Tourism Tourism Shock: Thailand's Visitor Numbers See Alarming Plunge

[Photoguy21]

On 5/16/2025 at 9:10 AM, KhunBENQ said:

The Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya is a wooden self-made construction and helmets are mandatory.

No helmet no entry (guess you rent it at the entrance).

Nothing to do with Chinese.

Even the girls on social media do their selfies with helmet.

What is happening there that requires the use of safety helmets? If these are genuinely needed then tourists should not be allowed to enter.

[wensiensheng]

3 minutes ago, peter48 said:

But there are loads of places to go in Thailand where what you describe is not true, loads of gorgeous  beaches, loads of historic places, family places, student places,  walking areas, country parks, sea sport places ….maybe you just go where there are lady bars no problem with that, but don't assume all lovely Thailand is like mad Phuket or the wild west of Pattaya 

I lived in Udon for 5 years so I know the real Thailand and not just the tourist areas.

 

The question is, where in Udon would a high end tourist wish to visit? Or Issan in general?

Where in Thailand WOULD a high end tourist want to visit?

 

Chang Mai and Pai? Sure 20 years ago, but now, meh.

 

Down south? Plenty of nice beaches there, Trang and so on, Koh Lanta maybe. But where is the infrastructure to support large numbers of tourists? And if they go there, they’d don’t just want a beach, they want upper class dining and entertainment in the evening. Not a lot of that around unless you’re talking of a guy strumming a guitar.

 

Hua Hin, Prachup khiri kan, maybe. Hua Hin certainly has golf courses that would be appealing for some.

 

But to offset the stuff you describe, there are also negatives.

 

Walking? Pretty dangerous actually if it’s anywhere near a road. There is hiking in national parks but trails are not well marked as they are in a lot of areas in the west ( I go hiking every year in places like Georgia, Armenia, Romania, etc) and….its darn hot.

 

Sea sport places? Outside of the sleazy tourist areas, where are those?

 

Sorry, in my view the sleazy tourist areas are beyond redemption. They are what they are and describing them as Thailands vibrant night life doesn’t change what they are in reality….sleazy.

 

Some of the other areas I mention above can be interesting to visit if people want to know what it’s like to live in Thailand. But that is not high end tourism, that is back packer style experiencing what another country is like. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, backpackers aren’t all cheap Charlie’s, some are 50/60 years old and venturing out to experience new things.

 

But let’s face it, the Patong, Patpong, Pattaya style is what Thailand has been branded as because THATS what is on offer and what attracts 90% of Thailands tourists. 90% is just my opinion, I have no source for that other than gut feel having lived here for 19 years.

[Cameroni]

31 minutes ago, peter48 said:

I guess compared to UK/Europe not as expensive but that's just 2 Thai drinks with an early night. But I think if you are not on some 2 week splurge yes prices in Thailand have crept up after all  its not a first world country. If your here for longer several weeks or month or so etc its noticeable and taxi trips in and around at 200 baht for 1 short trip. 

 

Even in Thailand I would consider 550 baht for a meal for two and a two drinks a cheap price.  That's  6 GBP per person, so 2 for the beer and 4 for the meal. That's a fairly cheap price for meal and drinks.

 

You can easily bring the dinner cost for two to 1000 or 2000 baht for a quality meal in Thailand.

 

240 Baht for a short trip is about right, which is of course incredibly cheap by UK, German or US taxi prices.

[Thumbs]

It's not just the decline in foreign visitors it's the increase in thai nationals leaving the country during holiday periods and weekends instead of holidays in the country, the car parks at the airports are very busy these are locals on long term visitors leaving the country 

[Toby1947]

On 5/16/2025 at 3:10 AM, KhunBENQ said:

The Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya is a wooden self-made construction and helmets are mandatory.

No helmet no entry (guess you rent it at the entrance).

Nothing to do with Chinese.

Even the girls on social media do their selfies with helmet.

Yes and those helmets are never cleaned, leading to hair lice infestation. Same with motor bike taxis, typical Thailand 

[gejohesch]

15 hours ago, vangrop said:

There are so many issues to handle. But the most important and most visible problems are the much too strong bath and the immigration circus. This is so logic but of course not for a Thai, because that word doesn't exist in their brain.

