It’s expats, not tourists that are visiting Thailand: Business leader

[Speedhump]

23 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

"The only arrivals are not true tourists at all. Just business people, property owners or those with families".

 

From the article?

And the headline? ????

[fusion58]

"The emperor wears no clothes."

 

Sadly, I foresee an 'attitude adjustment' with Khun Supharothatrangsi's name on it.

[robsamui]

2 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Congratulations, Mr Supharothatrangsi, on highlighting perhaps the biggest issue of Thai officialdom; UNNECESSARY RED TAPE!!!! It’s not incompetence and I’m not Thai bashing, I don’t even think it’s the goons’ plan in their effort to change the status quo’; it is some douchebag saying this is how it has to be and don’t question me, or too many cooks putting in to justify their job. Either way, Thailand loses huge amounts of money while it dithers. Children. 

I think it was back in the 19th century that Rudyard Kipling commented on small nations and their love of paperwork.

 

He said something like . . . "it is only immature and developing countries which think that excessive red tape and bureaucracy is a sign of an effective government. Mature nations don't have the same need to impress, and have learned that it is more effective to simplify such matters."

Kipling was talking about emerging nations back in Victorian times. But looking at the self-important flapping and strutting of the Thai government today, it's evident that Kipling was right.

 

What a bunch of utter idiots.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

In an interview with business media he said there are virtually no tourists coming into Thailand despite the rhetoric of the government after their much vaunted reopening claims. 

 

The only arrivals are not true tourists at all. Just business people, property owners or those with families.

There you go Prayut and Phipat, put a spin on that.

[Will B Good]

20 minutes ago, bojo said:

Just as long as it's not Liptons..........and they don't cut the crusts off .............................................!

Crusts.....make your hair fall out and teeth go curly......fact.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, JCP108 said:

He speaks the truth.

That'll get him promoted to the fast lane all the way to the exit door.

[terryofcrete]

29 minutes ago, bojo said:

Just as long as it's not Liptons..........and they don't cut the crusts off .............................................!

Oh is there any tea worse that than Liptons ! In Ireland Liptons entered the market some years ago and said with their expertise and know how the would be the number one tea in Ireland... they we're gone with their tails between their legs in less than a year,.. lol...

[BadSpottedDog]

2 hours ago, Guderian said:

Yeah, the guy's right, they're so short of tourists that even the bigwig politicians are having to pretend they're loving it on the beach, lol.

 

Wait. Is he really wearing a shirt with dollar signs on it? OMG. ????????

[johnnyloda]

Finally someone who says things as they really are ... 

[yogi yogi]

40 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

yea to enter Cambodia u only need show u have had 2 shots, a negative pcr test within 72 hours of arrival.  On arrival get a rapid test. wait for results. if negative ur good to go
no deposits, no insurance needed.
ONLY need visa in advance ( but can get that online)

 

Land borders NOT OPEN

that sounds pretty straight forward and easy.  but i wonder how decimated the cambodian economy was hit during covid.  actually i wonder how bad economies in viet nam , and cambodia and thailand got hit during covid.  as tourists are fickle bunch ,  they wont want to risk going to a place where the economy its unsafe to be their

[bojo]

9 minutes ago, terryofcrete said:

Oh is there any tea worse that than Liptons ! In Ireland Liptons entered the market some years ago and said with their expertise and know how the would be the number one tea in Ireland... they we're gone with their tails between their legs in less than a year,.. lol...

so that's where it's all come from..........................repackaged from Emerald isle.....!

[Clarkey611]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

In an interview with business media he said there are virtually no tourists coming into Thailand despite the rhetoric of the government after their much vaunted reopening claims. 

Oh dear! I fear for his transfer to an inactive post at Thai Airways.

[Ty Hareways]

4 hours ago, smedly said:

well said and 100% correct 

 

and for those that have failed PCR tests on arrival - I'd be willing to bet they are from only one or two countries that should now be red listed for producing fake test docs

I feel sorry for the poor souls who get locked up for sitting in the vicinity of the 'captured infected' on the plane.

[ttrd]

4 hours ago, Andycoops said:

Thailand hasn't shot it's self in the foot, it's shot it's self in both feet.

.... but the THB is still going strong - amazing how long it can stay more or less unaffected - their currency seems to be linked to hopes rather than to realities ...

[ChipButty]

5 hours ago, norfolkandchance said:

He should get a job at TAT.

