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

[BarraMarra]

14 minutes ago, rexpotter said:

My Lord its difficult to use this website on Windows. Always puts me at the end of the page, so I had to learn how to go to the home page with one key. Also, why can't we stop a new post if we decide not to make it, or completely erase one?

Telegram has that one feature I love, I can completely erase any comment I've made. And the person who I sent it to while drunk or angry never sees it.

If you prefer that then rex go back to it.

[BigStar]

11 minutes ago, mommysboy said:

Brits really got hit big by the cost of living crisis- money is always a factor.  

 

Skint, basically. Plus the monger types of old, who made up the vast majority of Brit tourists to Thailand, are all getting feminization surgery & testosterone blockers now, or just w*nking off to porn.

[BuddyPish]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Thailand has nothing to offer tourists, Vietnam is better in every way.

The Viets don't hate white folk, they don't put the wrong stamps in your passport, the beaches aren't infested by sand flies, there is more to see.

 

If I didn't already have a Thai house, wife, kid, I'd not be here.

 

Get ill in Vietnam and find out.
Oh, and criticise the Vietnamese government as vocally as many here do the Thai administration and you'll find your life getting very difficult, very quickly. The Vietnamese Communist Party doesn't play.

Thais don't "hate" white folk; they've just learned not to give us the benefit of the doubt as readily as they did in the past. I guess that might seem like a negative to the more entitled among us.

[rexpotter]

2 hours ago, NanLaew said:

 

Dear Mr. My-glass-is-half-empty-all-the-time,

 

I am deeply concerned with your perpetually groundless anxiety, so here's your starter for ten.

 

https://www.reccessary.com/en/news/th-announcement/thailand-biggest-floating-solar-plant-inaugurated-prachinburi

 

PS: Google really is your friend.

 

Best,

 

Bladdered in Bung Khan

Are you Thai? His comments are very reasonable and well thought out to me. Putting ones head in the sand never solves problems.

[eddie61]

I’m surprised that the uncertainty about tax on money brought into the country isn’t mentioned. I think this will potentially have a massive impact on the attractiveness of Thailand as a retirement place.

[ujayujay]

5 hours ago, Ben Zioner said:

The devastating effect of Thai street food. 

 

Maybe you're too fat?

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Sadly, the Thai immigration bureau has ceased its detailed country-specific data release, leaving a void.

 

I'm pretty sure Thai Immigration still keeps track of that kind of data, and could produce it if A] they wanted to, or B] someone in authority directed them to.

 

But then, of course, there's the added question of actually making it public. For all we know, the Immigration commander may get a report on his desk every month recapping those kinds of stats....

 

But for whatever reason, Immigration at some point decided they no longer needed or wanted to share that data with the public on a regular basis.

 

 

[BritManToo]

3 minutes ago, BuddyPish said:

Thais don't "hate" white folk; they've just learned not to give us the benefit of the doubt as readily as they did in the past. I guess that might seem like a negative to the more entitled among us.

Anutin calls us dirty foreigners.

Prayut says we should be raped and murdered for wearing bikinis.

 

If you don't believe they hate us, you ain't paying attention.

[BuddyPish]

21 minutes ago, BarraMarra said:

How many times have Westerners who used to be the bread n butter of the tourism industry been pushed aside and forced out in favor of Arabs, Indians, and now Russians? Complaints to The Police are ignored thai yobs have inpunity from assaulting us, Racism is rife not once has a Thai governor answered why Russians or Chinese are given long-stay-free visas yet all other Westerners get only 30 days on Arrival. Have they addressed it no its all about money the greed is rotting the apple barrel, never mind the Golden Goose that was well and trully plucked 10 years ago. Even Thailand's second in command summed up the thoughts of Thais when he called us unwashed dirty falangs and are not wanted in our country. Well mud sticks You are to blame for the decline instead of blaming others look in the mirror.

You make it sound as if the Thais are somehow mourning this development. 
I don't think they are. 

Can't speak for all Thais but the ones I know rank Brits at the bottom of the barrel as far as crappy behaviour in their country is concerned. 

