Travel Rising Prices, Broken Systems Dim Thailand’s Tourist Charm

[thesetat]

I think there is nothing Thailand in itself can do about the problems listed here except maybe take away the dual pricing the use to discriminate against foreigners. Adn even with that they can only control the government owned institutions. They can not force businesses to lower their prices and as such, the businesses will not lower their prices willingly. They will accept more profit though if prices across the board are dropped. 

[cedel]

14 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

The story is right.. Only read the stories about the netizens how they complain about foreigners, the no available infrastructure as public toilets, and safety travel options.. the double pricing, the paperwork for visa and extensions, 90 days and address notifications and name it. The justice that several times ruled only in favor of the netizens with a reason as a farang has more money so he can pay more, the unfriendly immigration at the airport, the alcohol sales and buying hours, the expensive THB and many many more. People will say oh it is only a bit but the toal package makes Thailand an unwelcoming destination, supported by the government with Anutin who declared several times already that he don't like the foreigners.. And reading here on Aseannow, we can read many times, that the netizens rather want to get rid of us, as they see us as a thread to destroy the Thai culture....Sadly enough they don't see what they are doing wrong and that other Asean countries are happy to welcome the tourists now  

And you forgot to mention the tax and lawyer burden for more than 180 days in Thailand... and the constantly changing rules enforced or not enforced.. it makes me remind of me maybe in 2018 or 2019, after coming more than 10 years in my own condo, and as I wanted a 30-days extension, I was forced for the 1st time to pay a "fine" of 2000 B (before to pay the 1900B for extension) because I did not come to "report my adress" that they had since 10 years already, and that immigration had also on my tourist visa asked 2 months before plus on my TM6 card that I had to fill before entering Thailand.. They had installed 3 desks with 3 girls in the 1st room left when you enter Jomtien immigration.. They found a new way to make money because they started to "enforce" an old law for hotel owners that they applied also to condo owners.. without prior notice and many people were surprised and had to pay... When they handed me a small paper with this law that existed already long time but was not enforced, I told them "But this is for hotel owners, me as a condo owner, why should I report myself ? I have notified my adress when I asked for my Visa in Belgium, and also on my TM6 card before landing and passing immigration at the airport!"

They just told me "This is not the same" 😤😡😠 

So, I needed only 7 or 10 days extension and if I did no agree to pay the 2000 B fine, I had to leave Thailand in the 24 hours.. So I paid 2000B+1900B for the 30-days extension.., in total: 3900 baht only for 7 or 10 days.. I can tell that I was feeling SCAMMED, because nobody told me before.. and for many years, I came to Pattaya, and never had to go to Jomtien immigration in the 24 to 48 hours after a tiring flight to "report my own adress" in my own condo.!!! That was really not fair. 

[madmitch]

There's no link to the original article this refers to, which Richard Barrow posted on Facebook this week. Many of the comments on the post mirrored those here. The article was a mix of truth, personal comment and exaggeration, the latter including the complaint about air fares from the USA rising from $300 to $1200 and a meal for two costing 7000 baht. 

 

Thailand is more expensive now but still much better value than many countries in Europe and North America.

[Ben Zioner]

16 hours ago, connda said:

And if you venture outside of the tourist enclaves, you can get those items for 1/2 the price again.

And what's the point of a holiday without a great lunch/dinner with decent wine in an air-conditioned venue.

[Andrew65]

9 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

Oh that's for sure, prices have increased in the last 40 years, whereas people  in countries like the UK, Germany, France are all hit with massive energy prices due to political decisions, soaring inflation, job losses, so going to MacDonalds and shopping at Ikea are now luxuries in those countries. I remember when those were markers of low income.

 

However, tourists  who go on holiday should be able to afford their holiday. I don't particularly like people who haggle with a market vendor in Chatuchak over 50 baht. If you go on holiday, make sure you have the budget and can afford it. If you can't stay at home.

My old friend was on lower Sukhumvit many years ago where we both lived. At one of the sidewalk stalls a farang spent what seemed like 15 minutes trying to squeeze another 10 Baht reduction from the stallholder, who got so annoyed that he told the guy to **** off.

In my last 10 years living there I never bought things where haggling was involved, I just found it too tiresome in the end.

When I did haggle, if they said 200, I would say 100, and we would agree on 150. That was my target, suggest 50%, and settle at 75% of the quoted price. I'm not gonna spend 20 minutes in the heat and pollution and crowds trying to stiff someone for 10 Baht (around 20p). Thailand being cheap Charlie-central, many will do so.

[Older and Wiser]

14 hours ago, jas007 said:

Every time I get that, and every time it gets thrown into the trash, along with a packet of some liquid spice they send.  A real waste.  Who puts ketchup on a pizza? 

