Thailand’s tourism – stormy weather ahead

[petedk]

It takes years to build a successful business , but one or two bad business deals or bad service can destroy the business very quickly.

 

Tourism in Thailand has been very very successful, but in recent years tourists have been made to feel more and more unwelcome or cheated.

 

Taxi prices in Phuket

Poorer service in some places

Road safety is very poor

Safety elsewhere is not too good

Rising value of the baht.

Rising food and drink prices in tourist areas

Pollution and filthy beaches

And more.

 

Tourists are now heading to other destinations, looking for other experiences.

It will take years to build up a tourism industry based on westerners if the drop in numbers isn't addressed now.

 

Sent from my SM-C710F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

 

 

[HuskerDo]

7 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

I've even met some working in a bar. A woman I know in the village has indebted herself paying 10,000 Baht a month for her daughter to get a good degree in economics in Bangkok, the daughter is working on the tills now in Tesco.

Not uncommon even in the US. I can't tell you how many college grads I've run across who were checking groceries. There isn't anything wrong with working in a grocery store but how is it they couldn't find a better position since they put in 4 years at the university? The answer I think is the grades they attained. Having a college degree means nothing to an employer if they didn't have good grades. A waste of 4 years of life spent partying and running up student debt. Silly. 

[wreckingcountry]

I've just been speaking to some friends who ventured into Patong last night they were shocked at the prices Spy 200 Baht Bottle of Cider 300 Baht

Prices go up when business is bad


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[jesimps]

1 hour ago, lamyai3 said:

Perhaps their wives and kids who depend on them do? The income requirement for a UK expat is now 7-8 times the minimum wage here. Fall below this, and you're a desparado? I'll never understand the apologists...

No nor me, but the guy you replied to is one of the chief apologists. He seems to love bashing his own kind, that's why I have him on ignore. 

[moonseeker]

There are so much better alternatives for vacations in friendly, clean and safe places. TH won't go down, but the demographics of tourism will change. For the first time this low season not one of my European friends is coming. They all are going to other destinations. MS>

[Dexlowe]

24 minutes ago, mok199 said:

Saddly this once amazing country and its friendly people and presitine natural resources have suffered and been pimped to the max...Greed Greed Greed...

"... pimped to the max ..." -- This is the most apt description of what has happened to Thailand that I have ever heard. 

 

But I do wonder about the business community. Where are they? Sure we get comments about the sad state of affairs in Thailand from assorted business groups from time to time, but that is about it. For people who have invested so much money in this country, why aren't they flexing their collective muscle? You would expect them to be hammering on doors, protesting furiously, being much more political. Instead we get the military and assorted mafia scum running things pretty much everywhere, pimping the ride and sucking the lifeblood out of the country. It's time the business community stood up and be counted.

[bluesea]

Hello , look at the Value of the Baht, your False statements to the World Bank on the Thai Economy where you state only 5% of the Population is in Poverty,Look what you have done to Expats with New Immigration Policies.

Start being honest with the World that is there just over your Boarders !!

[Longcut]

1 hour ago, marcusarelus said:

Average with a degree is 84,000  https://www.averagesalarysurvey.com/thailand

That is a "crock".  Thai's in Isaan won't even come close to those numbers..

[amykat]

1 hour ago, ChipButty said:

I went to get some breakfast the other morning and bumped into a poo ying I know from somewhere I couldn't remember which bar anyway she knew me, she ordered her food which came to 90 Baht she didnt even have enough money to pay so I gave her 100 Baht so even the bar girls are falling on hard times

No ...don’t start spreading rumors like this ....just certain con artists know how to pump money out you softies at each and every opportunity.  I have seen this in action for years.  OMG!!!!  Will you ever learn???

[SoilSpoil]

Thailands smog and plastic issues are getting a lot of global media coverage. Half the country smells to burned plastic at 5pm, beaches are filled with rubbish, farmers burn their lands , and so on. 

 

I have been here for many years and pollution problems are only getting worse. Hardly a holiday destination anymore.

[Creasy]

No one wants to pay 1st world prices for a 3rd world product and service.

 

No thought what so ever about about what  their actions may lead to.

 

They just don't get it. It's all about the now and how much they can stuff into their pockets

[Lupatria]

3 hours ago, LongTang said:

The storm is already here and the boat is SINKING !

