Why Chinese tourists snub Thailand: New favourites revealed

[webfact]

 

After 26 years of catering to Chinese tourists, a tour guide finds himself amid a revolution as travellers from Taiwan, India, and beyond take centre stage.

Thailand, hopeful for a Chinese tourism resurgence post-pandemic, faces an unexpected plot twist as a surge of Taiwanese visitors, in particular, reshapes the narrative. Saichon Chounchou now handles a 20-person group of Taiwanese tourists.

“Now my clients are Taiwanese. They are regular clients and generate revenue for many local communities as opposed to many Chinese on a zero-dollar tour.”

Zero-dollar tourism, a longstanding bane in Thailand, involves Chinese tour companies steering visitors exclusively to Chinese-run establishments, depriving local businesses of potential earnings. In contrast, Saichon’s Taiwanese group opts for opulence, staying in a five-star hotel for five days at a whopping 100,000 baht per person.

Government data shows that the Taiwanese influx is no fluke, with approximately 585,000 Taiwanese visitors to Thailand in the first 10 months of this year. With a new visa-free policy for Taiwanese visitors, this number is expected to soar. However, Thailand’s overall tourism revival post-Covid is unfolding more gradually than anticipated.

 

by Puntid Tantivangphaisa

Photo courtesy of Benar News

 

Full story: THe Thaiger 2023-12-15

 

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[neeray]

What now? The powers that be do an about face on the idea of Thailand thriving based on domestic tourism and go all in on catering to Taiwanese?

At least the Taiwanese seem to be big spenders. Hopefully they won't be a victim of a hit and run, or other perils.

[DjSilver]

I want to see a total amount of tourists that is less than during the lockdown in Thailand.

 

I believe Thailand and the Thai people needs to learn not to scam foreigners, or they will pay deeply for it.

[peter2186]

I find the comment that the Chinese tourists tended to frequent Chinese businesses, a bit strange. My wife is Chinese and she has helped numerous tourists shopping for high end jewellery in Central Festival. I was in an airport queue with a young Chinese girl in front who had spent over Bht 200,000 on bits and pieces. Though I should also point out the tax refund counters were at a minimum and she was unable to get the tax back, if she wanted to catch her flight a bit convenient I thought.

 

Chinese tourists spent 543.7 Billion Baht in 2019, by far and away the biggest spenders in Thailand, maybe the fact that they are not welcomed influences their decision to vacation elsewhere in place like, I don't know Taiwan!!

[prakhonchai nick]

25 minutes ago, DjSilver said:

I want to see a total amount of tourists that is less than during the lockdown in Thailand.

 

I believe Thailand and the Thai people needs to learn not to scam foreigners, or they will pay deeply for it.

Not to scam foreigners is NOT a learning game.  It should be a RULE,with those that do not abide by the rule, severely punished

[Alan alpine]

Air fare reduction would increase tourism 

[IamNoone88]

Taiwanese are very nice and polite. No complaints about their behavioir.  Good country to visit.

[hotchilli]

59 minutes ago, DjSilver said:

I want to see a total amount of tourists that is less than during the lockdown in Thailand.

 

I believe Thailand and the Thai people needs to learn not to scam foreigners, or they will pay deeply for it.

Reap the rewards today tomorrow is another day... kill the goose that lays the golden egg then eat it.

Thai ethos.

[oustaristocrats]

52 minutes ago, peter2186 said:

I find the comment that the Chinese tourists tended to frequent Chinese businesses, a bit strange. My wife is Chinese and she has helped numerous tourists shopping for high end jewellery in Central Festival. I was in an airport queue with a young Chinese girl in front who had spent over Bht 200,000 on bits and pieces. Though I should also point out the tax refund counters were at a minimum and she was unable to get the tax back, if she wanted to catch her flight a bit convenient I thought.

 

Chinese tourists spent 543.7 Billion Baht in 2019, by far and away the biggest spenders in Thailand, maybe the fact that they are not welcomed influences their decision to vacation elsewhere in place like, I don't know Taiwan!!