I can answer that one. Filipinos. Personally, I believe putting pineapple on pizza should be punishable by law, but everyone has their own opinion.

[cedel]

1 minute ago, Ben Zioner said:

And what's the point of a holiday without a great lunch/dinner with decent wine in an air-conditioned venue.

a decent wine? When you can find a selection of wines, but it is rare in Thailand and 2 or 3 times the price of what you can find in plenty of restaurants in Spain... for example. 

[kingstonkid]

16 hours ago, Magictoad said:

It sounds like Americans whining & whinging to me!  When you read through the list it's like some out of a BLM or feminist meeting. Disparity in pricing!! Give me a break. Can some explain about THE DISPARITY IN WAGES.

Cannabis concerns. Pathetic  Just shut your window. As for children. Then don't bring them here- take them to Disney Land.

Neighbours offer betters experiences? NO THEY DONT.

Quality Matters: Scrutiny Over Infrastructure and Cleanliness

This is a third word country and people get reminded of it sometimes. 

Cost Concerns: Value for Money Diminishing

This might be an issue in some cities such as Bangkok and Pattaya but it's still VERY CHEAP in Issan and the North East.

I wouldn't go to a tourist dump like Chaing Mai.

So yes Thailand is still worth visiting.

I stay in hotels in pattaya and bkk. Yes the price during high season is higher buti don't think 200 300 baht is an issue.  5 star hotels that lose money during low season try to make it up.  However check out 5 star hotels in big cities Toronto new York and you can see the  same gouging.

 

If they're  upset about dual pricing g wait until the new bus mrt rules take effect. 

[Scouse123]

17 minutes ago, BarraMarra said:

What is there to do issan ? Is there a beach ? What does Issan offer ? 

 

There is a wide variety of things to do in Isaarn, but you must be proactive and find them. 

 

They are unlike Pattaya and/or Phuket with giant billboards offering their wares for the tourist traps.

 

What does Isaarn offer? Well, what a question. There are 19 provinces, each with its vibe and culture, from food to customs. It isn't a one-size-fits-all.

 

No, it isn't a beachy area; it's the rice basket of Thailand. There are some outstanding resorts and hotels with beautiful grounds and swimming pools.

 

Some people find it too laid-back, slow, and quiet, while others, like me, love and miss the place when we venture away from it and are always happy to return.

 

Those looking for hands-free bars, Russian mafias, rude foreigners, steer clear, they aren't many up here and long may it continue.

 

 

 

 

 

[Cameroni]

13 minutes ago, thesetat said:

I would guess that most tourists are not complaining the price or pork or massages. So your comment makes no sense. Most of the article is spot on when going to a tourist city like Phuket or Pattaya or even Bangkok. 

 

The article is not "spot on". In fact it makes some glaring errors. For instance it claims that Philippines is cheaper than Thailand. I have been to Phil many times, it was always way more expensive, particularly as regards hotels, but also dinners, everything really. Not to mention the flight to Phil would be way more expensive for tourists from Europe.

 

So the author seems to have an axe to grind, but the things he writes are not true.

 

Food and massage are commonly taken up by tourists in Thailand, so my comment makes plenty of sense.

[Cameroni]

5 minutes ago, Andrew65 said:

My old friend was on lower Sukhumvit many years ago where we both lived. At one of the sidewalk stalls a farang spent what seemed like 15 minutes trying to squeeze another 10 Baht reduction from the stallholder, who got so annoyed that he told the guy to **** off.

In my last 10 years living there I never bought things where haggling was involved, I just found it too tiresome in the end.

When I did haggle, if they said 200, I would say 100, and we would agree on 150. That was my target, suggest 50%, and settle at 75% of the quoted price. I'm not gonna spend 20 minutes in the heat and pollution and crowds trying to stiff someone for 10 Baht (around 20p). Thailand being cheap Charlie-central, many will do so.

 

I've seen it as well, and it's painful to watch, because you know  this fat tourist can afford the 50 Baht easily, he's just haggling for kicks, but for the Thai guy that makes a real difference.

[factual monk]

14 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

Pork n rice for 30 baht?

Hope it's genuinely pork ... 😆 🤣 😂 

[Scouse123]

I do find price gouging and cheating commonplace in Bangkok and resorts with high tourist traffic, but isn't that the same the world over in densely packed tourist resorts and capital cities?

[mran66]

20 hours ago, 3NUMBAS said:

Bar girls tattoos caused a slump in bookings

 

...and the very same  tattoos stretched to unrecognizable patterns due to obesity  the was the final nail in the coffin. 

