Entertainment tourism: Pattaya for Europeans is over - 30% down this year, official

[sambum]

14 hours ago, SuwadeeS said:

Look. There are many things happen here right now.

First of all, Pattaya does not get better. Then the artificially strong Thai baht. Probably made up by the rich elite to buy cheap euros and dollars, before the Thai baht crashes at some point. If you take it exactly, and look at the economy, then the Thai Baht would have to stand for the dollar by 1:50.
Next point is the Dual Pricing. Why do Thais always think foreigners do not notice that? So stupid. As a result, they upset the few tourists they have. Then the ever stricter visa requirements for retirees, etc.

Well, they have never been good at mathematics. As average, a retiree brings 50,000 baht in foreign currency per month into Thailand economy. That's 600,000 Baht per pensioner per year.
If only I now estimate 200,000 retirees who moved. Then 120,000,000,000 baht (120 billion baht) of foreign currency per year are gone.
Here are not even the tourists included, which I have denigrated with rip-off, dual pricing and fraud.
My cautious estimate is about 10,000,000 tourists that Thailand has lost sustainably during the last 5 years because of this rip-off. Estimated loss is about 1.000,000,000,000 baht.
All in all, the loss for the Thai economy amounts to approximately 1.120,000,000,000 baht per year. Even thought and converted into Dollar it is still a lot of money. 

My theory can be proven by walking with open eyes and see all the shut down shops everywhere.
This can not be compensated by a few Chinese or Indian package tourists.

You have to change the attitude of the Thais towards the business methods.

But since Thai attitute will never accept foreign advice.....

well, may the last turn off the light.

Yes, the "dumb farangs" are voting with their feet, and I can neither agree or disagree with your numbers re pensioners/ex pats, but I can agree re the currency that each one pumps into the Thai economy every year, and in total it is bound to be a hefty sum indeed! 

 

I can also bear witness to the fact that over the last few years the number of tourists have been consistently decreasing on a regular basis - as can be seen by the empty streets, and the number of empty bars/restaurants up for sale. (Despite TAT's regular claims to the contrary)

 

I read somewhere that the latest requirements regarding keeping money in a Thai bank for 6 months rather than 3 months, and half of it to be kept there all year were brought about by a few people skipping out on their hospital bills. That makes complete sense to me, as those people were probably tourists, and a typical knee jerk reaction by the Thai Government to penalise the wrong people altogether, as ex pats/pensioners have to report regularly to Immigration, who are well aware of where they live!

 

A bit like the incident that happened a few years ago when a railway steward/employee that had a history of drug abuse and criminal behaviour raped a young girl and killed her by throwing her off the train. The solution - not put a system in place to vet prospective future employees, but just to ban drink  on all trains!

 

I foresee much wringing of hands in the next few months!

Edited July 12, 2019 by sambum

[swissie]

10 hours ago, Bremser said:

You are saying there are lot of alternatives to Pattaya and name for example Vietnam.

 

But I guess if you are boarding here to make holiday for party and sex you don't find to many alternatives around for the same costs. The only I can think is Angeles City, but there you don't have an infrastructure as in Patts.

 

Or did you come across other places you can do it with that budget you need in Pattaya?

Agree, it goes down year by year, but for those tourists with the focus on party/sex it is most propably still the best place to be.

 

 

But if I see something wrong, I am absolutely open to other opinions.

Cheers 

How right you are. When it comes to Party/"Entertainement", there is still no other place on this globe that even comes close to Pattaya. Strictly only considering things like Price/Reward/Infrastructure within the "Nighttime-Entertainement" Tourist sector, well understood.

Anyone, having found a place where the Price/Reward/Infrastructure Ratio is better than Pattaya concerning "Nighttime-Entertainment" should boldly step foreward and let the world know.

[swissie]

Will soon leave for another Holiday to Pattaya. Have Skyped with a couple Farang-Friends them living in "my" Pattaya neighborhood. They claim this low-season is "slow", but not slower than last year at the same time. About as busy/slow as last year.
Prices unchanged (Hotels, Beer, Ladies, Farang Food.) Everything same same.
 
- I guess it depends a lot WHERE one stays in Pattaya. No, I don't stay in some hidden corner of "the dark-side", nor do I hang around "the Black-Holes" of Pattaya much (WS/Soi6 etc etc).
Well, I am curious. Will soon find out for myself.
What did the real-estate guy tell us? It's all about location, location, location.

[Destiny1990]

3 minutes ago, swissie said:

How right you are. When it comes to Party/"Entertainement", there is still no other place on this globe that even comes close to Pattaya. Strictly only considering things like Price/Reward/Infrastructure within the "Nighttime-Entertainement" Tourist sector, well understood.

Anyone, having found a place where the Price/Reward/Infrastructure Ratio is better than Pattaya concerning "Nighttime-Entertainment" should boldly step foreward and let the world know.

Are you talk about these overpriced gogobars in Walking street? Price reward infrastructure??

