Thai tourism in trouble: And competitor Vietnam is "scary" for Pattaya

[Leaver]

On 11/18/2019 at 9:53 AM, scubascuba3 said:

Vietnam used to have a bad reputation for Vietnamese trying to scam you the whole time. I know in 1998 when i was backpacking everyone i met confirmed this was still the case so i avoided it, tried it in 2008 and a couple of text book scams were tried on me, luckily I'd read Lonely Planet where they were listed.

 

Vietnam doesn't have this problem anymore?

I would say the Vietnamese now try to earn a dollar from you, rather than to scam a dollar from you, where the Thai's basically force you to just hand over a dollar.  ????

[Leaver]

On 11/18/2019 at 9:11 PM, Langkawee said:

In the tourist areas but you won't lose like you do in Thailand if you have an accident with a rental motorbike and need repairs. I think Vietnam scams are greatly overaggerated. And they wont beat you to death if you dont pay. Nor will you mysteriously die in your sleep for not paying. Vietnamese tend not to not kill tourists. 

My experience when visiting Vietnam is they welcome tourists, and their money, where Thailand welcomes the money, and barely tolerates the tourists.  ????

[jacko45k]

20 hours ago, Leaver said:

My experience when visiting Vietnam is they welcome tourists, and their money, where Thailand welcomes the money, and barely tolerates the tourists.  ????

Give it time, Thailand used to be like that!

[Leaver]

5 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Give it time, Thailand used to be like that!

Sure, but I think Vietnam is several years, possibly decades, away from that point. 

[jacko45k]

3 hours ago, Leaver said:

Sure, but I think Vietnam is several years, possibly decades, away from that point. 

Yes, truly I go back a long way wrt Thailand. 

[Leaver]

48 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Yes, truly I go back a long way wrt Thailand. 

Yes, in my opinion, for Vietnam, including the nature there, it could be decades before it's ruined. 

 

It will be interesting to see if Vietnam manages its tourism in a way that is sustainable, in relation to the environment, rather than destroy the very nature that brings the tourists in the first place, like Thailand has done. 

[Ron jeremy]

On October 29, 2019 at 2:26 AM, Leaver said:

It's difficult to compare apples to apples for hotel rooms.  There's just too many variables.  That's why I chose the Hilton.  

 

I agree that rooms are cheaper in Vietnam, but how do you do a comparison?

Very very simply, I have travelled 9 years in Thailand and SEA, I compare rooms I have stayed at in both countries. For the same money, I have far better accomadations in Vietnam. Without question. 

Now this being said, I don't stay in high end places like the Hilton etc. 

I generally pay $15-30 per night, in SEA , I generally find the best value in the home stays, this is the equivalent of a guesthouse in Thailand. Great value. 

 

[MeePeeMai]

My brother moved to Danang a few months ago from Chiang Mai and he loves it there.  He found a brand new fully furnished apt. just 2 blocks from the beach with a nice balcony, mountain view, all utilities, laundry, TV and wifi included for just 300 USD a month.

 

He says the local food is not as good as the Thai food but that the western food is outstanding and it's pretty much everywhere (at very reasonable prices).  No scams or hassles yet and most of the younger crowd speaks at least some English (but the older folks do not).  He says that he would never move back to Thailand again.  I'm looking forward to visiting him there soon.

 

I guess when my day comes to leave, Vietnam is probably going to be at or near the top of my plan B list too.

[Leaver]

8 hours ago, Ron jeremy said:

Very very simply, I have travelled 9 years in Thailand and SEA, I compare rooms I have stayed at in both countries. For the same money, I have far better accomadations in Vietnam. Without question. 

Now this being said, I don't stay in high end places like the Hilton etc. 

I generally pay $15-30 per night, in SEA , I generally find the best value in the home stays, this is the equivalent of a guesthouse in Thailand. Great value. 

 

I have also traveled a lot around South East Asia.