[ChrisKC]

17 hours ago, Cameroni said:

I don't get this price moaning either. You can get leg of pork with rice for 60 baht, pad thai for 50 baht. Massages are so cheap. What more do people want?

 

It's definitely a thousand times cheaper than in their home countries.

 

And yes, CM is great. Spot on.

Do you think that definitely a thousand times cheaper is a tad - downright rubbish?"

[thesetat]

18 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

The article is not "spot on". In fact it makes some glaring errors. For instance it claims that Philippines is cheaper than Thailand. I have been to Phil many times, it was always way more expensive, particularly as regards hotels, but also dinners, everything really. Not to mention the flight to Phil would be way more expensive for tourists from Europe.

 

So the author seems to have an axe to grind, but the things he writes are not true.

 

Food and massage are commonly taken up by tourists in Thailand, so my comment makes plenty of sense.

I can not say sure about Philippines now. Perhaps their prices increased for tourist spots. But not in other places. I have not been there in a few years to relay accurate info for inside that country. But in relation to other things in the OP. It is spot on.. 

 

[Isaan sailor]

15 hours ago, jas007 said:

Every time I get that, and every time it gets thrown into the trash, along with a packet of some liquid spice they send.  A real waste.  Who puts ketchup on a pizza? 

Sadly, my Thai wife does.

[ChrisKC]

39 minutes ago, cedel said:

And you forgot to mention the tax and lawyer burden for more than 180 days in Thailand... and the constantly changing rules enforced or not enforced.. it makes me remind of me maybe in 2018 or 2019, after coming more than 10 years in my own condo, and as I wanted a 30-days extension, I was forced for the 1st time to pay a "fine" of 2000 B (before to pay the 1900B for extension) because I did not come to "report my adress" that they had since 10 years already, and that immigration had also on my tourist visa asked 2 months before plus on my TM6 card that I had to fill before entering Thailand.. They had installed 3 desks with 3 girls in the 1st room left when you enter Jomtien immigration.. They found a new way to make money because they started to "enforce" an old law for hotel owners that they applied also to condo owners.. without prior notice and many people were surprised and had to pay... When they handed me a small paper with this law that existed already long time but was not enforced, I told them "But this is for hotel owners, me as a condo owner, why should I report myself ? I have notified my adress when I asked for my Visa in Belgium, and also on my TM6 card before landing and passing immigration at the airport!"

They just told me "This is not the same" 😤😡😠 

So, I needed only 7 or 10 days extension and if I did no agree to pay the 2000 B fine, I had to leave Thailand in the 24 hours.. So I paid 2000B+1900B for the 30-days extension.., in total: 3900 baht only for 7 or 10 days.. I can tell that I was feeling SCAMMED, because nobody told me before.. and for many years, I came to Pattaya, and never had to go to Jomtien immigration in the 24 to 48 hours after a tiring flight to "report my own adress" in my own condo.!!! That was really not fair. 

You were not scammed, what you mean is you were ripped off - not the same thing at all!

[Isaan sailor]

I think Thailand would be well served to clean up the ocean waters and beaches.  I encounter trash every time I go there.  Pay people to collect trash on beaches, and perhaps pay fisherman or sailors to scoop up trash on the water.

[Cameroni]

13 minutes ago, thesetat said:

I can not say sure about Philippines now. Perhaps their prices increased for tourist spots. But not in other places. I have not been there in a few years to relay accurate info for inside that country. 

 

 

With data from 2025 this website says Thailand is 15% cheaper than Philippines overall.

 

https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/country/comparison/philippines/thailand

 

I have to say when I was in Phil, last time in 2023, it was noticeable that accomodation and food was considerably more expensive than Thailand, but then that was BGC, which is like Bangkok.

[Ben Zioner]

11 minutes ago, scude102 said:

Hellas

That must be in Greece...

[impulse]

1 hour ago, Cameroni said:

But I do take the point that tourists that stay in resorts and go to beach front restaurants will pay more, that is true of course.

 

I think that one issue is that so many of the places that used to be cheap became developed and expensive. 

 

It's always taken some effort to stay ahead of the crowds.  Lots of relatively unspoiled and inexpensive places still left in Thailand.  But they're not the same places.  Those have gone upscale (pricewise anyway). 

 

Hopefully, the masses won't find them because it takes more effort.

 

[Kaopad999]

3 hours ago, Andrew65 said:

In the UK (Bromsgrove) I can go out drinking more cheaply than in the downtown/touristy parts of Bangkok, where I lived for 20 years. My rent in the UK is similar.
 