 

I am sorry to say, but the article's conclusions on Chinese tour operators tending for Chinese Businesses is right, your wife might be an exception. It t was a long lasting observation, made pre-pandemic, and the Chinese won't change when they come back, because it is their genes that Chinese will be first. The 543 billion Baht is not for the local Thai but luxury items, like watches, juwelry, bought taxfree from King Power. For Thai people better 20 Taiwanese tourist than 1 Chinese. Hope Mr Shretta also starts to realize.

[oustaristocrats]

38 minutes ago, oustaristocrats said:

 

I am sorry to say, but the article's conclusions on Chinese tour operators tending for Chinese Businesses is right, your wife might be an exception. It t was a long lasting observation, made pre-pandemic, and the Chinese won't change when they come back, because it is their genes that Chinese will be first. The 543 billion Baht is not for the local Thai but luxury items, like watches, juwelry, bought taxfree from King Power. For Thai people better 1 Taiwanese tourist than 20 Chinese. Hope Mr Shretta also starts to realize.

 

[Bangkok Barry]

Join the dots

 

[newnative]

14 minutes ago, oustaristocrats said:

 

I am sorry to say, but the article's conclusions on Chinese tour operators tending for Chinese Businesses is right, your wife might be an exception. It t was a long lasting observation, made pre-pandemic, and the Chinese won't change when they come back, because it is their genes that Chinese will be first. The 543 billion Baht is not for the local Thai but luxury items, like watches, juwelry, bought taxfree from King Power. For Thai people better 20 Taiwanese tourist than 1 Chinese. Hope Mr Shretta also starts to realize.

     Utter nonsense.  The 543 billion baht was spread all over Thailand.  The 10 million Chinese tourists in 2019 had to sleep somewhere, eat somewhere, be transported to different places, and entertained at various tourist attractions all over the country, etc., etc..  It bears remembering that the majority of Chiese tourists in 2019 were not with tour groups.  They were independent travelers, spending independently wherever they wanted in Thailand.

[thesetat]

If the article is true. Thailand is off to a great start welcoming the People from Taiwan with stories of accident victims being refused at hospitals and dying on the way to another hospital. 

[MrJ2U]

Chinese, and Asians in general enjoy gambling.

 

Legalize gambling. 

[Sig]

23 minutes ago, oustaristocrats said:

1 Taiwanese rather than 20 Chinese I mean of course

just an fyi
When you notice you made a simple mistake in your post after you posted, you can edit it. No need to make another post to clarify.

[oustaristocrats]

5 minutes ago, newnative said:

     Utter nonsense.  The 543 billion baht was spread all over Thailand.  The 10 million Chinese tourists in 2019 had to sleep somewhere, eat somewhere, be transported to different places, and entertained at various tourist attractions all over the country, etc., etc..  It bears remembering that the majority of Chiese tourists in 2019 were not with tour groups.  They were independent travelers, spending independently wherever they wanted in Thailand.

 

Yes, but they do so in Chinese owned guest houses, Chinese owned restaurants, transportation companies with Chinese roots and worse Chinese managed gambling houses. The few independent you mention are backpackers who dare to go alone, they are the exceptions from the thousands and thousands you have seen at Suvarnabhumi airport, you probably remember, one lady, mostly red dress in the front, long flag in the air, then dozens following in a straight line, like in the army.  They do need even dare to leave a gap in the row, these people will never go alone.  The few backpackers do exist, but they go on a limited budget.

[Srikcir]

Thailand's faultering economy has been a self-inflicted wound.

Thailand exports of goods and services (G&S) in % of GDP in 2012 was about 69%.

2013 was marred by massive street anti-democratic (demand unconstitutional change in government by other than election) protests aimed at regime change through disruption/shutdown of many government functions to somewhat lower G&S to about 67%.

Following the May 2014 military coup GDP for G&S rose to about 68%, likely due to pro-military Street protests to back off their disruption of government functions.

Then the junta apparently redirected the Thai economy focused more on Chinese tourism, causing (perhaps impacted by the Covid pandemic) by a steep decline by 2020 GDP for G&S to about 21%. 

https://wits.worldbank.org

Exports of G&S in 2022 was about 66%.

