Stronger baht not keeping tourists away

[mike1967]

1 hour ago, Duck J Butters said:

It's the total opposite in Northern Phuket. I hardly see any Chinese at all but lots of Russians, Europeans and Americans. Mostly families. Tourism is way up from last year in Northern Phuket ( Naithon Beach, Laguna Beach, Kamala Beach, Layan Beach ). While your average backpacker may be going elsewhere, Phuket seems to be attracting a wealthier tourist. And isn't that exactly what Thailand has been shooting for by manufacturing a strong baht and making it more difficult for expats to get visas? I thought the whole point of all this was to push the backpacker crowd out of Thailand and usher in an entirely new class of tourist.

 

My wife and I both have noticed a huge uptick in tourism in Northern Phuket. We eat regularly at Anantara and we usually have the place to ourselves which is what we like. However, it's been packed this year. Mostly with families. Same with Cafe Del Mar. Cafe Del Mar has way more people than usual for July.

 

Beaches in Northern Phuket are typically dead during the summer months. Not this year.

 

I'm not sure why Thailand obsesses over quantity of tourists versus "QUALITY" of tourists. How does the backpacker crowd help the Thai economy? Better to focus on getting the types of people that can afford $18k USD / night at Amanpuri Resort in Phuket ( yes, that's what a villa there will cost you ). I will tell you, Amanpuri has been packed with celebs this year. When you have Leonardo DiCaprio as a regular and Beyonce buying up 10 homes in your resort, Bollywood having weddings, the Saudi Royal family coming to your area for stem cell and anti-aging, the owner of Amanpuri flying in 20 Maseratis, the entire Fast & Furious crew dropping over 1 billion baht in your region over the span of a month, why on Earth would you care about cheap tourists that hardly spend their money?

 

Thailand needs to focus on quality, not quantity. You want the big spenders that drop $100k USD on stem cell and medical tourism at Brio Clinic in Bangkok and Thanyapura in Phuket. I will tell you, my wife works in this industry and they are averaging 130 patients per month for stem cell ( yes, even in June and July ). Each patient spends on average $50k USD / stem cell treatment. These are the people Thailand needs to focus on. It's time for Thailand to grow and graduate from being a third world dumpster site for cheap tourists to run wild.

 

Quality can be found all over the world and a lot closer to the UK, as an example. The north of Phuket can't hold up all of Thailand. What you're missing is that most of Thailand is now a shithole with the service to match. Tell me where else is or likely to become like northern Phuket? People don't mind paying for what they get, not paying for what they don't get. Fortunately the elite are still the minority.

[Pedrogaz]

17 hours ago, totally thaied up said:

Talk to the average Australian punter. Most are now going to Bali or Vietnam for holiday. Most my friends are raving about Vietnam. Reason is the baht is way too strong and the costs have risen in Thailand and true levels of service lack. Sure, when I flew back recently all I saw was Chinese at the airport but what I definitely saw was a lack of farangs. I am even having most my Thai friends in business telling me the same thing in Chiang Mai - not as many farangs this year and the smokey season has really scared a lot away and they are dreading another repeat of the same (smokey) conditions next year. 

I'm going to check out Vietnam later this year as a potential place to move to....I'm tired of the negativity toward foreigners, the discriminatory attitude over pricing, the over charging, the petty rules being introduced all the time by immigration and the fact that the corruption seems to be at an all time high. I earn in US dollars so the 'string baht has not really affected me yet, but I'm sure my money will go further in Vietnam than in Thailand.

[Cadbury]

5 minutes ago, marcusarelus said:

I don't know how to tell you but when an American, Canadian or Brit or Aussie comes to Thailand they change their money into baht.  3 years ago they were getting a lot more.  When I changed my money into baht $16k bought 800k baht.  Now it takes $25k.  All Western currencies (that I'm familiar with) buy less in Thailand because the baht is stronger then they are.  As a result of this people in America, Britain, Australia and Canada are buying less goods made in Thailand and Thai exports are down.  

 

Exporters are losing more money and importers are making more money.  Because the baht is strong and the pound and dollar are weak.  

 

2015 you could buy the same amount of gold with the Thai baht as you can today.  In pounds sterling much less today than 2015.  

More statements of the bleeding obvious. You're sounding like a broken record.

You are now saying the baht is strong......"Because the baht is strong".

Thank you!....... Isn't that what the topic is about. It is not about the strength or weaknesses of other currencies. Before that you were in denial of the baht being strong in an attempt to do a bit of trolling. Try and keep on topic.

