Is tourism in Thailand set to get worse before it gets better?

By Dan Cheeseman 

 

 

In recent years Thailand’s tourist industry has gone from strength to strength, driven primarily by the huge Chinese numbers; but that is only half the story and it would appear there are underlying problems starting to emerge.

 

In 2018 there were over 38million arrivals into Thailand and almost a third were Chinese. Records were being broken on a monthly basis.  However, even though Thailand once again predicted a record year again in 2019, it does not appear to be going to plan – Chinese numbers are down for starters.

 

 

I was speaking to a number of hotelier GM’s in Bangkok and they are expecting 2020 to be down on numbers and they also said the resort industry so far this year had been ‘a disaster’. Which was interesting insight as we can often be blinded by headline figures and think everyone is getting the share of the spoils. It would appear that is not the case.

 

It makes sense too, after all it is well documented that the European numbers are down and these are the profiles that use resorts.  With murmurings of a global recession looming and European issues like ‘Brexit’ still to be resolved it could very well be a tough few years ahead for this market, and that will impact on Thailand.

 

Full story: https://danaboutthailand.com/2019/10/05/is-tourism-in-thailand-set-to-get-worse-before-it-gets-better/

 

Weekly Vlogs and Blogs from in and around Thailand

Up to where is.

 

Kao Lak clean, nature, new resort, wonderful. Good for Chinese, good for farang family and group. Tour company like to recommend. Good package for tourist, free massage, free cocktail, free thai cooking class. People like it.

 

Pattaya so dirty, rubbish need a  lot of caucasion who dollar now very weak. 

 

Chaingmai air so bad, not even the thai people will go now. No beach. For what? 

 

Phuket, the chinese start to forget about the sunk boat. Phuket have place for everyone, India, caucasion, Russian, and Chinese. Patong for nightlife, other town for nature and relax. Shopping. Some 50/50.

 

Yinn think.

2020 south go up have very success.

North terrible,

pattaya not good.

 

41,620,500 will come.

welcome to thailand. Have a good time!

 

 

 

17 minutes ago, Yinn said:

Yinn think.

2020 south go up have very success.

I would like to nominate you as the next Minister for Tourism. TAT want to speak with you also. ????

LOL

Well in our village main road area in Sukhothai province tourism must be getting better someone has just opened another Thai European restaurant.

Lose count of how many there are.

19 minutes ago, Yinn said:

 

Kao Lak clean, nature, new resort, wonderful. Good for Chinese, good for farang family and group. Tour company like to recommend. Good package for tourist, free massage, free cocktail, free thai cooking class. People like it.

 

Pattaya so dirty, rubbish need a  lot of caucasion who dollar now very weak. 

 

Chaingmai air so bad, not even the thai people will go now. No beach. For what? 

 

Phuket, the chinese start to forget about the sunk boat. Phuket have place for everyone, India, caucasion, Russian, and Chinese. Patong for nightlife, other town for nature and relax. Shopping. Some 50/50.

 

Yinn think.

I was in Kao Lak some weeks ago

i have not been very impressed by the place

not seen chineses here, just some caucasians waiting

the rain stop, and it's rain too much too often here.

Also nothing is free, massage, cocktail etc have been already paid in the package.

Yes Pattaya is dirty, it's the reason why we like it, the girls are hot and horny here.

You are right about Chiang Mai.

Phuket have a lot of place for everyone because the place is actualy empty.

The nightlife sucks and it's overpriced, nature and relax in your dreams, shopping?? 555

Everything is more expansive than in european countries (Strong bath, inflation, taxes and greed)

Yinn think tooo mut  too mut

 

30 minutes ago, Yinn said:

41,620,500 will come.

How many will go home in a box ?

The government ministries will always proclaim that tourism is strong.
The business people on the streets, who know, will not.

Thai tourism has been pushing for more Indian and Chinese to replace the waning western tourist numbers...

 

Put your billfold in your front pocket...watch your step please!

56 minutes ago, Yinn said:

Up to where is.

