First, they were complaining about the zero-dollar-tours; now, they're offering free visas and dinners! 

 

Hypocrisy at its best.

Prefer a nice ''Ruby Murrey'' Myself, plenty of Indians/Pakis getting off the airport bus in Jomtien every day...

Edited November 28, 20187 yr by Jiggo

It would help Samui if the flights were cheaper. I paid 9200 baht return flight, it’s to much it is killing the Island.

What about us Expats that work here, pay taxes, spend lots of money on rent, cars, food, golf, etc, and hire/pay Thai employees?  We travel and now that they have stopped pay for Fast Track service, we have endure hours of standing behind the Hordes of these "quality" tourists being wooed by TAT.  No one allows for business air travel these days and that is the only way to get "Fast Track" (if droves of Chinese don't force their way over to fast track).  I know of three expats that are looking to be based elsewhere due to the airport travel problems.  Has anyone seen any numbers for the amount of money Expats or foreign companies contribute to the Thai economy? 

You forgot double pricing at national parks and the practice that has been abolished to get a discount with any proof that you are long term staying and no tourist.
Absolutely ridiculous...

“The Europeans were the biggest spenders, with higher revenue of over 30 per cent. Canadians and Russians were also big spenders, creating an increase in revenue of 22 per cent and 20 per cent respectively,” Weerasak added."

But still @$$ kissing for the Chinese instead of focusing on the tourists that spend more money.
What has been done to improve the situation of western tourists in Thailand?
They can be so lucky that Bangkok is the hub for a lot of international flights coming from Europe.
Otherwise their arrivals would be much worse.
A lot of people going to other countries such as Vietnam where they are more welcoming.

A quote from your story above.

“The Europeans were the biggest spenders, with higher revenue of over 30 per cent. Canadians and Russians were also big spenders, creating an increase in revenue of 22 per cent and 20 per cent respectively,” Weerasak added."

 

I have never been asked about my spending habits in the 15 years I have been visiting Thailand so how have these percentage figures been ascertained ?

Anyone else been surveyed about their spending ?

 

5 minutes ago, CLW said:

But still @$$ kissing for the Chinese instead of focusing on the tourists that spend more money.

"@$$ kissing" is a troublesome route to take.

Many people complain about the behaviour of the Chinese already. If they realize that they are put on such a pedestal and needed so badly, said behaviour will only become worse.

"A rare drop in tourist arrivals in October, caused by a sharp fall in the number of Chinese visitors"

 

Brilliant!

 

But, I digress.  500 mangoes for 10,000 chinese tourists.  So, each tourist receives 1/20 of a mango.   Very impressive. 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

“We hope Chinese tourists who love eating and shopping will spend more money while staying here. In January, the private and government sectors will jointly host a free dinner for 10,000 Chinese tourists in Bangkok by serving 5 tonnes of sticky rice with 500 mangoes. This will be recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records,” Chairat said. 

 

Jesus of Nazareth will be on hand to figure out how to share 500 mangoes between 10,000 Chinese tourists in a repeat of his famous 'bread and fish' dinner which almost won him a Michelin Star.  

     After all the good work Big Joke has done clearing out all the illegals, he will have to start all over again, after letting them all back in again.

Do you think that the people at T.A.T who write this type of article actually believe it 

1 minute ago, norfolkc said:

Do you think that the people at T.A.T who write this type of article actually believe it 

ROTFFL

 

They have a gun to their head to create the most outlandish BS possible.

I just cannot believe who comes up with this sort ot thing .. childish

How is "Pokemon" working out..???

6 hours ago, webfact said:

“The Europeans were the biggest spenders, with higher revenue of over 30 per cent. Canadians and Russians were also big spenders, creating an increase in revenue of 22 per cent and 20 per cent respectively,” Weerasak added.

“We hope the rise in non-Chinese tourists will help us reach our target.” 

But, they don't offer the "biggest spenders" the same free visa on arrival. 

Message here: We want the cheap-skates in volume as opposed to the "biggest spenders" who are farang.
What they'll get?  Continued weak tourist spending at the "street level" where it counts.

Beats me why "the highest security measures" have to be taken for a recently-salvaged hull on which many people died. In what way will that restore Chinese confidence in Thai maritime safety?