You may be right with the THB strength. For several years now, it has been hovering around 5-10% more expensive than it used to be, some time in the past. Sorry, I am not very precise here, but there might be an issue along these lines.

 

About the "immigration circus" : are you referring to A) long time residents, B) tourists who want to stay for longer than their visa exemption allows, or C) tourists who just come for a few days or weeks? These are very different categories of tourists facing different regulations. I believe category C) represents by far the majority of foreigners coming to Thailand (obviously not talking about nationals of neighbouring countries coming for a low-paid job) and as far as I know, if one comes on a visa exemption, immigration is not an issue.

 

I join in on some other factors mentioned several times above : security, scams, double pricing, and (my personal experience) cleanliness - there is too much trash all around and food quality is often questionable.

[soalbundy]

On 5/16/2025 at 10:01 AM, ChipButty said:

For the last 2 years in May the weather has been good, very hot, I know because my daughter has been here so I remember it well, we are in the south of Phuket, it's different this year a lot more rain, 

Same in Surin, rain for a week now but I'm not complaining it's a lot more comfortable with lower temperatures.

[John William]

Will people wake and face reality.  China has many problems which have a direct implication on their citizens ability to travel to Thailand or indeed elsewhere.  Growing unemployment, escalating economic decline, Government  control of exit movement , via passport control, encouragement of internal vocation etc are all being ignored by the alleged intellectual  experts. WAKE UP Thailand the continual decline  being partly hidden by the Chinese State will  continue to see rapidly decline in Chinese visitors. Always stupid to put most of your eggs in one basket. Comments of a realistic escaped English man. 

[newbee2022]

Not really surprising.

People enjoy Vietnam in the meantime. More safety, less brawls, less greediness. Better protected environment.

Also Vietnam offers Long stay visa, even for 10 years. ❤️

[GordonP]

We recently visited HK and China and in various discussions it was obvious that the Chinese now consider Thailand a no-go area. 

We live opposite a hotel that previously had 29+ coaches in the car park most mornings, this last season there was at the most half that number and usually only 3 or 4.

Chinese being abducted, killed crossing roads all result in the Chinese voting with their bookings and taking their money elsewhere.

[LeRoux]

On 5/16/2025 at 2:59 AM, FlorC said:

The picture suggests that construction in Thailand is so bad that Chinese visitors wear a 

helmet to walk around. 

 

With the love of Accessories from Top-Name Fashion Houses,

Maybe someone like Louis Vuitton or Yves St. Laurent should come out with a line of Expensive Fashion Security Helmets.

Whether on the Beach, or in the shadow of a Skyscraper, they would become a "Must-Have" Fashion Accessory!

(Hailing a Ride at 3 AM?  Maybe a Lifesaver!) 

[LALes]

On 5/16/2025 at 2:39 AM, webfact said:

Visitor numbers have dropped 1% as of May 11, with particular

This must be written by the same numnutz who cries the baht is "plummeting" when it hits 34 to the dollar.

[frank83628]

54 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

Talking your own book?

Being under 50, that's would be a NO

[off road pat]

22 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

A result that should not be surprising as many foreigners here on this forum already told years ago that Thailand has to take care of the tourists, but they don't invest anything in the tourism industry except double standards, dangerous roads, outdated laws, no infrastructure and with the manipulated high THB an expensive country.. put the grumpy immigration and the greedy tax on it and indeed tourists and other people will look for another less complicated country to visit or live in

There will always be first time tourists coming to Thailand. In the old days, all those tourists only dreamt of coming back to Thailand.

But now after they had been ripped off so many times, those first time tourists don't like to come back and just want to try another exotic destination like Vietnam.

[NICKMONDO1]

On 5/16/2025 at 9:39 AM, sandyf said:

Prices are falling then. 

Over a decade ago we stopped overnight in Hua Hin on way to Penang. Tuk tuk was 200 baht to go half a mile down the road. Would have walked if not before smartphone days.

