Thailand faces a decline in British tourists and expats: Causes and Consequences

[ikke1959]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

and occasional reports of scams or incidents targeting foreigners. While these issues might not be widespread, they can contribute to an overall impression that influences a traveler's decision-making process

i think it is not occasional but the normal procedure for all tourists and expats and are surely widespread..Thailand can pretend they don't know and put their head in the sand, but the damage is done already.. Overpricing, scamming, too many strange rules like alcohol sales hours and bans, no vaping, double pricing and standards for example helmet wearing and many more. Sadly but I wrote many times already Thailand has no clue what tourists want..and as long as they think they are the best with the conservative attitude the declining of tourists and expats will continue

[ikke1959]

32 minutes ago, smedly said:

Thailand and Thais have a habit of shooting themselves in the foot, never look a gift horse in the mouth it might kick you and spoil your day.

 

They are going to try and tax money I bring into this country every year, I won't be liable for tax in thailand but its the extra hoops I'm going to have to jump through just to show that, they think trying to tax retires will earn them billions - they really haven't thought it through

Thais never think unless they notice something went wrong.....and than they don't have a clue how to solve it

[NanLaew]

 

57 minutes ago, Driller said:

Used to be any remote place on this earth would have an Englishman and at least one Filipino, now they are both becoming not so typical. I always enjoyed reading Robinson Caruso, and could easily picture an Englishman as Caruso. I am going to have to find that book now and have a long overdue read again.

 

Crusoe. It's Robinson Crusoe.

 

Caruso was an Italian operatic tenor.

 

Alex Caruso is guard for the Chicago Bulls.

 

David Caruso was a rubbish American actor.

[OneMoreFarang]

3 minutes ago, Shoeless Joe said:

Are saying that it's OK to live in a vile, polluted atmosphere because (in your opinion) it used to be worse, years ago?

Did I write that anywhere? No!

Someone above wrote the pollution doesn't get better. I pointed out that at least in Bangkok it is not as bad as it used to be.

Can it be improved? Yes. Should it be improved? Yes.

Can we acknowledge that there is already less pollution than in the past? Yes. 

Flooding is another issue. Yes, there still is flooding. But a lot less than decades ago. 

[impulse]

Somewhere in the UK, there's travel people tracking British tourism and where they're going, and in what numbers to each country.

 

Good luck getting honest data since they generally publish advertorials and not hard data.  If it's available, it would be helpful to see if Brits are avoiding Thailand in favor of other exotic destinations, or just too skint to travel like they used to.  Or maybe a combination, still traveling but shorter, cheaper hops. (Though Brexit and EU passport issues may play into that)

My inkling is that it's the UK economy.  But that's all it is, and inkling.

 

[shackleton]

The Thai government / Thai tourist agency won't be losing sleep of the decline of Brit tourists or Expats

There are plenty of Russian and Chinese arriving buying up the property plus businesses ect 

Reading the news lately with Brits no money on drugs maybe its a good thing there are less of them coming 😱

[BigStar]

1 hour ago, Misty said:

 

So where are British going instead?

 

Blackpool

 

[rexpotter]

46 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

He seems to be one of the more level headed posters here.

[BusNo8]

37 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Did I write that anywhere? No!

Someone above wrote the pollution doesn't get better. I pointed out that at least in Bangkok it is not as bad as it used to be.

Can it be improved? Yes. Should it be improved? Yes.

Can we acknowledge that there is already less pollution than in the past? Yes. 

Flooding is another issue. Yes, there still is flooding. But a lot less than decades ago. 

 

I agree. When I first came through Thailand 92-3 the pollution was dire. I've a rock solid immune system but found myself with sore throat, minor infections and respiratory issues in the worst of it.

 

I really only use MRT BTS but traffic much better...it moves.

Edited April 20 by BusNo8

[petermik]

1 hour ago, smedly said:

they really haven't thought it through

They never do...🤔

[rexpotter]

38 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

 

Crusoe. It's Robinson Crusoe.

 

Caruso was an Italian operatic tenor.

