Thai agents: Half-year travel dips

[Bangkok Barry]

13 hours ago, Lashay said:

Actually in the west they are know as good spenders, not only as tourists but investing in property. The zero dollar  chinese package tourist is  mainly a SEA thing, especially Thailand as they have been mainly getting the bottom end of the Chinese market.

 

This is very true. Thailand does indeed get the bottom of the barrel with the Chinese visitors it attracts. I've witnessed Chinese tourists in Dubai who act like civilised human beings, who would never dream of crapping or peeing or spitting in the street, or screeching across the room at each other, or pushing their way through queues, or fighting for their place at the buffet trough.

[mike1967]

2 hours ago, rkidlad said:

My friend asked about visiting me in Thailand in December. I told him by all means do. I just told him to check the exchange rate. When we first holidayed in Thailand in 2005 we were getting up to 75 baht to the pound. Now it’s what - 39 baht? Add to that the price of alcohol (yes, alcohol is a big factor for many tourists who visit here) and it doesn’t seem so great for him now. 

Just been to Asda to buy some beer for the weekend. A can of bud light (let's call it a pint near enough) is 30 baht. That's a third of the price of a pint (let's call that 2 bottles) than the cheapest bar in Pattaya and half the price of any shop. Thailand isn't just about beer but part of the fun was having a cheap drink. If you want to head to the south of Thailand then you're looking at £6 a pint near enough. Now, that's London prices!!! Whether you like it or not, drinking is a part of many farangs holiday. I can't believe it wouldn't make a difference if everyone knew this before going.

Edited July 6, 2019 by mike1967
Posted before completing

[Mac98]

15 hours ago, dcnx said:

People are tired of Thailand’s crap. It’s endless nonsense here. It takes a lot but you can actually kill the Goose that lays the golden egg. I don’t think that’s the case yet but it’s not far away. Especially when Thailand’s neighbors are more welcoming and easier than ever to get around in.

 

Thailand had an advantage for decades because of the infrastructure and ease of getting around inside the country. Thailand was cheap and easy. Well, it’s not that cheap anymore and all the other dirt holes in the area have come up and are now easy. 

 

The Thais will have to learn the hard way that they are not now and never were special. They just had a jump on the competition. And honestly, what’s left to see here that hasn’t been ruined by mass tourism? If you’ve been here twice, you’ve seen enough unless you’re a sex tourist.

Few places in the world are truly unique. If you have Hawaii's weather you don't market discount malls; Vegas doesn't spend millions to market quiet solitude. What is Thailand known for? Play that up. Keep them coming.

[Kaopad999]

What do you expect with such a high THB and terrible peforming GBP, USD and Euros. People liked to come to Thailand because it was cheap. Yes, the flights might be a bit pricy, but being able to stay here on the cheap for 2-4 weeks is nolonger a reality for most.

So, of course  people will travel to European destinations or neighboring countries like Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and so on. 
11% less booking? more like 40% less, I took a walk down to the Saturday night walking street market the other week here in CM, and the street was nearly half empty, rewind  2 years ago and EVEN during the low season the whole street was still packed! 

[Miami007]

16 hours ago, Lenny Jones said:

The Chinese are internationally known as "Zero Dollar Tourists"  They are worthless if a country is looking for tourist money - -

Not necessarily true everywhere.. Chinese are buying tons of luxury goods in Europe.  

[Zack61]

I’m off with my Thai wife to live in our neighbouring countries. We’ll be using our THB as exchange for local currencies and when that runs out we’ll give THEM my foreign currency. 

Thailand will no longer get any of my foreign currency to the tune of a million baht equivalent a year. An easy decision in light of the current visa, exchange and political situations. I thank this current government for making it an easy decision for me. The best of Thailand resides in the past. 

[Bangkok Barry]

21 minutes ago, mike1967 said:

Does anyone think it's ever possible for the Thais to realise that western money doesn't come from the magic money tree? You know, the place we go to pick endless money that we ''ALL" have apparently!!!