Always found it expensive and hardly representative of Thailand.

I would suggest Chinese staying at home was more to with China's domestic issues.

 

On 5/16/2025 at 9:39 AM, sandyf said:

Prices are falling then. 

Over a decade ago we stopped overnight in Hua Hin on way to Penang. Tuk tuk was 200 baht to go half a mile down the road. Would have walked if not before smartphone days.

Always found it expensive and hardly representative of Thailand.

I would suggest Chinese staying at home was more to with China's domestic issues.

that is not the Hua Hin that I live in

and i have been here for years.

the locals will try it on at times, especially in the fruit market, but just buy stuff with the price on it.

 

[fresher]

"revenue shrinking by 21% in the first quarter of 2025" 

March, and increasingly February, are blighted by dangerously unhealthy air pollution throughout Thailand.

Travel Agents and Tour Companies are not risking their reputations by sending customers into a smog filled country.

Families and individual travellers are increasingly aware that these months and April are no-nos for holidays in Thailand.

With the rain, floods and heat in May to September, and air pollution in February to April, the window for pleasant holidays in Thailand is October to January, just 4 months.

[Quentin Zen]

well, well, well.........  As the labor president, we have a few new demands!!!!!!

 

1.  Farangs pay less than Thais for 50 years to make up for paying more.  

2.  Free massages for the first forty-four days

3.  Visa-exempt stamp 90823743289047324 days

4.  Can buy beer 24/7, 365

5.  Owning land, houses, businesses, etc.....wait until only 1 Chinese person comes, then we'll talk.  

[Caldera]

Complacency, scams and arrogance while other tourist destinations make a real effort.

 

Not sure if this is the end of "Teflon Thailand", as that has been predicted too many times. But to many new arrivals, Thailand doesn't seem to have the same magical pull that it used to have let's say till about 20 years ago. So they seem to be quite prepared to move on and go elsewhere. 

[Andycoops]

The so called high spending mantra rolled out again, these people haven't a clue about what people expect from a 2 week holiday after travelling thousands of kilometres.

 

The whole of TAT must not have a single professional in their ranks who understands the global needs of ordinary tourists.

 

And if they do, the old must dye my hair black males won't take a blind bit of notice.

 

No strategy, no out of the box thinking they just dredge up the same old trash...

[Grumpy one]

On 5/16/2025 at 8:09 AM, Upnotover said:

 

Yes, strange that, it's obviously a thing there.....

 

They know how Chinese build things these days

[Bobydog]

On 5/16/2025 at 11:36 AM, thesetat said:

They know the reason for the plummet. Their attempts to assure these countries how safe Thailand is has not worked. Immigration problems, police extortion or laziness problems. Many reasons why tourism has slowed so much. 

The TAT lies all through the year until the actual numbers become known. Then they make excuses and say OH! Maybe it is something (usually unrelated to the real problem) or TAT asks the government for more money to attract people that have chosen not to come to Thailand. 

Yes, they know the reason but, are too focused on their own personal wellbeing always and everyone knows it, hence, very little changes unless it results in an increase of money in their own pockets. Point in fact, Thai Airways RIP.

 

[Grumpy one]

On 5/16/2025 at 8:45 AM, Gottfrid said:

And it´s going to fall more, resulting in a deeper decline. I think, happy days are here again. It´s going to be cleaner, nicer and calmer. 

Are you leaving ???   

[gejohesch]

34 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

I lived in Udon for 5 years so I know the real Thailand and not just the tourist areas.

 

The question is, where in Udon would a high end tourist wish to visit? Or Issan in general?

I have been living in my wife's village in Isaan for 17 years, about half the year each year, and of course I have gone to a number of places all around Isaan. Here are bits of my experience:

 

- There are not many sites really worth visiting. I have become sick beyond words of going to tacky and garish concrete temples!

- I have not gone to parks for an eternity. Double pricing irks me. It's always too damn hot and often run down. I remember going to see the Erawan waterfalls, I got disgusted with the number of Thai tourists everywhere, OK sure it's their country but the lack of space, food and drinks leftovers and so on - that did not make it attractive! And btw, the waterfalls are really nothing compared to a number of waterfalls I have seen in Mexico, for example. You take any of the several 100's of waterfalls around Iguaçu/Iguazu and it beats Erawan hands down.

