I’ve backpacked through Southpark Asia for years… now i feel quietly pushed out

[altayvan]

I’ve been coming to Asia for many years, always on a shoestring. Not a digital nomad, not chasing luxury, just a little bit of a backpacker. The kind who speaks some Thai, stays in hostels, eats street food, and knows the backstreets better than the malls.

 

My first thought goes out to Cheap Charlie in Pattaya. I wonder how he’s getting on. He, like many of us, made a life of simplicity here.

 

I know I inspired friends to follow in my footsteps, some of them spent 30k GBP in a month on holidays, even medical trips. But that was never my style. I stretched every dollar, every baht. And it used to be enough.

 

Now, I feel like I’m considered a low-quality tourist. Immigration seems colder. More scrutiny. More suspicion. Like I’m not welcome anymore unless I can show a big bank balance and perfect insurance. I probably won’t even get 60 days in the country this year.

 

It’s like Thailand (and Southeast Asia in general) has shifted. It’s aiming for a new kind of tourist, those who book resorts from Instagram, drop cash on wellness retreats, and never talk to locals unless it’s through Grab or room service.

 

And that’s fine. Things change.

 

But it stings. Because I’ve loved this region quietly, humbly—for decades. And now I feel like I’m being pushed out of a home I never really had.

 

Just wondering if anyone else feels this shift? Or is it just me, feeling a bit left behind?

[blaze master]

54 minutes ago, altayvan said:

Now, I feel like I’m considered a low-quality tourist.

 

Because you are. 

[altayvan]

10 hours ago, blaze master said:

 

Because you are. 

Interesting that I’m now measured against people who work themselves into the ground all year, only to spend a fortune on two weeks they barely understand. That’s what qualifies as a ‘quality tourist’ these days?

Interesting that I’m now measured against people who work themselves into the ground all year, only to spend a fortune on two weeks they barely understand. That’s what qualifies as a ‘quality tourist’ these days?

[Patong2021]

Sounds more like life has left you behind. Adapt or perish.

In years past, there was space to tolerate lower socio economic tier visitors (LTV) , but a case cannot be made to to continue with previous policies that resulted in problems for the country. Higher socio economic tier tourists (HTV)  are more valuable overall because;

- They spend more on a greater diversity of goods and services resulting in greater economic benefit to the nation. 

- They are most likely to have  proper  health insurance, and when they do not,  usually can self fund their medical expenses. The lower tier visitors have run up significant unpaid medical expenses and then left Thailand with the cost.

- Higher tier visitors  are less likely to get into legal trouble like bar brawls, fighting with ladyboys, overdosing, stealing vehicles or donation boxes etc. Yes, there will be some, but the sad reality is that it is the indigent type of visitor who gets into trouble.

- The higher tier visitors are more likely to contribute or participate in social service actions, like supporting charities.  Have a look at who visits for charity activities. Only people with financial means can afford both cover their  own expenses, and volunteer for the charity.

 

There are always exceptions. One that stands out is the young person, the people aged 18-25. They are valuable because a visit to Thailand can leave an indelible impression such that they will return one day when they are older and in a better financial position. Also, they tend to be less likely to get into serious trouble. One need only read the news sections of  the forum to see that.

 

[blaze master]

3 minutes ago, altayvan said:

So I’m in competition with people who work 6 days a week 51 weeks a years. WHO wouldn’t know how to spend their holiday budget.

 

You can see it how you want. Fact is there are millions of people with money who go to Thailand on holiday.

 

Things have changed. 

[Evil Penevil]

The writer of an article in The Telegraph would seem to agree with the OP:

How Thailand turned its back on its backpackers 

 https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/most-successful-rebrand-history-thailand-110000726.html?fr=yhssrp_catchall

 

It's unrealistic, not to mention selfish, for anyone to expect Thailand to stay frozen in time and mired in poverty so that Westerners can enjoy cheap vacations.  The unofficial motto of the French Foreign Legion is "March or die."  The motto for backpackers and sex tourists should be "Adapt or move on."  

 

The answer seems obvious to me.  If you don't enjoy Thailand any longer because it's gotten too expensive, too commercialized or too Westernized, find a country that suits you better.

[altayvan]

16 minutes ago, blaze master said:

 

You can see it how you want. Fact is there are millions of people with money who go to Thailand on holiday.

 

Things have changed. 

That’s really what this post is about. It’s not just me getting older or nostalgic. It’s that everybody’s mum, their boss, and even their dog are flying in for a “Thai experience” they saw on TikTok. And that’s fine. But it’s not the same.

