TAT boss: quarantine remains for 1 day to test all visitors, no going back to old tourism pub scenes

[KhaoYai]

9 hours ago, ukrules said:

Dream on, that's the one thing that will definitely survive no matter what happens.

Amen to that.  It may evolve, it may go online but it will always be there.  All this BS about cleaning things up, Neo Pattaya etc. is just BS.  Its not for us, its a pathetic attempt to fool the Thai public -  the majority of whom, don't believe it either.

 

Most, if not all, of the news items we read on here are translations from Thai news sources - they were never intended for us.  That's not to say the Thai public don't also laugh at them, they do but its just the way things are done in Thailand - talk rubbish, do nothing. Its only us Westerners that think its for real. Remember the report a couple of years back where the Bangkok and Pattaya police bosses did a walk about and declared that they'd not found any sex for sale in Pattaya? Laughable yes and I repeat - even the Thai's think its tosh but that's the way it is.

 

Mr Neeranam clearly hasn't 'been around' the same goes I'd guess, for quite a few Westerners who either live in Thailand or visit regularly. Not that there's any shame in that, a lot of what goes on is behind the scenes or just not obvious to non natives - if you ain't looking, you won't see.  I've heard it said that the 'naughty business' for Westerners is only 10% of the market - I have absolutely no idea if that's correct but it can't be far off - the 'native naughty business' is simply everywhere and dare I say it, is broadly accepted by Thai's as 'how things are'.

 

The feminists in our Western homelands would shave their already short hair off and burn their bras again if they saw what actually goes on in Thailand beyond their key taget areas of Nana, Soi Cowboy and Pattaya. Drive along through the countryside at night - ever wondered what those twinkling fairy lights are in that hut across the fields?  Next time you see one, go look.  There's karaokes, Thai cafes, hostess bars, massage parlours even discos where all the female customers are 'rentals' - and that's just mentioning a few. I've yet to find a hotel bell boy that can't arrange some 'company' for a couple of hundred baht tip. What about the girls that hang around Lumpini Park after dark? Then there's the hi-so upmarket venues and clubs - many golf clubs have their '19th hole' for example (even some of the top ones) - you just might not realise it.

 

As a side note, I just don't get those japanese style hostess bars where businesmen pay hideous prices to simply sit with a pretty girl and then leave alone - common throughout Asia apparently. That would drive me nuts!  There's an even stranger phenomenon in Japan - the Walking Date.  Middle aged businessmen have 'dates' with what are ostensibly 'schoolgirls' in full uniform (although I doubt the skirts are regulation school length).  They are always conducted in public, usuallly at a park during daylight hours - they chat, walk around for an hour or so and then the girl leaves - with a large handful of Yen. The 'Feminist Warrior' and general do-gooder Stacey Dooley made a UK TV programme about it recently - how those poor 'schoolgirls' were being exploited.  I think you may have that the wrong way around Miss Dooley.  I wouldn't be at all surprised if similar 'exploitation' goes on in Thailand.

 

It might not always be 'in your face' but its everywhere and much like its Westerner targeted counterparts - it clearly needs a significant service industry to cater for its needs.  The Thai economy would take a proper battering if they really cleaned things up.

 

It may evolve, no doubt Covid will have hastened that process, it may change locations and M.O's but the world's oldest profession ain't disappearing anytime soon Mr. Neeranam, no matter how much you might like it to. Males want it, females rely on it (sorry Miss Dooley - are exploited by it) - its part of Asian life and it supports thousands of families..

 

Government ministers the world over, like to say 'the right things' and that's all this rubbish is - words,

 

(I'd temper all I've said by stating that in no way do I condone genuine exploitation, sex trafficking or any similar situation where the provider does not take part willingly.  Those behind such 'enterprises' should be shot)

[Chad3000]

I think we are at the point where there are so many plans, announcements and most importantly conflicting information not to mention the attendant hassles that remain...

 

We are to the point that Thailand is permanently damaging any hope of recovering it's tourism sector.

 

A person simply doesn't know what to believe.

 

In my mind this is making policy on the fly but it's more than that. It's vested economic interests pushing and pulling policy.

