Thailand to “focus on quality tourists who can spend more”

[Farmerslife]

Out with the 40 million cheapskates (except they weren't,  they were spending $62 billion in 2019) and in with the 1 million rich as croesus folk, if you can find them. Goodbye to backpackers, full moon parties, surfers, lonely guys looking for some company. Away with you, you're not wanted!

 

But stop to imagine an industry shrunk so dramatically in size. Think of all those empty airline seats, all those unfilled hotel vacancies, deserted restaurants, bars, unsold tatty tourist souvenirs, unused taxis and tuk-tuks etc.  Then there are the all the people making a living from people working in the tourist industry, food vendors, motorcycle taxis etc. Just how many people would lose their livelihood? 

 

Has this policy really been thought through?

[trainman34014]

I've lived here for close to 15 years now; Governments have come and gone but the TAT never stops playing its Broken Records !  Truth is they have no idea what's needed to 'lure' wealthy people; they think a few Resorts and Golf Courses, the odd 5-Star Hotel and a Steak Dinner with NO WINE will keep them happy.   No serious money has been ploughed into Local Infrastructure despite the literally Billions of Baht that has been taken from Tourists in the last 25 years; there are no CASINO'S, which rich people love to spend time in, just visit Macau or the Highlands in Malaysia to see the rich at play (including the rich Thai's).   I could go on but they will never 'get it' because they think that Thailand is Gods Gift, so people should just 'flock' to these shores to spend more money that will never be used in the right way !

[ChaiyaTH]

I understand now why they want rich tourists, if you get tested positive, even you got your double vaxx, you end up with 150K + hospital bills.

[Kwaibill]

23 hours ago, KhunLA said:

So true.  Still a 3rd world country.  Most 4 or 5 star accommodations here are anything but.  People that think otherwise have never been to a 4 or 5 star resort.  A pool & buffet brekkie is not 5* ????

 

Nothing new with their 'quality over quantity' marketing, but has failed, as everything they touch.

Lots of fine stuff for "baht millionaires", but the folks they are hoping to attract can go to The Riviera, Paris, Rome, etc. Why would they come here unless they have a particular interest, which I don't see TAT attempting much to address.

What actual millionaire wants to vacation where they cannot have a glass of decent wine with an actual four or five star meal? Japan would be way ahead, or the Maldives, IMO.

[FruitPudding]

How about pristine beaches and swimmable waters like around the Mediterranean?

 

Scuba diving like Indonesia (or like it was 10 years ago)?

 

Beer that doesn't taste like <deleted> for 120 baht a small bottle?

 

Perhaps crack down on all the filthy scammers involved in the tourist industry?

[spidermike007]

It is the coward creeps who need to start making some sacrificees, to attract the well heeled. As it stands now, they are lost forever. Expect mostly lower income Indians, Chinese and Malaysians. 

[pedro01]

On 10/9/2021 at 12:30 PM, BritManToo said:

Thailand wants quality tourists, but Thailand isn't a quality destination.

Look at all the paupers coming out because they think they are "low quality"

 

Westerners ARE the high rollers, as are the sex tourists.

 

It's the Chinese on zero dollar pre-paid tours they want less of.

 

So wind your necks in. This isn't about us.

[BEngBKK]

Somehow quality and Thailand in the same sentence sound wrong...

[ed strong]

22 hours ago, billd766 said:

I finally moved to Thailand over 20 years ago and it was the best move I have made in my life.

 

Having said that however I live in rural Kamphaeng Phet far from the madding tourist places I have lived and worked in Bangkok for about 5 years in the late 1990s and also out in the provinces and I much prefer it in the rural areas.

 

Most of the time the government is in the background and ignored. Draconian laws rarely affect us, water shortages sometimes, floods sometimes, electrical outages once a month or so, but it is possible to work round most of them or simply live with them.

 

As for government mis-management that happens everywhere and it rarely affects that many people anyway.

 

quote "What a backward country this is, those in charge have no idea what they are doing". Now there I agree with you, and the only way to remove them is to have more and bigger guns, which takes us back to where we are now.

Fair comments, perhaps i might look for more a rural location in years to come however at this time the government's ability to implement crazy laws at the drop of a hat would effect me greatly at this point in my life

[freedomnow]

Oh dear, the end is nigh for Cheap Charlies....

.....or so they think....

 

The discerning affluent types have the world as their oyster and Thailand probably low on the checklist these days...

 

Thailand world capital of flip-flopping on immigration rules, all the tourist <deleted> jingoistic garbage that TAT think up...never seen a country that changes its rules/requirements so frequently.