[kwilco]

22 minutes ago, BarraMarra said:

How many times have Westerners who used to be the bread n butter of the tourism industry been pushed aside and forced out in favor of Arabs, Indians, and now Russians? Complaints to The Police are ignored thai yobs have inpunity from assaulting us, Racism is rife not once has a Thai governor answered why Russians or Chinese are given long-stay-free visas yet all other Westerners get only 30 days on Arrival. Have they addressed it no its all about money the greed is rotting the apple barrel, never mind the Golden Goose that was well and trully plucked 10 years ago. Even Thailand's second in command summed up the thoughts of Thais when he called us unwashed dirty falangs and are not wanted in our country. Well mud sticks You are to blame for the decline instead of blaming others look in the mirror.

Because Brits and Westerners are no longer "bread and butter" get over it!

[kwilco]

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

Anutin calls us dirty foreigners.

Prayut says we should be raped and murdered for wearing bikinis.

 

If you don't believe they hate us, you ain't paying attention.

Of course whu would you want people living in your country who think they are hated by the locals. 

Why would they live here at all?

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

When looking at the drop-off in British tourism to Thailand, another unmentioned factor could be....

 

...the dubious Go Fund Me appeals for British tourists who travel here and get injured without having any medical travel insurance may not be paying off as much as they used to....  🙂

 

[ujayujay]

5 hours ago, rexpotter said:

No mention of the Russians. Why? Nobody can or will live around them. Clean them out or forget about even trying to change things.

 

Next: Constantly being ripped off, everywhere and all the dam time. It never ends, medical care restaurants, tours, Taxi's, auto repair etc etc, a never ending battle.

okay good bye

[BarraMarra]

Just now, BuddyPish said:

You make it sound as if the Thais are somehow mourning this development. 
I don't think they are. 

Can't speak for all Thais but the ones I know rank Brits at the bottom of the barrel as far as crappy behaviour in their country is concerned. 

LOL a country where they sit on the floor and eat with their fingers out of bowls Buddy. Your average joe Somchai believes all he is told they dont think for themselves land of smiles yes dream on.

[trevoromgh]

Also surprised that no-one has mentioned (or I think not) that the 'so called' flagship UK airline British Airways has not flown to Thailand since the pandemic and will not do so again until October 2024 when it will only fly here three times a week from London Gatwick which is better than nothing I guess but is hardly a vote of confidence in Thailand or the economic recovery in Europe.  Luckily I haven't flown BA for years as it is rubbish i.e. old planes, old staff, poor service, dire food so it's been EVA or Emirates usually for me.

[superal]

1 hour ago, RobU said:

Travelling here is now very expensive UK tourists tend to go to cheaper destinations. Recent horror stories about ill maintained travelators and monorails (which were published around the world) don't help. Tourists walk and gawk, yet pedestrians are the worst catered for group in Thailand apart from the disabled. The sidewalks are atrocious and difficult to navigate and crossing the road is extremely dangerous, even if the crossing is light controlled. It is not family friendly children are in constant danger of being hit by motorbikes on the sidewalk.  Many of those UK expats settling in Thailand were retired, often living on the UK state pension. They visited Thailand previously on a dream holiday and decided to retire here because they could live better.  The UK state pension is the lowest in Europe. Thailand looks at the relative wealth of expats from other countries and targets it's charges accordingly. Thailand is simply pricing itself out of the UK market by making it very expensive to live here (visa requirements, tax etc) for uk expats 

Agree with most of your post accept the mention of the disabled . They are not well catered for especially for someone in a wheelchair who will have to take their chance by using the road . Broken pavements in every town in Thailand with vendors taking up space that should be clear for pedestrians . Thailand compared with some European holiday venues , just does not compare . Look at the beautiful Spanish promenades .  Thai pedestrian crossings mean this is where you must cross the road and Thai drivers will not give you priority when using the crossing . Red lights at a crossing are often ignored  . Etc Etc .