 

Alex Caruso is guard for the Chicago Bulls.

 

David Caruso was a rubbish American actor.

Fidel Castro was a Cuban Opera Singer

[TDCNINJA]

Most British tourists have been killed in Songkran accidents....

[Walker88]

1 hour ago, saintdomingo said:

Robinson Caruso.? I suspect your spellchecker is playing games with you driller.

Isn't he an operatic tenor?

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

That is not corract.

At least in Bangkok decades ago the air quality was worse and the traffic was worse.

Now it's far away from good, but a lot better than it used to be.

 

Remember those things?

 

Well the natural gas vehicles were put into the fleet quite some time ago and obviously the BTS and the MRT are making a contribution to cleaner air. Beyond that, please list the accomplishments of either the current administration or the Prayuth Administration when it comes to cleaning up the air, and the environment

 

I'm anxious to hear them. 

[Liverpool Lou]

1 hour ago, Driller said:

Used to be any remote place on this earth would have an Englishman and at least one Filipino, now they are both becoming not so typical. I always enjoyed reading Robinson Caruso, and could easily picture an Englishman as Caruso. I am going to have to find that book now and have a long overdue read again.

Wrote the man who doesn't even know the title of the book he claims to be so fond of!

[simon43]

15 minutes ago, BigStar said:

 

Blackpool

 

I went 'on holiday' to Blackpool early last year, but it didn't seem to be full of British tourists.  All I saw were Turkish barber shops.....

[OneMoreFarang]

4 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Well the natural gas vehicles were put into the fleet quite some time ago and obviously the BTS and the MRT are making a contribution to cleaner air. Beyond that, please list the accomplishments of either the current administration or the Prayuth Administration when it comes to cleaning up the air, and the environment

 

I'm anxious to hear them. 

I don't know who did what. Maybe it was the Bangkok governor. Or maybe it was police enforcement of existing laws. There are multiple reasons why things might happen, and I think often it is not obvious why.

 

Years ago, there were a lot more vehicles with black smoke, especially busses and big trucks. Over the years, the situation got better and better? Why? I don't know. 

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, Denim said:

A holiday to Thailand now has as much kudos as a fortnight in Torremelinos to most Europeans.

 

The country has prostituted itself to the tourist industry and over hubbed itself , all the while missing the point that the ' high quality ' visitors it wants are looking for a more exclusive experience than Thailand now has to offer.

 

The quality of the tourists Thailand is now attracting has spoilt places like Phuket and Chiang Mai and this has not gone unnoticed. 

A very spot on analysis, people with money do want a better experience than what Thailand has to offer. Granted there are very high-end villas here and there are very high-end hotels here, but for the most part the concierge services are lacking, the sommelier service is horrific, the selection of fine wines (nearly every wealthy tourist drinks a good bottle per day) is horrific, the price of the fine wines is stupid, it's very difficult for a wealthy person to hire a helicopter or private plane  to fly from one part of the country to another, the highways are completely choked with small trucks due to successive administrations ignoring the issue of cargo movement for seven decades, and the air quality stinks. I could go on look.

 

I'm still living here, I love it here, but I have a lot of issues and if I were a tourist with money, Thailand would not be my first choice as a destination. 

[spidermike007]

2 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I don't know who did what. Maybe it was the Bangkok governor. Or maybe it was police enforcement of existing laws. There are multiple reasons why things might happen, and I think often it is not obvious why.

 

Years ago, there were a lot more vehicles with black smoke, especially busses and big trucks. Over the years, the situation got better and better? Why? I don't know. 

And I agree, less vehicles that are polluting the air the better, so getting vehicles that are old poorly maintained diesels off the road is a good thing. However we are experiencing a crisis at the moment with the air quality and by all accounts the government does not seem to be doing anything productive to improve it, nor to prevent it. 

 

They are completely unwilling to stand up to Big Agra which is a huge part of the problem. The burning of sugar, rice, and corn, if controlled, would go a long way toward improving the air quality here. And would save lives. 