2 minutes ago, PerkinsCuthbert said:

Beats me why "the highest security measures" have to be taken for a recently-salvaged hull on which many people died. In what way will that restore Chinese confidence in Thai maritime safety?

It won't.

But somebody thinks the concept is 'sellable'.

6 hours ago, Justgrazing said:

Sticky rice and Mango .! Jeez' push the boat out won't you .. 

If they want 'em back we know what'll have 'em descending like a swarm of locust .. 

Beggars belief!!! ????????????????

5 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...Govt offers free dinner, free visa too..." 

 

'We'll even bend over and let you have a go if you come and give us money!'

 

 

 

 

They’ve been doing that for decades.

5 hours ago, Crossy said:

Somehow the maths doesn't work here.

 

That's 500g of rice and 0.05 of a mango per guest. You could possibly smell the mango on the rice.

 

Since when is mango and sticky rice considered a "free dinner"???

I like it, the filthy rich hiso's who profit from the Chinese on the package tours that exclude the general Thai tourist industry are squirming.

They chinese currency dropping it’s the Thai baht is over valued

6 hours ago, Crossy said:

Somehow the maths doesn't work here.

 

That's 500g of rice and 0.05 of a mango per guest. You could possibly smell the mango on the rice.

Or to make it even easier to comprehend that’s 1 mango for each 10 kg ( bucketful) of rice. Perhaps we could call it sticky rice with essence of mango. For those who have a sensitive nose.

Perhaps 50,000 mangoes would be more appropriate. 

1 hour ago, connda said:

But, they don't offer the "biggest spenders" the same free visa on arrival. 
 

Yes they do.

 

Visa exempt for 30 days.

 

Whereas some nationalities including Chinese, have to pay 2,000 baht to get 15 days of stay only.

 

And now they are exempted from this fee (not from the visa). For a limited time (2 months).

Edited November 28, 20187 yr by lkv

Doesn't this just make you vomit? I have never seen anywhere behave like these fools before.

 

On one hand they cannot wait to fill the hotels with them, then rob them scam them, cheat them berate them and criticize them, but the minute they appear to be losing a few Baht (which they keep telling everyone that it makes no difference) they start ass licking and fawning to get them back - To do what? Start ripping them off all over again. They must think the Chinese are as stupid as themselves if not stupider, they really have a shock coming their way.

 

One day, their little bubble will burst and they might just realize that the sun does not revolve around Thailand and that what Thailand thinks and does, has absolutely no bearing or interest as far as the rest of the world is concerned.

9 minutes ago, Formaleins said:

Doesn't this just make you vomit? I have never seen anywhere behave like these fools before.

 

On one hand they cannot wait to fill the hotels with them, then rob them scam them, cheat them berate them and criticize them, but the minute they appear to be losing a few Baht (which they keep telling everyone that it makes no difference) they start ass licking and fawning to get them back - To do what? Start ripping them off all over again. They must think the Chinese are as stupid as themselves if not stupider, they really have a shock coming their way.

 

One day, their little bubble will burst and they might just realize that the sun does not revolve around Thailand and that what Thailand thinks and does, has absolutely no bearing or interest as far as the rest of the world is concerned.

In selling in business, I've always maintained, 'never look desperate'. It comes back to haunt.

And on the promotional side, if you're going to give a gift (incentive), make it worth while, otherwise, you stand a pretty good chance of insulting the recipient.

what does thailand have to offer to Chinese tourists that other

asean countries do not have?

holidays in old buses that barely go uphill and when going downhill

have to keep fingers crossed so that the brakes will work?

 

 

7 hours ago, lamyai3 said:

as the biggest food fight in history...

... it’s gonna end up messy and going viral on the manners and etiquette of the yellow peril. 

59 minutes ago, fdbob said:

They chinese currency dropping it’s the Thai baht is over valued

Ah ! someone’s hit the nail on the head, great for the elite for their outside Thailand business property deals, crap for international buyers whom want to buy and export. No wonder the economy has been shafted by the glorious greedy elite. Oh wait who’s assisting them and having his strings pulled ?  

Yes just tell everyone all you care about is hitting revenue#.  Not quality, safety orany measure on how this helps the common folk or environment.  Just total <deleted> job. 

I guess they didn’t get the hint about safety, still focused on little freebies instead of focusing on the long term ????