 

The main problem as I see it is that Thais are so brainwashed about how great their country is that they simply cannot envision that tourists would want to go anywhere else. They believe they have the best temples, the best beaches, the best shopping, the best everything. They do not. Far from it. And they are so blinkered and uninterested in the world outside of their tiny, insignificant country that they don't know that somewhere better exists. I know of many Thais who have gone to live outside of Thailand for various reasons, and after seeing how the real world operates only one said she would return once her husband died. He did, but several years later she remains in Europe.

[alzack]

16 hours ago, HeyHeyHey said:

Tourism down, exports down, gdp growth down, debt up

 

But but but... THB the strongest currency in Asia, if not the world

Can anyone tell us who's making the money out of this? the faceless men in grey suites??

We left Thailand for this very reason my income from Pensions was lost in the order of 47%

[RichardColeman]

Not to worry, when the TAT has a word with the TTA their will be a miscalculated boom

[smudger1951]

So many farangs here have gone home now, the appartments are empty. The new visa regulations along with strong baht will take their toll on future numbers. Killing the goose !

[rkidlad]

22 minutes ago, mike1967 said:

Just been to Asda to buy some beer for the weekend. A can of bud light (let's call it a pint near enough) is 30 baht. That's a third of the price of a pint (let's call that 2 bottles) than the cheapest bar in Pattaya and half the price of any shop. Thailand isn't just about beer but part of the fun was having a cheap drink. If you want to head to the south of Thailand then you're looking at £6 a pint near enough. Now, that's London prices!!! Whether you like it or not, drinking is a part of many farangs holiday. I can't believe it wouldn't make a difference if everyone knew this before going.

That’s it. We first came to Thailand mostly cos it was cheap. It’s certainly not cheap anymore. Even on a ex pat salary. 

[Miami007]

39 minutes ago, mike1967 said:

Does anyone think it's ever possible for the Thais to realise that western money doesn't come from the magic money tree? You know, the place we go to pick endless money that we ''ALL" have apparently!!!

Overall, Asian investment and money inflows (from China and Japan) are bigger than western investment.. sure there are probably more western expats who live here in retirement,  but who has been buying all these condos in Bangkok in the past years? 

[brucefarang]

Some expats are really struggling now- they might have their 400,000 or 800,000 in the bank but their monthly spend is being seriously eroded - a healthy £2000 a month pension income has fallen from 100,000 Baht to about 77,000 . A huge difference especially as prices are rising lowly but surely. Options are there if  you are prepared to move countries-something many would find hard if settled and  well into their twilight years!

[Kaopad999]

5 minutes ago, Miami007 said:

Overall, Asian investment and money inflows (from China and Japan) are bigger than western investment.. sure there are probably more western expats who live here in retirement,  but who has been buying all these condos in Bangkok in the past years? 

Well more westerners would buy im sure, if they were being provided by a decent long term visa... especially  for the under 50's! 

Edited July 6, 2019 by Kaopad999

[mike1967]

14 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

The main problem as I see it is that Thais are so brainwashed about how great their country is that they simply cannot envision that tourists would want to go anywhere else. They believe they have the best temples, the best beaches, the best shopping, the best everything. They do not. Far from it. And they are so blinkered and uninterested in the world outside of their tiny, insignificant country that they don't know that somewhere better exists. I know of many Thais who have gone to live outside of Thailand for various reasons, and after seeing how the real world operates only one said she would return once her husband died. He did, but several years later she remains in Europe.

All totally true. Travel makes you wise yet they seem to believe they understand all different cultures because they have spoken about them in a bar. They truly think they don't need to see it to understand it. 9 years of frustration has taught me this. England is nothing like Pattaya, just for an example.

[robert888d]

The baht is too bloody strong. The once Land of Smiles has changed into a Land of moans and groans...

