishing.net/news101/regional-focus/thai-fisheries-under-pressure

The United States is the Kingdom’s largest shrimp export market, though Indian shrimp exporters have overtaken Thai exporters as the US’s major shrimp suppliers since Thailand’s EMS outbreak occurred, Somsak said.
.......
The volume of tuna and other fish species caught in Thai waters has fallen sharply during the past two decades due to overfishing. As a result, more than one million tons of fishery products are imported frozen each year for export processing, much of it tuna for canning.

Interesting to read about the IUU issues in China. But since slave labor isn't used, it hasn't hit the headlines quite as dramatically.

This ship and it's cargo should be sunk in deep water.

The American companies listed that buy the slave caught fish should all be boycotted by all Americans.

The only reason they were able to track the seafood shipments to the US is because the documents are open to the public. The slave caught fish end up on shelves all over the world. Including here, and places in Europe. The trash fish is used as feed for chickens and pigs.

Perhaps a worldwide boycott? As it is truly international.

http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/jun/10/-sp-migrant-workers-new-life-enslaved-thai-fishing

It's doubtful you'll get sick from tap water. But, it does happen and the water quality here is dodgy. Extremely easy to get bottled water. Brushing your teeth is fine. Most ice comes from factories using filtered water, but how those filters are maintained could be questionable. Pretty rare to get sick from water, but easy to avoid, especially on a short trip.

Personally I do not care if Portugal is the <deleted> of the rottenness nation on earth I just want out of Thailand.

At times I wonder "am I as stupid as that" or" is this the dumbest thing on the planet" " No hab" after waiting an hour and being told yesterday they "hab" Those bloody bikes with the bolt on carts trundling back and forth at a steady 10mph Christ they are all over the place

Learned a bit of Thai language,but realised the only Thais you would want to possibly relate to speaking Thai were the ones if you were stuck in a jungle wanting to know the way out

Sounds like it might be time for a change (out of curiosity, how long have you lived in Thailand?)

Have you considered South America (Panama, Ecuador etc...), I've never been but from what I've read it seems a retirement paradise...

Massive crime problems in both countries, as well as most of CA/SA. Seems to be popular with snow birds from NA.

Here's a pic of my guide in Panama. He carried this for protection. Spent a month in both countries. Quite nice, but IMHO, Thailand is better. Warts and all.

China has one week new year vacation in February and the first week in October is also a long vacation. These are the 2 weeks when most people make short trips or visit family

The schools close over the summer much like the rest of the world and this is the time whole families travel abroad. outside these periods the numbers of Chinese tourists are low.

Don't forget Chinese New Year! It's a zoo here with all the Chinese tourists. I made the mistake of taking a trip here during this time. Never again.

The one in February is Chinese New Year, per WilliamSmits' post. Of course, it alternates between mid-to-late Jan and Feb, depending on the lunar calendar.

I thought there was one in April also? Golden week???

Edit: Golden week is the one he mentioned in October. Yes, a very busy week.

That beer bar area was one of my favorite places. Spent many afternoons there shooting pool. Couldn't believe my eyes on that morning. I was speechless. I knew several business owners in there and it changed all their lives for the worse. One guy lost his entire internet cafe business as all assets were plowed over.

http://www.valuepenguin.com/2015/07/safest-countries-world

Very interesting and looks quite real safety survey by country. One question is on Spain being 5th safest. Is it due to crime non-reporting or it is for real?

Costa Rica at #10? Impossible. Serbia and Albania ahead of Sweden and Norway???

http://www.thanhniennews.com/travel/the-tourism-crisis-no-relief-for-vietnam-as-visitor-drop-continues-47295.html

One of the reasons was the lack of diverse products and high prices, according to the office, which also blamed the situation on management failings.

............

The euro's depreciation against the US dollar has made Vietnamese tours' prices increase by 15-20 percent for European travelers, she said.

Indochina Services saw a decrease of 20 percent in the number of European customers last year, Dung said, adding her company is now promoting tours among visitors from the visa-waiver countries.

Perfect! Thanks for the recommendation!

We can only keep our fingers crossed something happens....

I would first see if the current maid could not find someone - she keeps her maid job and no longer has to care for him so a win situation for everyone. Can not answer on care facility but there are few in the country at all - as family normally takes care of elderly members so it is a new field, and probably not the best option. If professional care required and can be paid for would ask among public hospital nurses.