[webfact]

Thailand’s tumble: Is the British love affair fading?
Photo of Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

FILE PHOTO: Tourists walk on a beach in Mombasa, Kenya, August 5, 2017. REUTERS/Siegfried Modola/File Photo; Photo courtesy of Pattaya Mail

 

In 2011, Thailand witnessed the zenith of British affection, with nearly 900,000 entries logged by British passport holders, as per Thai immigration data. Yet, this figure might have swelled by accounting re-entries, diluting the actual count. Sadly, the Thai immigration bureau has ceased its detailed country-specific data release, leaving a void.

 

Meanwhile, the UK government’s once sensational annual report, British Behaviour Abroad, ceased publication, possibly due to its juicy tales of debauchery.

 

Fast forward to the mid-2020s, and the Brit brigade in Thailand has halved from its 2011 peak. Despite the pandemic, Thailand’s tourist numbers are rebounding, now nearing the pre-pandemic figure of 40 million, with China, Russia, and India leading the charge, enjoying visa-free privileges. In contrast, Brits show scant interest in long-stay visas, like the 10-year Long Term Residence, aimed at attracting affluent expats.

Multiple factors contribute to the British exodus from Thai shores. Competition from Eastern Europe and neighbouring sun-soaked destinations, coupled with soaring airfares and bureaucratic hurdles like the infamous TM30 form, dampen the allure. Reports of Brits landing in Thai jails or facing hefty medical bills post-accidents add to the waning enthusiasm.

The once-held notion of Thailand as a lawless haven now lies six feet under. The expat landscape has shifted, with fewer Brits making Thailand their home. Even traditional expat magnets like the oil and gas industry offer fewer opportunities, while newer sectors see dominance from other foreign players.

 

For retirees, inflation and soaring healthcare costs, exacerbated by frozen British pensions, paint a bleak picture, reported Pattaya Mail.

 

Discussions in expat circles buzz with discontent over Thai tax policies, prompting musings of relocating to greener pastures in Cambodia or Vietnam.

 

Early morning in Karon, Phuket, saw a British tourist sustain a knife injury following a dispute over money with three local ladyboys in his condominium, located near the base of Kata Hill. The incident was reported at 4am on February 22 to Police Lieutenant Surasak Sudmuang of the Karon Police, who promptly arrived at the scene with his team to initiate an investigation.

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-20

 

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[saintdomingo]

56 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

 

Crusoe. It's Robinson Crusoe.

 

Caruso was an Italian operatic tenor.

 

Alex Caruso is guard for the Chicago Bulls.

 

David Caruso was a rubbish American actor.

When I post along these lines I am called a grammar nazi, even for a simple spelling error.

I posted advising him of possible spellchecker error.

And here mine corrected the word nazi to national so perhaps I called it right, who knows, got to happen occasionally.

[OneMoreFarang]

2 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

And I agree, less vehicles that are polluting the air the better, so getting vehicles that are old poorly maintained diesels off the road is a good thing. However we are experiencing a crisis at the moment with the air quality and by all accounts the government does not seem to be doing anything productive to improve it, nor to prevent it. 

 

They are completely unwilling to stand up to Big Agra which is a huge part of the problem. The burning of sugar, rice, and corn, if controlled, would go a long way toward improving the air quality here. And would save lives. 

I agree.

I guess one reason for not doing anything is that the politicians don't want to upset their rich supporters. And that is obviously not only a problem in Thailand. 

[BuddyPish]

2 hours ago, Dcheech said:

Perhaps the Brits are also tired of two months of 'Farang, he evil & crazy', a Thai media special feature. 

Yes but there are pretty valid reasons for farangs featuring more prominently in the Thai media. 
So many behave like absolute scum.
Beating up women, sexually assaulting their pupils, dealing drugs, assaulting policemen and even sexually assaulting a HORSE . . . . .  

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, NanLaew said:

 

Which of your rather weird DIY demographics do you fit into?

The 2%. LOL. Never thought I would be part of the 2% I guess I made it by attrition! 

[Stocky]

1 hour ago, bkk6060 said:

Sad, who will be English teachers?

My granddaughter's current English teacher is Russian!