Edited July 6, 2019 by robert888d

[alzack]

9 minutes ago, brucefarang said:

Some expats are really struggling now- they might have their 400,000 or 800,000 in the bank but their monthly spend is being seriously eroded - a healthy £2000 a month pension income has fallen from 100,000 Baht to about 77,000 . A huge difference especially as prices are rising lowly but surely. Options are there if  you are prepared to move countries-something many would find hard if settled and  well into their twilight years!

Very true We pulled out of Thailand 2 yrs ago now better off in UK. I was getting nothing for my son in Thailand, now full tax credits  for him., free schooling, free health ( i did pay 44 years NI though) Everything now better. We miss a lot of things in Thailand, but the worry of our monthly income draining away not one of them.

Edited July 6, 2019 by alzack
spelling

[dallen52]

18 minutes ago, alzack said:

Can anyone tell us who's making the money out of this? the faceless men in grey suites??

We left Thailand for this very reason my income from Pensions was lost in the order of 47%

Thailand relies heavily on European Chinese major engineering firms for roads, bridges, submarines etc.

The powers that be love an exchange rate around 31 to the USD.

They can buy more, cheaper. 

Leaving more for the brown paper envelopes.  Seriously. 

Tourists don't really count for sqat in terms of the economics of Thailand. 

Most tourist spend is unreported and cash in hand.

Does not figure in the equation. 

 

If tourists want to come they have to accept the low exchange rates. 

Sadly for the people who choose to live here, it a different ball game. 

Keep on going, or defongerate. 

[Miami007]

4 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

That’s it. We first came to Thailand mostly cos it was cheap. It’s certainly not cheap anymore. Even on a ex pat salary. 

Very true.. Thailand is not as cheap as many people still believe. European brands cost just as much (or more) here as they cost in the USA.. certain things are still more affordable- especially when human labor is involved. Rent in Bangkok (for a decent flat according to western standards) is cheaper than London or New York, but probably on par with second tier US cities. 

On the topic of alcohol.. USD 5-7 (150-200 THB) for a drink in a bar is still better than in most US vacation destinations (e.g. Miami).. and the potential company is probably more attractive as well.

 

Taking everything into account, I would guess that the total cost of living in Bangkok is about 10 to 15% lower than in the West.

[Kaopad999]

Just now, alzack said:

Very true We pulled out of Thailand 2 yrs ago now better off in UK. I was getting nothing for my son in Thailand, now full tax credits  for him., free schooling, free heath ( i did pay 44 years NI though) Everything now better. We miss a lot of things in Thailand, but the worry of our monthly income draining away not one of them.

I was doing okay when I came here 8 years ago, now i'm really feeling the pinch, and now having to make savings left right and centre. 
I think the next destination for me might be another South East Asian Country. If not, then I guess I might also be heading back to the UK (Not that I realllllllyy want to) But, it's not worth being in Thailand when things become tough... 

 

[alzack]

4 minutes ago, dallen52 said:

Thailand relies heavily on European Chinese major engineering firms for roads, bridges, submarines etc.

The powers that be love an exchange rate around 31 to the USD.

They can buy more, cheaper. 

Leaving more for the brown paper envelopes.  Seriously. 

Tourists don't really count for sqat in terms of the economics of Thailand. 

Most tourist spend is unreported and cash in hand.

Does not figure in the equation. 

 

If tourists want to come they have to accept the low exchange rates. 

Sadly for the people who choose to live here, it a different ball game. 

Keep on going, or defongerate. 

Yes, I suspected that about all the big engineering projects thanks for your thoughts

maybe a crash coming?

[alzack]

2 minutes ago, Kaopad999 said:

I was doing okay when I came here 8 years ago, now i'm really feeling the pinch, and now having to make savings left right and centre. 
I think the next destination for me might be another South East Asian Country. If not, then I guess I might also be heading back to the UK (Not that I realllllllyy want to) But, it's not worth being in Thailand when things become tough... 

