Koh Samui: Holiday island is in a "coma" on its last tourism legs

[lovethai123]

16 minutes ago, ukrules said:

They were 'very, very overpriced' before COVID, now they're just 'very overpriced'......there's never going to be any bargains....

As my  thai gf said, it is for hiso people. kind of a 5 star place for people who want to be around only rich people and dont wanna see cheap charlies and 20 usd hotels. 

but  there are so many places around the world catering to really rich people. Why would real rich people go to Thailand?

 

Thailand attracted tourists from everywhere in the name of budget holidays. 

[barney42bb]

I read somewhere from a Government source.... That Thailand was not reliant on Tourist income.

 

 

[wealthychef]

I hope they can get help from their government during the time of need.  If not, what is government for?  

[Deli]

CCP's warlords are ready to take over.

[gearbox]

37 minutes ago, Jeffr2 said:

Several islands like that here in Thailand that don't require big bucks.  Ko Libong, Ko Mak, Ko Mook, etc.

True, great places, but I'm not a tourist, I  live in Samui.  I can't imagine living in Ko Mak for long time.

[simon43]

[quote]

...If the Government had been more accommodating to foriegners the Island would have enough foriegners to prop up the economy. ...

[/quote]

 

Yes I agree.  Had there been a policy to welcome long-stay expats, with 5 year+ visas (not the expensive Elite visa), minimal reporting/visa renewal paperwork blah blah blah, then perhaps more expats would have settled in Thailand, and now be in a position to help the Thai economy.

 

Instead, the general hassles and intrusion into our lives p*ssed off many, including myself.  After moving to Thailand in 2002, I moved to live in Laos ????

[gearbox]

34 minutes ago, ukrules said:

They were 'very, very overpriced' before COVID, now they're just 'very overpriced'......there's never going to be any bargains....

Not to mention tons of them don't have proper paperwork and chanotes...

[from the home of CC]

5 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Samui and the southern islands have been devastated by the lack of tourists. The Thais have picked up some of the slack, due to the lack of foreigners and the low prices. They rarely ever set foot on Samui, in the past. That is helping a bit. But, the process of attrition is taking place, and more and more restaurants, hotels, shops and tourist related spots are closing every day. However, Samui had countless issues prior to Covid. The stunning lack of local pride, alot of rip offs, the exact same taxi mafia issues as Phuket, with zero ability on the part of any officials, much less the army, to address them (nobody likes paying 400 baht to go three or four km.), the Bangkok Air monopoly, etc. etc. None of those issues were being addressed, and the quality of tourist on Samui has been dropping for years now.

 

Shots from a recent trip to Samui. It is quite sad being there, and seeing what is happening, though many locals are correctly stating how much cleaner the island is now. Many of the massage shops have closed, most of the bars have closed, and hundreds and hundreds of restaurants and hotels have closed. I hear there are hundreds of hotels for sale, at 50% off. 

 

The longer they wait, the harder it will be to restore the industry. People have short memories. Thailand was already being forgotten by millions, before Covid, due to a dozen reasons. Now? Too many alternatives. This administration continues to see Thailand as the COTU (center of the universe). Say it ain't so! No humility seem to be getting learned as of now. The army needs to figure out a way to muster up some courage, and re-open the nation to tourism. There are many ways it can be done safely, and there will be some risk, but nothing like the risk of not opening, and remaining sealed off from the world, like early 19th century Japan. Not even close.
 

 

 

that's the whole world chum, but you would rather see the 3000 dead a day such as the US here in this country? lol - typical foreigner selfishness that has put the rest of the world in the toilet. BTW, I would bet any Thai, if polled, would rather not go through what is happening in California now, so I believe they are very relieved the leadership here is more interested in protecting their health than drumming up business. Thailand will survive and will come out stronger due to this but that cannot be said for many western nations..

[evadgib]

5 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Shots from a recent trip to Samui. It is quite sad being there, and seeing what is happening, though many locals are correctly stating how much cleaner the island is now. Many of the massage shops have closed, most of the bars have closed, and hundreds and hundreds of restaurants and hotels have closed. I hear there are hundreds of hotels for sale, at 50% off. 

There's more to the island than Chaweng.

HTH

[ronaldo0]

3 hours ago, LivinLOS said:

If its in such freefall.. Do feel free to tag me or PM any fire sale villas, because I am not yet seeing much that looks like panic sale bargains. 