 

Kao Lak clean, nature, new resort, wonderful. Good for Chinese, good for farang family and group. Tour company like to recommend. Good package for tourist, free massage, free cocktail, free thai cooking class. People like it.

 

Pattaya so dirty, rubbish need a  lot of caucasion who dollar now very weak. 

 

Chaingmai air so bad, not even the thai people will go now. No beach. For what? 

 

Phuket, the chinese start to forget about the sunk boat. Phuket have place for everyone, India, caucasion, Russian, and Chinese. Patong for nightlife, other town for nature and relax. Shopping. Some 50/50.

 

Yinn think.

2020 south go up have very success.

North terrible,

pattaya not good.

Did it ever cross Yinn's mind that not all the people want the same?

Some people like nice and clean nature.

Some people like to party in Pattaya.

Some people like mountains and don't care about the beach.

Some people travel with their kids.

Some people don't travel with their kids and don't want to see any annoying brats.

 

But Yinn think they are all the same.

Did you learn anything from participating in this forum?

Or do you think everybody should be just like Yinn think?

Not really that simple, Chinese tourists will be following Chinese investment, so as to fill Chinese pockets. I live in the main tourist area of Chiang Mai and every new investment is either Chinese building on land leased for 30 years or Chinese / Thai consortiums buying and building. Looking at the amount of money that is flowing in , I would doubt that Chiang mai will be left off the Chinese itineraries anytime in the near future.

As soon as I get a minute I'll certainly give that a lot of thought.

Humm, yep! It will get worse; Chinese entering Taiwan in 2020 (well documented leak), Trump and his band of circus performers itching to go at it with Iran, Hong Kong and pressures from China.

 

A slight bump on the road and Thailand will lose A LOT of Chinese tourists and then it trickles down to other nationalities.

"In recent years Thailand’s tourist industry has gone from strength to strength...."

Lost me on that first sentence.....

Figures are arrivals, considering almost 2 million came from Lao of a population less than 7 million is obvious these are not tourists. Take into account border runners, Malaysians for a one day market, Khmer workers, Chinese and transit flight's the true "Tourist" figure is around 20 million which is pee poor for a country of this size which is dependent on tourism. The signs are everywhere that "Quality" and repeat tourists are avoiding Thailand like the plaque. Weak currencies is only part of it, visiting Thailand is now like a bad week in Beirut with no happy holiday experience enjoyed. Education, pride in ones country and manners need to be addressed befor tourists return, unfortunately the horse has bolted and unlikely to return

I'm in ko chang and yes a lot of Chinese do to their holidays but that's it. Anyway I don't care. 

Last week I flew in and had 5 hours to kill until my next flight to sukhothai as they have cancelled the midday flight to sukhothai, normally 2 hours from the plane to getting a beer. Immigration 10 minutes and then my bag was waiting for me.first time in 20 years so you do the maths.

30 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Did it ever cross Yinn's mind that not all the people want the same?

 

The op talk about “trend”. 

 

30 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Some people like nice and clean nature.

Most people like clean. Even pattaya famous before that one. But now so dirty place. The sea, the rubbish, the air. Everyone know that.

 

 

30 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Some people like to party in Pattaya.

I think less. Some people will go. Sex tourist, but because it dirty, less family want that. 

Family= more people. 3+

Lonely guy, just 1 person.

other member TVF say pattaya not have many people. 

Trend =down.

 

 

 

30 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Some people like mountains and don't care about the beach.

Yes, but if strong pollution can not see the mountain. 

Chiangmai people say it down.

trend= down.

 

 

30 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Some people travel with their kids.

Some people don't travel with their kids and don't want to see any annoying brats.

Family = more people

 

30 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

But Yinn think they are all the same.

No

 

30 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Did you learn anything from participating in this forum?

Yes. How some foreigner think about thai people.

 

30 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Or do you think everybody should be just like Yinn think?

That be good.

1 hour ago, kingofthemountain said:

I was in Kao Lak some weeks ago

i have not been very impressed by the place

not seen chineses here, just some caucasians waiting

the rain stop, and it's rain too much too often here.

