‘We want them back’: at Lunar New Year, Thailand pines for Chinese tourists

[NanaSomchai]

5 hours ago, daveAustin said:

The restaurant owners, etc etc meanwhile, would sell their soul to make coin. 

How can they possibly sell what they don't have to begin with?

[NanaSomchai]

3 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Normally, people that get rich have enough sense to create loss protection and side businesses as well as making good investments.

This mindset does not apply to your average Somchai, it's quite to the contrary actually.

 

We see them across the country burning their wages on payday then crawling around and begging for "help" and resorting to loans/pawns the next remaining 29 days of the month.

 

In this country it's all about the instant, it's right here, right now, quick, make a quick buck, they even say it themselves in pidgin English "tomorrow may not come".

 

 

 

Edited February 3, 2022 by NanaSomchai

[NanaSomchai]

56 minutes ago, paul1804 said:

Generally speaking they spend the least on tourism while in Thailand and have lots of pre arranged tours and meals where the venues are owned by Chinese and are pre paid in the home country!!

This, at 2000%. There's a reason why they are called the "zero baht tourist", because they effectively spend 0 baht on Thai soil during their journey. Everything is all inclusive, fully pre-paid back in the home country, including local transportations etc (hence why so many of their busses are clogging in front of Wat Chai Mongkol in Pattaya).

 

The narrative the last time I looked into this was; when they are in China and are booking their all inclusive tours they are being told three things:

 

- 1) Thailand is not safe, do not carry either cash or credit cards with you, in case of an unfortunate event, we will help you (for a fee of course).

- 2) Not carrying cash with you also means you won't get ripped with the exchange rate, you save money.

- 3) Everything is inclusive and pre-paid, you are walking in groups, you don't need to interact in English or with the Thai locals.

 

1 hour ago, paul1804 said:

Like it or not Thailand need Farang, Japanese, Singaporean, Taiwanese, Korean etc type tourists. 

Right but the current government is not seeing that, they are not having it, so there.

 

[tomacht8]

With US$6,000 a day before Covit, the owners should actually have sufficient financial reserves and should be able to change their business model accordingly and adapt it to the new circumstances.

In fact, the Thais who don't have a villa on the beach and live hand to mouth suffer much more.

[mar zarych]

Some all you can eat seafood buffets would open the floodgates

[Saanim]

1 hour ago, LivingNThailand said:

No one wants the Chinese back (not racists-just behavior).  Not one person I know does.

Quite ridiculous statement. Are you citizen of the country? And please disclose to us who do you know...

 

 

 

[trainman34014]

Strange; i seem to recall not many Moons ago that the Thai's didn't want Chinese Tourists as they don't spend any money apart from small amount in 7 because they buy all inclusive packages at home, which means only Chinese owned Hotels and Buses get any money and that is filtered back to China.    And apart from that all they do is stand in the middle of busy roads, Pee and Poo wherever they drop their Kacks and take Photo's of Thai Market Stalls so they can 'copy' what the 'superior' Thai's do !

 

Anyway; whatever the Thai's may now want they won't get because Xi & Co' have decided to keep their people inside to spend all their money there, a sensible idea !

[Eric Loh]

37 minutes ago, NanaSomchai said:

This, at 2000%. There's a reason why they are called the "zero baht tourist", because they effectively spend 0 baht on Thai soil during their journey. Everything is all inclusive, fully pre-paid back in the home country, including local transportations etc (hence why so many of their busses are clogging in front of Wat Chai Mongkol in Pattaya).

 

You are correct which is why the Thailand and China government cracked down on this 5 years ago. Thailand see no benefit in tourist revenues and China see criminality like money laundering. A case of a zero baht tour operator jailed for 7 years in the Thailand crackdown show the concern to stop this kind of tourists.  

[jerrymahoney]

Easiest way to deal with any major influx of Chinese tourists should that occur:

 

Just go where they ain't.

[jacko45k]

2 hours ago, LivingNThailand said:

The headline and article is ridiculous.  No one wants the Chinese back (not racists-just behavior).  Not one person I know does.  Everyone wants the money back.  That's what the headline should read. "We want the Money Back".  

Well their money won't be coming without them so the difference is not important. Perhaps China wants to keep its money locked in too.

[LivingNThailand]

26 minutes ago, Saanim said:

2 hours ago, LivingNThailand said:

No one wants the Chinese back (not racists-just behavior).  Not one person I know does.

Quite ridiculous statement. Are you citizen of the country? And please disclose to us who do you know...

I guess some people want the Chinese back.  It's just that no one I personally know what them back.  Just to clarify - full disclosure.   Yes, I live here and have many Thai friends and neighbors, some in the restaurant and diving industry.  They would rather have the Europeans, American, Canadians, Japanese, Koreans back.  They just behave better and don't shout.  I just thought the whole article completely ridiculous the way it was worded.  Lot's of other people have money to spend, not just the Chinese.  they are not Nirvana

[graym]

Novelty bathtub seat? <deleted>...