 

There are dozens of other places to lay on a beach.

 

Apps..stupid apps. 90 day broken two years, all those covid apps data breaches. Thailand can't do software. Willing to put your personal data in jeopardy. Why not? Stoopid farang.

 

You. Farang. Pay 500 now.

 

Doomed.

[KhaoYai]

25 minutes ago, Soikhaonoiken said:

Yep, Vietnam looks more promising than Thailand... 

Is it opening then?

[aussiexpat]

None of these tourists are wanted anymore it seems ????

 

[JCP108]

8 minutes ago, aussiexpat said:

None of these tourists are wanted anymore it seems ????

 

You understand it correctly.

[Stoker58]

“….as his agency plans a shift to a higher quality, higher spending, family orientated sort of tourism in the future.” 
Thais being snobby.

Also, ‘Thailand Pass’ = ‘Vaccine Passport’.

Not going to happen.

 

[overherebc]

7 hours ago, The Hammer2021 said:

I have been to them all and they are fun. But dearer than Thailand, less exotic and importantly no decent P4P

So, not to put too fine apoint on it, you come here to find/get cheap sex or am I mis-reading you?

[Benmart]

"...protect the population from the threat of the COVID-19 virus". The real threat is government.

[overherebc]

7 hours ago, mbenson said:

Where will the quarantine hotels be? Most folks fly into BKK. So will all foreign arrivals be forced to find a room in BKK until the test is approved? Otherwise, they'll need to create secure transit facilities in the airports and permit people to go to the other destinations for quarantine. Maybe the tests can be administered in those locations also, taking the load off of the BKK labs. I can see this working. They have your SHA+ info that will have the hotel contact info. It is just getting those tourists to the gates for transit and having separate airport facilities for "the pest." 

 

This may be part of the reason for stipulating a group of permitted destination cities. Gives them time to setup the secure transit facilities, designate the compliant hotels, and get the testing infrastructure in place. While many people say that no planning occurs, that is certainly not the case. Good for the Thais, I hope it works out.

I don't like the picture that paints. Get off the plane and be herded about like a flock of sheep for a day or two before you can go out for a nice meal (where) without a beer or glass of wine to go with it.

[metisdead]

Posts using trolling images and trolling videos have been removed.

[ChipButty]

46 minutes ago, overherebc said:

 nice meal (where) without a beer or glass of wine to go with it.

Who told you that?

[overherebc]

4 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Who told you that?

So restaurants can sell alcohol now????

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, overherebc said:

I don't like the picture that paints. Get off the plane and be herded about like a flock of sheep for a day or two before you can go out for a nice meal (where) without a beer or glass of wine to go with it.

And before you can have confidence in the total timing of the 1 day quarantine so that you can book a domestic flight to your home city in Thailand and run to the airport (swampy or DM).

 

This whole scenario cannot be attractive to holiday makers, especially when there's plenty of good holiday locations worldwide which have good Covid 19 focus but little to zero complications. 

[scorecard]

8 hours ago, KhaoYai said:

Is that where it is? A friend who's fluent in Thai took me somewhere years ago - no idea where it was as I'd 'had a few and never been able to find it since'.  Apparently a lot of the go go's don't let westerners in. Obviously a few do or we wouldn't have got in but you really do need to speak Thai there - there's no "hello, welcome, sit down please. where you come from". The girls were much better looking but that could have been the Chang.

Had a similar experience years back. I noticed an add for what I thought was a new restaurant down a Soi off Suk 55. 

 

I went in and discovered it was a very large venue and with some fluster I was taken to a sofa chair with a small table. Same waiter asked what drink I wanted and it came.

 

Meanwhile I had noticed I was the only Western customer amongst a very large crowd of all male Thai customers. 

 

The drink bill was placed on the small table. I started to sip my drink but quickly the waiter was back asking for payment.

 

After waiter took the money another older Thai man rather abrupt, good English, suit and necktie arrived and said 'thanks for visiting us but this is a private club', meantime he was pointing to the entrance door.

 

I departed.

[ChipButty]

19 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Had a similar experience years back. I noticed an add for what I thought was a new restaurant down a Soi off Suk 55. 