 

 

Thank Buddha and burn incense - no Chinese tourists on board this time.

[Dinobot]

I've been here since the late 1980s. 

In my veiw, Thai people have changed.

Without doubt, Thais (speaking generally) are no longer as welcoming as they once were. Thais, in general, have become much more selfish and far less considerate. It is general, I know, but I speak from my experiences.

Yes, the baht doesn't help, the government crackdowns don't help, visa situations etc down't help. But the bottom line is Thais have changed. And it isn't for the better.

 

It’s no accident that this fundamental change in Thais, which I think many of us can agree on, coincided with the development of the smartphone and the invention and subsequent spread of selfie culture.

 

I’m not saying that the vain self interest wasn’t there, dormant to begin with... but the Instagram ecosystem made it not only possible, but most importantly acceptable - and even admirable, to be a completely self absorbed little tawt within thai society.

 

What were once curious eyes pointed outward at the world and the many curious foreigners come to their homeland, are now buried in an endless scroll newsfeed of self indulgent masturbatory one-upsmanship where everyone tries so hard to present a picture perfect lifestyle but simultaneously and quite ironically, leaves them more empty and wanting to live up to their fictional avatars, ever more lonely in the increasingly connected world.

 

The Thais did not patent this social phenomena, but they sure do it to the fullest extent possible, in my opinion.

 

Many facets of what was once a wonderful combination of attributes in this culture have as a result been thrown to the wayside, including the once-famous siamese welcome mat.

[GeorgeCross]

31 minutes ago, moonseeker said:

There are so much better alternatives for vacations in friendly, clean and safe places. TH won't go down, but the demographics of tourism will change. For the first time this low season not one of my European friends is coming. They all are going to other destinations. MS>

 

this is what they are not getting. westerners haven't stopped traveling, our dollars, euros and pounds are still worth a lot even with the recent weakness and by and large we are still 'rich' compared to the developing world.

 

we have just stopped coming to Thailand and i don't hear any thais asking why this is.

 

they are just blaming everyone else, including us LOL!

 

 

 

 

 

[GeorgeCross]

33 minutes ago, Dexlowe said:

"... pimped to the max ..." -- This is the most apt description of what has happened to Thailand that I have ever heard. 

 

But I do wonder about the business community. Where are they? Sure we get comments about the sad state of affairs in Thailand from assorted business groups from time to time, but that is about it. For people who have invested so much money in this country, why aren't they flexing their collective muscle? You would expect them to be hammering on doors, protesting furiously, being much more political. Instead we get the military and assorted mafia scum running things pretty much everywhere, pimping the ride and sucking the lifeblood out of the country. It's time the business community stood up and be counted.

 

because if they did it would involve a degree of introspection and that is a big no no here.

 

can't have anyone losing face can they.

 

 

[30la]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The TAT governor, Yuthasak Supasorn, recently spoke to a meeting in Thailand’s north-eastern city of Udon Thani. He outlined plans by tourism chiefs to develop niche markets for Thai tourism for secondary locations in the country targeting affluent tourists seeking lifestyle and wellness experiences, including LGBT travellers. He predicted that tourist revenues for 2020 would reach 3.7 billion baht with a 10% growth. The authority is, officially, still holding out hope that 2019 can rebound.

You will need all the amulets in the world to reach your dream, DREAMER!

[GeorgeCross]

14 minutes ago, Creasy said:

No one wants to pay 1st world prices for a 3rd world product and service.

 

nail.hammer.hit.

 

plenty ARE happy to pay 3rd world prices for 3rd world service though

 

just ask their neighbours!

 

 

 

[nuckyt77]

Get the Baht back to where it belongs. At a third world country's rate towards the Yen, the dollar and the Euro.  Like a previous poster said: I am not willing to pay higher prices here then when in Europe. I think that the Thai government should learn that contrary to what they think most Europeans, Australians and Americans can count. 

 

This country is just getting too expensive for the much needed tourists. And with tourists I do not mean the  "share 1 soda with five" Chinese groups or the "girl-sharing" Indian boys I see parading along Beachroad in Pattaya.