[DefaultName]

Western money built Pattaya.  Then the Powers That Be decided to put a lot of restrictions (visas, etc.) in their way and targeted the Chinese & Indian markets.  Covid comes and they disappear, Westerners are still here, not in the usual numbers, but still here.  Mistake?

[tlcwaterfall]

1 hour ago, Eric Loh said:

Your generalization is simplistic and illogical. You saying some Chinese misbehaved so don't let the Chinese in. So western tourists misbehaved too and we shouldnt let them. Just meaningless waffle. 

For someone unknown reason you are again as you always do attacking any poster who disagrees with you.

 

Your post is irrelevant, meaningless and just plain childish.

 

Interestingly you choose to attack my post but not others who share the same opinion as me.

 

You remind me of a schoolyard bully who picks upon someone you perceive to be weak to cover up their own inadequacies.

[Misterwhisper]

Nothing against individual travelers from China or small groups.

 

But please remember: It was these huge, locust-swarm-like tour groups that brought you so much trouble in the recent past, causing many among you to huff, puff and whine incessantly and breaking out in racist slurs how bad, misbehaved, dirty and uncultured they all supposedly were.

 

> Your famed Maya beach had to be closed for environmental rehabilitation because of them.

> Environmental scientists moaned they were responsible for destroying the few intact coral reefs Thailand has left.

> The famed White Temple in Chiang Rai was closed by its owner because Chinese tourists broke off pieces of sculpture as souvenirs, washed their feet and clothes in the temple's public wash basins and toilet bowls and (probably because the latter were occupied by feet washers) urinated and defecated elsewhere in the temple grounds.

> Restaurant owners complained to locals newspapers about Chinese locust swarms' unruly behavior at buffets, with even brawls breaking out occasionally.

> Other restaurant proprietors gave themselves disgusted at the after-dinner state of their localities, whose floors frequently resembled landfills after the "guests" had left.

> And countless other tales about noisy and unruly Chinese, trampled or picked-clean ornamental flower beds in public parks, littered beaches, trashed or soiled hotel rooms, damaged rental vehicles and sports equipment, urine and saliva stains in hotel elevators, etc. etc.

 

Well, at least one woman on Koh Larn island, a destination that has by now been permanently changed from a former nature paradise to a veritable trash dump thanks to the locusts, will be happy when the swarms return. Because then she can cash in again, big time. Somehow I have the hunch that she is of Chinese descent.

 

But don't be too jubilant too soon, dear hospitality operators. After all, your government has announced concrete plans to transform the country into an exclusive high-end-only tourist destination. That is going to seriously whittle down the number of Chinese arrivals, I suppose. But I am not holding my breath yet.       

   

Edited February 3, 2022 by Misterwhisper

[Eric Loh]

25 minutes ago, tlcwaterfall said:

For someone unknown reason you are again as you always do attacking any poster who disagrees with you.

 

Your post is irrelevant, meaningless and just plain childish.

 

Interestingly you choose to attack my post but not others who share the same opinion as me.

 

You remind me of a schoolyard bully who picks upon someone you perceive to be weak to cover up their own inadequacies.

If you felt that I targeted you, I apologize. I have to acknowledge your laughing emoji to my post and also you posted quoting me. Anyway, I have been polite in my posting and refrain from ad-hominem quotes. 

[EricTh]

USD6000 per day? Wow, that's good money, any vacancies?

[John Drake]

Chinese also came to Thailand for academic and cultural exchanges. I worked with a large number of them, and they were fine people. They didn't act entitled and they were prompt, efficient, and prepared for the courses and work they undertook. The number one reason they were here?  To gain credentialing for professional development and thus improve the quality of life for their family back in China. They weren't cheap. Neither were they violent or dishonest. I would much rather be in their company than that of several other nationalities, many of which seem to be prone to public drunkenness, aggressive behavior, and criminality.

[tlcwaterfall]

24 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

If you felt that I targeted you, I apologize. I have to acknowledge your laughing emoji to my post and also you posted quoting me. Anyway, I have been polite in my posting and refrain from ad-hominem quotes. 

Your reply is noted. 

[Saanim]

4 hours ago, bert bloggs said:

The only good thing about covid is no Chinese tourists here in Pattaya.

We prefer to see around - beside the Thai people - only falangs, they are always so acceptable, likeable and not so noisy, not to speak about how clean they are...

[Saanim]

4 hours ago, paul1804 said:

I do not believe this statement as I have observed mainland Chinese tourists in Thailand. Generally speaking they spend the least on tourism while in Thailand and have lots of pre arranged tours and meals where the venues are owned by Chinese and are pre paid in the home country!! Like it or not Thailand need Farang, Japanese, Singaporean, Taiwanese, Korean etc type tourists. 