 

The problem is, people have different tastes, expectations, and opinions.

 

Also, currency exchange and cost of living, as  well as geographic location, play a factor.  Eg. a hotel in Bangkok versus a hotel room in Udon Thani.

 

I agree with you that you get a better standard of hotel in Vietnam for the same money that would get you a lower standard hotel room in Thailand, but as these hotels are not like for like, there will always be too many variables. 

 

Right or wrong, this is why I used The Hilton, but I admit it's not a great example. 

[Ron jeremy]

9 hours ago, MeePeeMai said:

My brother moved to Danang a few months ago from Chiang Mai and he loves it there.  He found a brand new fully furnished apt. just 2 blocks from the beach with a nice balcony, mountain view, all utilities, laundry, TV and wifi included for just 300 USD a month.

 

He says the local food is not as good as the Thai food but that the western food is outstanding and it's pretty much everywhere (at very reasonable prices).  No scams or hassles yet and most of the younger crowd speaks at least some English (but the older folks do not).  He says that he would never move back to Thailand again.  I'm looking forward to visiting him there soon.

 

I guess when my day comes to leave, Vietnam is probably going to be at or near the top of my plan B list too.

There happens to be 13 very good Thai restaurants in Danang at the moment. On the left, a Penang in pattaya, chicken broth.rice extra

on the right, Vietnam, huge bowl, fresh veggies, rice included. 

My rental, $350, beach view, kitchenette, balcony, wifi, air, cable tv, free laundry, weekly cleaning, etc, included. And the fridge is stocked with 50 cent beers.

And the beach is clean and so is the water! 

Can't bitch

Edited November 24, 2019 by Ron jeremy

[Langkawee]

On 7/23/2019 at 1:25 PM, GeorgeCross said:

 

i must have read 10 articles this year in the mainstream media (guardian, new york times, etc) singing the virtues of vietnam for the young, backpackers, nomads, the adventurous. before it was all thailand, thailand, thailand.. now they don't mention here at all or if they do (rare) its as a not friendly country.

 

so i'm not surprised, its not only the young that read these articles, thailand is just not "cool" anymore.

 

they've lost their mojo and this is echoed by the reports i've had this year from my friends in and visiting vietnam

 

one final word they will be toast when the islands along myanmmars west coast open up

 

Thailand, not for the young, not hip, not cool. Singapore nowhere as many traffic police as Thailand. LOS LAND OF SHAKEDOWNS 555

[madmen]

11 hours ago, Ron jeremy said:

There happens to be 13 very good Thai restaurants in Danang at the moment. On the left, a Penang in pattaya, chicken broth.rice extra

on the right, Vietnam, huge bowl, fresh veggies, rice included. 

My rental, $350, beach view, kitchenette, balcony, wifi, air, cable tv, free laundry, weekly cleaning, etc, included. And the fridge is stocked with 50 cent beers.

And the beach is clean and so is the water! 

Can't bitch

Why do TV posters keep talking about living like paupers in crappy fan rooms ? Bizarre like everyone needs to live this way. First pic looks like chicken floating in sewer water. I guess it was cheap..enjoy!

[oldhippy]

18 minutes ago, madmen said:

Why do TV posters keep talking about living like paupers in crappy fan rooms ? Bizarre like everyone needs to live this way. First pic looks like chicken floating in sewer water. I guess it was cheap..enjoy!

British pensions.......

[Ron jeremy]

18 minutes ago, madmen said:

Why do TV posters keep talking about living like paupers in crappy fan rooms ? Bizarre like everyone needs to live this way. First pic looks like chicken floating in sewer water. I guess it was cheap..enjoy!

Who's talking about living like paupers in fan rooms???? And eating cheap food??? Certainly not myself, never have never will. I eat well and stay in nice places, not some slum on soi bukaw, eating at tin cup.