 

Tourist do not care who is in charge here or how long it takes to form a new government but they do care if they feel cheated. All of my European friends of which many have been coming since many years now not show up. Because of the political situation ?...oh no that they are used to by now.  It is the Baht rate and as long as that keeps like it is....... most will stay away or cut their trip short and move elsewhere. 

Edited July 15, 2019 by nuckyt77

[justin case]

every country wants more tourists, but you see them as cattle cash cow's and threat them like s.hit and expect them to come back after a bad experience... anyway, many horny chinese & indian sex tourists as too many males compared to females overthere from killing them at birth

[Dr Rodrigues Pereira]

First, the THB is unconceavable up. There is no economic reason that it's gotten so artificially up, regardin the Euro or the USD. 

Then, year after year, the rubbiish keeps pilling up in the islands, even next door to 5 star hotels.

Pattaya, for once, is a place that no one with his mind in function, would visit a second time. Lomg ago were those days...

And then there is this multitude or ridiculous behaviours by the police. I recently was fined (tried to) 2.000 THB to through the rest of my cigar in the sewage gridle. After a 5 m inute negotiation, the fine came down to 1000 THB. Of course, no receipt. For heavens sake, where are the ashtrays for us, smokers, to get rid of our cigarettes ? Like in Singapore, for example ... 

When you arrive at Swampy, even travelling First with Emirates, which I do, connecting from Europe,, it takes a hell of a time to get my passport stamped, either because there is no one there, or the officers are playing with their smartphones ...

Then I always rent a car (yes, you van cal me crazy, but I don't want to depend on the honnest taxi or tuk-tuk drivers. It´s probably the only country in the world where companies like Hertz or Avis try to cheat you, either by giving you a car with 3/4 of gas or reclaiming scratches at the end , that where already there, when you rented it ( I always take nice photos, with the dayly edition of the Bangkok Post, so tehre are no doubts... 

Going south, with some very few exceptions in Samui, Phuket and Koh Lanta, you are treated like a camel in the desert !

I don't need this anymore. Vietnam , Laos, Malaysia (even Cammbodia (Sihanoukville with the Chinese) are much nicer and better value ... 

I really do not know what the Government needs more in order to access and fix all these problems ...

 

 

[unamazedloso]

Thailands officialy a sht hole. Corruption, laziness and alike are the reasons behind all of this. Best to invest in foreign tourism thailand. Your days of sittting around raking in money are over.

Oh and you know when tourists need to have thier accomodation reported, pay double and be harrassed by stupid scammer thais and such it gives a real nice insight to Thailands real personality. It's no secret to the rest of the world. Seems only Thais dont know whats going on or are just to lazy or ignorant to care. This is the result...im embarassed to reside here and if i wasnt so screwed financialy from this place i would move my family out...

[Elfin]

3 hours ago, LongTang said:

From 2006 till now it was about 30 to 35 Bath for a $,

Is that called money-laundering?

[murraynz]

2 hours ago, ChipButty said:

I went to get some breakfast the other morning and bumped into a poo ying I know from somewhere I couldn't remember which bar anyway she knew me, she ordered her food which came to 90 Baht she didnt even have enough money to pay so I gave her 100 Baht so even the bar girls are falling on hard times

i know many bar girls at pattaya, reguarly changing bars now, because bars have very few customers.many customers dont even buy lady drinks.

many of the the girls arent earning enough to pay their room rent--

i have never seen it this bad, before

[WeekendRaider]

it's so big of a thing that China is about to run negative current account deficits.

 

but there's another much bigger thing many folks are not discussing enough.  and it is trending to be a bit more obvious, especially in northern Thailand, next year.  why oh why are there are so few people keeping up on something that makes the "737 MAX" story or whatever that Boeing plane is... child's play.

 

Freund et. al., Higher frequency of Central Pacific El Niño events, Nature Geoscience, May 6, 2019

 

central Pacific EL Ninos have doubled in recent decades versus the past 400 years, and we can only go back 400 years on that so we don't know how far back that really goes. 
 

and then, dead on topic directly related to tourism and air travel, in spades 'as we say'....