Finally one of the major factors for the absence of Brits to Thailand is the ridiculous cost of air fares . It appears  that all of the air lines have agreed to hike up their fares . Lucky if you can get an economy  flight  for under a grand . Imagine a family facing those fares . They will either stay in the UK ( BTW UK holiday bookings at an all time high )or be off to the Balearics .

[BarraMarra]

3 minutes ago, kwilco said:

Because Brits and Westerners are no longer "bread and butter" get over it!

In one kwilco Phuket is now understanding what happens when you rely on Russian and indian tourists.

[BuddyPish]

Just now, BritManToo said:

Anutin calls us dirty foreigners.

Prayut says we should be raped and murdered for wearing bikinis.

 

If you don't believe they hate us, you ain't paying attention.

Oh grow up
Prayut most definitely did not say that. He merely said that if these women parade around in ordinary public areas, they are bound to attract the attention of men, a handful of whom may take things too far.

I remember when we used to laugh at other ethnicities who complained of discrimination here. We'd say things like "Thailand isn't PC so if you don't like it, . . ."

Now that we're on the receiving end, suddenly the softer, snowflake types among us are crying "racism".
What happened to the attraction of no political correctness?

[BuddyPish]

3 minutes ago, BarraMarra said:

LOL a country where they sit on the floor and eat with their fingers out of bowls Buddy. Your average joe Somchai believes all he is told they dont think for themselves land of smiles yes dream on.

So what if they sit on the floor to eat?? Lots of cultures do so. It doesn't mean you're better than they are.

Thais question a lot more than you think but they're taught to keep some things to themselves.
Free speech isn't a thing here in case you hadn't noticed

[PETERTHEEATER]

5 hours ago, Ben Zioner said:

The devastating effect of Thai street food. 

 

The topless ladies in the back seem to be doing well on it.

[John Drake]

All these complaints. And the crowds. And the pollution. It makes me yearn for the Golden Age of Covid Thailand. Cleaner air, fewer people, easier to get around, no problem finding taxis. I really liked things then. (The economic problems are out of my lane, so, yes, Covid Thailand caused economic destruction. But as someone living here on a retirement extension, it was the best time I've ever experienced.)

[PETERTHEEATER]

5 hours 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.

Caruso was an Italian tenor opera singer. The average Englishman enjoys screeching along to the sound of the jukebox in his local pub,😋

[billywan1966]

4 hours ago, ChipButty said:

Not telling you

It is easy young people have more money now in Britain they have more choice to travel the world more countries in Asia cheaper and much easier to stay 20 years ago Thailand was paradise they chopped all the tree down in koh Samui where I lived now it looks like Spain Thailand has gone the way Spain went in the seventies Thailand is getting to look like Benidorm 🙏

[FruitPudding]

47 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Because traditionally women are the property of men, and expected to live in the country of their owners.

 

The rules in the western world were broadly the same until around 1950.

They even made a Hollywood movie highlighting the discrepancy (I was a Male war Bride 1949 starring Cary Grant).

 

 

I think it's just cos women are considered more desrirable and get special treatment in general 

 

I honestly think it was white women who came up with the concept of male privilege to take the attention away from the fact they are the most privileged.

[FruitPudding]

32 minutes ago, zyphodb said:

 

Because Kaun Thai is as sexist as he is racist, which is hard on the women who do all the work here...

 

Please, ask a farang husband who does all the work. It ain't the Thai wife.

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, maddox41 said:

I lived and worked in Thailand for 20 yrs  now would I want to live as expat in Thailand nope 

The new sting the expat with  tax when you when you have already paid tax in your own country. 

The low end tourists mainly Russians run the place  phuket now the rude Chinese and the hoads of Indians. 

Thailand always works backwards all about the money not the quality or the type of  quality  individuals. 

When the <deleted> hits the fan they panic change all the rules and he we go again. 

Great to visit but to live to hard with all the red tape and the trailer trailer trash expatss and greedy Thais. 

Go to Vietnam  way better 

I have always found the Viet people to be a bit like cold fish. Not particularly fun to be around. With the Thais, many are fun and playful, and have light hearts, which I cannot get enough of.

