Thailand Tourism Industry Slumps: Urgent Reforms Needed

[ChipButty]

11 minutes ago, morrobay said:

For example Pattaya beach used to have a mini high seasons for Europeans in summer months. But endless "improvements" to promenade and contract/kickback construction drainpipes projects put an end to that.Now the promenade is a glorified road+beach side parking for Thais. Then there used to be outside cafes and bookstores along the beach. Now fast food. That crowd is long gone. No visitors are going to put up with that sh!tshow. Same thing happening in Jomtien now. 

Thai's know best you should know that

[realfunster]

3 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

Do Thai Tourism officials do anykind of self assessement and just ask "Can we do better?"

I’ll take that as a rhetorical question.

 

Quite simply, and as usual, various Thai governments since 2000 have simply taken the easiest path and flogged the tourism horse for all it is worth. Quadrupling tourists from 10m in 2000 to 39m in 2019.

 

Given the very average overall economic growth in the same period, where some describe Thailand as the “sick man of ASEAN”, one must wonder how bad the rest of the economy must be performing.

I’m afraid Thailand is steadily cruising towards abject mediocrity in economic and social development unless there are major changes in mindset and outlook. Perhaps the social implications of the super-aged Thai society will be the stimulus for change. 

 

[spidermike007]

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Thailand re-opened post Covid, doing exactly what it did pre-Covid... the same tired old venues, same old routines, same old walking streets, same old Sois, same old girls, same old rip-offs.

Some people come once but don't return, backpackers like it and return, others realise Japan, Korea Taiwan, Malaysia have a lot more to offer with better quality and hospitality.

Very true, Thailand has essentially lost its ability to attract affluent tourists 

and is now stuck with predominantly Chinese, Russian, Malaysian, Arab, and Indian tourists. Nothing against those people (except perhaps the Russians) but they are low spending for the most part, and quantity over quality never really works in a situation like this. 

[cncltd1973]

3 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

 Do Thai Tourism officials do anykind of self assessement and just ask "Can we do better?"

they just sit and look around and say, "this should be good enough"

[fondue zoo]

All the balls are slowly lining up for another military rescue of Siam.

 

[cncltd1973]

Thais believe it's a quality destination because they compare themselves to Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos.

TAT is always aiming for higher numbers, I wonder if they are scratching their heads how they dropped 11 places

[ChipButty]

5 minutes ago, cncltd1973 said:

Thais believe it's a quality destination because they compare themselves to Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos.

TAT is always aiming for higher numbers, I wonder if they are scratching their heads how they dropped 11 places

Thai's will blame everyone else, it's their fault,

[lapamita]

if Thailand would be the same amazing and friendly like it was until 2010, and the goverment wouldnt do any change ...the tourismindustrie would have a better outlook

 

they killed the Thaivirus ,and thats a damage you never can compenstae

[Tropicalevo]

5 hours ago, Pique Dard said:

..this is just the beginning! with the new taxes you're imposing on tourists, they won't be rushing to come and visit the land of smiles!

 

What new taxes are tourists being hit with?

[actonion]

Maybe try spending  money allocated to improving the Country instead of putting it in  the pockets of those responsible

[Gottfrid]

5 hours ago, Pique Dard said:

..this is just the beginning! with the new taxes you're imposing on tourists, they won't be rushing to come and visit the land of smiles!

The expat community has such a small percentage of the finances in this case, so it´s just absurd to mention it. What they must concentrate on is  to understand and assess the situation. We can start with, not putting all the eggs in one basket. The concentration of the country´s money flow is far too much concentrated on tourism. If we look at history, that will reveal many different countries which have been extremely popular tourist destination for many year. However, at a certain time, just to be taken over by other destinations.

Today, the situation and the tourism landscape are telling a story of a change in popularity to countries with lesser development than Thailand. Today Thailand is focusing too much on making it hard for people to stay in the country, and far too many rules and regulations as well as a higher focus on foreigner causing problem than their own citizens. Often used in media to blow up the proportions. Tourism is shifting to Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos as well as a few other countries gaining popularity among the ones who before had Thailand as their favorite destination.

 

What Thailand is missing, is that they still have all the eggs in the same basket. They must realize they are losing the battle in popularity as a tourism destination, mostly based on stupid decisions and fraud, complexity and double pricing against foreigners. Now it´s already high time to change the rules and focus, which might give back some position they lost, or simply focus on other ways of supporting the country and it´s population.

[Tropicalevo]

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

First step: BIG fines for taxi-no-meter and all the other well-known scammers.

Friends have just spent four days in Bangkok.