 

Rosenfeld, Aerosol-driven droplet concentrations, Science, Feb 8, 2019

 

with their very politically correct 'the IPCC may want to revisit their computer models' as in the negative forcing might be even bigger than we thought, meaning the candy part our poison has been wrapped in.   and if we reduce that "dirty stuff" by any significant amount, all bets are off.  tourism?  

why?  6,400 million of us have never even been inside an airplane even once in their life yet..... and if Nixon famously worried about 'ignoring' 1 billion Chinese before he even ran for office a 2nd time.... those 7 billion are the opposite of someone we can merely ignore.  once any more of them intertwine their lives.... personal, social, "vacation", business whatever with cheap air travel... we are totally locked in even more than ever.  or we wake up and tourism is the first baby step we must take, or every other sector as well as most people will continue to balk at any other big sacrifices as long as even one knucklehead is still "flying" thru the air emitting 285 grams per kilometer flown, of just one passenger, of a gas molecule so powerful we measure it in parts per million and because it cannot be smelled, or seen, at all, we have confused with a heavenly entity that 'created the Earth (the air we breath and all of our food, even the 'meatless meat' stuff)... plants, whether we 'adapt' or not or grow all our food in a 'laboratory'.

"only 3 percent of global emissions" for aviation and tourism is lying with statistics.  a very big lie.

 

it will be a lot more than merely 'shaming' when the you know what hits the fan, and it will.  maybe 2020.  

Climate means more pervasive weather, not "hotter" or "warming" and it has tourism and air travel written all over it as the first baby step we will take.  just to have some solace.  all of us.  all 8 billion of us.  not just a few hundred million of us.                            

Edited July 15, 2019 by WeekendRaider

[jessebkk1]

Any of these articles that are not stating "the weird immigration laws" as reason number 1 for the drop in Tourism is not worth the paper it's written on.

 

  People want to come, but the your laws only allows them twice a year on tourist visas/visa exempt/voa, so they're going elsewhere. Long term stayers are denied any reasonable way to stay here, why are the thai's even looking for more people? so they can catch them on a day overstay or lack of 90 day report and take pictures of them with handcuffs to put on their newspapers?

 

Edited July 15, 2019 by jessebkk1

[CaptainJack]

2 hours ago, marcusarelus said:

Average with a degree is 84,000  https://www.averagesalarysurvey.com/thailand

My old girlfriend makes 30k baht a month, Is a university graduate and owns a new car.  She works in the tourist business,  and I promised her I would never repeat her comments about Chinese and Indian tourist.   Enough on that.

 

Her biggest problem now is the cheating bosses stealing from their employees.   I still send a a little now and then to help.  She works 12 hour days and is almost 45 now.  Exhausted from work that barely covers her expenses.   The stories she has continued to tell me about tourism in Thailand are dead on with the article. 

[Orton Rd]

My mate from the UK came this year for the first time since 1988, he got ripped off as soon as he landed. Tour rep told him he had to pay VAT on a pick up and one day tour of Bkk- 1000 baht, at 7% a very expensive and odd total for the service. He won't be back. He could not believe you can no longer buy a drink in the afternoons and how expensive things are now.

Edited July 15, 2019 by Orton Rd

[varun]

 

2 hours ago, RobboR said:

Utter <deleted> Where do you find these ridiculous surveys?

Yup, the most realistic indicator that I've seen is Numbeo.

The average salary of a person in Bangkok (degree or not) is around 25,000 baht - that sounds credible.

This is a broad across the industry average, but if you drill down,

there's many factors that will influence wages e.g. educational background, English speaking ability etc.

Those who can speak English will earn considerably more than the average Somchai.

[ChipButty]

2 minutes ago, murraynz said:

i know many bar girls at pattaya, reguarly changing bars now, because bars have very few customers.many customers dont even buy lady drinks.

many of the the girls arent earning enough to pay their room rent--

i have never seen it this bad, before

I would say the pussy bars are finished certainly around here, I know from a friend one bar owner sat there all night his first punter was at 11pm one beer and left

[Oziex1]

2 hours ago, ChipButty said:

I went to get some breakfast the other morning and bumped into a poo ying I know from somewhere I couldn't remember which bar anyway she knew me, she ordered her food which came to 90 Baht she didnt even have enough money to pay so I gave her 100 Baht so even the bar girls are falling on hard times

I new a girl who told be she was on 70-100K per month. But still no money no customer, that's about 10 year ago.