[billd766]

3 hours ago, ed strong said:

Fair comments, perhaps i might look for more a rural location in years to come however at this time the government's ability to implement crazy laws at the drop of a hat would effect me greatly at this point in my life

I am settled up here for the last 17 years from 2004. I lived and worked in Thailand for several years before that as well as offshore work and TBH I am so lad to be living away from the cities.

 

We rented a house off Sukhumvit 93. No back garden as the owner had built on it and the front garden was big enough for my For Ranger to be parked in and nothing else.

 

I went past a couple of years later and the building opposite had been knocked down and a relatively small condo of apartments had been built.

[Stargeezr]

In all of my visit to Thailand, I have not seen the hoards of rich people doing very much more for Thailand, 

than the normal tourist has done in the way of spending.  I saw a few rich tourists at Blue Port mall in Hua Hin, and all they

they were buying was a meal at a restaurant.  I have chatted with a few of my rich Thai relatives, and other

than having a nicer house and car, they do not spend all that much money in a month.  It seems that the rich stay

rich by being cheap with their money. Surprise, surprise.

Geezer

 

[gk10012001]

They can try.  Many tourists, even those with lots of wealther do not spend much money. I am quite well off, but when I go to Thailand I do not shop or buy anything.  My needs are modest.  The big malls are OK for a walk through now and then, but I don't fly half way around the world to try and wade through fake rolex shops.  I go to Thailand for the people, some fun nightlife now and then.  Some bars have live bands such as that one at the beginning of walking street that usually had issaan music.  I like a decently priced hotel with a good pool for lounging and swimming, all the food choices from around the world, daily foot massages and occasional oil or Thai massages.  A night or two out playing pool with some friends.  I enjoy the Thai movies now and then maybe on a date or just some really hot afternoon where being inside is desirable.  The Thai movies that have English sub titles I find helps me learn some more Thai a little bit.  Traveling to different parts of the country where there are clean beach waters to swim in.  Thai Temples and some meditation. Some of the natural parks like Nong Nooch, Khorat zoo, I loved the old Dusit zoo that used to be in Bangkok. It was like an oasis with that lake and some greenerie.  I certainly love the fact it is not to hard to hire a "tour guide" while there to show you around, maybe she has a motor bike, etc.   Love the warm weather.  I like golf.  Frankly, besides not having any legit casinos and some poker rooms or even some occasional slot machine play, Thailand has most of what I like to do in the USA anyway, but at a lower cost.  If Thailand wants to discourage people such as me from going there, well so be it.  Not much I can do about their policies.

 

   I don't know what the Thai officials mean by spend more.  Spend more on what?  I see no need to pay 2000 baht a night in a hotel when I can stay in a fine condo for 15,000 baht a month for 90 days.  That has all that I need.. or want.  I don't see that I cost Thailand anything.  I pay my share.  I tip more than the average person for services such as the laundry gals, housekeeping, restaurants, etc.  i stay or eat in Thai places as much as possible and never bother with corporate places such as the Hard Rock hotel.  I go to a country to do country things there, not to bring along everything from home.  Other people travel differently and to each their own

 

[gk10012001]

39 minutes ago, Stargrazer9889 said:

In all of my visit to Thailand, I have not seen the hoards of rich people doing very much more for Thailand, 

than the normal tourist has done in the way of spending.  I saw a few rich tourists at Blue Port mall in Hua Hin, and all they

they were buying was a meal at a restaurant.  I have chatted with a few of my rich Thai relatives, and other

than having a nicer house and car, they do not spend all that much money in a month.  It seems that the rich stay

rich by being cheap with their money. Surprise, surprise.

Geezer

 

Just read the book "The millionaire next door" and you will see that the majority of millionaires just don't spend money on things that other people think they should be buying.  You will find they manage their money well.  They don't abuse credit cards.  They pay their bills and don't pay interest on over due things  The ymay buy better cars than some or most people, but few spend on Rolls Royces and maseratis!  They tend to make modest or reasonable investments that pay dividends or interest.  They live within their means and over time, that has paid off.  I am pretty well off and made it to the finish line.  I have been to Thailand 15 times.  I don't stay in fleabag hotels.  But i don't bother with Dusit Royal or whatever.  Hotels similar to Flipper lodge or Flipper Hotel class or some decent guest houses were fine with me.   I take the buses to and from the airport to Pattaya or places in Bangkok.  Taxis at night if I arrved late.  I travel light with just one carry on and an air con bus from BKK to Pattaya, either Bell bus or the other bus is fine with me.  Heck, I think they are safer than a taxi.  for less than a 2 hour ride, what's the problem?  Sitting up in a bus you get to look out the window.  Sure you could book a helicopter ride from BKK to some places in Pattaya.  That would be fun.  I have been in helos, having been in the USAF so there would not be a lot of novelty in that, although if my buddy and I travel there, we may look into that and split the cost.  It would be pretty cool to give that a go.

