Thailand and Big Joke roll out the red carpet for VIP tourists: they mean the Chinese

[trianglechoke]

som nam naaaaaaaaaaaaaaa thailand, u bought ruin on yourself

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

1 hour ago, grantbkk said:

So the takeaway here is I can fast track at the airport once we have a disaster killing dozen of American?  Thank you Thailand! 

 

Well, to be accurate in the case of the Chinese, killing almost 50. But hey, who's counting anyway....  Certainly not the Thais.

 

It's kind of hard to tell what to make of the article.... in terms of just who this supposed new LANE, not lanes, at Airport Immigration is intended for.

 

If it's average everyday Chinese tourists like those who died in the boat sinking, then the volume of those would totally overwhelm a single designated Immigration lane.

 

If, on the other hand, it's intended only for real Chinese VIPs, however that might be defined, then obviously it will do nothing for the hordes of typical kinds of Chinese tourists coming to Thailand for their sardine can bus and boat tours.

 

And unfortunately, the Tourist Police announcement seems to give no clue of which scenario is in play.

 

 

On one hand,

[Torrens54]

Would seem, “We are All Created Equal,” BUT ....

”Some are CREATED MORE EQUAL.”

 

Well according to George Orwell and some highly reveered soul, in the

Thai Public “Service”?

[dunroaming]

I guess it is down to what is considered a VIP.  I have spent years travelling in China and VIP covers most of the  "middle class". In other words it is more related to money than position.  I would usually stay in VIP rooms in hotels (in the smaller towns) and use VIP rooms in restaurants.  This is because I was being escorted by Chinese businessmen, not because I needed to be pampered.

 

When I now stay in Thailand on business (clients paying) the hotels usually have a good few Chinese families staying there.  A lot different to the Chinese tour groups, they all speak very good English and are polite.  No pushing and shoving with them.  This is the new face of China on the international stage and I am not surprised that Thailand will be trying hard to attract them.

[Gillyflower]

59 minutes ago, RobertH said:

I think you misread the original story. The lane is not for Chinese VIPs. It is for all Chinese. They are being treated as VIPs.

You got in before me.

 

Actually in all those big cities mentioned in post No. 6, I don't think there is any special VIP treatment at the airports for Chinese.  It's when they go their respective ways that they are given the big treatment.

 

It's very insulting to all the other nationalities that come to Thailand.

[jaltsc]

1 hour ago, shady86 said:

Single lane is not enough, they should built a special terminal just for Chinese tourists. Chinese speaking staff, whole immigration counters just to cater all of them.

They do....It's called Cambodia. Spread the word. 

[Cake Monster]

3 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

I love this story recounted above, because it epitomizes the essence of Thailand tourism and much else here -- mostly show/appearances and little substance to back it up.

 

The appearance of a modern society with upscale malls and mass transit like the BTS. But underneath, malls that have the power go out, mass transit systems that break down or are poorly constructed, sidewalks that are a shambles, unsafe vans, buses, boats, etc., no real rule of law, little enforcement of laws, little foreign language capability on the part of many in the tourism industry, a military run government that's every bit as incompetent and useless as the civilian ones that preceded it, and on and on...

 

Can't even manage to get airport passengers thru inbound or outbound Immigration in a reasonable, timely manner -- despite YEARS of complaints and identification of the problem. Can't get taxi drivers to consistently accept/take meter fares despite years of complaints and identification of the problem. Cant manage to deal with countless unlicensed, illegal hotels/guesthouses in the tourist beach areas despite.... etc etc etc... And on and on.

 

 

Thailand . The great pretender, there you have it.

[dunroaming]

1 minute ago, Gillyflower said:

You got in before me.

 

It's very insulting to all the other nationalities that come to Thailand.

Fastest growing market for Thailand's tourism industry though and the Thais will always pander to the money!

