14 hours ago, torturedsole said:

I would prefer to pay 2500 baht to visit an elephant sanctuary as opposed to the entertainment for public consumption and humiliation of animals side of things.  The entrance fee goes towards the elephants welfare rather than exploitation.  It's rare in LOS but does exist.  

How much of that money do you think goes towards the elephants ? Like most ‘charities’ 90% goes on wages .

1 hour ago, Leaver said:

That would cost 8800 baht.  Hardly a good value activity in Pattaya.

I expect you are also required to pay for the elephant's food too!

8 hours ago, jacko45k said:

I expect you are also required to pay for the elephant's food too!

Thai Business 101.  Customers go down, put price up.  It's up to 2500 baht now, but could go higher. 

9 hours ago, jacko45k said:

I expect you are also required to pay for the elephant's food too!

That could work out a cheaper date than feeding a Thai girl ! 

No. That golden goose has been ingloriously slaughtered. It cannot and will not be resuscitated. Too much damage has been done. Thailand's reputation is in tatters. The planet despises the Thai Army. Everywhere I travel people ask me are those numskulls still in charge? I think most Thais are starting to realize just how heinous these guys are. 

12 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

No. That golden goose has been ingloriously slaughtered. It cannot and will not be resuscitated. Too much damage has been done. Thailand's reputation is in tatters. The planet despises the Thai Army. Everywhere I travel people ask me are those numskulls still in charge? I think most Thais are starting to realize just how heinous these guys are. 

A few ways to resuscitate the golden goose would be to make long term visas easier and cheaper, perhaps even easier and cheaper for those who own property here, which would also benefit the stagnant property market here, devaluing the baht, and allowing casinos. 

 

The first two can easily be done, the third would be more difficult.

 

Alas, there is no political will to do anything other than making things more difficult and expensive, whilst flying in millions of Chinese and Indian cheap package holiday makers, to fill the void of the exodus of western tourists and expats.

21 hours ago, Leaver said:

A few ways to resuscitate the golden goose would be to make long term visas easier and cheaper, perhaps even easier and cheaper for those who own property here, which would also benefit the stagnant property market here, devaluing the baht, and allowing casinos. 

 

The first two can easily be done, the third would be more difficult.

 

Alas, there is no political will to do anything other than making things more difficult and expensive, whilst flying in millions of Chinese and Indian cheap package holiday makers, to fill the void of the exodus of western tourists and expats.

And the nastiest part of that equation, is that for the few remaining Western tourists who do spend real money, the crowds, immigration lines, and hassles that are connected with the tens of millions of low baht tourists, will surely discourage them from returning. It is a zero sum game for these fools in the government. 

56 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

for the few remaining Western tourists who do spend real money, the crowds, immigration lines, and hassles that are connected with the tens of millions of low baht tourists, will surely discourage them from returning.

One of the reasons I started the thread about one's favorite bar or restaurant closing. 

On 11/29/2019 at 8:49 AM, spidermike007 said:

And the nastiest part of that equation, is that for the few remaining Western tourists who do spend real money, the crowds, immigration lines, and hassles that are connected with the tens of millions of low baht tourists, will surely discourage them from returning. It is a zero sum game for these fools in the government. 

not if they cant get laid in their home countries...

 

many dont have spending power there that will attract females, only here, heard that one before mee thinks ????

 

wont give a speech here, but getting laid in the usa once your over 50 is not a cup of tea for the majority, believe me, even if your well off and healthy with no baggage. the prospects for mates of child bearing age just aint there and you dont walk around with women in their 20's there.

11 hours ago, fhickson said:

many dont have spending power there that will attract females

Many have lost that spending power for here, also.