TAT chief blames high baht and lack of Europeans for drop in Thai tourism

[mindfulness]

Trust the TAT dude will have words with Thai Immigration also.

 

Not only the strength of the Baht and the economy of western countries but that crazy immigration department whom seem to be oblivious of the stupidity of their policies that also have a knock on effect with tourism. 

Sheesh it’s easier to get a three month immigration  stamp with the US than it is to get one here, oh I forgot it’s a BS money making thing here. 

Pathetic Logic hits the bullseye once again. 

[Zikomat]

Squeezing digital nomads out of the country has never been a good idea. The typical nomad earns exclusively outside of Thailand, but spends most of his earnings in Thailand. I would call the digital nomads Super Tourists who should have been treated with additional respect. But go explain this to the Thai bureaucrats. They see nomads as a threat to the local taxi drivers, som tam sellers and others.

[mindfulness]

More propaganda to save those repugnant lost faces. 

 

Take it the Chinese numbers are falling, very few Indians want to come here, so make some shout out on how / why the western tourists is drying up. All in the aid to make a marketing impact to get them back. 

Well one thing is for sure, you’ll need to give that job back to the Police Chief of Pattaya ! 

[Kasane]

3 hours ago, Fex Bluse said:

And if you are correct, how embarrassing is it for Thais that they are begging for those 3 classes to come back? 

 

How much face can they lose? 

 

What does it say about the country they are so proud of that they can't attract better quality people? 

 

Is it a reflection of themselves?

I did not mean that those were the only 3 categories of Westerners that go to Thailand. There's the criminal element too alongside the human traffickers. All these categories are being broomed out of Thailand. And good riddance.

But the declining numbers of Westerners is mostly due to Western currencies, and hence those economies, swirling the drain.

[chilli42]

As a European, which I am not, why would I come here?  Taking it from their point of view, lingering safety concerns, crowds at popular destinations, higher costs, pollution etc all well covered by local media in Europe.  Thailand has lost its mojo.  Doesn’t matter if the expats that live here see it differently or not, perception is reality for tourists.  The lack of European tourists is not the problem, it’s the symptom of the problem(s) that nobody is willing to face up to and deal with.  The country is lucky to have the Chinese and Indians to offset the loss of numbers today.  One day even these Asian tourists will have had enough. 

[Farang99]

5 hours ago, Assurancetourix said:

I do not see the relationship between the brexit and the overvaluation of the Thai baht, but if the head of the TAT sees one ... ....

 

Contrary to the information issued by the newspapers "to orders", do not forget that they belong for the most part to billionaires who have made their "mistress" .. Brexit will certainly be a great moment in Britain;the pound will probably fall in the first weeks or even months to rise again and cock a snook to the euro and the US dollar.

The uncertainty over Brexit has caused the £ to lose value against the baby - more than 20% in the last year

[Graham8888]

Indeed I find myself searching harder and further to find Chinese free spots in Thailand. Also glad to have seen the glory days from 85 onwards.

[CNXexpat]

22 minutes ago, zydeco said:

Does he have a special slobber and spit plastic cover on the floors?

He only need it for the drunk western guys. I never saw a drunk Chinese.

20 minutes ago, goldenbrwn1 said:

And as for your friend, see how welcoming he is of Chinese when they start gobbing on his floor or worse!

They don´t do. I talked with some of them. One was a manager of Alibaba, some have good jobs in the computer industry, some their own companies. 

 

22 minutes ago, nev said:

I will also add all you can eat does not mean taking every prawn that came.

He doesn´t have buffet. But the Chinese love to order crabs for 400 or 600 Baht. 

[Boedog]

It is scary how delusional the Thai Government and tourism minister are thinking high season will be ok, they won't devalue the Baht it has continual dropped over 30% over the last 5 years wake up there not coming 

[Trexpat]

There is one more overriding factor that impacts tourism and that is greed. Years of high volume tourism with little invested in safety, transport, infrastructure, maintenance and upkeep. Years turning a blind eye to illegal and illicit operations because it made a buck. Years of allowing unrestricted access to environmentally sensitive areas because a buck could be made.

The fact that for so long businesses that rely entirely on tourism (tours, transport and attractions) have provided sub standard and even offensive service while confident in the fact that more tourist will come tomorrow has done more damage than any other thing. That '**** you' mentality is now biting them in the butt as tourist vote with their feet and go elsewhere. Yes the exchange rate is hurting, political instability has hurt as well but in my opinion the one thing that has let this country down is its own greed, never do they see the consequence of their actions nor will they ever accept it. Perhaps now they will begin to realise and start to work on the image and reputation of the country because if they get it right people will come regardless. Thailand is and will always be a beautiful country with a wonderful culture, the trouble is right now you can't find it!

