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. 

[thespecialist6]

1 hour 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.

Let's hope uk sterling gets upto the old rates of 70 baht to the uk pound , Thailand has had its fun for long enough near 25 years its about time we had 70 to the uk pound.

[thespecialist6]

58 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

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

Well done trump keep them tariffs coming maybe get to 70 baht to uk pound , thank you Mr trump our savior.

[geisha]

33 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

 

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

Everything was better back then Bill. Thailand has turned into a den of iniquity. Violence and scams.

[Kenny Boy]

Ooooh let’s go to Thailand next month we get an extra 1000 bt to spend 💃🕺💃🕺

[digger70]

Weak Baht Fails to Spark Tourism Boom, Safety Concerns Prevail

 

Must be only  against the US $.     34.53   Today

Against the AUS $    20.92.    Today   that is s the Lowest since 28/05/2020

Bad for us Aussies.

[Lion21]

Has nothing to do with currency. It's Thailand's extreme air pollution that scares foreign tourists. No one wants to travel to such a country. And it's only going to get worse as more people become aware of the conditions. Everyone wants to see clear, blue skies and breathe clean air. Is that so hard to understand?

[KireB]

1 hour ago, WHansen said:

Thailands financial meltdown looming ?

Teflon Thailand will sail through this storm.  Thais will travel back to their villages and eat whatever grows. I wonder what the lower socio-economic Americans wil do when the s#$% hits the fan. And it will.

[peter48]

Even it reaches 45baht per £ it helps - there are many diverse types of tourists from Europe/UK gap year, youngsters, couples, guys, seniors, family contacts  etc. Fares of course are very high for most.

 

But over here in UK,  Trumps global trade shock is serious & its effects on SE Asia getting coverage  especially Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand with crippling Tariffs being imposed  Make no mistake and it maybe in Thailand it has been understated. Not in the West. FT yesterday was calling it one of greatest acts of 'self harm on USA in history'. It will slow global trade, increase inflation, leave American business shell shocked.

 

Here's your bit " decades of progress in poverty reduction across SE  Asia ...is at risk" Sluggish growth in major economies including EU Japan and China will be compounded"

 

What happened in America the other day is a gigantic game changer , our economies face massive changes. Thailand is highly likely to suffer the impacts on its exports and production. China and Japan will become even more important to Thailand. Maybe the Baht will weaken helping tourists and ex-pats, we shall see. But like 2008, Covid in 2021 do not dismiss these events they will have profound effects and thats why trillions of stock market dollars have melted away in last two  days or so.

[sambum]

5 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

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

And 70+ to the British pound instead of 40+ as it stands now!

[AgMech Cowboy]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand's tourism industry faces an uphill battle despite a weakened baht

What an idiotic headline and article.  The tariffs were applied a couple of days ago and they act like people should be lining up to get on the plane, today (or yesterday).

Other than the cost of for the baht, the tariffs do not affect me (or you). If anything, maybe the cost for some international goods will go down.

[Maxbkkcm]

1 hour ago, geisha said:

Everything was better back then Bill. Thailand has turned into a den of iniquity. Violence and scams.

How did it turns that way? How we get there according to you? 

[Hatari fan]

I wouldn't say the baht was weak, ok it's gone down but not enough to make any difference. 

 

[sandyf]

28 minutes ago, peter48 said:

Even it reaches 45baht per £ it helps

Got there mid week, heading back down again.