Thailand Aims to Turn Away From Mass Tourism and Target the Wealthy

[Misterwhisper]

I am wealthy and have money to burn. Where should I spend my luxury vacation? Let me see...

 

Thailand

Bora-Bora

Cote d'Azur

Monaco

Cinque Terre

St. Lucia

Bahamas

Costa Esmeralda 

 

Which one do YOU reckon I'd cross off my bucket list first, Mr. Phiphat?

[Airalee]

14 minutes ago, Logosone said:

Hasn't worked for Jamaica though. You can get Ganja there easy, but not exactly a destination of choice for the very rich. Errol Flynn excepted, but that was many moons ago.

 

Jamaica has spectacular women, btw.

The ganja in Jamaica is trash (compared to Cali high grade) and many many men have an “Asian woman fetish”.  Never heard of a “Jamaican woman fetish”

[Andrew65]

2 minutes ago, Airalee said:

The ganja in Jamaica is trash (compared to Cali high grade) and many many men have an “Asian woman fetish”.  Never heard of a “Jamaican woman fetish”

The 32 hour journey makes the difference (How long it takes a friend from Florida to travel to Thailand)? Americans have lots of options other than Thailand, also, unlike us northern-Europeans, they don't have to leave the country for warm winter weather.

[Airalee]

2 minutes ago, Andrew65 said:

The 32 hour journey makes the difference (How long it takes a friend from Florida to travel to Thailand)? Americans have lots of options other than Thailand, also, unlike us northern-Europeans, they don't have to leave the country for warm winter weather.

Understood....the Caribbean locations definitely draw a lot of Americans...especially the Mayan Riviera but that’s why Thailand needs to up the ante and actually advertise and promote the Sex and (future) Cannabis tourism.  Kind of a “stick to what you’re known for” policy.  I don’t bang hookers and certainly won’t smoke dope here anymore, but as an economist, I understand the concept of “low overhead” tourist attractions.  Keep Thailand “low brow”.  Just think of the comparison between Wal-Mart and Neiman Marcus (currently in bankruptcy)

[Vigilante]

Reading the title, I remembered a saying from back home

It doesn't translate well but here it is

 

'I wish I'd still have my health and I wouldn't mind being rich too'

 

 

[Paiman]

Loss of reality going on.

 

The wealthy will be queing up and thank God when they receive the clearance for their Lear jet to land. 

[Paiman]

There are some wealthy criminal organisations. May be they can be attracted?

[skorp13]

I'm stocking up on popcorn as i can't wait to see how this stroke of genius plays out! :))

[Geoffggi]

The government appears to be like the proverbial "chicken with it's head cut off" - No clue what to do next.....!!!!

[Zillod]

Don't get rich by spending it!

 

[holy cow cm]

1 hour ago, Logosone said:

I stayed in a private villa in the Centara Grand, was very pleasant in an old world kind of way. Big ceilings, sunken living room. The villas are way better than the hotel rooms. I actually booked a hotel room and they were so disappointing I asked for a villa. I went to all the top 5 star hotels in Phuket for lunch or dinner, just to check out if I picked the best place. Didn't see anything better. The villas in Centara Grand are very comparable to Amanpuri. Now of course outside Phuket there are many places that are better than the Centara Grand in Phuket, but someone mentioned Phuket as the "jewel in the Crown".

 

I was in a Laguna resort in Bali, Nusa Dua, which frankly was worlds better than Cenatra Grand Phuket in every way. Of course there are comparable ultra luxury resorts in Thailand, however, the problem is if you go to the city, say in Phuket, the ugliness and poverty envelop you like a bad smell. 

 

I think Japanese and Korean now prefer Malaysia for this reason. More luxury there.

 

I totally agree that Thailand will do well with tourism from the mid to low end range, because it still has a lot to offer.

Well well well. You gonna be on their list and they gonna be knocking on your email door to come spend your riches on Thai posh-ness. Remember once you leave your home, you become a tourist. 

[hansnl]

5 hours ago, baansgr said:

Although they may spend 5 times the amount of sexpats..it doesn't create 5 times as many jobs which is what's needed most

But of course rich, affluent tourists bring in money directly into the pockets of the rich and affluent, the poor who eked out a living in sometimes very "dirty" jobs and the families dependent on them are not important.

The medical tourism, till now, was based on Thailand being cheaper.

However, the prices in Thailand are now on the same level or higher as the prices in Europe's healthcare industry.

And what are rich and affluent people looking for?

Exactly the same as everybody else.

Thailand, in my view, gambled on Chinese, well, Chinese come once and next year go somewhere else.

The rich Chinese come here, buy a few condos to rent them out to Chinese tour groups, but stay away.

But as Chinese seem to have a grudge against white people, that filters down to the people in power in Thailand.

Poor Thai......

[holy cow cm]

OH my. Upscale soapy slides sitting and hob nobbing with all the Generals and elites in the Fish bowl gallery and happy endings done with a white glove on. Yoo hoo. Things are certai9nly changing in Thailand. 

[Sambotte]

Mrfff....

 

I say for year Thailand makes a BIG mistake to target only the mass Chineese and Indian tourists, and to have scared the Expats noticably with requirements changing and many problems at airports and immigration.

 

To rely on one or two customer-country is an obvious mistake.

 

To get rid of the cheap-Charlie is understandable to some extend.

 

But to make the 40 years business of expats, and travelers (who spend more than a few weeks), go away was a very BIG mistake. Many of those have money.