They travel all over the city a fair bit.

They said that in that time, not one taxi put the meter on. All fixed price.

On the first day they would reject them if they said 'no meter'. After the fourth taxi they just gave up.

These folk are not your usual 'easy target' tourists.

The guy speaks fluent Thai and his wife is Chinese. Thais always think that she is Thai.

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, retarius said:

I think you need to impound the taxis. Firstly, since no cash will change hands there is no need to fire all the police officers, secondly, the driver and owner of the cab are often different people so hurt the one who has the money. 

What do you mean, "no cash changes hands"?

Is it better when the money is transferred electronically? Or do you think the police looks the other way for free?

 

The drivers and the people who often park illegally and who are ripping off the people. They are the problem - or one of the problems.

 

[OneMoreFarang]

Just now, Tropicalevo said:

Friends have just spent four days in Bangkok.

They travel all over the city a fair bit.

They said that in that time, not one taxi put the meter on. All fixed price.

On the first day they would reject them if they said 'no meter'. After the fourth taxi they just gave up.

These folk are not your usual 'easy target' tourists.

The guy speaks fluent Thai and his wife is Chinese. Thais always think that she is Thai.

 

I live in lower Sukhumvit with many tourist. 90% or the time I refuse the taxi-no-meter, I just ask the next one, or the next one.

In few cases I just pay 100B instead of 50B i.e. if I am in Soi 11.

But then, most of the time I ride my own bike. I only have the taxi hassle maybe once every two weeks.

[ronster]

4 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

Meanwhilre Japan is expecting 31 Million vistors this year.  Japan is handicapped by brutal winters for 3 months and the high cost of just bout everything compared to the Land of Smiles.  It looks like many are chosing Quality Destination over a Cheap Destination.  Do Thai Tourism officials do anykind of self assessement and just ask "Can we do better?"

Looked at booking a one way flight from samui to bkk as I had already booked flight to samui two months ago. Prices are 5-6800bht one way . I seen a return flight to Japan from bkk for 6800 bht last week 😀.

[ChipButty]

2 minutes ago, ronster said:

Looked at booking a one way flight from samui to bkk as I had already booked flight to samui two months ago. Prices are 5-6800bht one way . I seen a return flight to Japan from bkk for 6800 bht last week 😀.

Try looking on Trip.com 

[thaibeachlovers]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Mondal emphasised the importance of basic infrastructure improvements, such as upgrading transportation networks and modernising accommodation facilities. He also advocated for stronger public-private partnerships to tackle existing challenges and foster innovative solutions.

 

He has missed the real issue by miles. People never visited Thailand for better trains. They visited because it was exotic and different and not over run by hordes destroying the environment.

They accepted less than optimal infrastructure because it was cheap, cheerful and friendly.

Now it's expensive, not cheerful and not friendly.

 

I loved Thailand when I first arrived, and made it my go to place for decades. I wouldn't be interested now.

 

If they want to make it popular again they could start by 90 day visa exempt stays renewable by a border crossing indefinitely, like it was for NZ decades ago.

[CashMoon]

As a tourist i'm very afraid that they will soon introduce a breathing tax on Thai soil.  Oh, pardon me! That's what we're paying for with these ridiculous visas, isn't it?! I forgot!  Even Indonesia has introduced visa types D12 and E33G. I think Thailand is working on how to kick tourists out of the country!!!  

[ronster]

12 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Try looking on Trip.com 

Same price for times I require.

[rickudon]

Cost of living in Europe has risen steeply the last 2 years, also airfares to Thailand have gone up 25-50%. A Thai holiday isn't going to be cheap. Other issues - pollution in land, water and air often in the news; lack of good transport options and the congestion caused by mass Asian tourism has lowered enjoyment.

A 2 week holiday in Europe is now cheaper, safer and healthier.

[DonniePeverley]

Mass over tourism is ruining the place. 

 

What happened to the reset and attracting better tourists? It takes long term planning but it can work.

 

The new visa rules are going to attract the absolute worst. 

 

The visitor numbers will go up, but only because they are attracting even more low spending tourists. Malaysia recently suspended long term indian visas due to over stay, so Thailand opens up to them even more, is just an example of nuttyness. 

[Des1]

3 hours ago, steven100 said:

 

but they can turn to the Quadtrillion $$ dollars worth of minerals underground just waiting to be excavated.  Get on the blower to China and get those diggers going  ......  

 

Tourism out ...mining in    !!

don't forget gambling .. let's get those casinos built!

[rocketboy2]

Oh, They just noticed they're not special anymore. 

