Weak Baht Fails to Spark Tourism Boom, Safety Concerns Prevail

[webfact]

Photo courtesy of Asean Post

 

Thailand's tourism industry faces an uphill battle despite a weakened baht, say experts. The national currency's recent drop, a result of US tariff announcements, isn’t attracting the hoped-for influx of tourists since similar economic trends affect other Asian currencies.

 

Travellers' confidence in safety remains a bigger obstacle, with reports of scams and natural disasters looming larger than currency issues.

 

President Trump’s tariffs affected the baht, reaching a three-month low before stabilising at around 34.15 per dollar (approx. 1,200 Baht).

 

However, it seems a weaker baht won’t sway potential visitors, as the baht's competitive edge is lost amidst widespread regional currency depreciation.

 

 

 

Adith Chairattananon of the Association of Thai Travel Agents highlighted that foreign tourists continued to choose destinations like Japan, largely due to its safety record, despite a weaker yen.

 

Chinese tourists, a vital demographic for Thailand, remain wary post-earthquake and following reports of scams. Even unaffected areas like Phuket aren’t drawing expected numbers, with hotels reporting low bookings for the upcoming Songkran holiday starting April 11.

 

Suksit Suvunditkul from the Thai Hotels Association noted scant long-haul reservations during this low season, despite some beachfront resorts maintaining high occupancy.

 

Prospects appear clouded by global economic instability following US policies, though Phuket, having diversified its markets, may be less impacted.

 

According to the Thai Hotels Association’s survey on April 3, major destinations like Bangkok and Chiang Mai recorded nearly a 25% drop in bookings year-on-year for the Songkran festival.

 

Although the weakened baht offers potential for growth, restoring confidence in safety and reliable travel experiences seems crucial. Amidst global economic uncertainties, Thailand's tourism sector remains challenged, striving to regain its former allure.

 

Based on a story by Bangkok Post

 

-- 2025-04-05

 

 

[ozz1]

I think it's a bit early to tell what impact its going to have yet  and i see the baht today has actually gone up against some currencies only time will tell  but the Chinese are definitely being scared off

[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Travellers' confidence in safety remains a bigger obstacle, with reports of scams and natural disasters looming larger than currency issues.

 

Nothing to do with fear of natural disaster.

TAT scraping the barrel of excuses.

Warnings of a mega earthquake in Japan and the tourists keep on coming.

I would say that the problem is scams, scams and more scams.

Especially focussed in Chinese folk.

[Jim Blue]

Oh for the good old days @ 40 + to the dollar !

[KhunBENQ]

Just looked up the one year chart for the EUR.

Until July all higher 39, some days close to 40.

Now 37.7. Nice rise in the past days but no reason for a dance of joy.

 

Quote

Apr 5, 2024, 00:00 UTC - Apr 5, 2025, 03:52 UTC
EUR/THB close: 37.6955 low: 34.8631 high: 39.9419

 

[spidermike007]

The baht is not that weak, it's dropped a little bit and a few percentage points is not going to make a difference as far as tourism is concerned.

 

First of all we're getting into the low season, and second this administration like the horrific Prayuth administration has done absolutely nothing to address the issues that plague the nation and plagued tourism. They are truly a do-nothing administration. 

 

Air quality, traffic safety, addressing the scams, addressing public safety issues, improving public transport options, these are all infinitely more important than the after effects of the earthquake, which were marginal in Thailand. 

 

Excuses and deflection are the popular tools of the weaklings, and the incompetents.

 

 

[hotandsticky]

2 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

The baht is not that weak, it's dropped a little bit and a few percentage points is not going to make a difference as far as tourism is concerned.

 

First of all we're getting into the low season, and second this administration like the horrific Prayuth administration has done absolutely nothing to address the issues that plague the nation and plagued tourism. They are truly a do-nothing administration. 

 

Air quality, traffic safety, addressing the scams, addressing public safety issues, improving public transport options, these are all infinitely more important than the after effects of the earthquake, which were marginal in Thailand. 

 

Excuses and deflection are the popular tools of the weaklings, and the incompetents.

 

 

 

 

We agree that this administration is no better than the previous one.

[Guderian]

Big Don announced the tariffs just over two days ago, I suspect it might be a wee bit early for us to see their impact on Thai tourism.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Travellers' confidence in safety remains a bigger obstacle, with reports of scams and natural disasters looming larger than currency issues

Tourists don't care much about the earthquake, you're more likely to die on the roads or drown in boat accident.

[Chongalulu]

9 minutes ago, Guderian said:

Big Don announced the tariffs just over two days ago, I suspect it might be a wee bit early for us to see their impact on Thai tourism.

It doesn't take much to see the catastrophic falls in global markets and likelihood of a general recession. You can safely bet Thai tourism is going to be clearly impacted 

[WHansen]

Thailands financial meltdown looming ?

[Dan O]

Way to early to say the tariffs are causing this in tourism. Its just like they used that excuse on the lack of sales for cars a few weeks ago was caused by tariffs. Anywhere (except the truth)  to point the blame and have an excuse is good enough. 

[ChockyTheCat]

Most people plan their trips months in advance, it’s 2 days since the tariffs were announced, were they really expecting millions to suddenly book a holiday here !

[FlorC]

51 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

We agree that this administration is no better than the previous one.

No , the previous one didn't tax us.

 

27 minutes ago, WHansen said:

Thailands financial meltdown looming ?

We can only hope

[Burma Bill]

3 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

Oh for the good old days @ 40 + to the dollar !

 

Yes indeed when us Brits got 89 baht for 1GBP! (late 1990's when the Thai economy crashed)

[John Drake]

6 minutes ago, FlorC said:

No , the previous one didn't tax us.

 

Yes!

[John Drake]

I don't know what it is about the Shinawatras. But they seem to attract both natural and fiscal calamities. Floods and earthquakes. Economic mismanagement and budgetary emergencies. Currency crises. I don't see how the baht isn't at 40 to the US dollar.