The places I once slipped through unnoticed now ask for insurance, printouts, onward flights, and proof of funds.
The cheap guesthouses are being replaced by “lifestyle stays.”
The freedom I used to feel, being nobody, going nowhere in particular, is starting to feel like a problem.

And I’m wondering if anyone else sees it too.

[hotsun]

Thailand is full of chinese and russians and indians who skimp  at every opportunity. You may be feeling the pressure from thailand to spend but i would put 90% or more of the foreigners there are low quality tourists. 
 

and yes they do discriminate against people wearing a big backpack now

[blaze master]

1 minute ago, altayvan said:

That’s really what this post is about. It’s not just me getting older or nostalgic. It’s that everybody’s mum, their boss, and even their dog are flying in for a “Thai experience” they saw on TikTok. And that’s fine. But it’s not the same.

The places I once slipped through unnoticed now ask for insurance, printouts, onward flights, and proof of funds.
The cheap guesthouses are being replaced by “lifestyle stays.”
The freedom I used to feel, being nobody, going nowhere in particular, is starting to feel like a problem.

And I’m wondering if anyone else sees it too.

 

Not to be terribly rude but have you been living under a rock for the last decade. Thailand changed long ago. Your days gone by are memories. 

 

Enjoy them and make new ones. 

[blaze master]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Sew_B4HAu28&pp=ygUMUGF0b25nIDE5ODBz

[GammaGlobulin]

I REALLY do not like backpackers.

 

Just as I do not like ...

 

[altayvan]

5 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

I REALLY do not like backpackers.

 

Just as I do not like ...

 

I heard that a lot in Thailand: ‘Don’t generalize.’ It still holds.

[GammaGlobulin]

5 minutes ago, altayvan said:

I heard that a lot in Thailand: ‘Don’t generalize.’ It still holds.

 

Here's a backpacker for you....

 

 

One can NO LONGER do THIS, anymore, either.

 

Times change.

 

 

[JoseThailand]

Thailand is still dirt cheap. Hostels start at 100-200 baht, come on

Nothing really changed

[save the frogs]

13 hours ago, altayvan said:

Now, I feel like I’m considered a low-quality tourist. Immigration seems colder. More scrutiny. More suspicion. Like I’m not welcome anymore unless I can show a big bank balance and perfect insurance. I probably won’t even get 60 days in the country this year.

 

Bank balance for a tourist visa? 

They haven't shut down the hostels, have they?

And they don't police people to make sure they are eating in 5 star restaurants and avoiding street food.

 

[Goethe]

The thrust of this post is: "This is the way I like to travel. Why doesn't the world accommodate me?" That is the height of narcissism.

[scubascuba3]

3 hours ago, altayvan said:

Interesting that I’m now measured against people who work themselves into the ground all year, only to spend a fortune on two weeks they barely understand. That’s what qualifies as a ‘quality tourist’ these days?

Interesting that I’m now measured against people who work themselves into the ground all year, only to spend a fortune on two weeks they barely understand. That’s what qualifies as a ‘quality tourist’ these days?

You don't need loads of money to stay in Thailand, Immigration don't seem to like passports with multiple stamps in out, just get the correct visa and all is good.

 

Nothing wrong with backpacking on a budget, was a lot of fun for me, many have never done it so won't understand 

[GammaGlobulin]

3 hours ago, altayvan said:

I heard that a lot in Thailand: ‘Don’t generalize.’ It still holds.

 

But, I guess you have also heard of this....?

 

 

Just HOW MANY years have you been a backpacker, anyway?

 

And, what have you learned from your BACKPACKING experience?

 

Anything?

 

Waiting.....

 

"I’ve backpacked through Southpark Asia for years… now i feel quietly pushed out"

....

 

No need to stay where you feel quietly unwanted....

Obviously....

 

[RubenRemus]

6 hours ago, altayvan said:

That’s really what this post is about. It’s not just me getting older or nostalgic. It’s that everybody’s mum, their boss, and even their dog are flying in for a “Thai experience” they saw on TikTok. And that’s fine. But it’s not the same.

The places I once slipped through unnoticed now ask for insurance, printouts, onward flights, and proof of funds.
The cheap guesthouses are being replaced by “lifestyle stays.”
The freedom I used to feel, being nobody, going nowhere in particular, is starting to feel like a problem.

And I’m wondering if anyone else sees it too.

Thailand's economy has grown and its governance system has evolved. Today there is a greater understanding of risk. I'm sure you wouldn't want a bunch of barely financially viable Thais showing up on your doorstep unannounced; why would anyone in Thailand want to have the same from you? As others have noted, you bring risk, potential costs, and other "externalities" with you that need to be funded somehow. When the country was poorer that was a risk Thais wanted to take for the sake of local development. Today they have other options. 