Is rain season/ low season now. Better you come November- May.

 

 

1 hour ago, kingofthemountain said:

Also nothing is free, massage, cocktail etc have been already paid in the package.

Yes Pattaya is dirty, it's the reason why we like it, the girls are hot and horny here.

You think horny. 55555

I think they want money. Pattaya foreigner handsome guy? Or the lonely one must pay?

Up to you believe.

 

 

 

1 hour ago, kingofthemountain said:

You are right about Chiang Mai.

Phuket have a lot of place for everyone because the place is actualy empty.

The nightlife sucks and it's overpriced, nature and relax in your dreams, shopping?? 555

Everything is more expansive than in european countries (Strong bath, inflation, taxes and greed)

Yes. We will be rich more than Europe country. Good for us. 

 

1 hour ago, kingofthemountain said:

Yinn think tooo mut  too mut

much*

Because I am genius. (Aat cha ria)

28 minutes ago, Emdog said:

"In recent years Thailand’s tourist industry has gone from strength to strength...."

Lost me on that first sentence.....

 

5 minutes ago, Yinn said:

Is rain season/ low season now. Better you come November- May.

 

 

You think horny. 55555

I think they want money. Pattaya foreigner handsome guy? Or the lonely one must pay?

Up to you believe.

 

 

 

Yes. We will be rich more than Europe country. Good for us. 

 

much*

Because I am genius. (Aat cha ria)

i will not come back in kao lak

it's far and i found the place depressive.

 

Yes more you pay and more they are hot and horny

i love it! At least you can control something here.

 

No, not ''us'' only the 1%

https://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/advanced/1147468/thailand-third-most-unequal-country-in-world

Yes you are genius, me luv yu too mut too mut

kissessssss

In the near future (maybe already) TAT will be driving numbers for its mostly out of country investors. You already have the situation where booking sites take 15 % or more before the tourist hits ground. That is a big percentage that never reaches the domestic economy. On top of that you have the Chinese investors and top level Thais that will keep most of the tourist dollar out of the local economy. Everything in the tourist sector at the moment points to the local economy being screwed. To assume that more tourists will lead to "the Thais" being wealthier is a completely misled opinion.

" I was speaking to a number of hotelier GM’s in Bangkok and they are expecting 2020 to be down on numbers"

That is probably correct.

I was walking and shopping around Thong Lor/Ekamai and we saw hundreds of Chinese, Russian and Arab tourists shopping in the local supermarket and stores. My friend asked where they were all staying as there are no big hotels around here.


My guess is that the tourist places have, with their high prices, dual pricing and so on outpriced themselves and with modern apps on phones people are now communicating and recommending each other to go to the local stores and save money.

I also believe (or should I say know) that many of these tourists are staying in luxury condos around here. I don't know how much they pay, but let's say 3000 a night for a condo. They could probably sleep 6 people there for that price. The condos have all the luxuries of a hotel such as swimming pool and fitness. Of course no service such as breakfast, but when I see these people shopping they seem to be buying food items and not paying 180 baht for a bowl of fried rice as I saw recently.



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

47 minutes ago, Emdog said:

"In recent years Thailand’s tourist industry has gone from strength to strength...."

Lost me on that first sentence.....

Think GDP, not "quality" the income derived from tourism in the past 20 years has increased massively! along with booming export income - they now have one of the strongest currency's in the world - unfortunate though the facts may be!

11 minutes ago, CGW said:

Think GDP, not "quality" the income derived from tourism in the past 20 years has increased massively! along with booming export income - they now have one of the strongest currency's in the world - unfortunate though the facts may be!

One of the key fundamental problems of nationalistic countries is that often the population can be duped into thinking wealth of/for "the country" is the same as wealth for them/the average person. By the time they have woken up it is too late.

2 hours ago, Yinn said:

Up to where is.

 

Kao Lak clean, nature, new resort, wonderful. Good for Chinese, good for farang family and group. Tour company like to recommend. Good package for tourist, free massage, free cocktail, free thai cooking class. People like it.

