Weak Baht Fails to Spark Tourism Boom, Safety Concerns Prevail

[whitfield]

Try cleaning up the air.  That does far more damage to tourism than the value of the baht.  The air is filthy and there are loads of countries where the air is clean.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, thespecialist6 said:

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

Ditto

[PETERTHEEATER]

Nippo hab chelly brossom time. Good for nummer one follow TikTok..🫠

[Stevemercer]

The Baht is still very strong. I think most Australian tourists, if value for money is the key criteria, will keep going to Bali. Even Thai people can have a cheaper holiday in Bali, than domestically, because of the strong Baht.

[peter48]

46 minutes ago, AgMech Cowboy said:

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.

Its not that very simple my friend. Economics is 'Macro' not just about you a single consumer. Millions were not sold off globally  for two days, every national leader in meetings this weekend, massive economies like EU, Japan, China etc preparing responses, like Covid , like 2008 this will hit all our prices, inflation, interest rates, property demand, jobs, wages,  production, shares, pension pots, tourism.

 

Its not just what Thailand  trades  to America, hit with tariffs of 72% yes 72% its responses of China or Japan too. They will affect Thailand too, car production for example could move to cheaper locations, less demand leads to lay offs,   You can hide away but like those many Covid closed bars/amenities, falling property prices, stunted businesses, soaring health costs - this is not going away for any of us. 

[JustinTyme]

(Please don't let my "Newbie Status" fool you, I have lived in in Thailand full time for 14 years)

I think we have a case of "Be careful what you ask for, you may get it."  Thailand has a long history of using the wrong metrics to make decisions.  Example:  The number of tourists is less important than the total money they spend.  Stuffing the country with Chinese and Indian people seems like " a lot" ... but the fact is, per tourist, they spend far less than visitors from the EU, Great Briton, Australia, and the USA.   And cause a lot more drama doing it.

One might think it would be obvious, but what seems to have not been considered in the "quality tourist" conversation is that there is a real barrier to entry for people who have to fly half way around the planet to get here.  So, when we see a Western Tourist, we are seeing a person with the time, money, and motivation to get to Thailand and probably is more focused on maximizing the experience, than what it costs.  Just the airfare costs more than a Chinese "Dollar Tour" visitor spends in two weeks on the whole vacation!

Part Two:  Thailand used to be a beautiful country with authentic culture and positive people whose life view was a delight for Westerners to engage with. It has changed, and not in a way younger, health focused, and environmentally aware travelers want to be in.

The air quality is awful in BKK, and the North West mountain regions. (Places tourists want to go to)
The entire country has become literally covered in litter and garbage.
The beaches are crowded and filthy.
There are packs of feral dogs barking, biting, and harassing people 24/7.

There is non stop news about all kinds of ways tourists end up in the hospital.

And last, but certainly not least, and file under "Thailand, You have lost the plot" ... It was the unregulated and FUN culture people LOVED, and is not sanitized and kept in "Food Court" boxes.  The endless street food, open markets, and yes, it really WAS "The Land of Smiles" ... not "What have you done for me lately."

Thailand should have done itself a favor and instead of a dozen rich Thais GUESSING what tourists came here for, brace yourself ... ASKED tourists what it was they came here for.  "Adventure, exotic new places, clean beaches and mountains, and a Bangkok that was really FUN."

It is not the exchange rate, it is that the only people who come here now are "locals" (India / China) looking for cheap fun  they can't get at home.  
 

[norsurin]

11 minutes ago, JustinTyme said:

(Please don't let my "Newbie Status" fool you, I have lived in in Thailand full time for 14 years)

I think we have a case of "Be careful what you ask for, you may get it."  Thailand has a long history of using the wrong metrics to make decisions.  Example:  The number of tourists is less important than the total money they spend.  Stuffing the country with Chinese and Indian people seems like " a lot" ... but the fact is, per tourist, they spend far less than visitors from the EU, Great Briton, Australia, and the USA.   And cause a lot more drama doing it.

One might think it would be obvious, but what seems to have not been considered in the "quality tourist" conversation is that there is a real barrier to entry for people who have to fly half way around the planet to get here.  So, when we see a Western Tourist, we are seeing a person with the time, money, and motivation to get to Thailand and probably is more focused on maximizing the experience, than what it costs.  Just the airfare costs more than a Chinese "Dollar Tour" visitor spends in two weeks on the whole vacation!

Part Two:  Thailand used to be a beautiful country with authentic culture and positive people whose life view was a delight for Westerners to engage with. It has changed, and not in a way younger, health focused, and environmentally aware travelers want to be in.

The air quality is awful in BKK, and the North West mountain regions. (Places tourists want to go to)
The entire country has become literally covered in litter and garbage.
The beaches are crowded and filthy.
There are packs of feral dogs barking, biting, and harassing people 24/7.

There is non stop news about all kinds of ways tourists end up in the hospital.

