Popular Post rooster59 Posted October 26, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 26, 2019 Hotel prices slashed and quiet beaches, Phuket faces challenging high season Image: Patong beach, Phuket. File photo At a press conference held two weeks ago on Patong Beach, Phuket tourism officials announced the official start of the tourist high season. While it was recognised that hotel room reservations in Phuket had been 10-20% lower so far this year compared to last, officials said this upcoming high season was expected to be as busy as ever. Kongsak Khuphongsakon, head of the Southern Thai Hotel Association, told Manager Online that Phuket has an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 hotels, with between 100,000 and 150,000 hotel rooms catering for tourists of all budgets. Mr Kongsak predicated occupancy room rates will hit 90 percent with tourists from Europe, Asia, Thailand, and even China still expected to visit in large numbers. Yet a report earlier this week painted a different picture of what the near future holds for Phuket’s tourism industry. With the island struggling to recover from a plunge in tourist arrivals from China, the US trade war and the surging Thai baht, hotel rooms have been left vacant and beaches sparse, AFP reported. According to the report, hoteliers have been forced to slash hotel rooms prices by as much as 50 percent. Mr Kongsak, who is also director of the Vijitt Resort later admitted to AFP that with that hoteliers now face a huge challenge to fill the island’s abundance of hotel rooms. And the lack of foreign tourists hadn’t gone unnoticed by other foreigners visiting Phuket. AFP also spoke to Paul Scott from Australia, who said he has been coming to Thailand for 15 years, said: “I’ve never seen anything as bad as what it is at the moment.” But it isn’t all bad. Marketing campaigns, increased flights and visa fee travel have all helped to attract large number of Indian tourists to Phuket and elsewhere in Thailand. Two million Indians are now expected to visit Thailand this year, an increase of 25 percent year on year. According to Mr Kongsak, Indians are now being counted on to revive Phuket’s tourism sector. -- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2019-10-26 Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info 2 1 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Scot123 Posted October 26, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 26, 2019 OMG! Why can they not just come out and say it, the high Baht and very bad reputation has and is causing this crisis not only for the big hotels but everyone who is connected in anyway to tourist income. The downward spiral should not be measured year on year mut maybe should be measured from the day democracy was stolen at the end of a gun. I am sure that would paint a far worse picture. The damage really took grip with the closer of establishments for several months, the disinfectant of places character. These all a play part and the high Baht which stops foreign tourists coming but also increases the high end Thais to holiday in foreign countries. 39 1 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jollyhangmon Posted October 26, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 26, 2019 16 minutes ago, rooster59 said: According to Mr Kongsak, Indians are now being counted on to revive Phuket’s tourism sector. ... ... really?! Well, good luck with them ... 14 38 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mavideol Posted October 26, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 26, 2019 25 minutes ago, rooster59 said: Kongsak Khuphongsakon, head of the Southern Thai Hotel Association, 25 minutes ago, rooster59 said: Mr Kongsak predicated occupancy room rates will hit 90 percent with tourists from Europe, Asia, Thailand, and even China still expected to visit in large numbers. the guy is with TAT, what else to expect from him.... 14 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mavideol Posted October 26, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 26, 2019 (edited) 9 minutes ago, Scot123 said: OMG! Why can they not just come out and say it, the high Baht and very bad reputation has and is causing this crisis not only for the big hotels but everyone who is connected in anyway to tourist income. The downward spiral should not be measured year on year mut maybe should be measured from the day democracy was stolen at the end of a gun. I am sure that would paint a far worse picture. The damage really took grip with the closer of establishments for several months, the disinfectant of places character. These all a play part and the high Baht which stops foreign tourists coming but also increases the high end Thais to holiday in foreign countries. you didn't realize yet, they are in complete denial..... Yet a report earlier this week painted a different picture of what the near future holds for Phuket’s tourism industry. Edited October 26, 2019 by Mavideol spelling incorrect 18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 4evermaat Posted October 26, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 26, 2019 29 minutes ago, rooster59 said: Yet a report earlier this week painted a different picture of what the near future holds for Phuket’s tourism industry. With the island struggling to recover from a plunge in tourist arrivals from China, the US trade war and the surging Thai baht, hotel rooms have been left vacant and beaches sparse, AFP reported. Ok. All you "Patong is Dead" and "Patong - The Wake" people finally have your "I told you so" article. So what are you waiting for? 3 3 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PatOngo Posted October 26, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 26, 2019 5 minutes ago, Mavideol said: you didn't realize yet, they are in complete denial..... But December is luck-eeee! 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Isaanbiker Posted October 26, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 26, 2019 15 minutes ago, jollyhangmon said: ... ... really?! Well, good luck with them ... Why? 20 Indians in a one bedroom will do the trick. 