 

[crazykopite]

Brexit has nothing to do with it ,Thailand is becoming unaffordable due to the strong baht , Europeans will spend their hard earned money else where . It would be very interesting to see how many expats have left the country or are making plans to leave this year due to the new immigration rules it’s not just about Tourist numbers if you have half a million middle income ex pats upping sticks to a neighbouring country that to will have a big effect . Here on the islands I have never known it to be so quiet in 13 years of living here and when I was at immigration on Monday there were more staff than tourists.

[chessman]

The numbers given in the report don't support grand theories about the decline of Thai tourism.

 

38.5 million visitors last year.

20 millions visitors so far this year...

 

So, the numbers are still on course to increase (perhaps not as much as they wanted - the 20 million figure is given as disappointing) as we are not yet half way through the year and I guess December is the busiest month for tourism. If they are on course for 40-45 million tourists this year then that would still be a significant increase.

 

They can't expect tourism to increase by double digits every year and of course it won't.

[BestB]

58 minutes ago, CNXexpat said:

 

 

Talking with the director.

????????????

[Millcx]

5 hours ago, keith101 said:

Finally someone admitting what we all know .

They can admit all they want but will do nothing ... If they believe India and China will make up thier shortfall then it’s head in the sand as usual

[Assurancetourix]

19 minutes ago, CNXexpat said:

I never saw a drunk Chinese.

  

 

Go to Cambodia;
go to Sihanoukville more exactly;
the Chinese have already built 50 casinos;
there will soon be 80;
In China there are no casinos except in Macao because the Chinese are uncontrollable if they start playing money.
the workers are Chinese, the houses of pleasure and drinks also ......

[Fex Bluse]

38 minutes ago, Kasane said:

I did not mean that those were the only 3 categories of Westerners that go to Thailand. There's the criminal element too alongside the human traffickers. All these categories are being broomed out of Thailand. And good riddance.

But the declining numbers of Westerners is mostly due to Western currencies, and hence those economies, swirling the drain.

I understand, thanks. 

 

Yeah, with the West being more frugal, and China's economy being disentangled with the West, there won't be many Chinese coming either. 

 

Too bad for little Thailand with no big spenders to sell themselves to. I guess they will have to start exporting more "hair stylists" and "bar cashiers" and "massage girls" to make up the economic shortfall. 

 

Or, there is always rice. Everyone likes rice. 

[newnative]

Maybe TAT will finally do some serious outreach to Europe and North America.

[CNXexpat]

14 minutes ago, BestB said:

????????????

You asked, I answered. What´s funny? I am at the hotel as a party and dining guest often. 

[CNXexpat]

7 minutes ago, Assurancetourix said:

  

 

Go to Cambodia;
go to Sihanoukville more exactly;
the Chinese have already built 50 casinos;
there will soon be 80;
In China there are no casinos except in Macao because the Chinese are uncontrollable if they start playing money.
the workers are Chinese, the houses of pleasure and drinks also ......

Sorry, forgot to write: in Chiang Mai. By the way, I also never saw topless Chinese in Chiang Mai, 800 km away from the beach - but many farangs.

[mdmayes]

 It is like death from a thousand cuts or the frog in a pot of coldwater which has heat applied to it and gets cooked. Thailad refuse to see it coming.

There are many places which are upping their game to get my tourist dollars. I have respond by traveling and spending them there.

[CNXexpat]

11 minutes ago, Fex Bluse said:

I understand, thanks. 

 

Yeah, with the West being more frugal, and China's economy being disentangled with the West, there won't be many Chinese coming either. 

 

Too bad for little Thailand with no big spenders to sell themselves to. I guess they will have to start exporting more "hair stylists" and "bar cashiers" and "massage girls" to make up the economic shortfall. 

 

Or, there is always rice. Everyone likes rice. 

You know not so much about Thai economy, right? 1. Thailand is the 9th biggest car building country in the world. 2. They export more than they import. 3. The USA have a huge deficit in trading with Thailand. Don´t tell Mr. Trump
https://ethailand.com/featured-news/top-10-thailands-exports-to-usa-and-europe-where-and-why-they-differ/2347/

 

https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c5490.html

[Fex Bluse]

20 minutes ago, chessman said:

The numbers given in the report don't support grand theories about the decline of Thai tourism.

 

38.5 million visitors last year.

20 millions visitors so far this year...

 

So, the numbers are still on course to increase (perhaps not as much as they wanted - the 20 million figure is given as disappointing) as we are not yet half way through the year and I guess December is the busiest month for tourism. If they are on course for 40-45 million tourists this year then that would still be a significant increase.

 

They can't expect tourism to increase by double digits every year and of course it won't.