He used to work for them, they sacked him

[Cat Boy]

5 hours ago, norfolkandchance said:

He should get a job at TAT.

TAT should be dissolved. He should start an entirely new organisation based on honesty and transparency.. TAT is beyond redemption 

[ChrisKC]

I can feel a bit of, "We told you so", coming on

[vandeventer]

5 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

The majority of us knew this already. Many friends I have have returned after being gone for a long time in order to return to family with less restrictive measures put on them that create financial hurdles.

Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn't.

[Tracyb]

4 hours ago, Andycoops said:

Thailand hasn't shot it's self in the foot, it's shot it's self in both feet.

And now there’s a gun held to the country’s economy!  Better wrest it away before another collapse occurs 

[The retired guy]

4 hours ago, Gandtee said:

It could be worse. He could be picked up, bundled into a car and never seen again.????

Or been given to Joe Ferrari 

[Tracyb]

Even the “top officials” have left Thailand to stay in an EU country….

[10baht]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The only arrivals are not true tourists at all. Just business people, property owners or those with families.

Duh? And the pilots, stewards, and stewardesses on the planes. No s**t Sherlock. When will they ever learn.

[GeorgeCross]

1 hour ago, dlclark97 said:

Almost all above replies are short and brutally on point.  One thing inhibiting tourists is the ridiculous insurance requirements.  Even the most well to do persons, especially if older would baulk at having to pay the rates being charged.  I understand much of this began due to unpaid hospital bills.  But any international insurance meeting the required levels that are also applicable in Thailand should be acceptable for short or even long stays.  Perhaps charging every man, woman and child coming from an international destination whether by land, sea, or air, 1000-2000 baht on arrival and 5000-10000 baht for in country extensions of stay to be deposited in a fund for unpaid medical services at any hospital would be more acceptable and equitable for everyone.  

but it gets worse..

 

imagine paying said high premium, then getting forced to pay extortionate costs upfront for treatment that 1) isn't needed and 2) is unlikely to be paid by insurance anyway.

 

thats the fate waiting the unlucky asymptomatic who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and spun the covid roulette wheel in thailand

 

 

 

 

[ThaiAl]

4 hours ago, gearbox said:

I'm currently in Phuket and there are tourists coming....just not enough. Once the figures are collected for a month or two I expect the Thailand Pass and the PCR test on arrival to go away. The risks seems to be too small to be worth handling with obstacles like these. My prediction is Jan 2022 for proper reopening.

I hope you're right, as I'm still waiting to book a flight, till the is no testing on the arrival.

[ivor bigun]

We were just in Lotus and there was a sign saying "tourists welcome back ,a hundred baht off your purchases ,just show your passport to get a card" i asked the girl how many cards they had given out to tourists ,she just smiled and said none .

[ChipButty]

2 minutes ago, ivor bigun said:

We were just in Lotus and there was a sign saying "tourists welcome back ,a hundred baht off your purchases ,just show your passport to get a card" i asked the girl how many cards they had given out to tourists ,she just smiled and said none .

50% discount on all beers would work

[HappyExpat57]

I'd raise a glass to this hero, but it's illegal.

[placeholder]

5 hours ago, kevin612 said:

This is true, why tourists visit Thailand when entertainment is closed?

Did they shut down the beaches? Is there a switch somewhere that turns off the national parks? Are the temples and other cultural monuments closed? Is just farang food being served in Thailand?

[Ramdas]

Wow I’m seriously shocked by this gentleman’s statements ????

I hope they will not censure him for stating the truth for a change ! Hard to find any truths with the mess and confusion they made out of this Covid nonsense ????????‍♂️

Needless to say say, I’m delighted that finally someone who’s got some salt in his head spoke up ! Although mind you he happens to be a business man after all, so perhaps some if not all of his business are suffering  just a little ???? 

Keep at it Sir, make your voice to be heard  by the government’s deaf ears ????????

[10baht]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

He said the country's tourism businesses were ready for visitors

But you know what, they do not realize the expats are  ( or were before killing them off) their saving grace. But they do not give a flip about us. My visa expired while I was stuck by accident out of the country when they closed down. Not even a thought of an exemption or extension, but their beloved "tourists" stuck here got extension after extension. I had to start all over from square one. And only because I had cars and bank accounts and leases to rescue.  Over the years I have brought scores of tourist here to visit and be escorted all over Thailand. Sorry LOS , ain't gonna be in the future.