8 28 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SteveK Posted October 26, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 26, 2019 33 minutes ago, Scot123 said: Why can they not just come out and say it, the high Baht and very bad reputation has and is causing this crisis Because all of the people in power in Thailand have millions and millions of baht in the bank. They can reap the rewards of the inflated currency by buying investments and properties overseas at a huge discount whilst the baht stays propped up. If the baht drops, so does their apparent wealth when they travel abroad to buy their Bentleys, Rolexes and apartments in Paris and London. Hence they don't want to blame the baht, they will blame everything else for as long as possible to keep the house of cards propped up. They obviously put their personal wealth at a higher priority to the economic prosperity of the country, but that shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who lives in Thailand and has seen the god-like reverence in which the super-rich elite are held. 38 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post FarFlungFalang Posted October 26, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 26, 2019 5 minutes ago, SteveK said: Because all of the people in power in Thailand have millions and millions of baht in the bank. Sorry SteveK but you've misspelt Billions. 10 27 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post madmen Posted October 26, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 26, 2019 41 minutes ago, 4evermaat said: Ok. All you "Patong is Dead" and "Patong - The Wake" people finally have your "I told you so" article. So what are you waiting for? Yep after 27 years of patong is dead threads they can finally at last say "we told you so" ???? 4 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Inn Between Posted October 26, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 26, 2019 I've never known a Thai so say anything favourable about people from India and have actually heard many of them say they all "smell". So, I wonder how the general population and Thai business people who cater to the tourism industry feel about the the TAT wooing them to replace tourism revenue lost from other nationalities. I suspect an influx of their fresh money will help change (outward) attitudes greatly. 3 1 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post the guest Posted October 26, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 26, 2019 Don't know any one of my friends coming to Thailand this year. You can tell white lies, but the facts speak for themselves. 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SteveK Posted October 26, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 26, 2019 (edited) I've kept in touch with many of the people whom I have met here over the years, enjoying the occasional meet-up. It seems none are planning to come anytime soon. Strange that Thailand's tourism industry is pinning it's hopes of recovery on one of the most penny-pinching peoples on the planet. Sounds like a load of hot air to me. Anything to keep hopes up and to continue deflecting the blame away from the very obvious currency problem. Edited October 26, 2019 by SteveK 15 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Phuketshrew Posted October 26, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 26, 2019 1 hour ago, rooster59 said: Kongsak Khuphongsakon, head of the Southern Thai Hotel Association, told Manager Online that Phuket has an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 hotels, with between 100,000 and 150,000 hotel rooms catering for tourists of all budgets. How can they give accurate occupancy figures when they don't even know how many hotels there are? 12 7 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post maddox41 Posted October 26, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 26, 2019 8 hours ago, Inn Between said: I've never known a Thai so say anything favourable about people from India and have actually heard many of them say they all "smell". So, I wonder how the general population and Thai business people who cater to the tourism industry feel about the the TAT wooing them to replace tourism revenue lost from other nationalities. I suspect an influx of their fresh money will help change (outward) attitudes greatly. True if you ask a thai who don't you like from foreign countries its India with a bullet the smell Chinese they are rude... 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post maddox41 Posted October 26, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 26, 2019 I have been trying to open a business in Patong for yrs but with the crazy rents the key money the insane prices they want for a old worn out restaurant to buy add no water no electric add the tight Chinese tourist and the prickly Russians maybe its a blessing I never found a place as its dead and I be broke by now 555 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ineedadvice Posted October 26, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 26, 2019 I have been trying to open a business in Patong for yrs but with the crazy rents the key money the insane prices they want for a old worn out restaurant to buy add no water no electric add the tight Chinese tourist and the prickly Russians maybe its a blessing I never found a place as its dead and I be broke by now 555Someone I don't personally know but just heard his story , lost 5 million baht in opening a bar/restaurant and eventually had to go back to India after losing all the money. Off course his thai girlfriend cheated him along with other Thais. Sent from my Redmi 7 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post scottiejohn Posted October 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 27, 2019 12 hours ago, Phuketshrew said: How can they give accurate occupancy figures when they don't even know how many hotels there are? I thought every establishment with 4 or more rooms needed to be licensed. If that is so why can they not quote the figures for those establishments and give an estimate of the “under the radar” establishments as well? If they did that then we could put a little bit of faith in their figures but not on those wide estimates drawn from the clouds. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Truthhurts Posted October 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 27, 2019 15 hours ago, Scot123 said: OMG! Why can they not just come out and say it, the high Baht and very bad reputation has and is causing this crisis not only for the big hotels but everyone who is connected in anyway to tourist income. The downward spiral should not be measured year on year mut maybe should be measured from the day democracy was stolen at the end of a gun. I am sure that would paint a far worse picture. The damage really took grip with the closer of establishments for several months, the disinfectant of places character. These all a play part and the high Baht which stops foreign tourists coming but also increases the high end Thais to holiday in foreign countries. Bad reputation??? Oh please. Bet you cant sleep at night unless the light is kept switched on 3 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post marin Posted October 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 27, 2019 All of the southern islands are killing themselves this year. Last years high season was down, then the off season went to hell as well. So what do they do? Double all the room prices over last years high season rates on booking sites. It was amazing to look at. The same hotels my family and friends visited last year on Phuket, Raillay and Phi Phi wanted more than double. So I called down direct expecting to get a better rate. "Have to raise our prices we are going to be full", was the reply. Gave up. Let them perish, places I have been visiting for years. Checked up north Chiang Rai and the surrounding mountains for a road trip. Prices are way down. So I called and asked why. " We need guests we have had a terrible year, come on up and we will give you another 20% off. So we are booked. Chiang Rai, Pu Chee Fah, Chaing Khang, Mae Sai, and Doi Tung. Nice little trip. Hope some of the losers in the south wake up... 22 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post AhFarangJa Posted October 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 27, 2019 14 hours ago, SteveK said: Because all of the people in power in Thailand have millions and millions of baht in the bank. They can reap the rewards of the inflated currency by buying investments and properties overseas at a huge discount whilst the baht stays propped up. If the baht drops, so does their apparent wealth when they travel abroad to buy their Bentleys, Rolexes and apartments in Paris and London. Hence they don't want to blame the baht, they will blame everything else for as long as possible to keep the house of cards propped up. They obviously put their personal wealth at a higher priority to the economic prosperity of the country, but that shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who lives in Thailand and has seen the god-like reverence in which the super-rich elite are held. Exactly SteveK, hit the nail on the head. This is was I have been telling the Wife when she moans there are no customers in her bar. The old Thai facade of not apportioning blame to anyone is finally crumbling however, and she is agreeing with me, along with the caveat "But what can we do, they have the power". 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MRToMRT Posted October 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 27, 2019 15 hours ago, rooster59 said: According to the report, hoteliers have been forced to slash hotel rooms prices by as much as 50 percent. Well I have been looking on Agoda and Booking.c and I cannot see any reductions. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post LomSak27 Posted October 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 27, 2019 More Fake News from those nattering Nabobs of Negativity. If you go over to Thailand News you will find the truth; Quote Tourist numbers well on track statistics show By The Nation Do NOT Believe Fake News. Everything is going to be OK. Rest Easy Gentle Thai Visa dwellers. 2 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Bundooman Posted October 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 27, 2019 15 hours ago, 4evermaat said: Ok. All you "Patong is Dead" and "Patong - The Wake" people finally have your "I told you so" article. So what are you waiting for? Superiority complex-style post. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post helloagain Posted October 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 27, 2019 (edited) 15 hours ago, Mavideol said: the guy is with TAT, what else to expect from him.... How the hell do they keep on sprouting <deleted>, and keep their job. What are his qualifications or did he have to pay to get his position like many do in this corrupt country. And indians are quality tourists are they 5555, please read what they get up to in their own country. A few years ago it was the Russians well never have i ever heard one say please or thankyou, infact we will rent to one. Then it was the Chinese have you seen how they eat and shout at each other when standing next to a fellow countryman, infact they are being kicked out of and not before they ruined Sihanoukville Cambodia, how its the indians turn, we shall see, lock up your kids. I only say whats been reported in non gov: controlled papers. Edited October 27, 2019 by helloagain Added to it 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post yellowboat Posted October 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 27, 2019 It was just yesterday they said tourism numbers were on track. Things change quickly in the land of smile and denials. 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post thaistocks Posted October 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 27, 2019 What about the Visa hazels to long term stayers? Why is this not mentioned, or did I miss it (?), its policies are way over the top besides often confusing, not friendly to even the many good people whom stay here and many have families here and contribute to Thailand. Just take a look at yet another of many letters published in the BKK Post today, October 27th 2019. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post soalbundy Posted October 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 27, 2019 So so, there will be a mass influx of Indians, sounds more like a threat to me. 5 2 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justin case Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 som nam na ? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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