Trump Tariffs Threaten Samui's Tourist Influx

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Wikipedia

 

Thailand's glittering tourism sector braces itself as Donald Trump's new tariff policy threatens a slowdown in American visitors.

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is closely watching how these tariffs might dent the spending power of US tourists eager to visit Samui, fuelled by the newfound fame of The White Lotus TV series. This could mean a lost opportunity for Thai tourism operators to cash in on the show's popularity.

 

Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, a leading figure in Thailand's tourism sector, expressed concerns over the impact of increased US tariffs, warning that rising living costs stateside may force potential tourists to cut down on foreign travel.

 

Thailand could still appeal to cost-conscious foreigners looking to relocate to warmer, more budget-friendly pastures, but the direct impact on American tourist numbers is worrying.

 

 

 

In recent months, TAT has noted a significant rise in US visitors, totalling 320,631 by March end, a 14.4% hike compared to last year.

 

A graphic testament to the potential threat tariffs pose, given that the country tallied over 1.03 million US visitors in 2024 alone. In an effort to keep numbers climbing, TAT is launching joint promotions with airlines to maintain momentum and counter any downturn from tariff impacts.

 

Airlines are expanding their service to Thailand, with United Airlines planning daily flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco starting October, and Air Canada and Delta upping their game as well.

 

The TAT remains hopeful but cautious, awaiting to see how these tariffs will play out on the global economic stage and influence long-haul travel—certainly a concern for US traveller numbers venturing to the Land of Smiles.

 

Based on a story by Bangkok Post

 

-- 2025-04-08

 

 

[ukrules]

Don't worry, Thailand will still get plenty of money from their tariffs, no need to even come to Thailand to get ripped off by them 🤣

[Tubulat]

3 hours ago, ukrules said:

Don't worry, Thailand will still get plenty of money from their tariffs, no need to even come to Thailand to get ripped off by them 🤣

Indeed, they are already rubbing their hands together from all that extra tax money they can grab from the farang, incidentally without anything in return.

[hotchilli]

22 hours ago, webfact said:

Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, a leading figure in Thailand's tourism sector, expressed concerns over the impact of increased US tariffs, warning that rising living costs stateside may force potential tourists to cut down on foreign travel.

Domestic tourism may be hit more, those businesses who predominately export to USA may find revenues slump as State-side stop buying.

[RandolphGB]

Quote

Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, a leading figure in Thailand's tourism sector, 

 

Perhaps she should stick to promoting Pad Thai and elephant pants instead of commenting on the economics of global trade.

[NobbyClarke]

Thailand has seen dark economics before, many readers, myself included, have witnessed the bad times. 

LOS with it's charm and culture will recover as it always does.

 

[impulse]

22 hours ago, webfact said:

In recent months, TAT has noted a significant rise in US visitors, totalling 320,631 by March end, a 14.4% hike compared to last year.

 

That's the optimism of Americans now that Bidenomics are in the rear view mirror.

 

[ThreeCardMonte]

Trump’s tariffs will have no impact on tourism.

[newbee2022]

4 minutes ago, Tubulat said:

Indeed, they are already rubbing their hands together from all that extra tax money they can grab from the farang, incidentally without anything in return.

I doubt it. I heard about a plan to charge Americans everywhere in Thailand (Tops, Lotus, BigC, Bars, Restaurants) 50% plus. The money should go for saving the environment and improve safety.

[Ulyssesamui]

Living in Samui, the White Lotus effect may make some minor changes, but generally (and one should never generalise), Americans are few and far between on this island as tourists. The main body of tourists, IMO, are Europeans, Taiwanese, Japanese, and Singaporeans. The US has the whole Caribbean, Mexico, and Europe, and it has destinations nearer than Thailand.

[Tropicalevo]

16 minutes ago, Tubulat said:

Indeed, they are already rubbing their hands together from all that extra tax money they can grab from the farang, incidentally without anything in return.

 

You mean the farangs that have been living here tax free for decades.

Paying zero taxes to the government, yet enjoying the infrastructure and the benefits that the government (and the Thai tax payers) have provided.