[daveAustin]

Anyone who thinks having a military mind running state affairs is a good thing needs their head read. I initially had high hopes after 'he' banged his fist on the table and said 'guards, arrest everyone'. Bang heads, in and out, job done... but as soon as they get a whiff of that trough and power, it's game over. Sincerely hope not for the people, expats (and myself), but there is every chance the Thailand we know and love will be lost forever.

[pixel]

On 11/24/2019 at 2:06 AM, MeePeeMai said:

My brother moved to Danang a few months ago from Chiang Mai and he loves it there.  He found a brand new fully furnished apt. just 2 blocks from the beach with a nice balcony, mountain view, all utilities, laundry, TV and wifi included for just 300 USD a month.

 

He says the local food is not as good as the Thai food but that the western food is outstanding and it's pretty much everywhere (at very reasonable prices).  No scams or hassles yet and most of the younger crowd speaks at least some English (but the older folks do not).  He says that he would never move back to Thailand again.  I'm looking forward to visiting him there soon.

 

I guess when my day comes to leave, Vietnam is probably going to be at or near the top of my plan B list too.

yeah you can get great rent deal for 300-400 usd month and is litlle bit cheaper,but whole city is under construction(beach side area) ,beach is nice but water is dirty and city is boring

[RoadWarrior371]

10 hours ago, madmen said:

Why do TV posters keep talking about living like paupers in crappy fan rooms ? Bizarre like everyone needs to live this way. First pic looks like chicken floating in sewer water. I guess it was cheap..enjoy!

 

For some retirees, the only criteria for retirement location is low cost.  Even includes evaluating which country has a cheaper big mac LMFAO.  Other international expats stay where they like, and often hang a shingle in multiple countries.

[Leaver]

6 hours ago, RoadWarrior371 said:

 

For some retirees, the only criteria for retirement location is low cost.  Even includes evaluating which country has a cheaper big mac LMFAO.  Other international expats stay where they like, and often hang a shingle in multiple countries.

Yes, Pattaya is only for wealthy expats, while poorer expats go to Vietnam, where there is better infrastructure, nice beaches, easy visas, and is cheaper.  ????????

[madmen]

10 hours ago, Leaver said:

Yes, Pattaya is only for wealthy expats, while poorer expats go to Vietnam, where there is better infrastructure, nice beaches, easy visas, and is cheaper.  ????????

Bahaha, let us know when you make your make your maiden voyage ! 

[Ron jeremy]

17 hours ago, RoadWarrior371 said:

 

For some retirees, the only criteria for retirement location is low cost.  Even includes evaluating which country has a cheaper big mac LMFAO.  Other international expats stay where they like, and often hang a shingle in multiple countries.

For MOST retirees, a major criteria is better value for their money, this was the main reason retirees came to Thailand , but those days are over, much better value elsewhere now,  And yes, retirees stay where they like, and by reading the threads on this forum, once again most ( not all) retirees are not happy with Thailand. 

the joy of Asia is to be able to visit multiple countries in a short period of time, and see where is best to hang your shingle. 

Many have and like what they have found, but no reason for the same members to belittle those that have found happiness elsewhere .

Edited November 25, 2019 by Ron jeremy

[madmen]

42 minutes ago, Ron jeremy said:

For MOST retirees, a major criteria is better value for their money, this was the main reason retirees came to Thailand , but those days are over, much better value elsewhere now,  And yes, retirees stay where they like, and by reading the threads on this forum, once again most ( not all) retirees are not happy with Thailand. 

the joy of Asia is to be able to visit multiple countries in a short period of time, and see where is best to hang your shingle. 

Many have and like what they have found, but no reason for the same members to belittle those that have found happiness elsewhere .

Google currency charts and Thailand ,Vietnam and Cambodia are nearly identical over a 5 year period against the greenback. Posters are in lala land if they think Vietnam is cheaper. Beer is cheaper if your wolfing it down but big ticket items like buying a condo or renting are no different to thailand

 

Visa for Thailand rejects is cheaper but not for much longer!

