Khao San: After the hype comes the reality - once "billion baht" street" deserted in the daytime

[ctxa]

1 hour ago, JesseHumphry said:

Bringing in the notoriously stingy Chinese against focusing on Westerners who actually like to spend money and spend more per-person than the Chinese probably ever will...that doesn't make much sense to me. The Chinese have the advantage in pure numbers and that's about it. 
 

 

The problem with farang judging Chinese tourism in Thailand is that unless that farang has some understanding of Thai or Chinese language,... We can't differentiate between Thais and Chinese ????. And even then not always do you hear them speak, differentiating by looks is more often than not quite challenging, if not completely impossible .

Edited December 4, 2020 by ctxa

[Nout]

12 hours ago, tonray said:

I would think it wouldn't be that hard to switch from selling fake University Degrees to fake Insurance and Covid certificates...ha ha ha ha....only a matter of time

Silly

[thaibeachlovers]

2 hours ago, RocketDog said:

Surviving and prospering are quite different things as any low-income family will tell you. 

Prosperity is quite superior to mere survival. 

Any way you want to frame it tourism brought a lot to Thailand. 

Ah yes.

It brought corruption, exploitation, scams, increased crime, destruction of environments, pollution, and a lot of farangs that married bad women and lost everything ( some even lost or took their lives ). Places like Samui and Phuket, IMO, sold their soul for tourist money, and are suffering now for it.

 

There is "good" tourism, such as existed last century, and there is "bad" tourism, such as happened this century, with places like Maya Bay having to be closed because of destruction by too many tourists, and the widespread destruction of once beautiful beaches. IMO all because of greed.

 

 

[Catkiwi]

6 minutes ago, ctxa said:

 

The problem with farang judging Chinese tourism in Thailand is that unless that farang has some understanding of Thai or Chinese language,... We can't differentiate between Thais and Chinese ????. And even then not always do you hear them speak, differentiating by looks is more often than not quite challenging, if not completely impossible .

Chinese are farang in Thailand. If you are not Thai you are a foreigner, simple fact so stop being a <deleted>.

 

[rgraham]

Where does one acquire a German or Swiss passport, California Driver's license, etc now?

 

[thaibeachlovers]

6 minutes ago, Catkiwi said:

Backpackers not bagpackers...just saying.

LOL. Who sez it should be backpackers? They carry a bag around on their backs like a horde of big snails, so I'll continue to call them bagpackers like I've been doing for over 20 years.

[thaibeachlovers]

6 minutes ago, Catkiwi said:

Chinese are farang in Thailand. If you are not Thai you are a foreigner, simple fact so stop being a <deleted>.

 

Chinese are not farangs, IMO. One should understand the origins of words before lecturing others on their meaning.

 

Please note, grammar police are not appreciated on TVF.

 

From forum netiquette

3. ....................................................................................................... However be aware that not every member is a native english speaker and excessive posts regarding others spelling and grammar not only hijacks the topic but is poor netiquette.

Edited December 4, 2020 by thaibeachlovers

[ctxa]

1 hour ago, Catkiwi said:

Chinese are farang in Thailand. If you are not Thai you are a foreigner, simple fact so stop being a <deleted>.

 

Well, Thais don't call Chinese farang. Even when they are still foreigners just like a westerner. But that wasn't my point. 

 

My point is that aside from the numbers on Chinese tourists and all of that bs, many times westerners don't really realize how many Chinese are there around simply because they can't tell them apart from Thais. As someone myself who can speak Chinese, often times specially pre-covid era, walking along certain roads in Bangkok I would wonder myself if I was in Thailand or in China because of how few Thai I would hear compared to Chinese!

Edited December 4, 2020 by ctxa

[Catkiwi]

4 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

LOL. Who sez it should be backpackers? They carry a bag around on their backs like a horde of big snails, so I'll continue to call them bagpackers like I've been doing for over 20 years.