[meechai]

12 hours ago, pedro01 said:

Look at all the paupers coming out because they think they are "low quality"

 

Westerners ARE the high rollers, as are the sex tourists.

 

It's the Chinese on zero dollar pre-paid tours they want less of.

 

So wind your necks in. This isn't about us.

Channel 7 reported on the figures for purchase of real estate (mostly in the condo market) over the last three years.

Top five for real estate ownership were the Chinese with 20,796 units, 2,007 Russian, 1,113 UK, 1,110 French and 825 Japanese. 

 

 

[gk10012001]

5 hours ago, meechai said:

Channel 7 reported on the figures for purchase of real estate (mostly in the condo market) over the last three years.

Top five for real estate ownership were the Chinese with 20,796 units, 2,007 Russian, 1,113 UK, 1,110 French and 825 Japanese. 

 

 

Interesting post with numbers. The USA barely makes the list.  On my first trip to Thailand in 2004 I was surprised at how little the American presence was.  How few bars and other busineses were American owned.  I suspect some of the reason is the USA tax laws that pretty much reach around the world and can make things a little more challenging for USA citizens.  I also think that because the USA is so big with such a wide range of climates and topographies, retirees can surrender in Chicago and head to Florida for example or even go rent in Southern California.  Beaches are not rare in the USA as the coast is huge.  Anyway, thanks for the post and purchase statistics

[pedro01]

5 hours ago, meechai said:

Channel 7 reported on the figures for purchase of real estate (mostly in the condo market) over the last three years.

Top five for real estate ownership were the Chinese with 20,796 units, 2,007 Russian, 1,113 UK, 1,110 French and 825 Japanese. 

 

 

Yes, China us an entire country, there is no "on size fits all" Chinese citizen.

 

The one's buying condos aren't the same as those on zero dollar tours.

 

Hope this helps.

[meechai]

20 hours ago, gk10012001 said:

Interesting post with numbers. The USA barely makes the list. 

I know right? I mean as a previous owner of a nice condo in Chiang Mai I was surprised by that article too.

I just assumed many US citizens owned condos in Thailand as the price was so affordable in comparison

[gk10012001]

2 hours ago, meechai said:

I know right? I mean as a previous owner of a nice condo in Chiang Mai I was surprised by that article too.

I just assumed many US citizens owned condos in Thailand as the price was so affordable in comparison

over the years I have been going since 2004, I was surprised how small the American presence was there.  So few American owned restaurants relative to other foreign owners.  Maybe the range of climated in the USA keeps more Americans in the States.  If a person from the North gets tired of the cold winter, they can easily head to Florida.  If they live in Southern California, well they fight tooth and nail to stay there for the weather?  And I also suspect that the aggressive IRS world-wide reach of USA expats is a reason. Having a business in Thailand makes one liable to do more paperwork with the IRS?  Anyway, Tequila Reef restaurant on Soi 7 was American owned.   Tahitian Queen on Beach road was American owned baran .  I can't think of any hotels.  I don't count corporate places such as Hard Rock Hotel, or the Tony Roma's I saw in Bangkok,  I also think that historically Americans had fewer passports per capita.  Europeans are used to travel since so many countries are smaller and share borders with other countries, so passports are a way of life.  Growing up in the USA, passports were an exotic thing and seemed pretty rare and none of any of my neighbors had them.  And in Euorope, I think Bangkok is not much longer than 8 hours max non stop from just about any country.  Not so easy from the USA.  That 13 hour flight from LAX to Taiwan, then still a 3 1/2 hour connection from Taiwan to BKK is a bit of turn off for many

[Henryford]

So no Indians or Chinese then

[club]

Thailand's problem is its great they are opening up , but with most businesses shut down the, word will get out to future tourist. people will not come for that reason. The government needs to help Businesses that shut down if they want to see tourist numbers anywhere close to what they were. Its like opening a mall when all stores are closed inside. Still this is good news. Its a start  

[LomSak27]

1 hour ago, gk10012001 said:

And I also suspect that the aggressive IRS world-wide reach of USA expats is a reason. Having a business in Thailand makes one liable to do more paperwork with the IRS?

Side note -

As you can earn up to 108K USD, tax free as an expat (more, much more, with a good accountant) , doubt that is a real valid reason. Lots of people like to talk about, cry about, get outraged about, the IRS. People I have met with real IRS tax problems living over here, invariably incurred them because of businesses, real estate, previous ownerships, earnings and how to say, 'legal judgements', all from their time in the US. Not from living and working overseas. 

