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

[kiwikeith]

On 5/16/2025 at 2:39 PM, 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 2:39 PM, 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.

There are minimum Tuk Tuks in Hua Hin, and I have lived, here 20 yrs , Tuk Tuks have not changed in price much over that time, they will demand a price from a tourist who knows no better but if your local they are still expensive with not much barter room, I never use them unless no other option, grab are running motorbike service here now I dont use them either just the car and the wifes bike, prices of food though have gone crazy and there are new shop bars and little holes popping up daily selling food , I would bet they dont have licenses and they don't look very clean avoid them or eat at your own peril, I have had Typhoid food poisoning, twice here.

Just have a look at the prep, wiping chopping blocks down with the same towel all day , your doomed if you eat in some of these places, although Thais have a built in immunity and dont seem to get sick.

 

I see lately many upmarket restaurants closed around Smorprong after having big money spent on renovations for the high season which was not very high around here and only lasted a few weeks, the old Dizzy Dolphin was renovated the guy spent a lot and it lasted about 3 months and closed now, Taboo spent a fortune and only get about 2 customers now.

However the little Thai places seem to have a few every day , but you can't make money at 30/ 40 BHAT a meal they just survive, Big tree a nice place is only just surviving, 86 does ok when they have parties, the most regular with a few clients is Lucky Thips bar which has free food on Fridays, it tough going for everyone in the business here.

Over the last few months 2 houses opposite bar 86 have made themselves into restaurant bars but attract hardly a customer mainly the odd Thai or a cheep Falung after a 40 BHAT meal.

[FlorC]

4 hours ago, cdemundo said:

That is a photo of "The Sanctuary of Truth" which requires visitors to wear a hard hat because it is perpetually under construction (by design and intent). Always new sculptures etc. being added.

I know your post was meant as a joke, but this is one of the most popular/famous sight-seeing destinations in the Pattaya/Chonburi area, it deserves a little promotion.

 

 

Thanks , I did not know that. I haven't been in Chonburi/Pattaya for 13 years.

So what truth can be found there ? Obviously not the TAT visitor numbers.

[sandyf]

23 hours ago, NICKMONDO1 said:

 

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.

 

Think I have been to HH 5 times, with the same conclusion each time, but wouldn't say it was all bad.

In 25 years I have seen most of Thailand and have a good idea of what things should cost.

At the end of the day, whatever floats your boat.

[sandyf]

5 hours ago, phetphet said:

 

It''s always quieter around this time of year.

Indeed, The start of the wet season is a major deterrent.

[sambum]

On 5/16/2025 at 9:09 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? 

 

When TAT make a "doom & gloom" statement things must be REALLY, REALLY bad! 

[sandyf]

53 minutes ago, kiwikeith said:

 

There are minimum Tuk Tuks in Hua Hin, and I have lived, here 20 yrs , Tuk Tuks have not changed in price much over that time, they will demand a price from a tourist who knows no better but if your local they are still expensive with not much barter room, I never use them unless no other option, grab are running motorbike service here now I dont use them either just the car and the wifes bike, prices of food though have gone crazy and there are new shop bars and little holes popping up daily selling food , I would bet they dont have licenses and they don't look very clean avoid them or eat at your own peril, I have had Typhoid food poisoning, twice here.

Just have a look at the prep, wiping chopping blocks down with the same towel all day , your doomed if you eat in some of these places, although Thais have a built in immunity and dont seem to get sick.

 

I see lately many upmarket restaurants closed around Smorprong after having big money spent on renovations for the high season which was not very high around here and only lasted a few weeks, the old Dizzy Dolphin was renovated the guy spent a lot and it lasted about 3 months and closed now, Taboo spent a fortune and only get about 2 customers now.

However the little Thai places seem to have a few every day , but you can't make money at 30/ 40 BHAT a meal they just survive, Big tree a nice place is only just surviving, 86 does ok when they have parties, the most regular with a few clients is Lucky Thips bar which has free food on Fridays, it tough going for everyone in the business here.

Over the last few months 2 houses opposite bar 86 have made themselves into restaurant bars but attract hardly a customer mainly the odd Thai or a cheep Falung after a 40 BHAT meal.

I am on the other side of the water, been in Mueang Chonburi for over 17 years. We have had 5 short stays in HH and unlikely to have another.

[ChipButty]

11 minutes ago, sandyf said:

I am on the other side of the water, been in Mueang Chonburi for over 17 years. We have had 5 short stays in HH and unlikely to have another.

Over the years we have drove from Phuket to Bangkok a few times always stopping in HH on the way back overnight, I've never seen it busy, we normally stay in a hotel on the main road as you are heading out of HH I cant think of the name, but it is owned by Sansiri, it's a good hotel nice rooms, If you think HH is bad then don't go to Cha Am it's like a morgue, we only did that once. 

[GinBoy2]

I think for the Europeans and North Americans Thailand is maybe a one off, and it's day has come and gone.

 

North Americans will go to Hawaii,Mexico, the Caribbean in half the travel time and have a guaranteed experience for the same price. 