There are 56 ethnics of mainland Chinese, some of them are also in Taiwan.

But we like the Taiwanese most of all, they are so different, aren't they? (because they are our allies? - almost)   

[Saanim]

Today headlines in Swiss newspapers:

Swiss people are dreaming of thousands Chinese skiing 

(But obviously, they are not after their money, are they?)

 

[Eric Loh]

1 hour ago, Misterwhisper said:

Nothing against individual travelers from China or small groups.

 

But please remember: It was these huge, locust-swarm-like tour groups that brought you so much trouble in the recent past, causing many among you to huff, puff and whine incessantly and breaking out in racist slurs how bad, misbehaved, dirty and uncultured they all supposedly were.

 

> Your famed Maya beach had to be closed for environmental rehabilitation because of them.

> Environmental scientists moaned they were responsible for destroying the few intact coral reefs Thailand has left.

> The famed White Temple in Chiang Rai was closed by its owner because Chinese tourists broke off pieces of sculpture as souvenirs, washed their feet and clothes in the temple's public wash basins and toilet bowls and (probably because the latter were occupied by feet washers) urinated and defecated elsewhere in the temple grounds.

> Restaurant owners complained to locals newspapers about Chinese locust swarms' unruly behavior at buffets, with even brawls breaking out occasionally.

> Other restaurant proprietors gave themselves disgusted at the after-dinner state of their localities, whose floors frequently resembled landfills after the "guests" had left.

> And countless other tales about noisy and unruly Chinese, trampled or picked-clean ornamental flower beds in public parks, littered beaches, trashed or soiled hotel rooms, damaged rental vehicles and sports equipment, urine and saliva stains in hotel elevators, etc. etc.

 

Well, at least one woman on Koh Larn island, a destination that has by now been permanently changed from a former nature paradise to a veritable trash dump thanks to the locusts, will be happy when the swarms return. Because then she can cash in again, big time. Somehow I have the hunch that she is of Chinese descent.

 

But don't be too jubilant too soon, dear hospitality operators. After all, your government has announced concrete plans to transform the country into an exclusive high-end-only tourist destination. That is going to seriously whittle down the number of Chinese arrivals, I suppose. But I am not holding my breath yet.       

   

So not the Thai authority fault for not having better management of the sites. That’s quite a change from the usual Thai government bashing. 

[arithai12]

10 hours ago, champers said:

I don't understand the sneering attitudes about businesses that catered to the Chinese. Pattaya is a tourist city and businesses cater to tourists.  Nobody planned ahead for Covid.

Let me try. Businesses that made money with Chinese were doing so also at the expense of everybody else. I am speaking of the large tour groups, not the individual travellers towards which I have no special grudge and in fact were improving in quality before Covid.

 

I can't speak about Pattaya, but take e.g. Phuket. Beautiful island of Racha Yai. Pre-chinese, I stayed there several time for relax and diving. Suddenly, it was not possible anymore. All speedboats solid booked in advance. The only main resort, impossible. All the diving/snorkeling sites full of chinese standing on the corals. In practice, it had become off-limits for non-chinese tour participants.

 

Take for example Chiang Mai. The famous Nimman street: couldn't even drive there anymore, due to buses of chinese everywhere. The famous Doi Suthep: ditto. Don't even mention Doi Inthanon, we used to drive there for work, at 5am we would be stuck in traffic at 2500m elevation because of the Chinese instagrammers - as if there was no sunrise in China.

 

I am not sneering, but indeed it's a relief if things have changed.

[Karma80]

7 hours ago, orchidfan said:

As a HK permanent resident,  I read that they are reducing the quarantine to 14 days after February 5th??

Yes. My family is from Hong Kong also. But, I think this is more about some olive branch to the exodus of talent from HK as people can't effectively travel for business or see any overseas family without it being crippling. 

[Knocker33]

The only one good thing about this Chinese flu is there are no Chinese here. 

What are the bathtub seats for. So they can use them as a hong nam instead of the swimming pool

[Eric Loh]

1 hour ago, Knocker33 said:

The only one good thing about this Chinese flu is there are no Chinese here. 

What are the bathtub seats for. So they can use them as a hong nam instead of the swimming pool

The car wheel can also be a substitute for hong nam like the Brit in Changmai????

[Isaan sailor]

Ironically, Thailand might reach a high vaccination rate with western vaccines—and thus conquer the virus much sooner than China—which discourages western vaccines.

[Gottfrid]

10 hours ago, NanaSomchai said:

your average Somchai

Yeah, I can see that. 

[NanaSomchai]

5 hours ago, arithai12 said:

All the diving/snorkeling sites full of chinese standing on the corals. In practice, it had become off-limits for non-chinese tour participants.

What a nightmare.

 

Sounds like the damaging disaster they unleashed on Sihanoukville, Cambodia. They turned the town into a chinese-only monstrosity.