Didn't you learn anything from the Bloomberg link I sent before or couldn't you understand it.

Over and out.

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-03/-worried-thai-central-bank-looking-at-steps-to-damp-baht-surge

[Dogmatix]

Standard operating procedure for Thai puyai.  Just keep repeating something that you and your audience know to be totally false.  The problem doesn't go away but you don't have to do anything about it and can avoid all responsibility. 

[Sonhia]

What are the numbers for those leaving Thailand? My guess is much higher than the figures arriving.

 

This morning whilst walking around the Royal Garden shopping mall in Pattaya city,  I was set upon and pysically attacked by a male Thai secruity quard!

 

I was so appalled by the actions of the attacker that I decided to call 191. The Thai Police arrived very quickly, they questioned the Thai male attacker and took him away to Soi 9 police station Pattay city. Although the Police were very polite and showed concern the fact of the matter is, I was attacked FOR NO REASON at all which implies to me that being a foreginer, I am not welcome.

 

I filed a complaint with both the Tourist police as well as the Thai Tourist Authority, but no action will be taken concerning my complaints.

 

My point is this, most Thai are clearly racist and what with the Thai baht being so strong, in a nut shell, no matter what is reported about tourist figures, Thailand is not such a good destination to visit anylonger.

 

Too Dangerous! Too expensive!

 

[BritManToo]

13 minutes ago, Pedrogaz said:

I'm going to check out Vietnam later this year as a potential place to move to....I'm tired of the negativity toward foreigners, the discriminatory attitude over pricing, the over charging, the petty rules being introduced all the time by immigration and the fact that the corruption seems to be at an all time high. I earn in US dollars so the 'string baht has not really affected me yet, but I'm sure my money will go further in Vietnam than in Thailand.

Cambodia is better for you, their currency is US dollars so no exchange fees.

Their banking and ATMs all work in USD.

Vietnam, the further North you go, the more uptight they are but Saigon is very similar to Bangkok.

[elgenon]

Many restaurants around Soi 13 and Second Road are busy for dinner.

[DrTuner]

19 minutes ago, Pedrogaz said:

I'm going to check out Vietnam later this year as a potential place to move to....I'm tired of the negativity toward foreigners, the discriminatory attitude over pricing, the over charging, the petty rules being introduced all the time by immigration and the fact that the corruption seems to be at an all time high. I earn in US dollars so the 'string baht has not really affected me yet, but I'm sure my money will go further in Vietnam than in Thailand.

Please report back on your findings. I'm scouting around the world as well, any info helps. Should be a pinned thread, "Getting out of Dodge - where next?".

[DLock]

I never get involved in currency discussions, mainly because I earn money in Thailand and it's actually quite positive when I leave the country, but also because currency usually runs in cycles...

 

However, the GBP has dipped under 40 for the first time in 15 years, and indicators have it going lower. I can understand how that affects holiday makers, but also UK people that rely on pensions or investments from the UK.

 

I don't think there is any doubt that currency will affect people's decision to come to Thailand...but it hasn't been felt yet. Most visitors this month and in the next few months will have booked and paid months ago. It's the people making decisions today that will be felt in 2 or 3 months.

 

Edited July 17, 2019 by DLock

[Denim]

A clear picture is now emerging regarding Thailands tourist industry. Briefly it is this.

 

It is up but also down. Improving whilst getting worse. The Chinese are flocking here in droves but lately they have flocked off. The Indians are taking up the slack but tourist destinations are feeling a pinch.

 

The strength of the Thai baht is not affecting tourist arrivals but fewer people are coming because the costs of a Thai holiday have increased.

 

The volatile political situation has not affected the economy or tourism but in any case a new government has been sworn in and sworn at whilst making a pigs ear of everything.

 

The visa situation has been overhauled to be simpler to use but some people are leaving because it is too simple. 

 

The government wants to attract more foreign investment by cracking down on people working without the proper visa or work permit. To further help foreign investment foreigners have just today been banned from being self employed on a raft of careers.

 

The future is bright so best prepare for the dark days ahead whilst keeping an eye out for floods and droughts.

[from the home of CC]

5 hours ago, generealty said:

The point being is Thailand is not the cheap holiday it once was.

No, Thailand is still very reasonable in the off season, accommodations are often half price etc. It's the people who travel that have reduced funds to spend due to the economic climate and rate exchange.

[bronzedude]

No wonder this guy is "outgoing". Actually, anyone holding this spin job won't last long. Just go at his predecessors.

