Expats sought to help Thailand’s tourism industry in its hour of need, end to dual pricing mooted

[Khun Yaaai]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Yuthasak said that the 1997 Asian financial crisis (that had its roots in Thailand) was a disaster for the banks.

Except it didn't really "have its roots in Thailand" but rather US bankers such as Soros speculating against the baht.

Never to be forgotten nor forgiven.

[Misterwhisper]

1 hour ago, zaZa9 said:

Im actually surprised at the figure of 2 milliion. I new farang numbers were a lot , but didnt think it was that many. Just think of the profits in Re-entry Permits !

It says "expats", not "farang expats". There are tons of Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Singaporean, Taiwanese, Filipino, etc. etc. etc. expats living here alongside us.

[pixelaoffy]

Typical irrational official junk ! ' foreigners responsible for bringing covid to Thailand '; uhh so ANY country other than China could claim that ! It was the same reaction with HIV AIDs. That was because of foreigners spreading the virus not any Thais engaging in any ' bad behaviour'

[berrec]

Maybe shutting down the dual pricing into the hospital services and their pharmacy dispensing charges would also be a nice sweetener. 

 

It's tough to change Thai cultural habits; like from the time you land in BKK and get overcharged by airport taxi drivers to thieving local tuk-tuk and taxi drivers.

 

But, talking about it is at least a good starting point; will anything come of it.............I am pessimistic but i will wait and see!  

[NightSky]

Im so pleased I clicked on this thread, I was in dire need of a good laugh this afternoon.

 

It certainly made me laugh.

[Blot]

May I suggest that the Thai authorities create some concessions to Expats who have been in Thailand as residents for perhaps 5 or 10 years.  Please don't mention the Elite Visa as it isn't worth a dime.  Many of my friends and associates are leaving, and/or have left Thailand and will never return because they are treated so badly.  

 

I would seriously suggest that the Thai Government look at this issue before they lose the Billions of Baht that are spent by people, other than tourists, who stay here all year round.

We live here, are generally married to Thai's, and contribute a great deal to the economy.

[holy cow cm]

43 minutes ago, lee b said:

I believe most of the stranded tourists are doing there job at keeping what is left open ( I am at least). They are still spending money here, and due to the fact the doors are still locked, its good that the government extended the amnesty.

Yes. I am spending money at restaurants and stores and markets here in CM. It is actually almost normal for me except the mask on at certain places. 

[lee b]

12 minutes ago, holy cow cm said:

Yes. I am spending money at restaurants and stores and markets here in CM. It is actually almost normal for me except the mask on at certain places. 

Exactly, I am am doing the same. This is only due to the fact I am trying to live as much a normal life as possible and carry on doing everything i did before the covid. 

[Daveyh]

There is an old saying "What goes around, comes around" & I'd say it's about time as we have suffered enough here over many years. We all accepted the quirks & cultures here as it was such a great place to be, people were friendly, everyday life was full of adventure & fun. All that has changed as the "Smile" seems to have vanished from peoples faces & most are complaining about their quality of life here, as well as their standard of living. This is not only "Farangs", it's locals too, so the country really is in trouble in the long term! Let's just get back on track with expat's plight shall we??? .......... I don't think it is all Thailand's fault as our inept embassies have deserted us, plus the ever increasingly expensive Baht have been major players in our plight as expats. For sure the devaluation of the Baht would improve things for all of us & Thai exports would be more competative/cheaper etc. The worst thing here for retired expats living here is the renewal of retirement visas each year, which due to the rate of exchange & difficulties in obtaining the necessary paperwork makes the process very worrying for a lot of people. Jumping through all the "hoops" & dashing around getting things that immigration insist on is very stressful, especially as the expat community here is slowly diminishing now. I honestly feel that an expat community will no longer exist in Thailand due to natural causes in the coming years. To qualify for a Retirement Visa the route is punitive & having to do it each year is not really a retirement at all as without the renewal you are being denied an extension of stay. Someone who's come to Thailand, bought a house, settled here & contributed to the economy here for years, it seems hardly fair to me ......... it's a really big risk, as I fear many folks have come here with high hopes of a happy retirement, only to find disappointment, heartache & loneliness resulting in deep sorrow during repatriation to their home country penniless in their twilight years .......... sad, but there it is. I honestly don't feel that here is a haven for retirees any longer, hence my gut feel that this community will become extinct eventually..  

Edited August 4, 2020 by Daveyh

[Hank Gunn]

1 hour ago, holy cow cm said:

Really? He is one of the more popular celebs and is always on TV and she popular and is his wife. Issan guy. Also they both have a tooth paste commercial on TV now as well so are regularly in yo face. They are currently really trending.

But the key is, "really trending" with who? They may be famous with Thais but doubt many expats know who they are and if they do, they'd be a small minority.

[Zikomat]

We are already here and helping. Just keep those Immigration coyotes at bay.