Personally prefer Lamai and south.. Leam Set to Taling Ngam.. Places that still feel coconut tree and island'y..  Or even hillside in the Na Muang zone... More than the bophut, chaweng, Choeng Mon, over developed messes.. 

But lets see the bargains ?? anywhere... say 8 - 20 mil.. So far all I see is the same listings, for breeze block 'villas' on 400m of land still asking 12 / 15 / more.. 

Sure theres some cheap rents, with unlikely renewal rates next year.. But not like 08 crisis sales.. 

I’m selling my 3 bedroom house in taling ngam . Drop me a message ????

[Howiehotspur]

China’s standard policy procedures... loan , repossess , own .. 

thailand a Provence of China within 20 years . 

[ronaldo0]

2 hours ago, firestar said:

People take the SAME pictures of Chaweng beach road over and over again, yes that road is deserted not only because of Covid but because they are digging it up to bury the power lines other places like Fisherman are quite busy.

 

Also I am looking for Hotels for sale and have found no more than 5 or 6 and none in good areas. It is bad but not as bad as it is made it out to be

 

 

-----------

There is a hotels for sale site . Last time i looked at it around 9 months ago there were 88 for sale . Latest figure i read was out of around 720 hotels in samui there were around 120-150 for sale . Cant remember the site name but few searches on google should find you it . 

[LivinLOS]

13 minutes ago, ronaldo0 said:

I’m selling my 3 bedroom house in taling ngam . Drop me a message ????

have a listing ?? 

Pool.. Seaview.. What kind of standard.. 

 

[evadgib]

4 hours ago, Changoverandout said:

 

I hope so, my wife and I are going t Mae Nam next month.

First time to Samui.

 

As we don’t particularly like crowds of tourists it should be fine as long as some restaurants are open.

Maenam has one of the best beaches on the island.

Angela's (Soi 3 on the beach at moonhut bungalows) is great for dining & does an excellent Sunday Roast.

HTH

[LivinLOS]

2 hours ago, GeorgeCross said:

 

was seeing lots of good prices on facebook (samui property groups) a few months back.

you might try looking there

 

I am.. Not seeing any standout slashed prices.. 

I am seeing loads of cheap small white boxes on no land packed in together on the E NE quadrant tho.. 

[LivinLOS]

1 hour ago, lovethai123 said:

I once asked my GF to take me to ko samui. She said it's for hi -so people . After 5 min she started arguing what problem I have in staying at her home. Why I want ko samui? Do I have a secret lady in ko samui? is she not good enough for me? Am i cheating her? 

 

after that I never mentioned ko samui to her. 

 

 

 

She sounds wonderful... 

[Snig27]

6 hours ago, philthebook said:

Coco Tams which is one of the most expensive beach bars (250 baht + for a cocktail) was packed last weekend, they were turning people away at 18:30. 

 

Yes, I've been to Samui three times in the last month on business, 6 times in the last 3 months and Bo Phut is fine - busy restaurants and ok bars, but across the island in Chaweng it's totally dead. Why? Bo Phut appeals to Thais and expats, whereas Chaweng was targeting international tourists only, mostly low end, was full of sleazy bars and poor overpriced food, and was never attractive to those of us who live here. The hotel we stay at is 90% full this week BTW.

[LivinLOS]

1 hour ago, ukrules said:

They were 'very, very overpriced' before COVID, now they're just 'very overpriced'......there's never going to be any bargains....

 
Thats about how I see it.. 

Still see the hordes of agent farangs (many of whom have near no knowledge of Thai law, new land taxes, or it seems much clue of what goes on behind the curtain) pimping 6 plus mil half rai (distant) seaview plots.. All in preparation for the next leg up in pricing... Yeah ok.. 

[mrfill]

2 hours ago, firestar said:

People take the SAME pictures of Chaweng beach road over and over again, yes that road is deserted not only because of Covid but because they are digging it up to bury the power lines other places like Fisherman are quite busy.

 

Also I am looking for Hotels for sale and have found no more than 5 or 6 and none in good areas. It is bad but not as bad as it is made it out to be

 

 

-----------

There are live streams on Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UjWChzW1Lk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTT9lHijVcE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXsYOpVP-kQ

 

 

All places that were busy - not now.. Most look like stills until you see a branch move on a tree...

[ronaldo0]

12 minutes ago, LivinLOS said:

have a listing ?? 

Pool.. Seaview.. What kind of standard.. 