 

I went in and discovered it was a very large venue and with some fluster I was taken to a sofa chair with a small table. Same waiter asked what drink I wanted and it came.

 

Meanwhile I had noticed I was the only Western customer amongst a very large crowd of all male Thai customers. 

 

The drink bill was placed on the small table. I started to sip my drink but quickly the waiter was back asking for payment.

 

After waiter took the money another older Thai man rather abrupt, good English, suit and necktie arrived and said 'thanks for visiting us but this is a private club', meantime he was pointing to the entrance door.

 

I departed.

The Japanese clubs were the same on Soi 33 some had a sign on the door "Japanese customers only"

[superal]

17 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

The leadership here does not have enough intelligence or humility to learn, change, progress, see the future, or realize they are decimating the economy and destroying international tourism, permanently. 

Do not underestimate the actions of this country's leadership  .  They made their intentions loud and clear 4 or 5 years ago to clean the place up E.G. Pattaya etc and turn it into an upmarket holiday resort that will be suitable for families . The powers that be are stubborn , inconsiderate for others sufference because of their actions . They are well aware of western ways but choose to ignore them because their illogical ways are correct in their eyes . We will never understand Thai thinking as it is alien to us and much of it is based on religious beliefs and culture . It is well known that some of the Thai aristocracy would like the country to return to ways of old , say some 40 years ago which would involve a complete reconstruction of current Thai living for most but not all , as some of the older Thai folk retain the old customs . The TAT idea of encouraging wealthy tourists would mean a reduction of general tourism but would still bring in a comparable income . Thailand wishes to keep its identity and not be another western type tourist spot .  I reckon the famous Thai holiday / bars and resorts may be over and there may well be another Asian country ready to take over . The about turn will be a tricky process with so many unemployed people from the entertainment businesses .

[spidermike007]

The only thing these fake puritans will succeed in doing, is driving the sex industry further underground. It will not disappear. It is too much a part of Thai culture, and there are not enough opportunities for Thai women to make good money. Even with a college degree, for the most part. 

 

So, they will simply put the nightclubs, and the bars out of business. And Tinder, escort services, and online apps will flourish here. The nitwits are once again shooting themselves in the foot, and shrinking the economy. This will result in significantly lower tourism numbers, as most do not want to spend alot of their time in the temples, nor the malls. And they continue to avoid talking about the sacrifices needed to get tourism back on track here. Sacrifices? Why would the most popular nation in the world, with the greatest tourist attractions, the kindest people, the biggest smiles, the deepest culture, the most cooperative officials, and such low cost travel need to make them?

 

Get ready. Thailand is heading toward lower income, African nation status. 30 years from now they will teach at university, how Thailand was once a booming economy. What happened? 

 

 

[actonion]

It would be better if they gave the higher quality tourist     a higher quality country  . nothing high quality about Thailand

[spidermike007]

55 minutes ago, superal said:

Do not underestimate the actions of this country's leadership  .  They made their intentions loud and clear 4 or 5 years ago to clean the place up E.G. Pattaya etc and turn it into an upmarket holiday resort that will be suitable for families . The powers that be are stubborn , inconsiderate for others sufference because of their actions . They are well aware of western ways but choose to ignore them because their illogical ways are correct in their eyes . We will never understand Thai thinking as it is alien to us and much of it is based on religious beliefs and culture . It is well known that some of the Thai aristocracy would like the country to return to ways of old , say some 40 years ago which would involve a complete reconstruction of current Thai living for most but not all , as some of the older Thai folk retain the old customs . The TAT idea of encouraging wealthy tourists would mean a reduction of general tourism but would still bring in a comparable income . Thailand wishes to keep its identity and not be another western type tourist spot .  I reckon the famous Thai holiday / bars and resorts may be over and there may well be another Asian country ready to take over . The about turn will be a tricky process with so many unemployed people from the entertainment businesses .

Are you aware of why wealthy tourists AVOID Thailand? Here are just a few things you could do, or suggest, if you were a serious man.