 

Many of us live very good lives here. Some of us have been fortunate enough to find an outstanding woman, who is delightful to be around, on a daily basis, always has our back, and is fun, smart, and lovely. For me, that likelihood of finding that back in the US, would be very low. Especially one who is younger, and quite pretty. So, that is a big factor for me. The second factor is just the quality of life. Sure, I miss alot of the culture back home. The theatre, independent film (which I can download here with no issues at all, and a super fast 1 gbps fiber optic connection, at under 700 baht per month!), stand up comedy, live jazz, etc. But I have a lovely home that I rent, for about 10% of what I would pay in California, I live very well on an income which is not huge, have access to great health care, at a tiny fraction of what it costs in the US, and do not have to put up with alot of the aggravation that I had to when I lived back there.

It is a very personal choice. I have friends who seem to be dropping like flies. I could be dead next year. You just don't know. I am not extravagant, but I live very, very well. A nice house, a new car every few years, new motorbikes for my gal and I every few years, a great art collection, plenty of good wine in the wine cooler, a new 77" OLED TV, a world class home theatre, plenty of international travel, etc. For me, it is a great lifestyle, that I could only dream of in the US. Well worth the expense and very easy to justify. Life is way too short. I have never been a person of extreme thrift. To each his own.

I used to have more issues than I do now. I worked on my attitude, which was getting in the way of appreciating Thailand for what it is, and was clouding my experience here. Used to stress over stupid stuff, as you can see from some of my past posts. Used to allow the politics to make me angry. Now it is not something I take seriously, just something I comment on, without anger or an emotional investment. Yes, I complain online. So what? It is a healthy form of venting. Now, I just tend to laugh it off. Spent some real time back in the US recently, and it allowed some clarity and perspective, that I am very grateful for. Now, I just chuckle at most of the nonsense. Water off a duck's back, so to speak.
 

[spidermike007]

2 hours ago, NanLaew said:

 

Dear Mr. My-glass-is-half-empty-all-the-time,

 

I am deeply concerned with your perpetually groundless anxiety, so here's your starter for ten.

 

https://www.reccessary.com/en/news/th-announcement/thailand-biggest-floating-solar-plant-inaugurated-prachinburi

 

PS: Google really is your friend.

 

Best,

 

Bladdered in Bung Khan

 

Funny. Guess you asked for it. Nearly every time I see someone complaining, or observing a shortfall within Thailand, some guy, who has not taken the time to think things through, nor to devote any focus or effort to a reasonable reply, says something like "Perhaps Thailand is not for you", or maybe you should leave, or I am concerned about you, or the top prize, "if you do not like it here, go back to your own country". Hard to even respond to such inane statements. Why? Because I have some issues with the place? The nature of a discerning mind, is to have issues. Though absolute contentment must be a beautiful state of mind, it is not something most of us are blessed with, in case you have not noticed. The fact that I complain, does not mean I do not love Thailand, nor most of it's people. I do. I love my life here. I have a very good life here. But, I do have some complaints, and there are some things I would love to see improved. I should leave because of that?

Please. Next time you make a post, try to devote at least two moments of thought to it.

[OneMoreFarang]

55 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Remember???

 

I see ones just like the one in your photo driving down the streets every day in Bangkok...

 

I have to admit I didn't see them in a long time. But maybe there is a difference between living in the middle of the city and somewhere almost outside of the city. 😉 

[AngryMan]

Maybe, just maybe Sloppy Seconds are not so palatable when it's not from your own culture! If you get my drift!😎

[impulse]

36 minutes ago, superal said:

Finally one of the major factors for the absence of Brits to Thailand is the ridiculous cost of air fares

 

Asking because I don't know (not to be a smartass)...  Did London-BKK used to fly over Russkie airspace, or did they veer south? 

 

From China to Thailand, I'm paying way less than pre-Covid.  But the selection of flights is poor, with no non-stops when there used to be a lot of non-stops each day.