Many have left because hassle with their visa extensions..

 

[Destiny1990]

7 minutes ago, swissie said:

Will soon leave for another Holiday to Pattaya. Have Skyped with a couple Farang-Friends them living in "my" Pattaya neighborhood. They claim this low-season is "slow", but not slower than last year at the same time. About as busy/slow as last year.
Prices unchanged (Hotels, Beer, Ladies, Farang Food.) Everything same same.
 
- I guess it depends a lot WHERE one stays in Pattaya. No, I don't stay in some hidden corner of "the dark-side", nor do I hang around "the Black-Holes" of Pattaya much (WS/Soi6 etc etc).
Well, I am curious. Will soon find out for myself.
What did the real-estate guy tell us? It's all about location, location, location.

They admitted it is 30% down what is it you don’t understand??

 

[swissie]

5 hours ago, Destiny1990 said:

They admitted it is 30% down what is it you don’t understand??

 

I understand that in my Thai-Neighborhood in Pattaya absolutely nothing is down by 30%.  Unfortunately !

[Awinkl]

On 7/11/2019 at 9:14 AM, BestB said:

Look on the bright side , Thailand is finally on the right tracks to salvation.

 

TAT admits tourist numbers are down

 

BOT admits economy is in bad shape 

 

Pattaya admits all local businesses are suffering which mind you must be total shock to our local Thai visa experts who always claim how busy it really is 

 

TOT cuts phone lines and taking a month to fix it .

 

So perhaps not all that bad, something positive is coming out from all of it????????

 

So - what to do? I am anticipating the "usual" response to the LOW SEASON - double the Prices everywhere!!!

[Rimmer]

Some off topic and replies removed

[bert bloggs]

2 hours ago, swissie said:

I understand that in my Thai-Neighborhood in Pattaya absolutely nothing is down by 30%.  Unfortunately !

Same where we live ,a house the same as ours has just sold for 7 million ,two years ago they were going in the five and a half million range ,when built 12 years ago they were three point two,seems our area is getting even better .,ime not complaining .

[Rimmer]

A baiting post has been removed

[Den2656]

It’s a sign of the times people just don’t have the money anymore 

[Rimmer]

Off topic posts about Cuba removed

[Percy P]

But it's not the Baat that is strong against other currencies.Its other currencies that are weak against the Baat.

[morrobay]

49 minutes ago, Percy P said:

But it's not the Baat that is strong against other currencies.Its other currencies that are weak against the Baat.

50/50: The baht is overvalued. And thanks to trump and the saps at the FED the dollar is undervalued/under siege.

Edited July 14, 2019 by morrobay

[Roy Baht]

6 hours ago, morrobay said:

50/50: The baht is overvalued. And thanks to trump and the saps at the FED the dollar is undervalued/under siege.

According to the Big Mac index, the US dollar is overvalued worldwide.

I came to Thailand for the cheap burgers and I'm still glad I did.

 

 

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/12/investing/dollar-big-mac-index/index.html

[chrisandsu]

16 minutes ago, Roy Baht said:

According to the Big Mac index, the US dollar is overvalued worldwide.

I came to Thailand for the cheap burgers and I'm still glad I did.

 

 

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/12/investing/dollar-big-mac-index/index.html

You will have to forgive him . I’m sure msnbc spoon fed him that . 

[Roy Baht]

1 hour ago, chrisandsu said:

You will have to forgive him . I’m sure msnbc spoon fed him that . 

Who eats burgers with a spoon? ????

 

My point? Thailand is still a bargain if you have dollars. Don't have enough of them? Go home.

[Penefattore]

On 7/11/2019 at 6:11 AM, LongTang said:

Som-Nam-Na !

 

This is what you get for treating western foreigners like dirty criminals !

They take all your fingerprints and a facial recognition photo, force you to report on your every move, publicly expose you on national media for being drunk or on a 2 day overstay, double charge you on about anything, And then expect you to come here and spend your money on some carefree good time??? right..

 

not to speak about crazy Immigration bouncing wealthy long stayers and frequent visitors at the airport ...how much stupid can they be ?

[sunnyboy2018]

On 7/11/2019 at 2:52 AM, ThreeEyedRaven said:

Pattaya has sunk as certainly as the Phoenix, but it is difficult to see it rising from the ashes.

High baht is one thing, but years and years of corrupt cops, fleecing taxis, violent assaults and thefts all put a damper on travelers enthusiasm, and nothing seems to ever happen to stem any of it. It is a pit they have dug for themselves.

The rip off taxis are a relatively new phenomenon. Corrupt cops actually regulate crime more effectively than police in other countries.  Violent assaults are very rare compared to the UK. Theft is VERY rare in Thailand. I speak from experience not the sensational headlines.

[sunnyboy2018]

2 hours ago, Roy Baht said:

Who eats burgers with a spoon? ????

 

My point? Thailand is still a bargain if you have dollars. Don't have enough of them? Go home.

