Picture: Bangkok Business News

 

A survey jointly carried out in August and September by Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the National Tourism Council indicated that many Thais are so saddled by debt and lowered salaries that they have no plans to go anywhere in the fourth quarter. 

 

Despite plans to open the country to foreign tourists in the fourth quarter - October to December - most of the tourism sector is pinning recovery hopes on the domestic market.

 

Now this looks like a relatively forlorn hope if the views of 1,540 people nationwide and 740 tourism businesses are to be believed.

 

Bangkok Business News quoted the stats from the university's Pakakrong Thepparak who said that 83% of people were concerned about the infection rate in Thailand when it came to travel plans. 

 

73% said that the pandemic had affected their spending power. 

 

70% surveyed said they had less salary now.

 

Only 3% had got a salary increase. 

 

Of the 70% with less salary the average reduction was a staggering 40%.

 

78% were saddled with debt and of these 30% had experienced a 40% rise in their debt.

 

The bottom line was that only just over a third - 36% - were planning an inter provincial trip in the fourth quarter. 

 

44% had no plans to travel at all.

 

The rest were in wait and see mode.

 

54% of those contemplating a trip would not travel far or long, 41% would stay in their home province and only 32% would go further afield. 

 

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Not much of a surprise now is it. Covid has decimated people's lives and savings and many are highly

indebted.

so yesterday's TAT projection for 2022 for 160mln trips bringing in 850bln would have to be adjusted.

If only by 50%.

They also believe foreign travellers can bring 650bln, but based on grossly overestimation of 15mln visitors.

Still, in this light, domestic travel will be in a downfall for a year or two, while international will be slowly bouncing 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The bottom line was that only just over a third - 36% - were planning an inter provincial trip in the fourth quarter.

36% of 70 million should be good news surely?

5 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

36% of 70 million should be good news surely?

Not when the reason for travel is to try and borrow money from relatives!

The penny has finally dropped ! 

Asking 1540 out of a population of 70million, is hardly an in depth survey !

good ....   less idiots around especially on the roads.

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

36% of 70 million should be good news surely?

When Thais travel, they are not like us Westerners.

They spend money on gasoline to get to their destination, and Home again.

The destination is usually a relatives house, where they can sleep free of charge, and there is a small expense on food to share with the family and a few gifts.

 

1 hour ago, Iron Tongue said:

Not when the reason for travel is to try and borrow money from relatives!

As long as no more come to my door.

6 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Not much of a surprise now is it. Covid has decimated people's lives and savings and many are highly

indebted.

The case world over, especially within particular societies that find it necessary to live beyond their means.