[wombat]

1 hour ago, shady86 said:

Single lane is not enough, they should built a special terminal just for Chinese tourists. Chinese speaking staff, whole immigration counters just to cater all of them.

with 1.4 Billion potential visitors thats not as silly as it sounds.

[newnative]

On the bright side, they'll all be in their own lane.

[madmitch]

I wonder if the IOs manning the special Chinese lanes will be able to speak some Chinese. If that are the case it really would make sense. 

[Misterwhisper]

59 minutes ago, AdamTheFarang said:

What qualifies as VIP? 

According to the story, being Chinese.

[Kinnock]

1 hour ago, shady86 said:

Single lane is not enough, they should built a special terminal just for Chinese tourists. Chinese speaking staff, whole immigration counters just to cater all of them.

I they had - it's called Don Muang.

[Cake Monster]

2 minutes ago, Misterwhisper said:

According to the story, being Chinese.

I, for one will be quite happy not to be a VIP, if this is the case

[Easy Come Easy Go]

1 hour ago, shady86 said:

Single lane is not enough, they should built a special terminal just for Chinese tourists. Chinese speaking staff, whole immigration counters just to cater all of them.

And free dim sum with every visa stamp 

[Sprigger]

Hope they’ve provided plenty of spittoons, your welcome to them.

[Lupatria]

Pandora's box is open now...

[Stoker58]

Those booking numbers must be really bad.

[LivinLOS]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

The lane will not be used much, as there are very few Chinese VIP's coming to Thailand.

The lane is for 'any' Chinese.. Who now magically become VIPs. 

[apetryxx]

Wonderful!! 0 Baht spitters who don’t know what a queue is. They’re rude crude and socially unacceptable. Please keep the Chinese hordes away from Hua Hin!

[brucec64]

Single lane is not enough, they should built a special terminal just for Chinese tourists. Chinese speaking staff, whole immigration counters just to cater all of them.

And, preferably, this terminal should be built in china...

Sent from my SM-N950U1 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Docno]

I hope they do the same at DM … that airport needs it more. The Chinese also need their own security screening lines so that they don't slow the rest of us down. If they want to cut queue, let them do it with each other. Have at it...! 

[sammieuk1]

Are there no chinks in BJ's armour as he single handily saves Thailand's reputation ?

[Gillyflower]

58 minutes ago, madmitch said:

I wonder if the IOs manning the special Chinese lanes will be able to speak some Chinese. If that are the case it really would make sense. 

Why should they need to speak Chinese?  I've never had an IO address one word to me in any language.

[dunroaming]

3 minutes ago, gamini said:

You sound like a typical Thai basher who has  never been anywhere else except Thailand. I have stayed at many of the best hotels around the world, have you ? Few of them compare with the with the best hotels in Thailand, where the service and food are incredible. I found Italian restaurants in this country which are better than I've found in Italy. And I've eaten at the very best there in many cities . I found the Dorchester and the Hilton hotel in London hardly second class. There are many fantastic restaurants in Thailand that I go to with my Thai friend that you  probably don't know about.  I have also met many wealthy high-class Chinese who adore this country. I guess you mix with the wrong types or meet the wrong ones.

As for service, in general, I find Thailand far exceeds most countries. The people here are friendly polite and helpful. 

I have to say I recognise Spider Mikes view a little more than yours but It is good that you are having such a good time.

[DogsBarkingAllDay]

Along the red carpet, get several well dressed servers to serve refreshments and complimented wines.

The queue line should install full-leather sofa seats all the way to the immigration counter. So they don't have to stand , just sit all the way for queueing. More VIP atmosphere

 

[gaff]

he is not only a big joke, he is also a clown.

 

 

[bigpanda42]

They can push and shove themselves now?

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[rosst]

3 hours ago, AhFarangJa said:

I can see it now...........

I have worked in China and this picture is business as usual, shocking. 

[Media1]

3 hours ago, RotMahKid said:

discrimination.

Thailand