13 minutes ago, NamKangMan said:

mega wealthy Chinese

Go to Macau for mega wealthy.

11 minutes ago, onera1961 said:

Go to Macau for mega wealthy.

 

I've been to Macau.  With no casinos, I don't see Thailand as being in competition with Macau for the wealthy Chinese, however, I do see Vietnam as being in direct competition with Thailand, and not just for gambling revenue.

 

I visa run regularly to Ho Chi Minh City.

 

I have seen a lot of Chinese with some serious money at this place, a few times.  

 

http://www.thegrandhotram.com/casino/

 

When in Ho Chi Minh City, I see them shopping, and it's not for dried fruit and seaweed from a supermarket.  ????

 

"The average spending for Chinese tourists traveling in a group in Europe was about RMB 9,800. 

Relaxing travel products topped the list of travel products booked on Ctrip with a proportion of 44.8%, followed by budget travel products at 43.77%. Luxury travel products demand increased by 39.2%, the highest growth rate, to comprise 11.2% of the total demand. "

Chinese are spending money in Thailand, proportionate to their incomes. Agree, unlike old aged European drinking beer in a bar and buying lady drinks (to enrich the bosses) to score girls 20 years younger than them, they don't spend money in bars. I see them in Terminal 21 in designer shops, perfume shops, boutique shops, etc. All over Europe, from Paris to Lisbon, I also saw the same pattern. 

1 hour ago, onera1961 said:

And they line up all over European airports for VAT refunds. 

Anything wrong with that?

1 hour ago, Kopitiam said:

Anything wrong with that?

No, it just proves that Chinese do buy. Without purchase, how can you get VAT refund? ????

 

From the Pattaya Forum:

 

https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1068949-where-have-all-the-chinese-gone-thai-media-say-tat-in-denial-about-tourism-numbers-in-pattaya/

 

"Some claimed Chinese visitors were down 60%."

 

"They said that increasing numbers of Chinese were now known as "FIT" travelers - that is to say they are organizing their own trips and are thus difficult to quantify."

 

"Thus difficult to quantify." - yeah, they are still working out how they "quantify" them, but at least the the Pattaya branch of the TAT admitted it was difficult to "quantify" them.

 

I would suggest, where they stay, what they eat, where they eat, what they buy, and how much they spend, is also "difficult to quantify."  ????

 

14 hours ago, NamKangMan said:

 

From the Pattaya Forum:

 

https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1068949-where-have-all-the-chinese-gone-thai-media-say-tat-in-denial-about-tourism-numbers-in-pattaya/

 

"Some claimed Chinese visitors were down 60%."

 

"They said that increasing numbers of Chinese were now known as "FIT" travelers - that is to say they are organizing their own trips and are thus difficult to quantify."

 

"Thus difficult to quantify." - yeah, they are still working out how they "quantify" them, but at least the the Pattaya branch of the TAT admitted it was difficult to "quantify" them.

 

I would suggest, where they stay, what they eat, where they eat, what they buy, and how much they spend, is also "difficult to quantify."  ????

 

In order to achieve what you have suggested in your last sentence, you either have to send someone to chaperone them or tag each with a GPS recorder.

On 11/21/2018 at 4:52 PM, Kopitiam said:

In order to achieve what you have suggested in your last sentence, you either have to send someone to chaperone them or tag each with a GPS recorder.

 

Or, just make up a press release.  ????

The cancer is spreading to Hua Hin.  My VIP bus was about 1/3 Chinese, the rest Thai, and me being the only farang.  Should be completely ruined in the next few years.  I went because a friend gave me his house...but even that wouldn't bring me to Pirate Island.