[Bluetongue]

5 pages so far of mostly whinging about dual pricing - been here 11 years, been coming and going for 30 rarely seen it, TM30s - done 1 in 11 years, so much negative and hostile waffle. All because some article mentioned that some tourism guy thought it a good idea to encourage a few expats to try a few different places. A lot of you should be ashamed of yourselves for such a childish, selfish display, in a country which by the way has kept you pretty safe during a pandemic. Sure nothing's perfect but that's life. Might go somewhere I haven't been before in the next months. 

[MarleyMarl]

I stopped holidaying in Thailand when after several years of running a legitimate business here, employing a number of Thais, paying taxes, and no issues extending my visa each year, all of a sudden they wanted a bribe and would not extend without a bribe, even though all documents correct. So now I go holiday (before covid) every 90 days abroad and spend my money in abroad.

 

It's not much, but that's my own personal protest.

[Chongalulu]

40 minutes ago, Khun Yaaai said:

Except it didn't really "have its roots in Thailand" but rather US bankers such as Soros speculating against the baht.

Never to be forgotten nor forgiven.

Firstly Soros is not a banker and he’s Hungarian. He didn’t cause the collapse,just as he didn’t the UK crisis,he simply bet against the bull ???? that government officials were peddling at the time. He put his money where his mouth was and was correct. Apart from ALL that you’re spot on... ???? 

[bluesofa]

4 minutes ago, MarleyMarl said:

I stopped holidaying in Thailand when after several years of running a legitimate business here, employing a number of Thais, paying taxes, and no issues extending my visa each year, all of a sudden they wanted a bribe and would not extend without a bribe, even though all documents correct. So now I go holiday (before covid) every 90 days abroad and spend my money in abroad.

 

It's not much, but that's my own personal protest.

Reminds me of someone in my neck of the woods who had exactly the same experience.

He couldn't cope with the idea of having to pay a bribe for the same reason, after he'd employed Thais and kept everything legit.

He let his girlfriend run the business into the ground and went to live in Cambodia, after more than ten years here.

[DrTuner]

Well, warmly, <deleted> you. We have a memory and it remembers the Chinese hordes. Stick with them now.

[Dialemco]

Foreigners already have these priviledges if they have money

[natway09]

Maybe they think  that us Farang Expats are big enough,smart enough, experienced enough. 

street savvy enough to look after ourselves.

Most of us are !!

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand's tourism chiefs are turning to expatriates working in Thailand and foreigners living in the country to save Thai tourism in its hour of need.

2 words... the 2nd one s off !

[ChipButty]

Over the years Ive lived here I did use to do a lot of traveling around Thailand if I wanted to stay in a hotel always send your bitch in get a better price, once I learn about the pricing for national parks I never went.

Immigration needs to reel it's neck in and start at the airport they have never got me but a couple of friends have been had.

Customs is another place they <deleted> themselves when I give them the Harmonization code 5% duty not 20% 

The biggest complaint we get form tourist is the world famous Taxi's that needs a complete overall not just farang get stung but Thai people also last year in BKK I was with 2 thai's and we couldn't get a taxi 

[Dialemco]

Foreigners already have these priviledges if they have money

[miamiman123]

Agree 100% expats should be willing and able to help this beautiful country and the people.

tell us how! 

[MRToMRT]

Complete BULL. Let them change first rather than offer empty words. This countries national past time is lying.

[tomacht8]

Too many cooks spoil the porridge.
There is the Health Minister General, the Immigration Minister General, the Tourism Minister General, the Airport Minister General, the National Park Minister General, the Minister of Labor General, etc.
And everyone tells the media something and stirs around in the tourism and expat porridge.
How would it be if these generals sat down together and developed a sensible and well thought out road map how tourism can be revived.
The revival of Thai tourism is not that difficult, but it requires coordinated and planned action by all institutions and authorities.
And there is a huge lack of that.
There is a lack of competent management skills among the generals.
Each general issues his own personal orders.
It must be doubted whether this will fit all together well in the end.

Edited August 4, 2020 by tomacht8

[scammed]

he understand that international tourism is down

for the foreseeable future, bar those that already made

part time in thailand tradition,

its only residents that can pick up the slacks a bit.

 

even if double pricing were to end today,

its not going to make a difference,

certainly not for the majority who are thais,

and not for us long stayers either cause we 

already dismissed two tier places

and are now set in our ways 

[Isaan sailor]

Forget about changing two-tiered pricing—we can live with it.  Just bring the Baht back to Earth.  Already, we have some fly-over states in USA with a lower cost of living.

[DogNo1]

^{I think that the word "moot" has been misunderstood (or perhaps misused.). To moot means to cancel.  In other words, he is rejecting the proposal to end dual pricing.}

[bikerlou47]

Release my 800,000 I will be happy to help!

[scammed]

1 minute ago, DogNo1 said:

^{I think that the word "moot" has been misunderstood (or perhaps misused.). To moot means to cancel.  In other words, he is rejecting the proposal to end dual pricing.}

yes, it was only in the following sentences that i knew what he meant.

 

at the top of the post box,  you can see

 

B I U x X try to uncheck the first x

[mr mr]

the amount of cry babies on here is astounding. 

 

YOU chose thailand. thailand DIDN'T choose you.