[RoadWarrior371]

5 hours ago, madmen said:

Bahaha, let us know when you make your make your maiden voyage ! 

Here we come! No more immigration rules for us.  Get my big mac and my cheap beer ready, need a sammich dammit. 

Viva Communism!

 

[Leaver]

11 hours ago, RoadWarrior371 said:

Here we come! No more immigration rules for us.  Get my big mac and my cheap beer ready, need a sammich dammit. 

Viva Communism!

 

That photo looks more like foreigners jumping of the the sinking ship called Thailand.  ????

[Leaver]

16 hours ago, madmen said:

Google currency charts and Thailand ,Vietnam and Cambodia are nearly identical over a 5 year period against the greenback. Posters are in lala land if they think Vietnam is cheaper. Beer is cheaper if your wolfing it down but big ticket items like buying a condo or renting are no different to thailand

 

Visa for Thailand rejects is cheaper but not for much longer!

Since some members seem to be taking the p*ss out of The Big Mac Index, so here's a comparison on gasoline prices between the two countries. 

 

Once again, that's the same product, per liter, for both countries, on the same day, being today.

 

https://www.globalpetrolprices.com/Vietnam/gasoline_prices/

 

https://www.globalpetrolprices.com/Thailand/gasoline_prices/

 

Since you referenced both currencies to the USD, I'll post the prices in USD.

 

$1.067 USD per liter in Thailand.

 

$0.892 USD per liter in Vietnam.

 

Gasoline is about 18% cheaper in Vietnam.

 

The flow on effect from cheaper energy spread through many sectors, including retail.

 

As for comparing property prices, that difficult, unless they are the same sized condo's, in the same condo block, which obviously can not happen between two different countries.

 

Edited November 26, 2019 by Leaver

[Leaver]

On 11/25/2019 at 1:02 PM, RoadWarrior371 said:

Other international expats stay where they like,

So, maybe they simply don't like Thailand anymore.  Can you blame them? 

[mostcurious]

Thailand doesn't represent good value for money anymore. 35 Baht to the pound is just taking the p**s. 

Plus I found the natives of Pattaya were rude, unfriendly and money grabbers.

Quite frankly I will be taking my custom elsewhere next year to alternative countries in SE Asia.

[Leaver]

11 hours ago, mostcurious said:

Thailand doesn't represent good value for money anymore. 35 Baht to the pound is just taking the p**s. 

Plus I found the natives of Pattaya were rude, unfriendly and money grabbers.

Quite frankly I will be taking my custom elsewhere next year to alternative countries in SE Asia.

Where do you think you will be taking your customer next year? 

[Leaver]

On 11/26/2019 at 6:19 AM, Ron jeremy said:

For MOST retirees, a major criteria is better value for their money, this was the main reason retirees came to Thailand , but those days are over, much better value elsewhere now, 

It's not just value for their money, it's also infrastructure.

 

For decades, those in power here have enriched themselves, but not invested in infrastructure, and now with the mass tourism business model, it's really starting to show.  The infrastructure is crumbling here, so it doesn't matter too much what value the place represents, if nothing works properly. 

[moontang]

35 minutes ago, Leaver said:

It's not just value for their money, it's also infrastructure.

 

For decades, those in power here have enriched themselves, but not invested in infrastructure, and now with the mass tourism business model, it's really starting to show.  The infrastructure is crumbling here, so it doesn't matter too much what value the place represents, if nothing works properly. 

Not to worry, soon you will be able to pay double to take a train, that takes five times longer than numerous budget airlines.  I do hope their great, great grandkids appreciate the debts they were straddled with.

[KhunFred]

My hope is that Vietnam will suck the economy of Thailand dry. Expats here have been bullied and mistreated in a manner that simply says: "we don't want you....GET OUT!!!"  All the farang oriented businesses will lay off employees right and left. The arrogance of Thai Immigration is a marvel to behold.