 

Pattaya so dirty, rubbish need a  lot of caucasion who dollar now very weak. 

 

Chaingmai air so bad, not even the thai people will go now. No beach. For what? 

 

Phuket, the chinese start to forget about the sunk boat. Phuket have place for everyone, India, caucasion, Russian, and Chinese. Patong for nightlife, other town for nature and relax. Shopping. Some 50/50.

 

Yinn think.

2020 south go up have very success.

North terrible,

pattaya not good.

 

41,620,500 will come.

welcome to thailand. Have a good time!

 

 

 

As a boutique resort in Samui, I foresee 50% lay off staff for 2020 to let the resort survive about 30 to 40 % less occupation.

Bangkok airways monopoly offering only over expensive tickets  added to never enough flights during high season allowed by government, cannot bring enough tourists anymore to fill up correctly ever extented numbers of facilities through numerous new hotels & resorts. This, including a super growth of Aibnb offers on the Island those last 2 years.

Need to also take account of fed up tourists basic concerns over the ever deep problems of trash and noise polution by the main road (due lack of original exhaust pipes on bikes and cars)

We still suffer some electricity cuts, some shortage of water, then wifi connections not fully cleared, + the reputation of dangerousity of the roads not helping, it is said that for a small Island population, an average of 3 people die and 50 are injured every couple of days.., not forgetting Taxi meters scams i.e...

We enjoyed some great time, its over for at least 2 or 3 y till above points can be somewhat taken care off by the central and municipality governments bodies. Good luck to Samui.. 

40 minutes ago, Yinn said:

 

Arrival numbers....not tourists, big difference 

4 minutes ago, lootarzoon said:

As a boutique resort in Samui, I foresee 50% lay off staff for 2020 to let the resort survive about 30 to 40 % less occupation.

Bangkok airways monopoly offering only over expensive tickets  added to never enough flights during high season allowed by government, cannot bring enough tourists anymore to fill up correctly ever extented numbers of facilities through numerous new hotels & resorts. This, including a super growth of Aibnb offers on the Island those last 2 years.

Need to also take account of fed up tourists basic concerns over the ever deep problems of trash and noise polution by the main road (due lack of original exhaust pipes on bikes and cars)

We still suffer some electricity cuts, some shortage of water, then wifi connections not fully cleared, + the reputation of dangerousity of the roads not helping, it is said that for a small Island population, an average of 3 people die and 50 are injured every couple of days.., not forgetting Taxi meters scams i.e...

We enjoyed some great time, its over for at least 2 or 3 y till above points can be somewhat taken care off by the central and municipality governments bodies. Good luck to Samui.. 

Sorry difficult me to understand. 

 

But you say= now have too much room hotel/villa/ Airbnb. But it impossible to get more customer in Samui.

Because Bangkokair owner the airport and not enough plane can bring the people? 

 

Ps. I went to Samui when I the kid. Is beautiful place. I went back this year and it to busy now. And rubbish a lot. Building to much.

 

Good luck. I hope Bangkokair change it for you.

8 minutes ago, baansgr said:

Arrival numbers....not tourists, big difference 

Tourist arrival.

Quality goes over quantity - and Thailand has lost out on both! See Greece, Italy, Spain and other previously overrun tourism destinations. 
The business starts slow and small, grow, grows further and once the locals get greedy the ATMs on two feet go elsewhere.

Just see what happens across the border in Myanmar or Vietnam ....... Every turned-away or cheated-up tourist in Thailand will turn around and never come back; simple as that! 

Tourism has greatly declined the last few years. 

It's not the Baht, or the sunken boat that has crippled tourism.

 

Thailand has shown, the past few years, that it no longer wants wester tourists or ex-pats.  They will go where they're welcomed.

 

Exactly what does Thailand offer a tourist that they can’t get from Vietnam, Cambodia, The Philippines, or elsewhere?

Beach experience and attractions?  No.

Inexpensive?  No.

Exotic food?  No.

Exotic climate?  No.

Exotic attractions?  No

A safe vacation?  No.

 

So, after one visit, why return?