[Chelseafan]

14 minutes ago, Sonhia said:

What are the numbers for those leaving Thailand? My guess is much higher than the figures arriving.

 

This morning whilst walking around the Royal Garden shopping mall in Pattaya city,  I was set upon and pysically attacked by a male Thai secruity quard!

 

I was so appalled by the actions of the attacker that I decided to call 191. The Thai Police arrived very quickly, they questioned the Thai male attacker and took him away to Soi 9 police station Pattay city. Although the Police were very polite and showed concern the fact of the matter is, I was attacked FOR NO REASON at all which implies to me that being a foreginer, I am not welcome.

 

I filed a complaint with both the Tourist police as well as the Thai Tourist Authority, but no action will be taken concerning my complaints.

 

My point is this, most Thai are clearly racist and what with the Thai baht being so strong, in a nut shell, no matter what is reported about tourist figures, Thailand is not such a good destination to visit anylonger.

 

Too Dangerous! Too expensive!

 

Seems to me, the only way to deal with these complaints is to go onto social media. The Thai authorities are very quick to launch a "real" investigation then.

[mikosan]

17 hours ago, totally thaied up said:

I am 12,000 baht a month down on what I use to earn from the baht being strong. That is 12,000 baht a month less I spend now as I I do not bring in anymore to cover this short fall. I know plenty of Australians doing the same as me as in cutting spending. So in a essence, my local area in Mum and Dad's shops have lost that 12,000 from just me. Add a few more people to this all in per head count and yes, I do think Thailand is missing out. For the elite or the high earners here that get paid in baht it means nothing and there are a lot of them, but for the average Joe tourist, I think they are spending dollars elsewhere. Like I said before, I had my yearly holiday back in Australia and I actually saved money by going home. Buying luxury goods in Thailand is madness and to do that, you really need to be going somewhere else.

I concur with the above.  Since I have lived here I have normally made a monthly transfer of the baht equivalent of between GBP 1600 - 1700 per month.  At the current exchange rate, 38.5 GBP 1700 gets me just over THB 65000 per month, which fulfills the requirements of the latest edict relating to obtaining a visa extension on income. At 45.00 that was THB 76500 and at 55 that was THB 93500.  I have reduced my expenditure accordingly, so the Thai economy has lost that money and I don't play golf any more! Here's to hoping the rate doesn't drop too much more. 

  

[from the home of CC]

4 hours ago, moe666 said:

Thailand has always had a good summer holiday season due to people in weatern countries having school breaks and in the US that is the traditional holiday season as in I get time off from my job. As for the US not any hotter here in Thailand than in most of the US. At present here in CM there is a uptick in the summer school tours coming thru usually 3 to 5 days in CM then on to Bangkok or the Islands

Must be related to schools as you say as they have summer holidays. Working people tend to take holidays when they can and it's not always in the summertime. 

[Chelseafan]

1 minute ago, from the home of CC said:

No, Thailand is still very reasonable in the off season, accommodations are often half price etc. It's the people who travel that have reduced funds to spend due to the economic climate and rate exchange.

Yes but only because the exchange rate is so bad. The tourist bringing in £1000 5 years ago would get a lot more baht than they are getting now. They still have the same funds but not the same buying power.

 

[Baerboxer]

Does he really believe that? Of course many tourists look at comparable costs and budgets when deciding which country to visit for their holidays. It's a moderating influence, the strength of which depends on each person/family's financial situation and disposable income. The stronger the baht and the more costly Thailand is, the less the amount who can consider it for their holidays.

Add other issues such as safety, cleanliness and health, service levels, two tier pricing, etc etc and the "offering" starts to look less attractive to the market place.

 

 

Edited July 17, 2019 by Baerboxer

[from the home of CC]

2 minutes ago, Chelseafan said:

Yes but only because the exchange rate is so bad. The tourist bringing in £1000 5 years ago would get a lot more baht than they are getting now. They still have the same funds but not the same buying power.

 

I guess the U.K. is doing well then. Back where I'm from there are many lay offs with this latest economic downturn. There its just not the exchange rate that is causing people to cut back on all travel, it's also the uncertainty of whats around the corner. 

[Traubert]

11 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

So what about those in transit ? What about those who are doing visa runs, what about those who make multiple trips in a year ? Are business people counted as tourists ? Are those who fly into Bangkok and then onto Phuket counted twice ? If a family arrives with 5 children and mum and dad, is this 7 tourists ? Are workers from surrounding countries counted as tourists?

 

Just a few "trick questions" that I would like answered.