Just saying that around the world you can discover backpacker hotels in most countries. I have never seen any bagpacker hotels so, hence my contention to your terminology. Yo

 

4 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Chinese are not farangs, IMO. One should understand the origins of words before lecturing others on their meaning.

 

Please note, grammar police are not appreciated on TVF.

u can say something for a hundred years and it still doesn't make it correct.

[3NUMBAS]

empty is the way it will stay for a long time ,,times have changed.went their once in 30yrs

[Catkiwi]

6 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Chinese are not farangs, IMO. One should understand the origins of words before lecturing others on their meaning.

 

Please note, grammar police are not appreciated on TVF.

 

From forum netiquette

3. ....................................................................................................... However be aware that not every member is a native english speaker and excessive posts regarding others spelling and grammar not only hijacks the topic but is poor netiquette.

Shove it son. I am not attempting to be grammar police. I am merely stating a fact. If you have had it wrong for 20 years then perhaps it is time you did some extended learning. Don't bother with quoting the forum rules.

[Maha Sarakham]

I never understood the appeal of Khao San, went twice and it was incredibly uninteresting both times.  Seemed like a place to get drunk and hang out with other Thailand newbies...

[tonray]

24 minutes ago, rgraham said:

Where does one acquire a German or Swiss passport, California Driver's license, etc now?

 

Trump University ?

[RocketDog]

40 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Ah yes.

It brought corruption, exploitation, scams, increased crime, destruction of environments, pollution, and a lot of farangs that married bad women and lost everything ( some even lost or took their lives ). Places like Samui and Phuket, IMO, sold their soul for tourist money, and are suffering now for it.

 

There is "good" tourism, such as existed last century, and there is "bad" tourism, such as happened this century, with places like Maya Bay having to be closed because of destruction by too many tourists, and the widespread destruction of once beautiful beaches. IMO all because of greed.

 

 

Wherever humans go they bring these things with them. Your home country and mine have some like this too.

 

It's simply the state of the art with humans. IMO

When you find a place better than earth, don't tell anybody else about it. 

 

Take a good mate, go, make a new civilization, and banish all the corruption we have here. 

[Bkktodd]

11 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Thailand isn't, IMO, a socialist country. Want welfare, go live in a socialist country.

 

Good riddance IMO. Rip off vendors selling stuff to gullible youths at far higher prices than in a market or even MBK.

Guess most of European and America has gone socialist trying to help its population with a bit of its own tax dollars in assistance back.  Many people want work that have been displaced ...they cant be lazy thai beach lovers

Edited December 4, 2020 by Bkktodd

[poohy]

Things certainly change1999/2010 (until we were bought out by the big boys) my company would put 400/550 per week though KSR

we were only one of many foreign companies based here at this time

[Bkktodd]

55 minutes ago, ctxa said:

 

The problem with farang judging Chinese tourism in Thailand is that unless that farang has some understanding of Thai or Chinese language,... We can't differentiate between Thais and Chinese ????. And even then not always do you hear them speak, differentiating by looks is more often than not quite challenging, if not completely impossible .

Wow. If you spend anytime in asia it’s obvious to spot  polite (japanese) chinese (spitters and dirty and thai (generally smiling) ....etc.  not challenging at all.  

[Dcheech]

21 minutes ago, ctxa said:

The problem with farang judging Chinese tourism in Thailand is that unless that farang has some understanding of Thai or Chinese language,... We can't differentiate between Thais and Chinese ????. And even then not always do you hear them speak, differentiating by looks is more often than not quite challenging, if not completely impossible .

 

If living here, it is not hard to differentiate between, Thai and Chinese <language>. The Chinese certainly have some big spenders, yet, all too often they clot the supermarket checkout  lines. Buying then loading spinner suitcases with dried durian chips, mackerel and other items to take back to the hotel room. Obligatory we chat app phone jamming, is a give away, if you are stone deaf. This does not give one the impression they are big spenders, quiet the opposite.