- Cities are usually not walkable. Not only because of the heat, but also because there is really not much to see. Nothing like one of the 1000's of lovely cities in Europe, or the colonial cities of Mexico. Hell, even Copacabana in Rio, with no historic site whatsoever, is infinitely more walkable than, say, Khon Kaen.

- Of course, there are exceptions. I enjoyed walking along the Mekhong River in Nong Khai, for example. But tell me: is there any city between Bangkok and Nong Khai which is worth stopping in for 1 or 2 days? I would like to know!

 

There are several other angles to the tourism issue, and other regions than Isaan.  I would not have much to add to all that has been said in previous replies. My overall impression is that Thailand does not have enough to qualify as the "Number 1 tourist destination in the world".

[Reddavy]

On 5/16/2025 at 2:45 AM, Gottfrid said:

And it´s going to fall more, resulting in a deeper decline. I think, happy days are here again. It´s going to be cleaner, nicer and calmer. 

Hopefully cheaper 😉

[Reddavy]

On 5/16/2025 at 3:09 AM, Artisi said:

Typical TAT, last week the tourist industry was booming, millions of tourists flocking in - this week its all doom and gloom, numbers have fallen dramatically - - does TAT really know that day of the week it is? 

No 🤷🏼

[Reddavy]

On 5/16/2025 at 3:10 AM, KhunBENQ said:

The Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya is a wooden self-made construction and helmets are mandatory.

No helmet no entry (guess you rent it at the entrance).

Nothing to do with Chinese.

Even the girls on social media do their selfies with helmet.

We know. It’s called humour. Try it 🙈

[kiwikeith]

On 5/16/2025 at 1:36 PM, thesetat said:

They know the reason for the plummet. Their attempts to assure these countries how safe Thailand is has not worked. Immigration problems, police extortion or laziness problems. Many reasons why tourism has slowed so much. 

The TAT lies all through the year until the actual numbers become known. Then they make excuses and say OH! Maybe it is something (usually unrelated to the real problem) or TAT asks the government for more money to attract people that have chosen not to come to Thailand. 

 

On 5/16/2025 at 1:36 PM, thesetat said:

They know the reason for the plummet. Their attempts to assure these countries how safe Thailand is has not worked. Immigration problems, police extortion or laziness problems. Many reasons why tourism has slowed so much. 

The TAT lies all through the year until the actual numbers become known. Then they make excuses and say OH! Maybe it is something (usually unrelated to the real problem) or TAT asks the government for more money to attract people that have chosen not to come to Thailand. 

What did they expect from legalized dope shops that are uncontrolled, THC levels, filling the place up with draft dodgers who run criminal enterprises, now bad chinese here peddling meth to gangs, buses blowing up, speed boats blowing up, highways falling down under construction and building collapse because corruption and cheap steel. then the uncontrolled madness on the roads, truck and bus drivers that don't have to use log books , although promised, they just drive and drink energy  drinks and smoke and talk on their phone until they sometimes fall asleep, Now going to finish off the madness with casinos to wreck Thai peoples lives and drive more murder and mafia debt collectors, WELL DONE LOS

[LivingNThailand]

2 hours ago, fittobethaied said:

I've lived here 15 years and nothing has changed. Thailand is still one of the greatest armpits in the world! 

Then move

 

[LivingNThailand]

1 hour ago, fresher said:

the window for pleasant holidays in Thailand is October to January, just 4 months.

Still flooding in October.  Our worst month here.  Nov, Jan & Feb only in Phuket.  Dead after Chinese New Years.

[Phuket Pete]

Speaking for Phuket - The stench of weed and the anti -social losers it's attracting, choking on air pollution in the best months of the year, Baht kept artificially high whilst prices continually rise, the abandoned Condo's of corrupt developers lying everywhere whilst Infrastructure crumbles, clogged and highly dangerous roads and Russian gangsters taking over the place. Are you really surprised ?