Thailand's entire tourism industry will collapse if foreign tourists are not allowed back, industry leader

[EricTh]

I was at a popular tourist restaurant in Bangkok a few days ago. What a difference between last year and these days. When I was there, only two tables had customers and the restaurant has two stories of tables.

 

All the waiters and waitresses were there standing pretty and looking at the few customers.

 

Soon they will be unemployed if government keeps closing the borders.

 

I had a walk through the popular Silom soi at night, it was almost empty of customers. Soon , all the bar-boys and girls will lose their jobs as well.

Edited August 28, 2020 by EricTh

[SupermarineS6B]

15 hours ago, RotBenz8888 said:

It has already collapsed, and it started long before covid19. 

Dead right, covid just gave them a very convenient excuse.....   Golden rule.... "If it's running, leave it alone".....

[jerolamo]

1 hour ago, CG1 Blue said:

You may have some valid points, but how do you explain tourism to Thailand reaching a record high of nearly 40 million in 2019? 

 

in one word: PROPAGANDA.

and for the classification of countries depend about human rights and development, this will have a reason to exist more or less in direct relation with that maybe...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_Human_Development_Index

 

https://www.msci.com/documents/1296102/1330218/MSCI-Country-Classification-Standard-cfs-en.pdf/959ca805-4e33-95a4-1aad-b953688db19d?t=1562142713120

 

https://www.traffickingmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/hrw_world_report_2019.pdf 

(page number 573 for Thailand in 2019)

 

https://www.amfori.org/sites/default/files/amfori BSCI CRC V2019 Final.pdf

 

Shall i help you to understand this point relatively to the world usual measured practices.

Edited August 28, 2020 by jerolamo

[daveAustin]

10 hours ago, ajarnmarc said:

How does a persons weight or appearance "many of them pot-bellied guests in this country" relate to expressions or experiences which people have had within the country, and are describing here?

A sly, spiteful jab. Aside from jibes like Thais killing the golden goose (which is warranted with the way they tend to view foreigners), I don't see folk revelling in Thais' suffering. They have gone all wishy-washy, I hate my own kind tropo by the looks. Perhaps the 69 in john69 refers to IQ?  

 

[jerolamo]

and this one also, maybe more simple to compare things and understand what we are talking about for information score possibly obtained...

https://freedomhouse.org/countries/freedom-world/scores

[daveAustin]

Foreign tourists with half a brain will not even entertain this type of handling... being expected to quarantine for 14 days at their expense and then hemmed in. But the powers that be KNOW this. The appeal of Thailand is/was (ever-decreasing) easy going lifestyle. Jump on a plane, sit on a beach, have fun. None of that in the above, for 14 days at least. To make it more palatable, they could waive the cost of the 14 days, but then who has 6 weeks to spare for a two week break in lala land? As said, the twits know exactly what they are doing and the decimation of status quo tourism was always on the cards. 

[kingdong]

9 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

Foreign tourists with half a brain will not even entertain this type of handling... being expected to quarantine for 14 days at their expense and then hemmed in. But the powers that be KNOW this. The appeal of Thailand is/was (ever-decreasing) easy going lifestyle. Jump on a plane, sit on a beach, have fun. None of that in the above, for 14 days at least. To make it more palatable, they could waive the cost of the 14 days, but then who has 6 weeks to spare for a two week break in lala land? As said, the twits know exactly what they are doing and the decimation of status quo tourism was always on the cards. 

were status quo former visitors to  the los? can,t say i,ve ever seen them there.

[jerolamo]

18 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

Foreign tourists with half a brain will not even entertain this type of handling... being expected to quarantine for 14 days at their expense and then hemmed in. But the powers that be KNOW this. The appeal of Thailand is/was (ever-decreasing) easy going lifestyle. Jump on a plane, sit on a beach, have fun. None of that in the above, for 14 days at least. To make it more palatable, they could waive the cost of the 14 days, but then who has 6 weeks to spare for a two week break in lala land? As said, the twits know exactly what they are doing and the decimation of status quo tourism was always on the cards. 

i not understand why it may be already (always ?) on the cards (the decimation of status quo tourism).

I loose the crucial point there. Could you go ahead a bit ?

sincerely.

[GAZZPA]

6 minutes ago, jerolamo said:

i not understand why it may be already (always ?) on the cards (the decimation of status quo tourism).

I loose the crucial point there. Could you go ahead a bit ?

sincerely.

seems to be clear to me, he is saying the authorities are destroying the Thailand of old with and easy going lifestyle and holiday. He is saying that the plan has always been to do this.... not sure I agree with the plan to do it but I do agree with the fact that they are decimating the tourist industry as it used to be..

[jerolamo]

3 minutes ago, GAZZPA said:

seems to be clear to me, he is saying the authorities are destroying the Thailand of old with and easy going lifestyle and holiday. He is saying that the plan has always been to do this.... not sure I agree with the plan to do it but I do agree with the fact that they are decimating the tourist industry as it used to be..

i understand what he said, but i not understand why you are, or he is thinking that the plan was there already. What is the interest to do that ?