 

 

You are spot on about the distance time equation. With a 16 to 24 hours flying time, once you factor in  airport and change flight times, that is one long painful trip. Given times zones, one of the worst jet lags you will ever encounter., coming and going.  All for a two or three week vacation?! Thailand will always have US tourists, but not enough to be a major player.  That said Thailand was getting more US retirees in the last decade, likely for the same reasons they had previous waves of Germans or Brits. All that before the pandemic though, who knows what will happen now.

 

 

Edited October 12, 2021 by LomSak27

[gk10012001]

2 hours ago, LomSak27 said:

Side note -

As you can earn up to 108K USD, tax free as an expat (more, much more, with a good accountant) , doubt that is a real valid reason. Lots of people like to talk about, cry about, get outraged about, the IRS. People I have met with real IRS tax problems living over here, invariably incurred them because of businesses, real estate, previous ownerships, earnings and how to say, 'legal judgements', all from their time in the US. Not from living and working overseas. 

 

 

You are spot on about the distance time equation. With a 16 to 24 hours flying time, once you factor in  airport and change flight times, that is one long painful trip. Given times zones, one of the worst jet lags you will ever encounter., coming and going.  All for a two or three week vacation?! Thailand will always have US tourists, but not enough to be a major player.  That said Thailand was getting more US retirees in the last decade, likely for the same reasons they had previous waves of Germans or Brits. All that before the pandemic though, who knows what will happen now.

 

 

The 108K USD foreign exclusion income limit only applies to Earned income, i.e. wages.  If you owned a business, profits from that do NOT fall under that exclusion.  Now if you have a proper corporate setup, do the business as a way that pays you as a w-2 employee you may get into the exclusion, but questionable as an overseas enterprise.  I defer to LLC or S or C corp experts or international foreign experinced folks on that

[gk10012001]

2 hours ago, LomSak27 said:

Side note -

As you can earn up to 108K USD, tax free as an expat (more, much more, with a good accountant) , doubt that is a real valid reason. Lots of people like to talk about, cry about, get outraged about, the IRS. People I have met with real IRS tax problems living over here, invariably incurred them because of businesses, real estate, previous ownerships, earnings and how to say, 'legal judgements', all from their time in the US. Not from living and working overseas. 

 

 

You are spot on about the distance time equation. With a 16 to 24 hours flying time, once you factor in  airport and change flight times, that is one long painful trip. Given times zones, one of the worst jet lags you will ever encounter., coming and going.  All for a two or three week vacation?! Thailand will always have US tourists, but not enough to be a major player.  That said Thailand was getting more US retirees in the last decade, likely for the same reasons they had previous waves of Germans or Brits. All that before the pandemic though, who knows what will happen now.

 

 

Yes and travel times from the USA are only good if you maybe live near certain cities or airports  Otherwise you have to travel quite a bit first.  I sometimes have had to go from my home in Florida, fly to California, then start the roughly 20 hour combined flight and layover trip to BKK!  Twice I started way up in Vermont!  While it is possible to fly Eastward to get to Thailand, the connections were poor and usually had like 10 hour layovers in Heathrow or Charles DeGaul, or other places, so it was just as good to fly west to Los Angeles, CA and keep my flight miles bunched up with EVA.  Sometimes I have conveniently been in Seattle and could fly from there.  The majority of my trips have been from LAX and about 1/2 of the time I was working in California at the time so it was not too bad.  Best flights are the 0100 AM flights on EVA for example.  You get on the plane at basically the end of the day and can go right to slepp.  13 hours to Taiwan.  2 or 3 hour layover which is OK as it gives some cushion for weather delays or whatever.  Then 3 hours on to Bankok arriving at 11 AM Bangkok.  I prefer to get in during daylight hours as I am quite happy taking the bus down to Pattaya, or into Bangkok if I stay there first.  I have arrived at 2 am on a few trips and did take the taxi down to Pattaya.  I think the bus is safer versus the Taxi drivers that seem to be trying to test their theories of the afterlife!    Fly Premium Elite on the older wider seats with foot rests.  Really is a good flight.  Get a decent number of hours sleep.  Seats recline. Really good food. Watch a movie or two. Nap eat, listen to some good asian relaxing music.  The layover in Taiwan is OK.  They have some "meditation or prayer rooms in the terminal used by EVA.  One for muslims, one for christians, one for buddhists.  I appreciate and airport that does that.  No need to eat in Taiwan.  I think the food there is poor.  And there were two meals on the first EVA lef and there will be one more meal on the flight to BKK. Premium elite had easy separate checkin and boarding.  Dying to return soon and begin what has been my plan since 2004 to spend a lot of my retirement time and monies in Thailand.