By 2023Q3 fell 0.23%. In any case no recovery to the 2012 level with substantial increase in public debt.

Compare now the new 2023 government's economic priorities: tourism, more debt and long-term infrastructure.

The government needs more GDP innovation and action in the G&S sectors. Such needs may not agree with China.

[khunjeff]

23 minutes ago, oustaristocrats said:

The few independent you mention are backpackers who dare to go alone, they are the exceptions from the thousands and thousands you have seen at Suvarnabhumi airport

 

"Chinese tourists now prefer to travel independently. Currently, up to 90% of Chinese tourists entering Thailand are Free Independent Travellers (FIT), while the market for Chinese tour groups accounts for only 10%."

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40028934

[Thingamabob]

Many Chinese feel that Thailand is not safe, and reports of incidents involving robbery and/or violence receive broad coverage in China.

[spidermike007]

I could go on and on and on. The goons just do not get it. At all. Whatever happens, the numbers will be lower than before. Thailand's days as a tourist mecca are behind it now. They will have to live on scraps. None of the myriad of issues that existed long before Covid have been addressed, and the quality of tourist Thailand attracts has been declining for years. Nearly anyone in the industry will attest to that. Few tourists will be interested in visiting a Quaker state, built on a foundation of fake purity, stripped of its character, by fools who know nothing about anything.

The recession that is likely coming next year will not help. But, a lot of Thailand's current economic woes are largely self inflicted. This exceedingly reckless administration engaged in multiple, highly selective economic shutdowns, that favored their cronies, and punished the masses. They also kept the nation closed off for far too long, and decimated tourism. Then they partially re-opened, with draconian restrictions.

So, if you want to put the blame in the place it belongs, blame Prayuth and Prawit. Call it what it is. The Prayuth Decimation. They are the architects of the downfall of Thailand, the increased suicides, homelessness, crime, unemployment, and unhappiness of the people. 

Let us never forget. Though alot of nations shut down, Thailand waited far too long, and displayed a huge degree of timidity, when re-opening, with draconian restrictions and quarantine. That turned off millions of potential tourists. You do not just re-open after well over 2 years, and thing go right back to normal. Everything has changed, and Thailand is not the center of the universe. Perhaps, some of the officials are starting to understand that. So, how about making sacrifices? Thailand is a pale shadow of it's former self. None of the many problems that existed prior to Covid were addressed. None. Not one. And they have made alot of effort to pasteurize and homogenize and puritanize the place. The exact opposite of what most want. They want character. Thailand is NOT Monte Carlo, or Singapore. It never will be. Give up that stupid dream. Preserve the character, cherish the character, don't erase it! No humility has been learned. None. 
 

[Ironmike]

1 hour ago, oustaristocrats said:

 

Yes, but they do so in Chinese owned guest houses, Chinese owned restaurants, transportation companies with Chinese roots and worse Chinese managed gambling houses. The few independent you mention are backpackers who dare to go alone, they are the exceptions from the thousands and thousands you have seen at Suvarnabhumi airport, you probably remember, one lady, mostly red dress in the front, long flag in the air, then dozens following in a straight line, like in the army.  They do need even dare to leave a gap in the row, these people will never go alone.  The few backpackers do exist, but they go on a limited budget.

Thank you for educating this lost person the Chinese only use there own kind and all that money goes straight back to China nothing much for Thais, they waste everyone's ones sitting behind buses and blocking out 7/11s everywhere. 

[scorecard]

3 hours ago, DjSilver said:

I want to see a total amount of tourists that is less than during the lockdown in Thailand.

 

I believe Thailand and the Thai people needs to learn not to scam foreigners, or they will pay deeply for it.

 

What you want is not relevant.

[quake]

Ah,  a good news thread for a change. 