Drinking is a not a necessity. Comapring an expsnive part of Bangkok for rent is irrelevant when you look at the average rental costs in Thailand and oher areas of BKK. 

Thailand is still super inexpensive. How many othr places in the world can you easily find rent for a clean and safe room for as little as 3,500 THB per month? Where else are you able to find a Condo for a little as 6k per  month with security, swimming pools gyms etc? 
Food is still super cheap- 40 -50 THB per meal to eat outside.. 3 of thsoe per day - 150 THB to eat well every day.. it's really nothing 

Again, as i stated in my previous post, Thai people live wayyy above their means! No one ever put a gun to their head and told tem they have to take a loan out to buy a brand new car, buy the latst Iphone, or eat in Shabu Resturants 3 times per week... 

[Maxbkkcm]

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

I think you misunderstand me... I don't talk about myself I just talk in general.. We went to Malaysia for holiday and the immigration officer was very smiling and welcoming that I did not know what I had to say in fact.. Here in Thailand they just check your passport take a pic and hardly say anything to you. For me 90 days is no problem but i  general what is the purpose of doing it?? With a re entry you come back to your house and have to do the 90 day report and address notification.. Why must we start again with the Tdac or former TM 7 card?? I come already 20 years at the immigration office, never smiling, for my 90 days, although i brought several times a box of cookies or cake for them, unfortunatelly it is not allowed anymore and with the grumpy officers I am happy too. And for alcohol I don't have that problem too.. But in general if I go on holiday and I want a beer at 15.00 I can buy it..And here even this website I am often told that it should be better if I leave the country... I don't care that they say it to me, but my opinion is just always general nothing personal, and I think for  the better of the country and the people. In my neighbourhood no problems with me always friendly and helpful and I can imagine that in tourists places there are more problems than in the rural area where I live.. But still Thailand have to improve several things and not hold to the conservatism that is now even getting worse, with the idea that all foreigners are unreliable untill proven different. That will bring down the tourist sector, and with less income the people get grumpier and will attrack less customers, and so on... and it goes down. Read how many times there are headlines in the news about what foreigners did wrong or a crackdown, while Thai people are in the majority and do the same and even more, but that is kept out of the news.. Just as 2 weeks a go a group is set up for foreigners with mental health problems.. and than read the news.. why not set up group for Thai with mental health as there many more who need that.. simple example.. the sound pollution all over the country in temples, parties, concerts or shopping malls... Noise is used as torture sometimes, but here is no escape of it...I don't care but just in general, when I speak with the locals here about the past week, there was a 3 day concert at a shopping mall, than 2 days no noise and than 3 days party for monk ordination from Samut Songkram in a temple 1 km away.. People complain, but nobody dare to take action and the police doesn't do anything..But if I would do it believe me it would be a headline.... and for xenophobia read the post of Cabradelmar on this page

Why do you think there is noise like that? Why no awareness on it like in the west? 

[Jiggo]

18 hours ago, Cameroni said:

I don't get this price moaning either. You can get leg of pork with rice for 60 baht, pad thai for 50 baht. Massages are so cheap. What more do people want?

 

It's definitely a thousand times cheaper than in their home countries.

 

And yes, CM is great. Spot on.

A Thousand times cheaper, come on.

[short-Timer]

18 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

They dont know how to find cheap prices.

Nobody can ever beat you, right Susan? You are the undisputed queen of cheap!

[Harrisfan]

1 hour ago, factual monk said:

Hope it's genuinely pork ... 😆 🤣 😂 

3 small pieces

[DUNROAMIN]

Good for me if and when I holiday in Pattaya, less russians and chinese the better.

[Cameroni]

57 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

I think that one issue is that so many of the places that used to be cheap became developed and expensive. 

 

It's always taken some effort to stay ahead of the crowds.  Lots of relatively unspoiled and inexpensive places still left in Thailand.  But they're not the same places.  Those have gone upscale (pricewise anyway). 

 

Hopefully, the masses won't find them because it takes more effort.

 

 

It would be surprising if Thai people don't raise prices somewhat. More so if you look at what business in Western countries are doing, prices up a lot. 

 

Still, lunch and dinner is still the same as in 2019 here, 50 and 60 baht. 

 

They compensate other ways, in my favourite restaurant complimentary peanuts and sauces are gone. Portions seem smaller. 

 

But price wise one really can't complain. At least on Chiang Mai. Obviously beach restaurants in Hua Hi Phuketski and St. Pattayasburg will differ in price. 

[Phuket Pete]

Most visitors here spend most of their days on the beach. When is a beautiful beach not a beautiful beach ?  In high season, when it's covered in sun loungers and in low season, when it's covered in trash that no one local is prepared to clean up.