 

 

There's a tick box section on the back of the TM6 arrival card. If I remember correctly there's 12 different boxes for 12 different reasons for coming into Thailand. One is 'Holiday.'

 

So each category is counted separately.

 

Every arrival needs a TM6, so yes a family of 7 having a holiday is 7 tourists.

[hugh2121]

With the ever strengthening baht, imports are becoming cheaper and cheaper. However, retail prices remain the same. Seems like another Thai rip off to me.

[marcusarelus]

57 minutes ago, Cadbury said:

More statements of the bleeding obvious. You're sounding like a broken record.

You are now saying the baht is strong......"Because the baht is strong".

Thank you!....... Isn't that what the topic is about. It is not about the strength or weaknesses of other currencies. Before that you were in denial of the baht being strong in an attempt to do a bit of trolling. Try and keep on topic.

Didn't you learn anything from the Bloomberg link I sent before or couldn't you understand it.

Over and out.

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-03/-worried-thai-central-bank-looking-at-steps-to-damp-baht-surge

Check the currencies against a constant like Gold, or whatever and you will find the baht is static and the other currencies have gone down.  I don't know why you keep listing the bloomberg article it says the Baht is a safe haven currency like the dollar and Swiss Franc used to be and that's what I keep trying to tell you.  

[Chelseafan]

22 minutes ago, hugh2121 said:

With the ever strengthening baht, imports are becoming cheaper and cheaper. However, retail prices remain the same. Seems like another Thai rip off to me.

True but for the average European tourist, what do they really purchase that is imported? Maybe a meal in a nice restaurant with a bottle of stupidly expensive wine but not much else I think. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

On the flip side, Thailands economy accounts for 60%+ of exports. This is where they are hurting most especially as they export far more than they import (hence the trade surplus).

 

[Chelseafan]

28 minutes ago, Traubert said:

There's a tick box section on the back of the TM6 arrival card. If I remember correctly there's 12 different boxes for 12 different reasons for coming into Thailand. One is 'Holiday.'

 

So each category is counted separately.

 

Every arrival needs a TM6, so yes a family of 7 having a holiday is 7 tourists.

If that's true then it's not very scientific and completely open to abuse.

 

So a family of 7 only has 2 of which have buying power.

 

[marcusarelus]

1 minute ago, Chelseafan said:

True but for the average European tourist, what do they really purchase that is imported? Maybe a meal in a nice restaurant with a bottle of stupidly expensive wine but not much else I think. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

On the flip side, Thailands economy accounts for 60%+ of exports. This is where they are hurting most especially as they export far more than they import (hence the trade surplus).

 

I'm buying decent Australian wine for under 400 baht at Lotus and seems to me the imported cheese and butter is a bit down or at least not up.  Bought a cheap Chinese phone for peanuts Xiaome Note 7.

[Chelseafan]

39 minutes ago, from the home of CC said:

I guess the U.K. is doing well then. Back where I'm from there are many lay offs with this latest economic downturn. There its just not the exchange rate that is causing people to cut back on all travel, it's also the uncertainty of whats around the corner. 

Yes, you're right but that can be said for any country who have citizens being laid off. Simply put there are better and cheaper options for travel these days other than Thailand.

 

Surprisingly, the UK IS doing well according to latest statistics, employment has never been higher, average wage growth is up although it might not feel like it in certain part of the country.

 

[Rimmer]

A post discussing the specifics of prostitution has been removed

[Chelseafan]

2 minutes ago, marcusarelus said:

I'm buying decent Australian wine for under 400 baht at Lotus and seems to me the imported cheese and butter is a bit down or at least not up.  Bought a cheap Chinese phone for peanuts Xiaome Note 7.

Do you live in Thailand?

[marcusarelus]

1 hour ago, Skallywag said:

I think most Chinese tourist groups fly into Suvarnabhumi, then board the buses there.  

https://www.tourradar.com/b/china-thailand

[tlandtday]

 

[marcusarelus]

1 hour ago, Skallywag said:

 

IMO - Pattaya and Bangkok are just ridiculously Overbuilt. 

The number of new hotels they built (and condos that are now being used as hotels through AirBNB) in the last 20 years just means that all hotels are getting less customers.

 

Must be the wealthy investors who can afford to lose billions of baht building 4-5 star hotels that will never turn a profit  - other than a few months during high season.

 

I have lived in and around Pattaya for 15 years and it's always been like that.  I think there is major Chinese money coming in to build and buy.  I think they have a gray market banking system or the guys with money wrapped around their legs.