1. Get rid of Anutin and submit your own resignation, Prayuth. You are an abomination. You are two of the least competent ministers in this hapless administration. You and A need to be replaced with talented people who have real experience in their fields and creative minds. Less xenophobia helps too.

2. Lower luxury taxes to 20%. This would help Thailand to attract some wealthy tourists again. Most wealthy people love to spend real money while on vacation. Contrary to what you think, wealthy foreigners are NOT dumb. They do not enjoy paying for stunningly over priced items, and will wait for their next trip to London, Hong Kong, Singapore, New York, Nassau, or Dubai to buy a handbag at what it should cost, rather than what you think foolish people will pay.

3. Improve traffic safety.
4. Improve immigration service.
5. Get rid of the toxic army.
6. Address corruption.
7. Pay attention to air quality.
8. Stop treating tourists like dogs. This applies to the govt., not the people.

That is just a start. I could go on for days. Do not expect the wealthy tourists to return. They come here once, if they come at all. And they do not return for a dozen good reasons like the lack of top quality service, expertise, shopping, English skills, sommelier service, fairly priced world class wine, high standard F & B, and the list goes on.

The problems what existed long before Covid are NOT being addressed. At a minimum:
the unwillingness to tackle the scams, and corruption in general.
the traffic and public safety issues.
the lack of a competent and effective police force, that foreigners can count on, when they need them.
the environmental issues, and so many other causes, are all having an impact on tourism.
the inept military government, who nobody likes, and most people despise.
haphazard and xenophobic immigration policy, meant to deter tourism, and ex-pats, rather than encourage them.
racist ranting from the government, often directed at tourists and ex-pats and a nonsensical nationalistic agenda, that is pure politics.

The decision to turn away from Western tourism, and focus almost exclusively on lower to lower middle income Chinese, Malaysian and Indian tourism (86% of total tourism in 2019) was a mistake of historically monumental proportions. The TAT is barely making any effort to lure Westerners. And in my opinion they are the big spenders. I read surveys about the average Chinese tourists, being at the top of the list of big spenders. But, this is average. And the big spending Chinese do not come to Thailand for a dozen different reasons. The wife wants to buy a luxury handbag. The same Gucci bag that she likes is $3,500 in Singapore, London, New York, Paris, Hong Kong, or Dubai. In Bangkok that bag sells for $9,000.

At a five star hotel, this same wealthy Chinese couple want a great bottle of wine. They see a good vintage of Domaine Coche-Dury Monthelie, which would sell for about $500 retail, at a five star in many of the major cities for $1,000 on the list. The same bottle, if it was available (highly unlikely) in Bangkok, would be 100,000 baht, or more. And if it was available would the hotel have a sommelier who was qualified and fluent enough, to explain the wine, and the various vintages available? I have not found that in the past here. I have been to high end restaurants where they knew nothing about the expensive wines on the list! Nothing! The lack of expertise here is a big factor in discouraging wealthy tourists who come here, from returning ever again.

Most wealthy people tend to be smart with their money. They simply will not pay stupid money for stuff. The ultra rich are different. But, no ultra rich people would even consider Thailand as a destination, unless they had work here. The luxury taxes have been discouraging high end tourism here for decades. It is policy that is so dumb, so shortsighted, so non-visionary, and it badly hurts the economy. If wine duty was 100%, you would have a thriving wine industry here, five to ten times the size of the current industry. So the state income would be made up on volume, and hundreds of thousands of jobs would be generated. Instead the protection of a few local wineries continues, due to some politicians passing the anti import wine bill years ago, and accepting the payoffs that came with that braindead decision.

Sure, the neighboring countries are benefitting from all of the mistakes Thailand is making. But, they are also trying much harder, and are far smarter with their policies. They deserve the gains. These are simply more examples of brain dead leaders, who have no vision, and are NOT leading the nation forward, are not helping the nation to progress, and are not benefitting the people of Thailand.

[TooMuchTime]

2 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Are you aware of why wealthy tourists AVOID Thailand? Here are just a few things you could do, or suggest, if you were a serious man.

1. Get rid of Anutin and submit your own resignation, Prayuth. You are an abomination. You are two of the least competent ministers in this hapless administration. You and A need to be replaced with talented people who have real experience in their fields and creative minds. Less xenophobia helps too.

