Will Western tourists ever go off visiting Thailand?

[webfact]

Thailand and its islands have been attracting all types of tourists from backpackers to celebrities with mega-yachts for many years.

Great food, exceptional hotels, ancient history, and of course endless beaches have all helped Thailand win many travel awards in the past.

Bangkok is often in the top five cities to visit on many travel lists.

Reasonable cheap and regular flights from Europe and the States made it possible to fly here for a week or longer.

In fact, many ended up enjoying their holiday lifestyle so much, they decided to move here permanently.

Is it still all smiles?

As we all know since the pandemic hit Asia, the smile disappeared from the country known as simply the “Land of Smiles.”

The Tourism Authority of Thailand now has an uphill battle to attract international vacationers, as governments and airlines around the globe put restrictions on travel.

Firstly, actually obtaining reliable travel information is difficult, not only for individual travelers but even travel agents, who are struggling as regulations are passed out daily, often by social media.

For example, who in the right mind would consider booking a three-week holiday, when there is a good chance if you test positive, you will be carted off to a Thai hospital costing up to THB10,000 a day for two weeks.

Apart from the rising cost of flying due to increased fuel costs, you are also required to be insured to the hilt as well.

Competition

There are now also other options to get a tan during the winter months back home.

Vietnam is shortly to reopen its borders again.

Over the past few years, they have been beavering away building great resorts, creating many new golf courses, and they have mountains and miles of superb beaches to explore as well. 

Oh, and of course, HCMC and Hanoi are also fun cities to hang out too.

Add in Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia and even the Philippines, and Thailand now has fierce competition right on its doorstep.

Bling Bling City

We should not forget Dubai which attracts a staggering sixteen million visitors a year to an area a quarter the size of Thailand. And for Europeans, it is only five hours away!

 

So, it may take Thailand’s charm, its medical tourism, and even its fledgling Cannabis industry to still lure western travellers here in the future.

I am sure many retirees will think twice before settling here in the future as visa and insurance regulations are making it harder to make ends meet.

At least enjoying a cannabis cup of tea might put a smile back on their faces!!! 

Let us know what you see as the future for Thailand?

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-02-10

 

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[ukrules]

When there's zero restrictions things will return to normal.

 

Until that day comes then it's not happening. I think it will happen sooner than most people think - as in this year.

[smedly]

seeing as pretty much all restrictions have now been lifted in western countries this is a pretty stupid headline question 

 

I have a better question 

 

How does Thailand recover its tourism and also stop the mass exodus of expats/retieies from leaving 

[tomster]

Just drop all entry restrictions (maybe keep the insurance requirement as that is not that unreasonable) and the millions will return.

 

Problem is if they drop all restrictions before the next election the protests will return in force - they can't have that so expect to see the fear campaign kept going until after the vote at least. 

[Soikhaonoiken]

You can bet 100% that tourist will stop coming to Thailand if this unelected Government want to continue the nonsense of restrictions for entry, 

As the report stated, there are still other places in the world to visit with less hassle.... 

Edited February 9, 2022 by Soikhaonoiken

[Guest Isaanlife]

1 hour ago, ukrules said:

When there's zero restrictions things will return to normal.

 

Until that day comes then it's not happening. I think it will happen sooner than most people think - as in this year.

Disagree.

 

It is not only Thailand, every country has their own rules and regulations.

 

Inflation has rising prices all over the globe. People have less money to travel.

 

The pandemic smacks many into reduced salaries or unemployment.

 

People have found places closer to home and cheaper.

 

If you are not after cheap sex, what is the point in going to Thailand?

 

Nicer beaches all over the world, same lower cost destinations, etc.

[daveAustin]

Quote

Will Western tourists ever go off visiting Thailand?

They will if Thailand continues to throw up onerous entry restrictions and treats them like cattle. Some will return but the longer they bumble, westerners en-masse will lose interest and become more enamoured with other countries. Not that the automatons in charge could care less…. actually it is right up their street. 

[ukrules]

23 minutes ago, Isaanlife said:

It is not only Thailand, every country has their own rules and regulations.

This is the bit that will change over the course of this year, some countries will lag by many months

 

In the UK we already see all restrictions being removed by the end of February which is just 3 weeks away.

 

For the more backward thinking countries it will take longer but they're not going to want to miss another high season - this is why it ends this year unless a new 'variant' which is measurably far worse.