Yeah, a challenge to take seriously numbers produced by

 

People of a culture that arguably predisposes many of them to have a flexible relationship with truth 

 

AND 

 

Who have much to gain from producing fantastical statistics 

 

After all, these are the same people who:

1. Cured Ebola multiple times 

 

2. Pushed trillions of liters of flood waters back into the ocean with junk boat propellers 

 

3. Rid Thailand of all corruption in 90 days 

 

4. Found no prostitution on Walking Street 

 

... amongst many other miracles 

[Sonhia]

What about the constant ripping off! The double standard in pricing, one price for Thai, one much higher price for farang/tourists? The over inflated entrance fees to many exhibits, national parks and the likes.

 

Lawlessness. Growing violence. Racism. Victimisation. Poor customer services. Pollution. Filth. Corruption. Impoliteness. Lack of respect. Lack of uncluttered public highways that are usually obstructed or blocked by uncaring shop owners, street vendors, small street restaurants / take aways, motorbikes plus many other vehicles. 

 

Wild packs of street dogs that are dangerous,  filthy and probably have rabies!

 

It does not take that much to work it out.

 

Schools are in need of foreign teachers but are struggling to either keep or place  foreign teachers! Why is that? Because of the BS with visa requirements and so on? The ripping off by most school Directors plus Thai teachers that do not follow Thai immigration law or standards as aet by the Thai Education authority plus the stagnant monthly salary which has not changed for the past ten or so years?

 

Foreigners have had enough! Thailand is too expensive and for what? Filthy dirty polluted beaches with beach vendors never giving those trying to relax a break! Unsafe roads. The constant pestering for money when trying to take a relaxing walk, drink a cold beer or even whilst trying to eat a meal!

It is too much invasion of privacy and far too much hard selling plus all of the above. 

 

African and or Indian tourists are not the answer...

 

I've been in Thailand for 12 years and seen such a dramatic drop, I too have had enough!

 

Take Pattaya city. What an ugly looking place not forgetting walking street which is bad enough during the night hours but in day light does not look inviting at all.

 

Fly tipping in most areas. Fly tipping is an expression for dumping litter and waste illigally and uncaringly.

 

Could the bubble have finally burst?

 

 

[JoeFromUSA]

How to chase away the remaining North Americans and Australians? Bring in more Chinese, Indians and Middle Easterners.

[adammike]

5 hours ago, BestB said:

We are all the same , ie farangs. Perhaps using term westerners would have been more appropriate 

He means the country's that use the Euro and of course the pound and the dollar,still on course for 40,000,000 this year.are Agoda  and Booking.com claiming only 2 rooms left at this price for next January? That's when the real affect of the high Baht and the struggle of the £ and€ will be clear.

[aspenbkk]

Here we go ? i was in bkk pattaya and chang mai and very little white tourists there  ! who spends money not chinese or indians for sure  and pattaya very little chinese on the beach there as people asked me to sit down every morning and i jog its comical and Beach deserted honestly . its rubbish the figures are not true i wondered how long it would take them to come out with things like this . When bars and eating places shutting down as can be seen and europeans americans and oz guys keep these places and bars open, as chinese come for 3 or 4 days all included so they spend nothing . this is what i expected to see as thailand is empty philippines and vietnam  lots of chinese now. All going there now and says its all up with tourism and whites here also but there but in thailand only going down lets wait for it soon the big announcement record numbers coming they will ruin there tourism if not already done that .

[Paul Henry]

My wife and I visit Thailand 3-4 times a year will be getting less, this time we went to India instead.Much better value for money. The Au$ is 30% down on historic values but we have not seen any price reduction in Thailand on imported goods from Australia eg. Meat,wine groceries, somebody is making a killing  by not passing on the savings. I guess the same applies to goods from other countries. This practice is the exact opposite of what we hear and see from Thai when times are tough "no customers put up the prices"

The government has no economic rationale and will continue with the look after me first principle 

[Hackney35]

This is basic economics that strong currency impacts exports (whether goods or services) 

I’ve just come back from a wonderful week in Croatia, it’s cheaper than Thailand, has beautifully clean water and the locals speak perfect English.

Why any European families/couples would go for a 1 week beach holiday in Thailand is beyond me when other places in Europe are so much nicer. 

Thailand will always be a great destination as a single man though.

[SABloke]

I've never understood how relatively minor currency fluctuations suddenly change everyone's mind about travelling: So last year this time a 10 day, 40,000 Baht holiday (Not including flights since that is bought locally) would have cost 1,041 Euros, now it's going to cost a whopping...wait for it... 1,145 Euros, so 10 Euros more a day. Hardly earth shattering is it? But we are led to believe that 100,000's of people have changed their plans because of the currency - nothing possibly to do with pollution, crime, dirty beaches, and the small matter of a military junta running the show. ????

[Parker2100]

Actively trying to make it hard for Western tourists does not help.

 

Word in the community is that Thailand is not friendly to Westerners anymore.

 

Many other places to go.