And please do not bother to prattle on about VAT - insignificant.

VAT is for things that you want, not what you have had.

[Tropicalevo]

4 minutes ago, Ulyssesamui said:

Living in Samui, the White Lotus effect may make some minor changes, but generally (and one should never generalise), Americans are few and far between on this island as tourists. The main body of tourists, IMO, are Europeans, Taiwanese, Japanese, and Singaporeans. The US has the whole Caribbean, Mexico, and Europe, and it has destinations nearer than Thailand.

 

Very true but we have seen a 'significant' increase in Americans since Covid has finished.

In the small part of the business that we are in, we would see about 6 - 10 groups of Americans per year.

Now, it is sometime that many every week or two.

As you say, not a large number abut significant.

[spidermike007]

Let's face the reality here, Trump is threatening the well-being of the entire planet, with his ridiculously dumb policies, causing untold amounts of fear and concern, and it's all for nothing. America's never going to become the industrial might that it used to be, Trump and his goons dare busy dreaming about returning manufacturing to America, it's just never going to happen.

 

It's just too expensive to manufacture in America these days and there are a dozen good reasons why those companies left in the first place. Trump is not bringing them back, this is pie in the sky nonsense and with it is coming a tremendous amount of fear and destruction. The man needs to be stopped. He needs to be put on medication.

 

 

[Jack Hammer]

51 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

I doubt it. I heard about a plan to charge Americans everywhere in Thailand (Tops, Lotus, BigC, Bars, Restaurants) 50% plus. The money should go for saving the environment and improve safety.

As I have said before ASEAN app should have a bs emoji

[zepplin]

14 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Let's face the reality here, Trump is threatening the well-being of the entire planet, with his ridiculously dumb policies, causing untold amounts of fear and concern, and it's all for nothing. America's never going to become the industrial might that it used to be, Trump and his goons dare busy dreaming about returning manufacturing to America, it's just never going to happen.

 

It's just too expensive to manufacture in America these days and there are a dozen good reasons why those companies left in the first place. Trump is not bringing them back, this is pie in the sky nonsense and with it is coming a tremendous amount of fear and destruction. The man needs to be stopped. He needs to be put on medication.

 

 

How wrong can you be? The EU has already agreed to 0 tariffs as have some Asian countries, china is being stubborn, and has 800 billion worth of USA bonds, that’s America s problem … and American can compete if they use robots in new factories 

[soi3eddie]

55 minutes ago, ThreeCardMonte said:

Trump’s tariffs will have no impact on tourism.

 

Don't be so sure. I've already had a U.S. traveller cancel their whole UK and European trip. Citing Trump and the effects of the tariffs on the currency and stock markets. So far, only the one cancellation for us. Thankfully, most of our bookings for this year are already paid. Depending on how things go with the tariffs, next year could be a different story.

 

[Nid_Noi]

38 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Let's face the reality here, Trump is threatening the well-being of the entire planet, with his ridiculously dumb policies, causing untold amounts of fear and concern, and it's all for nothing. America's never going to become the industrial might that it used to be, Trump and his goons dare busy dreaming about returning manufacturing to America, it's just never going to happen.

 

It's just too expensive to manufacture in America these days and there are a dozen good reasons why those companies left in the first place. Trump is not bringing them back, this is pie in the sky nonsense and with it is coming a tremendous amount of fear and destruction. The man needs to be stopped. He needs to be put on medication.

 

 

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/04/07/von-der-leyen-offers-trump-zero-for-zero-tariffs-deal-on-all-industrial-goods

 

So it seems that von der Leyen is ready for a zero-zero deal like some S.E Asian countries.

He who laughs last laughs best.

[J Branche]

Since airlines Hedge their fuel cost and summer travel season is soon I don't see airline ticket prices going down anytime soon.

 

The forecast for the Thai Baht is that it will continue to weaken against the USD till close to end of year.

 

Potentially higher cost of living for US may also factor into travel.