 

Sent you a message 

[ronaldo0]

3 minutes ago, LivinLOS said:

 
Thats about how I see it.. 

Still see the hordes of agent farangs (many of whom have near no knowledge of Thai law, new land taxes, or it seems much clue of what goes on behind the curtain) pimping 6 plus mil half rai (distant) seaview plots.. All in preparation for the next leg up in pricing... Yeah ok.. 

yeah I love the ones you see on Facebook. Seaview land for sale and you think that looks ok in the photo. Then you notice another of their photos and realise it must have been taken using the Hubble telescope it’s that far from the sea ????

[Snig27]

1 hour ago, Chiang Mai Bill said:

and the cost of taxis! 

Yes, that's a problem. The "meter" taxis remain a total rort there, controlled and scammed by the local mafia/cops sadly.

[Snig27]

7 minutes ago, mrfill said:

All places that were busy - not now.. Most look like stills until you see a branch move on a tree...

As said, there are other places on the island not in Chaweng or similar. 

[ronaldo0]

3 hours ago, firestar said:

People take the SAME pictures of Chaweng beach road over and over again, yes that road is deserted not only because of Covid but because they are digging it up to bury the power lines other places like Fisherman are quite busy.

 

Also I am looking for Hotels for sale and have found no more than 5 or 6 and none in good areas. It is bad but not as bad as it is made it out to be

 

 

-----------

www.thailand-property.com  has about 40 for sale but it wasn’t site I was looking for . Think what was B1 in fishermans village might be up for sale again if not looking for a big place or the waterfront next door also which is quite a nice little resort .

[terryofcrete]

7 hours ago, steelerian said:

Koh Samui is in critical condition. I know. I live there and rely on tourists for my business also.

Well a 4 year old could tell Koh Samui how to change course before there was even a hint of Covid but they were happy to fleece the tourists with flight monopoly and mafia taxi prices and so so hotels at inflated prices, dreadful infrastructure and fast fading Thai smiles . 

plenty of time now to reflect and change their ways, but it’s painful to revert to honest dealings ... 100% overpricing of flights would be a good place to start . you can’t spend money in a place unless you are there ! 

[LivinLOS]

9 minutes ago, ronaldo0 said:

yeah I love the ones you see on Facebook. Seaview land for sale and you think that looks ok in the photo. Then you notice another of their photos and realise it must have been taken using the Hubble telescope it’s that far from the sea ????

Or the other tactic.. Its seaview.. if you use a drone ???? !!! 

 

[hellohello123]

1 hour ago, lovethai123 said:

I once asked my GF to take me to ko samui. She said it's for hi -so people . After 5 min she started arguing what problem I have in staying at her home. Why I want ko samui? Do I have a secret lady in ko samui? is she not good enough for me? Am i cheating her? 

 

after that I never mentioned ko samui to her. 

 

 

What city was acceptable to her?????

[SamuiFan]

All these people nodding heads and saying Samui is expensive and hoteliers ‘will learn”... so cynical! And uninformed.

Like one guy says here, Samui is rocking in certain places - especially the north coast. 
The island is suffering on the whole, yes, but the hospitality industry is working together to keep people in jobs.

[gearbox]

17 minutes ago, terryofcrete said:

Well a 4 year old could tell Koh Samui how to change course before there was even a hint of Covid but they were happy to fleece the tourists with flight monopoly and mafia taxi prices and so so hotels at inflated prices, dreadful infrastructure and fast fading Thai smiles . 

plenty of time now to reflect and change their ways, but it’s painful to revert to honest dealings ... 100% overpricing of flights would be a good place to start . you can’t spend money in a place unless you are there ! 

Do you think the Thais themselves are happy to pay 5k+ for a return ticket to Samui? The government for some reason is unable to sort this out, hopefully in the current conditions it won't be long before BA goes belly up.

 

The tourism in Samui was going downhill before the Covid,  the island outpriced itself and was not value for money any more. These are things which the market fixes...eventually either the prices would go down or the tourists would go somewhere else. 

[0815]

7 hours ago, Jeffr2 said:

Right, they planned everything.  Jeez....stunning some think this.

 

Samui, like a lot of Thailand, priced itself out of the tourist market for many.  Crazy to see rooms going for $150 and up, that are right next to empty lots with trash, down roads that are falling apart, on beaches with encroachment, etc. 

 

What do you expect?

Or the taxi drivers at Big Buddha pier who asked for a fair of 500b for 10 kilometers to a resort...