[bugger bognor]

Thailand could learn a few lessons from Cambodia 300 dollars for a year reTirement Visa 2 pictures  took 2weeks to get no paperwork no embassy or immigration vIsit done from my hotel no 90 day report no tm30 and multiple entRY and a very warm welcome

 

[NanLaew]

22 minutes ago, simon43 said:

39 minutes ago, BigStar said:

 

Blackpool

 

I went 'on holiday' to Blackpool early last year, but it didn't seem to be full of British tourists.  All I saw were Turkish barber shops.....

 

You obviously went too early.

[BritManToo]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Whether this decline represents a temporary dip or a long-term change in British travel preferences remains to be seen. Thailand has an opportunity to address the underlying causes and revitalize its connection with British tourists and expats. Success will depend on navigating economic realities, easing bureaucratic hurdles, and preserving the qualities that made Thailand a beloved destination in the first place.

How about a 90 day waiver on entry like you give the Russians!

We get 45 days in Vietnam, so of course more long stay Brit tourists are going to Vietnam.

Edited April 20 by BritManToo

[TroubleandGrumpy]

Thailand is losing out big time - those at the top end know and are desperate for massive tourism and white elephant public works projects. That BS maybe worked for China for a logn tiem, but that has run its course and the inevitable economic and social decline has happened - same thing coming to Thailand.  You cannot have almost 10 years of Military rule, including 3 years of Covid, and not be severely damaged. The Junta ran the surplus dry and crashed what economic growth there was in the decades before them - not deliberate IMO - incompetence. 

 

"Thailand's economy recorded an average growth rate of 1.9% in the decade to 2022, below the 4.4% average for the Asia-Pacific region."

Thailand Economic Growth (GDP, ann. var. %) - FocusEconomics (focus-economics.com)

 

Malaysia and Vietnam and Indonesia are eating away at Thailand. Malaysia is taking the high end manufacturing, Vietnam and Indoneisa are taking the low end manufacturing, and they are all taking a chuck out of the tourism sector.  TAT will never publish this, but in 2023 there were 26 million tourists into Malaysia - 2 million more than into Thailand (24 million). That is the first time in a long time that anyone in SEAsia has received more tourists than Thailand - and that trend is only going to continue IMO.  And here is the kicker - Malaysia received 12.6 Million tourists from Singapore in 2023 (real high end big spending tourists) - Thailand received 1.9 million from Singapore. 

Malaysia Ranked Most Visited Southeast Asian Country in 2023; Indonesia Ranked 5th - Life En.tempo.co

 

Thailand is in big and very serious trouble  - the big end of town know this - that was a major factor in why MFP were blocked and why Srettha was selected as PM - to try and grow the economy and increase tourism (and save their fortunes).  Maybe things will turn around in 2024, but IMO the endemic lack of planning and short sightedness of Thais is not going to make that easy.  The natural inbuilt advantage they had over other SEAsian countries 15-20 years ago has evaporated. The opportunities to place any large scale manufacturing in SEAsia now reside more in Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia - and their costs and complications are a lot less. IMO Thailand is in the declining stage of their economic development - and I cannot see any real good prospects of future growth - unless you count more Chinese and Russian tourists.

 

Likewise, and the main subject of this thread - Expats are less and less keen to work or retire in Thailand. I selected Thailand back in 2010 for all its advantages over Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore. None of those advantages remain today - and I think it now costs more to get a long term 'special' retirement Visa in Thailand than in Singapore - gotta check that out more. The standrad Thaio Visa is cheaper, but the far better Singapore Retirement Visa is like the LTR Visa in Thailand. 

Edited April 20 by TroubleandGrumpy

[NanLaew]

1 minute ago, bugger bognor said:

Thailand could learn a few lessons from Cambodia 300 dollars for a year reTirement Visa 2 pictures  took 2weeks to get no paperwork no embassy or immigration vIsit done from my hotel no 90 day report no tm30 and multiple entRY and a very warm welcome

 

 

...and chock-full of more dodgy lowlifes than the bottom-end of Sukhumvit.