 

[Presnock]

1 hour ago, Gottfrid said:

The expat community has such a small percentage of the finances in this case, so it´s just absurd to mention it. What they must concentrate on is  to understand and assess the situation. We can start with, not putting all the eggs in one basket. The concentration of the country´s money flow is far too much concentrated on tourism. If we look at history, that will reveal many different countries which have been extremely popular tourist destination for many year. However, at a certain time, just to be taken over by other destinations.

Today, the situation and the tourism landscape are telling a story of a change in popularity to countries with lesser development than Thailand. Today Thailand is focusing too much on making it hard for people to stay in the country, and far too many rules and regulations as well as a higher focus on foreigner causing problem than their own citizens. Often used in media to blow up the proportions. Tourism is shifting to Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos as well as a few other countries gaining popularity among the ones who before had Thailand as their favorite destination.

 

What Thailand is missing, is that they still have all the eggs in the same basket. They must realize they are losing the battle in popularity as a tourism destination, mostly based on stupid decisions and fraud, complexity and double pricing against foreigners. Now it´s already high time to change the rules and focus, which might give back some position they lost, or simply focus on other ways of supporting the country and it´s population.

yeah and look at the vehicle manufacturing too, closing as they can't compete with the Chinese EV's plus, when they build a vehicle from some of the international brands, they still charge import duties making the price of a car made here in Thailand more expensive than a house!  And, as for develping the countryside towns - they get nothing in my opinion from the big govt, I don't know how much it is diluted by being passed down but that is why so little is developed.  Meanwhile the competing countries in the region are building and making life better for tourists.  Once in Thailand with pollution at the WORLD CLASS LEVEL and now heat strokes daily, who would want to return nor would they write about it nor advise friends to spend big bucks to fly here, stay here for those problems?  I don't think so.

My opinion and also it seems that this govt also wants to get rid of all the monies that expats have been pouring into the country over many years.  

[newnative]

3 hours ago, morrobay said:

For example Pattaya beach used to have a mini high seasons for Europeans in summer months. But endless "improvements" to promenade and contract/kickback construction drainpipes projects put an end to that.Now the promenade is a glorified road+beach side parking for Thais. Then there used to be outside cafes and bookstores along the beach. Now fast food. That crowd is long gone. No visitors are going to put up with that sh!tshow. Same thing happening in Jomtien now. 

Yet, Pattaya was the 15th most visited city in the world in 2023.

[ChaiyaTH]

7 hours ago, smedly said:

all you need now is to #### off the expat community and the self destruction will be complete..........oh wait

Yeah just waiting for the news to pop with global taxing and Thailand would essentially commit suicide. Maybe a good thing for them to not do it.

[ChaiyaTH]

1 hour ago, Presnock said:

yeah and look at the vehicle manufacturing too, closing as they can't compete with the Chinese EV's plus, when they build a vehicle from some of the international brands, they still charge import duties making the price of a car made here in Thailand more expensive than a house!  And, as for develping the countryside towns - they get nothing in my opinion from the big govt, I don't know how much it is diluted by being passed down but that is why so little is developed.  Meanwhile the competing countries in the region are building and making life better for tourists.  Once in Thailand with pollution at the WORLD CLASS LEVEL and now heat strokes daily, who would want to return nor would they write about it nor advise friends to spend big bucks to fly here, stay here for those problems?  I don't think so.

My opinion and also it seems that this govt also wants to get rid of all the monies that expats have been pouring into the country over many years.  

The thainess aka ignorance starts to bite them in the butt. Vietnamese take away many new options Thailand could have had too, same for rice exports. I think they fail in almost every sector in recent years except maybe fruits, fruit juices and things like pork or chicken meat / eggs.

 

The fact they also build this low quality and never maintain things, now causes a huge issue, as they essentially need all the old money another time, to start from scratch again. Nothing is sustainable while the inflow of dollars is less and the cost to build it higher.

 

They cornered themself in every possible way but still remain in denial + keep announcing more crazy ideas. Even that land bridge project already became quiet, I suspect after Malaysia announced to expand their ports big time too, while having money for it themselves.

[steven100]

Tourism gone,  now it's Casino's ...  and mining that Quadtrillion dollars underground,   and all those gold diggers from Soi cowboy can work the mines and be real gold diggers  

[steven100]

2 hours ago, ChipButty said:

Thai's will blame everyone else, it's their fault,

it's all just a big misunderstanding 

[ChaiyaTH]

2 minutes ago, steven100 said:

it's all just a big misunderstanding 

You don't understand, it is Thai culture. You think too much. Can we go to eat now? I am hungry (again).