2. Lower luxury taxes to 20%. This would help Thailand to attract some wealthy tourists again. Most wealthy people love to spend real money while on vacation. Contrary to what you think, wealthy foreigners are NOT dumb. They do not enjoy paying for stunningly over priced items, and will wait for their next trip to London, Hong Kong, Singapore, New York, Nassau, or Dubai to buy a handbag at what it should cost, rather than what you think foolish people will pay.

3. Improve traffic safety.
4. Improve immigration service.
5. Get rid of the toxic army.
6. Address corruption.
7. Pay attention to air quality.
8. Stop treating tourists like dogs. This applies to the govt., not the people.

That is just a start. I could go on for days. Do not expect the wealthy tourists to return. They come here once, if they come at all. And they do not return for a dozen good reasons like the lack of top quality service, expertise, shopping, English skills, sommelier service, fairly priced world class wine, high standard F & B, and the list goes on.

The problems what existed long before Covid are NOT being addressed. At a minimum:
the unwillingness to tackle the scams, and corruption in general.
the traffic and public safety issues.
the lack of a competent and effective police force, that foreigners can count on, when they need them.
the environmental issues, and so many other causes, are all having an impact on tourism.
the inept military government, who nobody likes, and most people despise.
haphazard and xenophobic immigration policy, meant to deter tourism, and ex-pats, rather than encourage them.
racist ranting from the government, often directed at tourists and ex-pats and a nonsensical nationalistic agenda, that is pure politics.

The decision to turn away from Western tourism, and focus almost exclusively on lower to lower middle income Chinese, Malaysian and Indian tourism (86% of total tourism in 2019) was a mistake of historically monumental proportions. The TAT is barely making any effort to lure Westerners. And in my opinion they are the big spenders. I read surveys about the average Chinese tourists, being at the top of the list of big spenders. But, this is average. And the big spending Chinese do not come to Thailand for a dozen different reasons. The wife wants to buy a luxury handbag. The same Gucci bag that she likes is $3,500 in Singapore, London, New York, Paris, Hong Kong, or Dubai. In Bangkok that bag sells for $9,000.

At a five star hotel, this same wealthy Chinese couple want a great bottle of wine. They see a good vintage of Domaine Coche-Dury Monthelie, which would sell for about $500 retail, at a five star in many of the major cities for $1,000 on the list. The same bottle, if it was available (highly unlikely) in Bangkok, would be 100,000 baht, or more. And if it was available would the hotel have a sommelier who was qualified and fluent enough, to explain the wine, and the various vintages available? I have not found that in the past here. I have been to high end restaurants where they knew nothing about the expensive wines on the list! Nothing! The lack of expertise here is a big factor in discouraging wealthy tourists who come here, from returning ever again.

Most wealthy people tend to be smart with their money. They simply will not pay stupid money for stuff. The ultra rich are different. But, no ultra rich people would even consider Thailand as a destination, unless they had work here. The luxury taxes have been discouraging high end tourism here for decades. It is policy that is so dumb, so shortsighted, so non-visionary, and it badly hurts the economy. If wine duty was 100%, you would have a thriving wine industry here, five to ten times the size of the current industry. So the state income would be made up on volume, and hundreds of thousands of jobs would be generated. Instead the protection of a few local wineries continues, due to some politicians passing the anti import wine bill years ago, and accepting the payoffs that came with that braindead decision.

Sure, the neighboring countries are benefitting from all of the mistakes Thailand is making. But, they are also trying much harder, and are far smarter with their policies. They deserve the gains. These are simply more examples of brain dead leaders, who have no vision, and are NOT leading the nation forward, are not helping the nation to progress, and are not benefitting the people of Thailand.

lol muh xenophobia.

 

Thailand is for Thais.  Just because your home country got ruined doesn't mean you need to ruin Thailand.

I'm not racist, I just love my country.