Thailand was for long one of the top retirement country. They ruined it because they looked just the number of Chineese and Indian. Pandepanic = it's gone, for long ! Or any other change (politic, war, etc.)

 

To target only the very whealthy looks like another mistake in preparation...

 

Medical tourism is good, i think. IF travels can resume.

Mass Chineese and Indian tourism is ok, only IF it's not the only target, and IF travels resume normally (old normal hmm) in a few years.

But how can't they see Expats and Retired, are a big enough, and constant, source of revenues ???

 

Easy to fix :

- First do not make a mistake with the extension of virus-visa-extension for those who are already here.

- And most importantly : make the retirements/marriage/work visas easy again ! You have the money ? You are welcome ! Period. Business as usual like since 40 years, sure and constant business, how did they ruin that ? Thailand know business generally. Must have been a few bad non-businessmen at gouvernement i guess those last years...

- Elite visa... is dead : nobody will now invest for 5 years not to say 10 or 20, with all those uncertainties (virus, requirements changing, etc.). Make a nice one for 1 year.

 

In one sentence : the long term visa is a good and sure business. Time to fix it and to make business again with it. Just check the money to avoid the cheap-"dirty"-charlies, but do not make the others go away ! 

[talahtnut]

Pattaya has long way to go to attract

big dosh, its just not lavish or glamourous.

Theres nowhere to park me super luxury

300m yacht except aground near the

sewage outfall. Thai dreamers like me.

[madmitch]

A long line of tourism ministers have said the same and its never happened, mainly for the multitude of reasons already mentioned on this thread.

 

Thailand lost its exotic appeal many years ago; once mainstream, always mainstream.

 

Coming to Thailand today is like visiting Spain in the 1970s. Most of Thailands beach hotels are built for mass tourism with fairly small basic rooms and decent pool areas. They are not going to change their target market; it just won't work.

 

Its worth remembering that these words come from a billionaire who has probably never stayed in a hotel with less than five stars in his life.

 

 

[Sambotte]

1 hour ago, Logosone said:

Hasn't worked for Jamaica though. You can get Ganja there easy, but not exactly a destination of choice for the very rich. Errol Flynn excepted, but that was many moons ago.

 

Jamaica has spectacular women, btw.

I must say Jamaica is the WORST immigration experience i've ever encountered in maybe 40 years and 40 countries visited. The only denial i've ever had, on a second visit, for no reason, and no supervisor.

Not to mention total insecurity. And crazy prices.

[bkkdawg]

Ahhh yes, the "Quality Tourists".... Dream on!

[patsfangr]

6 hours ago, baansgr said:

Although they may spend 5 times the amount of sexpats..it doesn't create 5 times as many jobs which is what's needed most

Exactly. The "wealthy" spend most of their time AND money at high end resorts. You don't, and won't see many such people on the streets of Pattaya, or even Bangkok. This is typical elitist totalitarian government policy! 

[The Barmbeker]

As the minister for tourism, he should be aware, that DENIAL is  not an Egyptian river...

[TheFishman1]

Right I’ll be flying in their private jets I think I’ve heard that before Thailand wanting to target the rich TIT

[tlandtday]

Why not target aliens from another galaxy they won't have the virus and may believe the "amazing trust thailand" slogans.

[Bender Rodriguez]

do they have a secret machine to make wishes come true ?

[soalbundy]

6 hours ago, Logosone said:

Mallorca tried this without success. There are just not enough rich people. The plebs are the masses, it's where the real money is. Who do you think finances the millions footballers earn? The plebs. It comes from advertising, ie products bought by the plebs.

 

The plebs have huge financial power but don't know it.

Correct and it is the numbers and variations that make a holiday resort interesting, the rich cocooned together with a few rich is boring, they have that at home. without the plebs there are no street food wagons, no lively bars, no street scenes, nothing to look down on, nothing to make you feel privileged, the Thais who rely on mass tourism won't be happy. You can't turnt the clock back Thailand you are what you are. VW thought they could give their brand an air of exclusivity ala BMW or Mercedes by buying the Bentley brand....it didn't work, they are still the VW beetle brand. You did well from your binge drinking, bar girl, ladyboy image, don't change a winning team.

[joecoolfrog]

How many times have I heard this all before !

There is a huge difference between  want and reality.

[Rabbi]

7 hours ago, petermik said:

This chap is in cloud cuckoo land...????

Yes we know he is in Thailand...Thank you but what do you want to tell us?

[herwin1234]

6 hours ago, Maha Sarakham said:

When has the Thai government ever shown any regard for the environment?  They grew a conscience over these past few months have they?  Give me a break.

one of the reasons i support this governement is because they are so pro environment. unlike the Taksin governement if i may say.

How about the introduction this year of the PLASTIC BAG BAN, that is supported by Thai busineses AND Thai customers. It FULLY shows how responsible and green this governement and Prayut are.

I remember many years ago, the Thai army rescued caged bears somewhere in Thailand. and just a few years ago, not afraid to ruffle feathers,  they clamped down on the Tiger Temple. 

please be informed before making the usual negative baseles claims. This governement is pro environment, as any modern country should be. 

 

[herwin1234]

promoting quality over quantity, a SMART decision for the future.

There will be still mass tourism, but less, and instead of making efforts to attrackt loads of mass tourists, efforts will be made to attrackt quality visitors. Smart!

[tonysilly]

you mean China, India and cheap Charlie Malaysia won't be on the rich list??  ;(  

Apple!! turn off the buffet station 55

[sammieuk1]

Even the wealthy will say "how much" to that wine list ????