A bargain, great fun, safe and always interesting with the most fun girls in the world.  A unique country. Some farang want Pattaya to fail. As do some influential Thais...

[sunnyboy2018]

On 7/13/2019 at 12:42 AM, vinniekintana said:

I think Thailand (and Pattaya) has had its day.

As Asia develops and becomes more expensive, retirees will be looking to other destinations closer to home.

There's just too much hassle being here now...old farts cannot keep up with the changing landscape.

As for prostitution, the main attraction in Pattaya, it's just becoming too expensive and the women are getting older..

Collapsing demographics is a bitch.

 

If I had properties in Pattaya (and Thailand in general) I would be looking forward to sell them in the near future...the strong baht will make my money go further in whichever market (in the West) I choose to relocate

 

If....says it you .You dont have a dog in the fight.

[sunnyboy2018]

On 7/12/2019 at 12:32 PM, Destiny1990 said:

I don't like Italians in general.

i feel more for Spanish individuals.

i don’t think much price difference these 3 countries u can live for small or big money every month..

i dont base my relocation on the price difference of a pack of cigarettes. 

And the Italian mafia pervades all aspects of life. No cheap street food. Men who eat ice cream like children and no good fun girls like Thailand. Check out the price of budget hotels....Most European countries are OK for a holiday but not for retirement.  The Balkans maybe the exception.

Edited July 14, 2019 by sunnyboy2018

[Destiny1990]

47 minutes ago, sunnyboy2018 said:

And the Italian mafia pervades all aspects of life. No cheap street food. Men who eat ice cream like children and no good fun girls like Thailand. Check out the price of budget hotels....Most European countries are OK for a holiday but not for retirement.  The Balkans maybe the exception.

What’s wrong with Spain Portugal or Tenerife for retirement?

300-400 euros have decent accommodation same with Thailand 

[observer90210]

Booze and chicks much cheaper in many European beach cities, with no dual pricing, no fleecing or cheating, no taxi scams...and with the overrated high THB.... the causes are quite simple actually ... and soon the Indians will also get fed up of being bullied around....

Edited July 14, 2019 by observer90210

[ukrules]

There's one thing that prompts me to move to a different location and that's if it becomes boring.

 

Large reductions in people here makes it quiet. I like to go to the bars, not for the girls, but for beers in a place that has a bit of an atmosphere - it it's empty everywhere all the time then I start looking for other places to go.

 

It has been very quiet and starting to become a bit boring lately.

 

I'll decide whether to renew my TE visa early next year.

 

To summarise - those people who immigration are busy denying entry to provide amusement and entertainment to me just by being there, they make things interesting and add 'atmosphere' to the place. Without them then there's little to do and I start getting a little bored....

[sunnyboy2018]

Just now, Destiny1990 said:

What’s wrong with Spain Portugal or Tenerife for retirement?

300-400 euros have decent accommodation same with Thailand 

I love Spain and Portugal but its euro land prices and girls and night life is more expensive and less accessible.  I spent ten years in Spain and Portugal...but the girly scene is lacklustre and the streets of Spain are violent.

[sunnyboy2018]

1 hour ago, observer90210 said:

Booze and chicks much cheaper in many European beach cities, with no dual pricing, no fleecing or cheating, no taxi scams...and with the overrated high THB.... the causes are quite simple actually ... and soon the Indians will also get fed up of being bullied around....

Name me one beach city in Europe where there is a girly scene like pattaya in Europe.. If you think taxi scams are unique to Thailand then you have not been to Europe. I have NEVER been bullied in Thailand.  People take care of me or ignore me but never bully me. Spain  Serbia  etc are great fun and have potential but Thailand is more fun. Exchange rates aside:if you are not enjoying Thailand you are doing it wrong. Good luck.

[Destiny1990]

1 hour ago, sunnyboy2018 said:

I love Spain and Portugal but its euro land prices and girls and night life is more expensive and less accessible.  I spent ten years in Spain and Portugal...but the girly scene is lacklustre and the streets of Spain are violent.

Okey so u like cheap sex.

Then go Phillipines or Vietnam Cambodia etc choices enough.

But Stop pitching only one place that’s  fishy.

[morrobay]

8 hours ago, Roy Baht said:

According to the Big Mac index, the US dollar is overvalued worldwide.

I came to Thailand for the cheap burgers and I'm still glad I did.

 

 

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/12/investing/dollar-big-mac-index/index.html

The Big Mac index does not factor oversupply/demand. Don't need to elaborate on why what you like in Pattaya is cheap. Some internet searches show Big Mac Pattaya 150 baht/USA $4 = 37.5B/$. Then a little package of balloons in Tops Central/beach is 65 baht! Even if it was $1 in the U. S.... 

[morrobay]

8 hours ago, chrisandsu said:

You will have to forgive him . I’m sure msnbc spoon fed him that . 

??? By the way Hoss, outside of Trumps weak dollar policy I am all for the wall and everything else Trump is trying to do ala/Fox news.