[ChipButty]

6 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

 And if it was available would the hotel have a sommelier who was qualified and fluent enough, to explain the wine, and the various vintages available? I have not found that in the past here. I have been to high end restaurants where they knew nothing about the expensive wines on the list! Nothing! The lack of expertise here is a big factor in discouraging wealthy tourists who come here, from returning ever again.
, 

 

A friend of mine went to some high end Italian restaurant in Bangkok and ordered a bottle of wine, the girl went off to get the bottle when she returned she just plonked the bottle on the table and walked off, my friend shouted her back, are you not going to open this bottle for me?

[paulikens]

anyone whos coming november.. you're just encouraging the government to keep all the ridiculous rules in play and keeping anything that's fun shut.  apart from people wanting to see their family (although you could have been doing that since last year, and if you was waiting on quarantine to stop, your family obviously dont meant that much to you!)  anyone else thanks a bunch.  

[spidermike007]

8 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

A friend of mine went to some high end Italian restaurant in Bangkok and ordered a bottle of wine, the girl went off to get the bottle when she returned she just plonked the bottle on the table and walked off, my friend shouted her back, are you not going to open this bottle for me?

Just one of the reasons why Thailand will never attract more than 15 wealthy tourists a year. High end service is just not up to par here. 

[KhruGin]

So the quality tourists come to LOS, quality dad, quality mom, and two quality kids. End of the day after doing quality things like visiting temples, going to the beach, buying designer goods in a quality mall, eating at a quality restaurant ..guess what, quality dad would like a beer or even an XO brandy if he's proper quality ..and yet he can't . Keep on dreaming TAT for that big rush of high end quality tourists coming on November 1st.

 

As a side note: It was the dirty farang backpacker all those years ago that built up the potential for what we see now and laughably what the TAT hope for too ..guess that's all forgotten eh.  

[aussiexpat]

I'm <deleted> done. I cant handle the flip flops anymore. 

 

I have my Aussie exemption to leave but can't book a flight to Thailand because they are considering what countries are worthy in the economical based health requirements.

 

<deleted> morons are running this country as my nett worth is currently $2.5 million, I have a condo in thailand but can't currently come even though I fit there so called hiso profile, <deleted> madness

[overherebc]

2 hours ago, ChipButty said:

The Japanese clubs were the same on Soi 33 some had a sign on the door "Japanese customers only"

I believe Ban Chang had one before and it was purely based on $$$$$$$. Been told when it closed the 'hostesses' just moved to the strip.

[superal]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Are you aware of why wealthy tourists AVOID Thailand? Here are just a few things you could do, or suggest, if you were a serious man.

1. Get rid of Anutin and submit your own resignation, Prayuth. You are an abomination. You are two of the least competent ministers in this hapless administration. You and A need to be replaced with talented people who have real experience in their fields and creative minds. Less xenophobia helps too.

2. Lower luxury taxes to 20%. This would help Thailand to attract some wealthy tourists again. Most wealthy people love to spend real money while on vacation. Contrary to what you think, wealthy foreigners are NOT dumb. They do not enjoy paying for stunningly over priced items, and will wait for their next trip to London, Hong Kong, Singapore, New York, Nassau, or Dubai to buy a handbag at what it should cost, rather than what you think foolish people will pay.

3. Improve traffic safety.
4. Improve immigration service.
5. Get rid of the toxic army.
6. Address corruption.
7. Pay attention to air quality.
8. Stop treating tourists like dogs. This applies to the govt., not the people.

That is just a start. I could go on for days. Do not expect the wealthy tourists to return. They come here once, if they come at all. And they do not return for a dozen good reasons like the lack of top quality service, expertise, shopping, English skills, sommelier service, fairly priced world class wine, high standard F & B, and the list goes on.

The problems what existed long before Covid are NOT being addressed. At a minimum:
the unwillingness to tackle the scams, and corruption in general.
the traffic and public safety issues.
the lack of a competent and effective police force, that foreigners can count on, when they need them.
the environmental issues, and so many other causes, are all having an impact on tourism.
the inept military government, who nobody likes, and most people despise.
haphazard and xenophobic immigration policy, meant to deter tourism, and ex-pats, rather than encourage them.
racist ranting from the government, often directed at tourists and ex-pats and a nonsensical nationalistic agenda, that is pure politics.