Edited December 4, 2020 by Dcheech

[CharlieH]

Inflammatory remark removed

[KhaoYai]

12 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

It always amuses me when a farang claims that Thailand is doomed without them. Every farang could vanish tomorrow and IMO only the bar girls, families and the tourist companies would miss them. Thailand survived just fine prior to 1970 and will do so again if it comes to it.

But its not 1969, its 2020. The Thailand of today is very different to what it was then.  The 'nightlife' industry is huge compared to the 60's as are the associated businesses that supply it.  Then there's the tourist industry in general - that's grown even more. However, it serves a particular demographic and for Thailand to move 'upmarket' as they seem to never stop talking about lately, massive environmental change will have to take place and by that I'm talking about cleaning up, providing good quality services and beautification.  The rich have plenty of choices of where to holiday already.

 

You talk about Thailand surviving 'just fine prior to 1970' did it? The country is far from equitable but its a damn site better than it was then in every mode of life.  Are you aware of what sort of population the existing businesses supported in the 60's?  1968 Population: 35 Million. 2019 Population: 66.5 million.

 

I have no idea of what percentage of those additional 31.5 people rely on the current tourist industry model but when you take into account the supply chains and others that benefit from the revenue that tourism creates, it will be substantial.

 

What do you propose those people do 'if it comes to it'? The same as they are doing right now?

 

I could probably find hundreds of reports on how Thailand has improved since 1970 but I suggest you have a glance at this one:

 

http://hdr.undp.org/sites/all/themes/hdr_theme/country-notes/THA.pdf

 

And that only covers 1990 - 2018.

Edited December 4, 2020 by KhaoYai

[SiSePuede419]

The Khao San neighborhood was just a place to buy rice.

 

Backpackers made Khao San, not domestic tourists.

 

You're barking up the wrong tree. ????

[whaleboneman]

2 hours ago, poohy said:

Things certainly change1999/2010 (until we were bought out by the big boys) my company would put 400/550 per week though KSR

we were only one of many foreign companies based here at this time

400/550 baht?

[mike787]

It is what it is.  2 choices: 1. start a GOFUND to save it.  2. or keep talking about saving it in pity.

In the end, don't worry, all will be ok.  

[bristolgeoff]

Khoa San rd had it made the backpackers liked the area,even if some or most got ripped off somehow.crowded nearly all of the day and night.allowed to stay open late  and it worked.

       Then the gov start changing the rules in late night drinking and few other things,I think everyone mostly happy  and making money.Now it is a dead duck and they hurting,the virus and no tourist(backpackers) included have a affect.But they should have left it as it was,maybe they will realise that bars etc can stay open later did more good than harm.

  I think the people who have a business there wished it was the same as before and not change it.I remember Khoa san rd  was a buzzing place once worth a drink not any more.They killed the golden goose

[JeffersLos]

12 hours ago, kcpattaya said:

This administration has no clue how to manage a country

 

And I suppose you do.

 

 

[RJRS1301]

19 hours ago, ezzra said:

Even today's 'billion baht' not what they used to be before, but as the world turns, so are the fortunes of many places and i'm sure that Khao san Rd. will once again will go back to its former glory...

Former and current tackiness 

[joecoolfrog]

17 hours ago, Neeranam said:

Around 1998, KSR changed to a Thai students' nightlife scene. 

Thailand can survive without tourists, and their over-inflated self-importance. 

Survive is the correct word.

Thailand will not collapse without tourism but clearly the economy would take a fairly major hit.

[KC 71]

14 hours ago, Destiny1990 said:

Wow another successful makeover ????..

looks like a load of 'Bollards' to me.

[Disillusioned farang]

21 hours ago, sweatalot said:

exactly - without the foreigners -even backpackers - Thailand's  future will be dark

How many backpackers is the worth of a "quality tourist" ?

I doubt there will ever be enough quality tourists the way TAT is dreaming of.

 

btw. The word "quality tourist" is an assault created by greedy people taxing other people only by the amount of money they can press out of them

Well said !  

[brianthainess]

A billion baht !!!!!!!  For a new road surface 397mts  metal pipes stuck in the ground and filled with concrete . Nice little earner that one.