It is difficult to me to be sure about what and how they are thinking (and much more to make a trial of intentions). I'm trying to look at the interest there...

what is the point please ? Why should they would like to decimating the tourist industry ? where are they better and autonomous? what do they have to gain?

[Dave0206]

12 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Tourism was already going downhill long before Covid. Now? It will never recover even close to its former levels. Not even close. Not even after 10 or 20 years. 

 

I wrote and posted this long before Covid. 

 

Most Westerners are not coming here anymore for a dozen very good reasons. You insulted us. You demeaned us. You accused us of being evil, and you accused us of being criminals. You mounted campaigns touting us as bad for the nation. You demonstrated deplorable amounts of racism and xenophobia, and fear of the outside world.

 

And now you want us to come back? Really? How soon you forget. Sorry, but we have not forgotten what was done and said. What we have forgotten is the nation named Thailand. There are too many alternatives now, and they are not only trying harder, they actually have competent people in charge! Surprise!
Sorry to say, but the high spending tourists are lost for good. They WILL NOT come back to Thailand, for a dozen different reasons. And places like Pattaya, Phuket and Samui will continue to go downhill. So, the goons at the TAT continue to pursue ever higher numbers, regardless of the noxious air, unbelievable congestion on the roads, and woeful service at the airports, that this policy only exacerbates.
 

It’s not that I totally disagree with your opinion but I see you are in Thailand so not chased you away?

most on this forum are either in Thailand or wish to return for long or short vacation like myself of course we see many strange decisions made by Thai government and businesses but it’s there affair not mine for all its faults I still wish to go.

Tourism is decimated all over the world I used to get hot under the collar regards overcharging because I’m a farang then I laugh to myself that I pay 4 or 5 times this amount in our own country so unless it’s outrageous I let it go it would have been the tip anyway.

Tourist hotspots all over the world are renowned for overcharging anywhere near famous attractions but we go anyway once .

i know everyone on here may not be full on whoremongers but I would hazard a guess most have dabbled so speaking as one who is a self confessed dabbler for most after divorce or death of partner I challenge anyone to say first time in Thailand was a big rip off over spend anything it’s a memory most never forget .

Meantime I will talk about the inequality of Thai life Red Bull etc but like many on here soon as travel is fully open I’m on my way

[Jimbo53]

17 hours ago, twocatsmac said:

Tourism was up the creek long before corvid 19.

Creating a Phuket leper colony will only serve the rip off merchants preying on tourists, few of whom paid much tax if any at all.

Not really,they will be confined to their quarantine rooms,so no businesses are going to benefit anyway!!

[Aussie Col]

If Thailand doesn't open up to Farang tourists by December at the latest that 10's of millions of dollars lost which they will never recover and many many jobs they will never get back

[thaibeachlovers]

17 hours ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Finally someone with the *alls and vision to say it as it is. This means that if this is true then the PM and TAT have been lying all the time.

 

It probably has already collapsed but the longer it gores on the less likely hood of a speedy recovery. It is a shame either way.

 

Have to disagree that's it's a shame. Thai tourism was in serious doodoo before corona was even thought about. Maya Bay closed because of too many tourists, Chiang Mai congested with too many tourists, Pattaya congested with too many tourists etc etc etc.

Chinese mass tourism is NOT the answer, IMO. Thailand has many natural attractions and many man made ones- develop quality tourism over quantity tourism is the answer IMO. They have at least 6 months and more likely a year or more to develop the infrastructure to attract the sort of tourist that isn't interested in areas congested by hordes of tourists rushing from restaurant to a gem shop to a cheap clothes shop to a restaurant etc etc etc.

Sadly, I don't think they care enough to spend the money needed to transition. Pity.

[thaibeachlovers]

2 minutes ago, Aussie Col said:

If Thailand doesn't open up to Farang tourists by December at the latest that 10's of millions of dollars lost which they will never recover and many many jobs they will never get back

That's life. Nothing is ever guaranteed.

Thailand was already losing farang tourists as it had transitioned to mass Chinese market. IMO it just wasn't particularly attractive to anyone wanting a quality experience beyond lying by a pool getting pi**ed.

[Shey420]

I'm thinking next week they will probably extend the amnesty until January 5 or something until its too late. Phuket model will have some takers but not nearly enough. They did estimate about 400k stuck in thailand.  You kick most of them out for maybe a couple of hundred in the phuket model?

Within the next two weeks the plan will evolve into quarantine Island phuket with pre arrival. Test on arrival.  Test day 14 to leave the Island and test day 21 to 28 if your still in thailand travel around. Yes that is alot of test at 3000thb per but they is really their best possible solution right now.

Still need covid insurance and Probably a few other documents. They should also extend visa stays to 90 day. 