And last, but certainly not least, and file under "Thailand, You have lost the plot" ... It was the unregulated and FUN culture people LOVED, and is not sanitized and kept in "Food Court" boxes.  The endless street food, open markets, and yes, it really WAS "The Land of Smiles" ... not "What have you done for me lately."

Thailand should have done itself a favor and instead of a dozen rich Thais GUESSING what tourists came here for, brace yourself ... ASKED tourists what it was they came here for.  "Adventure, exotic new places, clean beaches and mountains, and a Bangkok that was really FUN."

It is not the exchange rate, it is that the only people who come here now are "locals" (India / China) looking for cheap fun  they can't get at home.  
 

Ur rigth.My first trip to Thailand was in 2003.Stayed about a month in Karon.Nice and quiet that time.The baht was low and everything was cheaper and safer.Lived in surin for 6 years..6 weeks on/off because i worked in Singapore and Malaysia.Took my exwife and our 2 kids to my country 18 years ago.Never regret that.Kids get good education and good jobs here I also remember Bangkok where u walked around and smell the streetfood everywhere.NOW it smells marihuana everywhere.I miss Thailand how it used to be.Anyway im still going there.Stay mostly in Bangkok and hua-hin.

[it is what it is]

3 hours 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.

 

unfortunately, while the earthquake is being covered by the world's media it will be prominent in potential tourists' minds. the european market will probably not be affected too much but the chinese, and particularly the japanese, are very safety conscious travelers. once the news reporting stops, and if there are no more tremors, things will slowly return to normal.

[blaze master]

Ya let's blame nature for your own doing. Good ol thai never responsible for anything. 

 

What a bunch.

[shackleton]

They need to make their minds up 

A other article in Thai visa was saying they are to make a record 134Billion baht over the Songran period 

Who is telling the truth 🤡

[kevin612]

The first word is incorrect, that is strong baht. Baht is the strongest currency is Southeast Asia 

[JustinTyme]

41 minutes ago, norsurin said:

Ur rigth.My first trip to Thailand was in 2003.Stayed about a month in Karon.Nice and quiet that time.The baht was low and everything was cheaper and safer.Lived in surin for 6 years..6 weeks on/off because i worked in Singapore and Malaysia.Took my exwife and our 2 kids to my country 18 years ago.Never regret that.Kids get good education and good jobs here I also remember Bangkok where u walked around and smell the streetfood everywhere.NOW it smells marihuana everywhere.I miss Thailand how it used to be.Anyway im still going there.Stay mostly in Bangkok and hua-hin.

My first trip to Thailand was in 1979.  OMG, it was PARADISE !!! 555 ! Made a permanent move here 14 years ago.  10 in BKK ... then built a nice house in Isaan.  VERY happy here, away from the drama in the rest of the country.

[Pompeygeezer]

Has the person who wrote the article been to Phuket lately?  It doesn't seem like it,  because Phuket is absolutely rammed ATM 

[nauseus]

3 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

 

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

 

1997 tom yam kung, then dollar and sterling end Jan1998. 

[tonbridgebrit]

4 hours ago, John Drake said:

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. 

Surely, you don't reckon that the military did a better job running Thailand ?  If the Thais reckon so, well, let them vote for the military at the next election. Or, the Thais can vote for the Yellow-shirt party.  😄

[LALes]

Baht is still way too strong.  Chinese aren't coming so, if you want Westerners, better get it back to 36-38 to the dollar and similar for the Pound and Euro.  

[scoobyguy]

Flights are still massively expensive 2 to 3 times pre covid prices, With oil prices very low at the moment why havent Air fares dropped Thats the biggest problem for most.

[BarraMarra]

Agree with most nothing to do with Tariffs or quakes we have spoken with our feet all the exusses dont wash anymore its down to Scams lack of security ie beating tourists in the resorts and Greed and Rip offs Wev'e had enough so we are going elsewhere, no doubt TAT will come out with the usual BS tomorrow.

[riverhigh]

If USA tarrifs cause a global recssion through trade wars, all bets are off.  With China retaliating with a 34% tarrif against USA , this may encourage other countries to retaliate and form new economice relationships.  Doesn't really matter what happens to the baht if people don't have the funds to travel due to lack of jobs and inflation. Travel may once again become a luxury expense and the first expense to be cut back. 

[Hellfire]

Come on!  3% currency move means absolutely nothing !!! Enough with these stupid articles!

[still kicking]

8 hours ago, thespecialist6 said:

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.

Feel sorry for the Aussies; we just get 21.6 

[diveasia666]

15 hours ago, webfact said:

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

 

 

Weak baht? April fools day lies behind us. Last year almost 40, in 2008 50 baht to the euro...those were the days. 

Thailand is simply too expensive for many.

[Maxbkkcm]

7 hours ago, JustinTyme said:

(Please don't let my "Newbie Status" fool you, I have lived in in Thailand full time for 14 years)

I think we have a case of "Be careful what you ask for, you may get it."  Thailand has a long history of using the wrong metrics to make decisions.  Example:  The number of tourists is less important than the total money they spend.  Stuffing the country with Chinese and Indian people seems like " a lot" ... but the fact is, per tourist, they spend far less than visitors from the EU, Great Briton, Australia, and the USA.   And cause a lot more drama doing it.