The decision to turn away from Western tourism, and focus almost exclusively on lower to lower middle income Chinese, Malaysian and Indian tourism (86% of total tourism in 2019) was a mistake of historically monumental proportions. The TAT is barely making any effort to lure Westerners. And in my opinion they are the big spenders. I read surveys about the average Chinese tourists, being at the top of the list of big spenders. But, this is average. And the big spending Chinese do not come to Thailand for a dozen different reasons. The wife wants to buy a luxury handbag. The same Gucci bag that she likes is $3,500 in Singapore, London, New York, Paris, Hong Kong, or Dubai. In Bangkok that bag sells for $9,000.

At a five star hotel, this same wealthy Chinese couple want a great bottle of wine. They see a good vintage of Domaine Coche-Dury Monthelie, which would sell for about $500 retail, at a five star in many of the major cities for $1,000 on the list. The same bottle, if it was available (highly unlikely) in Bangkok, would be 100,000 baht, or more. And if it was available would the hotel have a sommelier who was qualified and fluent enough, to explain the wine, and the various vintages available? I have not found that in the past here. I have been to high end restaurants where they knew nothing about the expensive wines on the list! Nothing! The lack of expertise here is a big factor in discouraging wealthy tourists who come here, from returning ever again.

Most wealthy people tend to be smart with their money. They simply will not pay stupid money for stuff. The ultra rich are different. But, no ultra rich people would even consider Thailand as a destination, unless they had work here. The luxury taxes have been discouraging high end tourism here for decades. It is policy that is so dumb, so shortsighted, so non-visionary, and it badly hurts the economy. If wine duty was 100%, you would have a thriving wine industry here, five to ten times the size of the current industry. So the state income would be made up on volume, and hundreds of thousands of jobs would be generated. Instead the protection of a few local wineries continues, due to some politicians passing the anti import wine bill years ago, and accepting the payoffs that came with that braindead decision.

Sure, the neighboring countries are benefitting from all of the mistakes Thailand is making. But, they are also trying much harder, and are far smarter with their policies. They deserve the gains. These are simply more examples of brain dead leaders, who have no vision, and are NOT leading the nation forward, are not helping the nation to progress, and are not benefitting the people of Thailand.

Most , if not all of your points are valid , however as I said in my post earlier we will never understand the Thai way of doing things . Your comments come from a westerners perspective and that is my point . You know as well as I know , you cannot apply western logic here in Thailand . I also think that there is a puppeteer in the background who is a major influence on Thailand's future  and I will go so far as to say that the whole of Asia will be affected sooner or later . Indeed your listings are comprehensive but just from the lack of care to address some of the items , just shows what consideration they have about us westerners  .

[Will B Good]

On 10/14/2021 at 9:24 PM, webfact said:

TAT boss rules out going back to the old Thai tourism formula of crowded bars and nightlife. He insists the kingdom is instead pursuing a higher quality, more family-friendly market.

To be fair he could be on the right track now that prostitution has been eradicated.

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, superal said:

Most , if not all of your points are valid , however as I said in my post earlier we will never understand the Thai way of doing things . Your comments come from a westerners perspective and that is my point . You know as well as I know , you cannot apply western logic here in Thailand . I also think that there is a puppeteer in the background who is a major influence on Thailand's future  and I will go so far as to say that the whole of Asia will be affected sooner or later . Indeed your listings are comprehensive but just from the lack of care to address some of the items , just shows what consideration they have about us westerners  .

I agree with what you are saying. But, I will go a step further, and say I hope in this lifetime, I never learn to understand the Thai perspective. It is a rabbit hole I am not interested in climbing into. Is it a complete lack of logic and common sense? It seems that way to us, but I am sure it is deeper than that. 

[Excel]

Just now, spidermike007 said:

I agree with what you are saying. But, I will go a step further, and say I hope in this lifetime, I never learn to understand the Thai perspective. It is a rabbit hole I am not interested in climbing into. Is it a complete lack of logic and common sense? It seems that way to us, but I am sure it is deeper than that. 

Yes the medical term is genetic malfunction.