 

 

Edited February 9, 2022 by ukrules

[Hayduke]

 

Western tourists will never go off visiting Thailand. In fact, quite the contrary. There are many reasons…

 

Simple, transparent, user-friendly visa procedures.

Supportive, welcoming, 'jai dee' government.

Uniform and fair application of common sense rules and regulations.

Reasonable prices for all tourist services.

Honesty and integrity of tourist-related businesses.

Unspoiled natural attractions.

Incorruptible security and world-class public safety.

 

Yes…without question…untold multitudes of well-heeled, free-spending, quality farangs will be soon be arriving...to much TAT fanfare.

 

 

Edited February 9, 2022 by Hayduke

[RandiRona]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

I am sure many retirees will think twice before settling here in the future as visa and insurance regulations are making it harder to make ends meet.

Hahaha , Even AN is forced to tell the truth , no more sugar coating it I guess!

[Thunglom]

all military regimes seem to have an obsession with information gathering, control and regulation. Tourists will accept this if it doesn't interfere with their holidays and retirees will accept a certain amount of uncertainty ....up to a point.

Thailand's natural resources are a major factor in this and yet the country continues with untrammelled development which is the equivalent of pooping in their own nest.

At some point, a combination of these factors will put Thailand at a disadvantage from their competitors in the region and on the other side of te world.

customer service, ease of access and pricing are all factors that the authorities will have to look at as well as providing a product that tourists find attractive.

[zzaa09]

We can only hope....

The diminishing numbers are quite encouraging.

[Andylongtime]

As Thailand is the worlds largest and cheapest sex tourist destination it will always be busy. 

[twix38]

I am just waiting until I can return without any restrictions except a PCR test to enter without any quarantine for vaccinated folk.

 

Then I will return to sort out my affairs and complete my relocation back to uk permanently. Far too many downsides to living in Thailand and I did that for 13 years.

 

Pollution, pesticides, poor air quality, hospitals not actually competent often in my experience, Sun exposure damage build up often under estimated, flipping street dogs, xenophobic population, jumping through immigration hoops, 2 tier pricing and ripoff, dangerous driving, political shambles, exch rate and no longer cheap....so much more, but I'll stop there.

 

Just waiting to return to leave for good!!

Edited February 9, 2022 by twix38

[Fat is a type of crazy]

2 hours ago, Isaanlife said:

Disagree.

 

It is not only Thailand, every country has their own rules and regulations.

 

Inflation has rising prices all over the globe. People have less money to travel.

 

The pandemic smacks many into reduced salaries or unemployment.

 

People have found places closer to home and cheaper.

 

If you are not after cheap sex, what is the point in going to Thailand?

 

Nicer beaches all over the world, same lower cost destinations, etc.

Unemployment is low in a lot of places and covid meant many saved up money and can't wait for a holiday. Myself included. 

Thailand is an attractive place to have a holiday by the beach and relax. The hotel prices  would be triple in Australia and still not as fun or as good. 

The beaches are far from perfect but some are nice and the food, massages, weather and nightlife  and general different culture make it fun for many. People can think it's all about sex, by hanging around this site, but it's not. 

[tonysilly]

Marijuana will surely bring in all those so called rich people. 

Once again the only real winners during the pandemic are Doctors , hospital and pharm companies.  

[Dukeleto]

You are asking the wrong group. Every year a new group of people become travellers and every year a new group becomes a retiree. The same things that drove each group before will occur and the same things that will send some of them back will keep happening. You either love Thailand or hate it. I admit though that you can definitely fall out of love with Thailand but once you have reached that stage it’s easier to find middle ground to coexist comfortably. Acceptance of what is and what will always be is key to staying long term. Thailand will be back to business as usual as soon as they open right up and kill all the pandemic related regulations. It’s is matter of waiting for that penny to drop for this current government which may take some time but as with everything Thai their love of money will eventually prevail.

Edited February 9, 2022 by Dukeleto

[NHPT]

It seams all countries in SE Asia are reluctant to open fully without restrictions.

When Thailand advertises they are open quarantine free, they mean one day quarantine then test negative and come back in 5 days to see if we can get you next time. Not worth the risk.

Bali says they are open to tourists..with only 5 days quarantine now! They had 45 tourists last year. No one is going there.