One might think it would be obvious, but what seems to have not been considered in the "quality tourist" conversation is that there is a real barrier to entry for people who have to fly half way around the planet to get here.  So, when we see a Western Tourist, we are seeing a person with the time, money, and motivation to get to Thailand and probably is more focused on maximizing the experience, than what it costs.  Just the airfare costs more than a Chinese "Dollar Tour" visitor spends in two weeks on the whole vacation!

Part Two:  Thailand used to be a beautiful country with authentic culture and positive people whose life view was a delight for Westerners to engage with. It has changed, and not in a way younger, health focused, and environmentally aware travelers want to be in.

The air quality is awful in BKK, and the North West mountain regions. (Places tourists want to go to)
The entire country has become literally covered in litter and garbage.
The beaches are crowded and filthy.
There are packs of feral dogs barking, biting, and harassing people 24/7.

There is non stop news about all kinds of ways tourists end up in the hospital.

And last, but certainly not least, and file under "Thailand, You have lost the plot" ... It was the unregulated and FUN culture people LOVED, and is not sanitized and kept in "Food Court" boxes.  The endless street food, open markets, and yes, it really WAS "The Land of Smiles" ... not "What have you done for me lately."

Thailand should have done itself a favor and instead of a dozen rich Thais GUESSING what tourists came here for, brace yourself ... ASKED tourists what it was they came here for.  "Adventure, exotic new places, clean beaches and mountains, and a Bangkok that was really FUN."

It is not the exchange rate, it is that the only people who come here now are "locals" (India / China) looking for cheap fun  they can't get at home.  
 

Why do you think it has changed negatively? What are the causes in your opinion? 

[hotchilli]

11 hours ago, it is what it is said:

and if there are no more tremors, things will slowly return to normal.

That's rather worrying too.

[Jim Blue]

16 hours ago, John Drake said:

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. 

So so true ....scary 

[baansgr]

I've lived here ny on 25 years and Thailand is same same...pay same, or less rent, pay the same for a beer, pay almost the same for gas, and apart from a half baht increase in electric, the same for utilities.. Of course the dumskis that are Tik tokers, you tubers, yoga and wellness "teachers" will always be overcharged and have no truck against paying more. Thailand is the land of no inflation with anything and everything you want to do at yesteryear prices. Floods, coups, tsunamis no matter..Thailand trundles.along regardless 👍 

[thailand49]

Nothing to do with Tariff!

Problem this government, all previous Government and future government, care less about the country or it people.

They all only care about maintaining the status quo which is continue the system of serve me first get rich first mentality doesn't matter who is in charge. It is all smoke and mirror!

I said it years past when the more the Chinese come the more they will know it isn't the land of smile but just a cheap location full of scams not by the people but the leaders.🤣

[stevenl]

In theory good for western tourism, but takes a while. Since the main Thai tourism markets, Russia, China, India, are also experiencing declining currency, not much effect there.

[Ulyssesamui]

There is a general perception about security in Thailand  in China, at least sadly. Recently, I had a meeting with my China agent in Samui, 90% business, 10% holiday; he brought his own security guard with him! He refused to eat anywhere but 5* restaurants because of 'hygiene' concerns and refused to leave his hotel in the evening. The only time he left without me as an escort was to buy a present for his wife mid-afternoon, and he and the guard were ripped off royally by an official taxi (he refused to use Grab, as it was 'unsafe'.  I asked why he was so nervous about Thailand and he said there were many reports in the Chinese press about scams and personal safety in Thailand. I, for my part, have never been taken by a scam or suffered violence in Thailand, but such assurances fell on deaf ears—such a shame. 

[sambum]

7 hours ago, baansgr said:

I've lived here ny on 25 years and Thailand is same same...pay same, or less rent, pay the same for a beer, pay almost the same for gas, and apart from a half baht increase in electric, the same for utilities.. Of course the dumskis that are Tik tokers, you tubers, yoga and wellness "teachers" will always be overcharged and have no truck against paying more. Thailand is the land of no inflation with anything and everything you want to do at yesteryear prices. Floods, coups, tsunamis no matter..Thailand trundles.along regardless 👍 

Think you're suffering from amnesia, mate!

 

I've been here for 20 years and the price for all beer has gone up. In the resort where I live, a bottle of Tiger beer used to cost 60 - 65 baht in a bar - now it's pretty much a standard 80 baht in most bars. Same for "farang" food - a pack of pomelo used to cost 35 baht in my local supermarket - now it's well over 100 baht.

The price for Thai food has also increased - but not by as much, I will agree on that. The price for bottled gas has gone up from 300 baht to almost 500 baht, so I think your memory is playing tricks!

 

However, I agree with you regarding rental prices - they have remained pretty constant, but don't forget that 20 years ago we were getting 70+ baht to the British pound, so a 10k monthly rental cost you app £140. Nowadays, at today's rate of 44 baht to the British pound, it costs you £238!