 

 

[newnative]

1 hour ago, oustaristocrats said:

 

Yes, but they do so in Chinese owned guest houses, Chinese owned restaurants, transportation companies with Chinese roots and worse Chinese managed gambling houses. The few independent you mention are backpackers who dare to go alone, they are the exceptions from the thousands and thousands you have seen at Suvarnabhumi airport, you probably remember, one lady, mostly red dress in the front, long flag in the air, then dozens following in a straight line, like in the army.  They do need even dare to leave a gap in the row, these people will never go alone.  The few backpackers do exist, but they go on a limited budget.

     Sorry, your information is incorrect.  You're simply repeating false information you have read, or incorrect tidbits picked up here or there, along with your false observations.  In the latter, you see a number of groups being lead by someone with a flag, and you think, all Chinese travel in tours.  Incorrect.  And, they may not even be from China; they could be from Korea or Taiwan.  Of course, a big group is far more visible than a couple traveling, or three or four friends traveling, but perception is not always reality.

   As I said in my earlier post, the majority of the Chinese tourists in 2019 were independent travelers and, no, they were not 6 million backpackers.  6 million, by the way, is not, as you say, a 'few independent' travelers, it's a lot.  Like far more than the visitors from any other country. 

    Chinese tourists spent 543 billion baht in Thailand in 2019 and, once again no, the 543 billion did not end up back in China, no matter what so and so says.  Had that been the case, why would Thailand be trying so hard to get the Chinese back?  If there's no money in it, why make the effort?  This is not brain surgery.

    

[newnative]

1 hour ago, khunjeff said:

 

"Chinese tourists now prefer to travel independently. Currently, up to 90% of Chinese tourists entering Thailand are Free Independent Travellers (FIT), while the market for Chinese tour groups accounts for only 10%."

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40028934

Interesting.  In 2019 it was 60% of the Chinese traveling independently, and not in tour groups.

[newbee2022]

There is a question as headline.....but NO answer then. 

Someone filling pages?🥺

[ukrules]

2 hours ago, newnative said:

They were independent travelers, spending independently wherever they wanted in Thailand.

 

Not one of the comments or the article mentions the actual reason that the Chinese are not coming to Thailand like they were before.

 

Thailand is on a list of countries around South East Asia which are unofficially 'banned' from travel outside of official tour groups. Unofficially being why some people are allowed to come and the masses are not.

 

This is the reason why they're not coming.

 

The Chinese wield their tourists like a weapon and this is the effect.

 

It's across many countries in South East Asia, not just Thailand.

[CDG931]

 

When even the Chinese tourists "snub" Thailand, you know you have a real problem....!

 

This group is more like the bottom of the barrel than the high-quality tourists TAT wants to lure.

[SirHonkersTheFirst]

4 hours ago, peter2186 said:

I find the comment that the Chinese tourists tended to frequent Chinese businesses, a bit strange. My wife is Chinese and she has helped numerous tourists shopping for high end jewellery in Central Festival. I was in an airport queue with a young Chinese girl in front who had spent over Bht 200,000 on bits and pieces. Though I should also point out the tax refund counters were at a minimum and she was unable to get the tax back, if she wanted to catch her flight a bit convenient I thought.

 

Chinese tourists spent 543.7 Billion Baht in 2019, by far and away the biggest spenders in Thailand, maybe the fact that they are not welcomed influences their decision to vacation elsewhere in place like, I don't know Taiwan!!

Taiwan doesn't want them, and they're banned from going to the country. Thankfully.

[findlay13]

6 hours ago, oustaristocrats said:

 

Yes, but they do so in Chinese owned guest houses, Chinese owned restaurants, transportation companies with Chinese roots and worse Chinese managed gambling houses. The few independent you mention are backpackers who dare to go alone, they are the exceptions from the thousands and thousands you have seen at Suvarnabhumi airport, you probably remember, one lady, mostly red dress in the front, long flag in the air, then dozens following in a straight line, like in the army.  They do need even dare to leave a gap in the row, these people will never go alone.  The few backpackers do exist, but they go on a limited budget.

These zero dollar tours were happening with Chinese tourists in Australia also,before the pandemic.I don't know if it's  still happening,or even what the state of Chinese tourism to Australia is these days