 

Hi well it was hard going back was out of uk 20 yrs. But in the end its paid of

UK Pension increased, had been fixed rate since 2006

My 10 yr old son gets tax credits, schooling, dentist, hospital free

My wife and I get free  Medical with National health

Free bus travel

Tax refunds on rent and council tax

We stopped to loose on the exchange rates

Food is cheaper, especially the Farang food I like in Thailand

So in our circumstances wee are better, but every one is different i think.

Having a 10 year old son in old age was a plus here in uk, unusual

All the best and good luck

[THE REVERAND]

Prices go UP .  Visitors go Down . At present The Thai Government is pushing the Baht Up And the Farang OUT. Restaurants ,Accomodation and Food are all increasing.

[DrTuner]

Chinese have their own Chinese owned systems. Somnamnaa for letting them in.

[David in the north]

17 hours ago, Brigand said:

Well, you could say they have weaponized the baht. A high baht does two obvious things that they want atm, firstly it gets rid of many westerners that are living full time here that they seem uninterested in now, and secondly they can strip the tourists that do come for their foreign currency and there are still plenty even if numbers are down. There are still loads of Chinese and Indians coming so it's good for them to have a strong currency. The Euro, and especially the pound, are doing badly because of uncertainty and not because their economies are bad ... markets hate uncertainty. Once the direction of the UK is decided (in or out deal/WTO) and the EU's path can be seen for the next 5 years then these two currencies will bounce back. I'm unsure why the Thai government is happy to let their exporters/farmers feel the pain with falling exports, but I guess the elite is ambivalent on this and has plans that are more important, like procurement power of certain foreign goods for import or investment for a select few overseas.      

Farmers do not count. They do not matter!
Price of rice to the farmer very low - yet no reduction in price in the shops, supermarkets etc..

[30la]

Strange, totally different from the TAT data ...

[OffshoreMig]

I am not sure that Travel Agent data is a good/reliable indicator/.  More  and more tourists book direct over the internet.  With the crack down on accomodation rentals it all adds up. Much of the high value of the THB has to do with the US/China trade war.  (Is the THB floated of fixed by government?  What is clear is that it is cheaper to take the family back home. Pensions are being paid more and more only in the home state.

[Suradit69]

17 hours ago, potless said:

Better informed views from members please.

Wishful thinking.  "Facts" are shaped to fit personal agenda.

 

[Spellforce]

Most comments are off topic (westerners, strong Bahts etc...).

That article only tells that there is a decline of CHINESE tourists coming in Thailand with TOUR OPERATORS.

 

That was perfectly predictable. Do you remember the first russian tourists maybe 12-13 years ago ? The early first waves were coming with tour operators and it took only a couple of years to see them coming alone. (BTW a couple of chinese have just purchased a pool villa 100 meters away from mine)

 

The only conclusion is that we will see more and more chineses coming alone, not in groups.

[Seeall]

16 hours ago, Lenny Jones said:

So true!

Thailand's "magic" has been been uncovered by the real magic of internet.  The ability to scam and strip one-off tourists is finished.  New tourists are savvy and the old-style rip-off businesses are dying.

 

The government - in it's ineptitude - thought that making the baht stronger would cure the financial ills.

 

Wrong

 

It killed it's two biggest exports - rice and tourism.  The countries surrounding Thailand are making a killing in these two areas now and the ONLY things Thailand can do is:

 

Devalue the baht

Price its exports to compete

TEACH its tourist providers to consider running their business with repeat visitors in mind.  The one-off sting is a thing of the past.

Wen I read this I had a flashback..  was with some friends at a nightclub.. went in around 2300 hrs.. on of the boys asked a freelancer standing on the corner ouside how much?  answer : 3000 thb ...he asked her again at 0100 and price the same....  we went home around sunrise...  he asked her again = 3000 .. he said bahh.. going to sleep ...