Great recommendation. I've got my mother here, severe dementia/Alzheimer's. The maid one day told us she could no longer care for my mother and take care of the house. She's relatively young, but it was just too much for her. So, we hired a caregiver. We've been through about 3 so far, but the latest one is fantastic. Just spent 3 years caring for an elderly Chinese lady in Bangkok. Plus, she's my wife's aunt from the village.

I spent a fair amount of time looking at care facilities around here (Pattaya). There are only a few and the prices vary widely. The best one was OK, and about 45,000B/month for a very small private room, with 24x7 care. For far less than that, we've got 24x7 care for her here now. Something to think about. Oh...another place we saw wanted some 100kB/month. And I've seen some asking for even more!

Set the rate properly. You won't get really good help for 10kB/month. Also, we've found a nurse training school nearby that provides us additional help if required. 700B/day. I think they want 18k/month for full time, but lately, none have been available. All are going to work in hospitals/private clinics. Seems there's quite the demand.

Great recommendation. Thanks! I love trains. But saw the No Reservations show on Burma. Seemed like the train ride was quite rough????

I'd really like to do a boat trip up/down a river. Given my itinerary, what would you recommend? I don't think I need to spend the night, just do a day cruise.

Thanks for everybody's help! I'm getting excited. This will be my first trip, excluding the border towns.

The stats here are much higher due to scooters. A huge percentage of accidents/fatalities involve scooters. Like you say, nowhere near as many in China. Statistically speaking, of course.

I've spent about 6 months in China, all on public transport. And mostly in very rural areas. Most wasn't a big deal. The worst for traffic was Beijing. I remember during our stay in Hangzhou, I'd always carry an umbrella with me. Rain or shine. I'd pop it open at drivers trying to through us as we were crossing streets. They don't yield at all. Just honk.

China has one week new year vacation in February and the first week in October is also a long vacation. These are the 2 weeks when most people make short trips or visit family

The schools close over the summer much like the rest of the world and this is the time whole families travel abroad. outside these periods the numbers of Chinese tourists are low.

Don't forget Chinese New Year! It's a zoo here with all the Chinese tourists. I made the mistake of taking a trip here during this time. Never again.

A cheaper visa would entice me to travel there. As it stands now, it's quite expensive, and a hassle, especially for a short trip. Just not worth it.

Too expensive, really? It's $10 more than a thai visa. And certainly no more hassle than obtaining a thai visa either.

True! Unfortunately, a Thai visa is a necessity for me. I live here! Just back from a trip to Europe. It was great being able to travel around with NO visa issues. Even those outside the EU. Well, except Belarus. What a pain to get a visa. 5555

I think if they got their act together and had one visa for this region, tourism would definitely grow.

Don't count your chickens..........Re weakening THB,offset by devaluation of yuan,

regards Worgeordie

yuan devalued 2% after it increased value 15%....

And another 1.6% today with rumors of more to come....biggest drop in a long time.

Yes, but even if the yuan was to devalue a total of 20% against the dollar, it would still mean that Pattaya has loads of Chinese tourists !

Nothing is going to cause a mass reduction in the number of Chinese tourists in Pattaya, or Thailand.

I think the devaluation is part of more serious trouble in China. Hard to figure out what's going on there as the media is tightly controlled, but the stock market has hurt millions and the economy is probably only doing 4% growth or so. Some actually say there is no growth. Either way, it's not enough to keep up with population growth. Troubles like these keep travelers home.

But so far! There are still a bunch here in Pattaya!

as for the 30 days, Kunming is about 650 km from the Laos border...I would expect to do the round trip in about 2 weeks and still have time to take in the scenery.

my planning is the following in 30 days

houay xai (laos - china - laos) - houay xai

better would be back via vietnam (hanoi) and laos - but it's not possible so far...?!

I hope you get to pull this off. Please do trip reports for us if you do. It will be an amazing trip.

I'd say with the recent crash in the Yuan, there might be a few less shortly.

2% devaluation ?

yeah sure, this will interrupt the Tsunami of mainland Chinese, starting tomorrow ;-)

Good thing though, the BAHT stumbles now too and that will help me during my next appointment with an ATM

That was just for one day. Today more and forecasts of more to come. Could be interesting.

Don't count your chickens..........Re weakening THB,offset by devaluation of yuan,

regards Worgeordie

yuan devalued 2% after it increased value 15%....

And another 1.6% today with rumors of more to come....biggest drop in a long time.

Just called SC Drug Store. The pills I get for my mom are about 190B/box cheaper (including delivery fees). Plus, they deliver so I don't have to drive to Fascino! With all the new construction, it's a mess!

Thanks!!