[DB58]

19 hours ago, ThomasThBKK said:

No it won't totally collapse, same as airlines, the planes will be just bought by companies that know how to run a business.

 

Some will benefit from this "cleanup". Time to reposition yourself if you work in tourism. 

You are absolutely correct! Works the same way in the USA. Smaller business collapse, large corporations that have the influence  and deep pockets gobble up the space created. So no problem the failed small business owners can just get jobs working for the expanding big corporations. Yes... I am definitely being sarcastic.

[kingdong]

was hoping to creep out in jan,not holding my breath on that now.so have pencilled in easter,as long as vietnams open <deleted>****if i,m staying in los during sonkram.

[SiSePuede419]

Open up topless beaches. ????

[SiSePuede419]

1 hour ago, kingdong said:

was hoping to creep out in jan

Interesting choice of verbage there, Buckaroo. ????

 

Now, why on Earth would you want to leave Paradise?

 

I guess even chocolate cake gets boring if you have it every day. ????

 

[BritManToo]

3 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

IMO it just wasn't particularly attractive to anyone wanting a quality experience beyond lying by a pool getting pi**ed.

You missed out banging ho's .....

lying by the pool, getting pi**ed and banging ho's sounds like the perfect holiday to me!

I've essentially spent the last twelve years of my life doing just that.

 

Wasn't that the basis of Thailand's entire tourist industry since the 1960?

Edited August 29, 2020 by BritManToo

[hotchilli]

19 hours ago, Mavideol said:

but before they kept saying that tourism was not an important source of income for Thailand, what made them change their view

Reality.

[bkksteve123]

Even if they do open the borders, the assumption that there's a long line of tourists just waiting to fly into Amazing Thailand and willing to do just about anything (quarantine) is absolutely ridiculous.

 

Yes, there are a lot of people waiting for the borders to open so they can return to Thailand; retirees, stranded family members, and some hardcore tourists but this is a drop in the bucket in the larger scheme of things. The vast majority of people will not consider travelling this year despite the borders being open.

 

Having said that, I think the borders should be opened and that requirements should be lowered especially from countries with low infection rates. Thailand's apparent zero infection policy, that they have been praised for internationally and would now lose face if they get infections, is going to bite them in the ass in the long run.

[ChipButty]

Legalise Cannabis open up the Brown cafes like in Amsterdam 

[ChipButty]

11 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

You missed out banging ho's .....

lying by the pool, getting pi**ed and banging ho's sounds like the perfect holiday to me!

I've essentially spent the last twelve years of my life doing just that.

 

Wasn't that the basis of Thailand's entire tourist industry since the 1960?

24/7

[Laughing Gravy]

3 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Have to disagree that's it's a shame. Thai tourism was in serious doodoo before corona was even thought about. Maya Bay closed because of too many tourists, Chiang Mai congested with too many tourists, Pattaya congested with too many tourists etc etc etc.

Chinese mass tourism is NOT the answer, IMO. Thailand has many natural attractions and many man made ones- develop quality tourism over quantity tourism is the answer IMO. They have at least 6 months and more likely a year or more to develop the infrastructure to attract the sort of tourist that isn't interested in areas congested by hordes of tourists rushing from restaurant to a gem shop to a cheap clothes shop to a restaurant etc etc etc.

Sadly, I don't think they care enough to spend the money needed to transition. Pity.

Well we can disagree. I do think it is a shame as the place I call home, is in a serious pickle and while the place has lots of faults, I don't want it to become destitute place as it has great potential. I admit it has a lot to improve on but I want the best for the place.

[Henryford]

10 hours ago, PatrickC said:

 

Some English tourists love these package holidays where they fly to a resort and don't leave.

 

Could potentially work targeting them.

I did a few, not so bad. Went to Jamaica and stayed in the resort, basically it was too dangerous to go outside. But you need all the facilities in the resort to keep people happy.

[ChipButty]

12 minutes ago, Henryford said:

I did a few, not so bad. Went to Jamaica and stayed in the resort, basically it was too dangerous to go outside. But you need all the facilities in the resort to keep people happy.

I've done a few of them all inclusive resort holidays, twice in Jamaica, Bahamas Dominican Republic and Venezuela great if you have kids but even the best hotels in Thailand are not a patch on them places  

Edited August 29, 2020 by ChipButty

[anto]

17 hours ago, john69 said:

I've seen some callous comments on TV over the years, but these are more callous than most. Amazing how TV readers, many of them pot-bellied guests in this country, make light of millions of Thais being pushed into poverty by this crisis.

"I am all right jack " comes to mind .No empathy for others.

[NoshowJones]

22 hours ago, CelticBhoy said:

"They suggested that Thai domestic tourism is just not the answer."

 

That's a shame. I enjoy celebrating Songkhran every month.

Probably going to have to work a full month in October . . . . ????

A full month without the schools, the unelected soldiers offices etc being closed for even a day???????