Vietnam has been building infrastructure, hotels, resorts at all price points, at break neck speed for years. Taxis use meters, and little evidence of dual pricing

If they open their borders without restrictions first, Thailand will be left in the dust.

[ezzra]

The abundance of cheap sex and booze will always draw that kind of tourism and it will probably survive even the worst calamities, other kind of tourism depends on what hassles one have to go through to get to Thailand...

[the green light]

TRUE and TRUE

 

Coming to Thailand is not about the cost of the airfare, useless insurance...etc

 

The fear is that if you were erroneous tested positive, you will spend the rest of your vacation in a hospital at Bht10k per day -wasted money

 

Checking with the insurance company, this amount of money is reimbursed .As I was told, it is a preventive measure and not being hospitalized due to the symptom of COVID-19

 

Good luck on collecting after you paid for it. The bad part of this ..if you are in a party of 2 or 3 or 4 .. the whole party is quarantine in a hospital..

 

Before going anywhere, a tourist must select the country to go based on their entry rules.  I am sure in the next few month , there will be other countries with easier entry rules.

 

 

 

 

[the green light]

Reading further

The thai government is trying to make travel Bubble with China and Malaysia because they are convinced the farang will not come in hordes. That is what they really want by making it difficult for farang to holiday in Thailand.

 

they believe that the Chinese  will save the tourism market.  Chinese were attracted to Thailand for the same reason as farang did.. Beaches,  cheap food and lodging and recently girls....Chinese travel in group father mother , great grand parents and many children. they will not come . One get the virus the whole group is quarantine. It might just be a financial hardship for them.

 

the rules for the travel bubble is so complicate that the Chinese government will not budge on letting their citizens leave the country and bring back COVID-19 again.

Another pipe dream. 

[DrMJA]

As a longtime resident expat, I watch with laughter as tourists arrive and get double  or triple priced, while communicating with Philippine staff cause Thai youth don’t like service jobs (demeaning) and then there are the bar stools tourist (expats) drinking themselves into oblivion on 40฿ Leo’s looking for their next ex wife.

Don’t worry everything is gonna be all right Thailand. 

[leither69]

Where? Lived there 10 years, put up with the corruption and other sh#t, done what every foreigner (farang) did, spent a fortune with no regrets but!!  It's jaded now, I know the saddo's who will call me out because many were failures in their previous existence.  (You know, the Doctors,  professional's and ex SAS ???? ) i have a soft spot for Thailand but it's not my only option. Got stuck in UK 18 months ago due to covid and refused to quarantine in hotels there and live without golf, girls or beers etc. I moved on here, i bought, renovated and sold a property to relieve the boredom and now I'm in a position to leave UK again with my Thai wife but Thailand isn't our first choice. Although we have land there. We'll pick and choose our best option. Never say never but, it's not topping the list at the moment.

Edited February 10, 2022 by leither69

[SiSePuede419]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

you test positive, you will be carted off to a Thai hospital costing up to THB10,000 a day for two weeks.

Why are you repeating this myth?

 

Stay in your ASH hotel until you test negative.

 

DOH. ????

[jethro69]

Yes

[Willy Wombat]

If my Thai wife who hasn’t seen her family for over two years refuses to even look at airfares with all the stupid rules Thailand has in place.

 

Not many people with zero ties to Thailand will jump through hoops either.

As other posters have said, there are many countries out there that will let tourists in without the hassle.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Is it still all smiles?

Scratch under the surface... no.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Let us know what you see as the future for Thailand?

Depends on who's at the helm.

As it stands Thailand has no real future, it's clinging on to the past with a few gimmicks to LURE new punters.

Cannabis tea.... is that the best you can come up with?

that's really going to bring in the rich and famous again.

stick it where the sun don't shine.

[FarFlungFalang]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

I am sure many retirees will think twice before settling here in the future as visa and insurance regulations are making it harder to make ends meet.

Who are you?More and more of these anonymous opinion pieces popping up in the news section to generate discussions on popular topics.Is this an AI generated piece?

Edited February 9, 2022 by FarFlungFalang

[leither69]

1 hour ago, Andylongtime said:

As Thailand is the worlds largest and cheapest sex tourist destination it will always be busy. 

Only for guys on holiday.  Previously it was long stayers