[newbee2022]

39 minutes ago, Jack Hammer said:

As I have said before ASEAN app should have a bs emoji

...or a "block" button? God sake it's not. You wouldn't be here😂

[Yagoda]

58 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Let's face the reality here, Trump is threatening the well-being of the entire planet, with his ridiculously dumb policies, causing untold amounts of fear and concern, and it's all for nothing. America's never going to become the industrial might that it used to be, Trump and his goons dare busy dreaming about returning manufacturing to America, it's just never going to happen.

 

It's just too expensive to manufacture in America these days and there are a dozen good reasons why those companies left in the first place. Trump is not bringing them back, this is pie in the sky nonsense and with it is coming a tremendous amount of fear and destruction. The man needs to be stopped. He needs to be put on medication.

 

 

Lets face the reality here. You hate Trump because he bested you in business. Carry on with your:

 

[Cabradelmar]

Fewer tourist on Koh Samui sounds wonderful. But never fear, there are plenty of other tourist waiting in line to fill the void.

[connda]

I've got an idea Thailand - drop your tariffs on US goods to 0.

There - solved your problem.

[Sydebolle]

"(emotionally) warmer, more budget-friendly pastures" than Samui is pretty easy these days. 

Samui's problem is copy/pasted from Phuket and other holiday destinations. How many Thais visit Samui compared to the non-Thais? 

Samui has lost its plot many years ago, completely overpriced in line with a service attitude in free fall; high logistic costs and, apart from some beaches, not much else to do. The Samuians have yet to understand, that there are many more attractive beaches, play-for-fun ditto and culinary offers in many many other places. 

Previously I spent sacrosanct all Christmas breaks on Samui until I got properly ripped off with mandatory Christmas dinners which were a total disaster. Some local "musicians" almost blew the loudspeakers to pieces, the (local) food buffet was unisono cold as cooked already early afternoon and the whole ordeal came at 2,500 Baht/person; with two small kids below 10 years of age (at half the price) this most memorable Christmas "treat" came at 7,500 Baht - back then the exchange rate was 23 Baht to the USD. 

Taxis, beach chairs, a cold beer at the beach - all available at prices of Saint Tropez or a pristine Mexican beach. 

Never again - despite not being a friend of Mr Trump, you cannot stick tourism problems of Samui onto his back! 

[jcmj]

Look. They have only been courting the ASEAN countries for awhile and have forgotten about the America for a few years. With exception of luring in the high spending retirees because it’s the easiest place to retire 😂🤣

Now because of a tv show that was paid for a filmed here they are getting attention from US viewers. The government has done nothing and doubt they ever will. Besides putting out articles about how good it is here, they have nothing to say. 

[MalcolmB]

On 4/8/2025 at 9:24 AM, webfact said:

Donald Trump's new tariff policy threatens a slowdown in American visitors.

Good riddance. 
I won’t miss them and I doubt many others will either.

[MalcolmB]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

It's just too expensive to manufacture in America these days

And with most of the population suffering obesity I doubt if they would be productive anyway.

[Dararasmi]

41 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Lets face the reality here. You hate Trump because he bested you in business. Carry on with your:

 

WTF does King Crimson have to do with it?

[Presto]

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Domestic tourism may be hit more, those businesses who predominately export to USA may find revenues slump as State-side stop buying.

The people in SE Asian countries, and China, are far more resilient to economic hardship than Americans. 

When Trump's  idiotic economic policies have fully worked out, the whining from Americans will be deafening.

[Wrwest]

2 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

You mean the farangs that have been living here tax free for decades.

Paying zero taxes to the government, yet enjoying the infrastructure and the benefits that the government (and the Thai tax payers) have provided.

And please do not bother to prattle on about VAT - insignificant.

VAT is for things that you want, not what you have had.

Thanks, but I think I will prattle on as the 1 million baht spent here brought in from the USA is taxed, whether that be at the food stores, restaurant, gasoline, house maintenance fees, etc. Now, if you want to specify income tax? Bit of an issue as that is already taxed and covered by mutually beneficial tax treaty.

[Purdey]

I believe it will get progressively more expensive to fly on American made planes as their manufacturing costs rise. Modern planes use a lot of foreign parts, which is going to cause rising ticket prices.