[altayvan]

35 minutes ago, RubenRemus said:

Thailand's economy has grown and its governance system has evolved. Today there is a greater understanding of risk. I'm sure you wouldn't want a bunch of barely financially viable Thais showing up on your doorstep unannounced; why would anyone in Thailand want to have the same from you? As others have noted, you bring risk, potential costs, and other "externalities" with you that need to be funded somehow. When the country was poorer that was a risk Thais wanted to take for the sake of local development. Today they have other options. 

Your talking about the local economic and social impacts of tourism, not about tourism itself.

[BritManToo]

9 hours ago, altayvan said:

wondering if anyone else feels this shift? Or is it just me, feeling a bit left behind?

Nope it's just you and Thailand.

Come here for 60 days, then Vietnam for 45 days, off to Malaysia for 90 days then the Philippines for 30 days and there will be no problems.

 

Most countries don't want long term tourists with little money, you just gotta move around a little.

 

Two week tourists have no problem, not because they're rich, but because they only stay two weeks!

[marin]

55 minutes ago, RubenRemus said:

Thailand's economy has grown and its governance system has evolved. Today there is a greater understanding of risk. I'm sure you wouldn't want a bunch of barely financially viable Thais showing up on your doorstep unannounced; why would anyone in Thailand want to have the same from you? As others have noted, you bring risk, potential costs, and other "externalities" with you that need to be funded somehow. When the country was poorer that was a risk Thais wanted to take for the sake of local development. Today they have other options. 

What a load of poop. 

[Woke to Sounds]

7 hours ago, altayvan said:

The freedom I used to feel, being nobody, going nowhere in particular, is starting to feel like a problem.

And I’m wondering if anyone else sees it too.

 

Because to our Overlords it is a problem, to them.   #stayHome staySafe   #restrictedTravel2030

 

The long game being played, m'boy.

 

But I'd say it's a worldwide issue, not just Thailand.

 

Canadian Border Services are the biggest cxnts congregated inside any airport in the entire world.

[NorthernRyland]

This has nothing to do with your budget or being a low quality, Thailand has plenty of options for you and most of the country is still quite poor. The fact is Thailand has many locations now which are totally overrun tourists traps and purely fake.

 

You should be grateful they all go to a few locations so you can simply avoid those areas. It stings though because your favorite location from 20 years ago is maybe ruined via mass tourism and now you can't go back.

 

 

[Denim]

Two words for the OP

 

Bognor Regis.

 

It's the new backpacker heaven.

 

Remember where you heard it first.

[Lacessit]

I have never seen the point of holidaying in discomfort, watching every cent/baht/kip etc. when I can do so in comfort.

 

I saw a lot of the world on the company dime. If not, I saved the money, then spent it.

 

Perhaps the OP is bemoaning the fact he is running out of places where he can backpack safely.

 

Be that as it may, AFAIK there are still plenty of backpackers and hostels for them in Chiang Rai.

[cmsally]

Thailand's tourism has more or less been taken over  by corporations and investors. Many of these groups bought /leased property at high prices and are determined to make a profit. Marketing strategies and media promote conspicuous wealth because it brings them returns; they want you to spend more.

In the past Thai tourism was mostly based on family/local providers and didn't need such a large return on investment , now (in the major destinations) it is driven by KPI etc.

I have been involved in Thai tourism for many years and the quality of tourists has dropped dramatically. The Thai govt. is aiming for mass tourism even if they are not outwardly admitting it. A lot of people are falling into the trap of believing just because people spend more they are of a higher quality.

[Lacessit]

1 hour ago, RubenRemus said:

Thailand's economy has grown and its governance system has evolved. Today there is a greater understanding of risk.

I can't believe you seriously wrote that, given the number of masked Thais with no helmets or even eye protection riding scooters on Thai roads.

[Myran]

Perhaps you should realize the world doesn't revolve around you, and stop being a crybaby?

[Fat is a type of crazy]

Not that easy to find in tourist areas but there are pockets here and there e.g. you can still have that old feeling in Koh Chang. Bungalows in the forest close to Lonely Beach, huts on the beach at Khlong Prou, and similar down near the end of the road. Cheap and peaceful. Reminded me a bit of my one and only trip to Koh Samui in 85 . 

I was surprised how nice Mai Khao beach in Phuket was a few weeks ago - natural beach and some inexpensive accommodation available if needed. 

 

The government will do what they need to to get the most money but can't complain when they let you in for 60 days as a tourist and easy to get a further 30.