 

Same for the Europeans, North Africa, Cyprus, Dubai all great destinations, again half the travel time.

 

So TAT is right to worry about the Chinese and Indians, because thats all they got

[sandyf]

28 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

If you think HH is bad then don't go to Cha Am it's like a morgue, we only did that once. 

Went there a while before HH, must be 20 years ago, quite enjoyed it. 

As you say, very quiet, we hired a tandem and cycled round the town. Doubt if the traffic would allow it these days.

[ChipButty]

38 minutes ago, GinBoy2 said:

I think for the Europeans and North Americans Thailand is maybe a one off, and it's day has come and gone.

 

North Americans will go to Hawaii,Mexico, the Caribbean in half the travel time and have a guaranteed experience for the same price. 

 

Same for the Europeans, North Africa, Cyprus, Dubai all great destinations, again half the travel time.

 

So TAT is right to worry about the Chinese and Indians, because thats all they got

My daughter recently went to Morocco from the UK was all inclusive 5 star family resort, Thailand has nothing like that, she is able to have 2 or 3 holidays per year less than what it would cost her to come to Thailand. 

[Marco100]

Vietnam,   Indonesia , Cambodia,  Laos is taking away numbers from Thailand as they are opening up more n more to international tourists.  Vietnam seems to pick up a lot of high end tourists... 

Any way a 1% drop isn't an issue . The loss of the " Zero Bhat " Cinese tourists might be political related ? Pressure Thailand reminding who's the boss in south east asia when it comes to deals with USA ? 

[thesetat]

5 hours ago, Zapitapi said:

nah.. china isnt collapsing ..watch less CNN..china is just fine

My friends working there would disagree with you quite a lot. Currently there is a lot of Covid going around. Jobs are stopping. Factories closing. China may try to paint a pretty picture but their people are suffering a lot these past few years. 

[thesetat]

2 hours ago, sandyf said:

Went there a while before HH, must be 20 years ago, quite enjoyed it. 

As you say, very quiet, we hired a tandem and cycled round the town. Doubt if the traffic would allow it these days.

It is not the same as when you were there for sure. 

Still quiet, perhaps one could even say dead hmm.. I pass through there monthly and have not seen a peak season in several years. 

[kiwikeith]

2 hours ago, thesetat said:

It is not the same as when you were there for sure. 

Still quiet, perhaps one could even say dead hmm.. I pass through there monthly and have not seen a peak season in several years. 

Covid killed hh in lot's of ways but it's still okay, nobody jumping out of hotels 

[3NUMBAS]

Bar girls tattoos upset the sex tourists ?

[thesetat]

29 minutes ago, kiwikeith said:

Covid killed hh in lot's of ways but it's still okay, nobody jumping out of hotels 

nobody jumping anything haha... mostly old people now. not much nightlife anymore. like a small town with a few places can go out to. 

 

 

[thespecialist6]

On 5/16/2025 at 8:36 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. 

It's because thailand is threatening to tax foreigners on money they transfer in 

 

 

 

 

[metisdead]

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[morrobay]

Nothing is going to change. Best to go with the strong suites they got going: Up scale enclaves like Wong Amat and let Beach Rd flourish. And forget about this family bs. Just let these pain in the butt families infest the malls.

[wensiensheng]

21 hours ago, Scooter123 said:

Thailand stands as a shining example of grace, hospitality, and enduring tradition in Southeast Asia. It is a nation of warmth and beauty—safe, vibrant, and welcoming to all who journey to its shores.

 

But let us understand this: when we visit a foreign land, we are guests. And in Thailand, we walk not on our own ground, but upon Thai soil—rich with history, guided by custom, and rooted in deep respect for order and civility.

 

It is not our place to bring disorder or indulgence. Thailand is not the stage for reckless abandon or drunken spectacle. Rather, it is a place where dignity, decorum, and decency prevail—and so must we.

 

Let every traveler take heed: honor the rules, observe the etiquette, embrace the tradition. And in doing so, you will not only have a pleasant adventure—you will carry home a deeper appreciation for the Thai spirit.

 

And to the hardworking Thai people—many laboring six days a week, ten hours a day—we owe not only our admiration but our consideration. Bargain if you must, for it is part of the culture. But do not leave the table without a token of gratitude. Leave a tip—for Christ’s sake, leave a tip.

 

For in respecting others, we elevate ourselves. And in treating our hosts with honor, we become ambassadors not only of goodwill—but of decency, civility, and peace.
sincerely 

Scot Abplanalp 

 

Mods edit - I have corrected the font size. Please don’t post in oversize font as per forum rules.

Congratulations on your first post. But tbh, I personally could do without the fantasy type prose that even TAT would be proud of. After 20 years of living here, I know it’s not reality.

[roger101]

I don't suppose it helps when The Times ran a Travel item a week or so ago. It stated wonderful country, beautiful beaches, incrdiblel food and lovely people, and cheaper than Thailand. The article was about Malaysia.

[Selatan]

1 hour ago, roger101 said:

I don't suppose it helps when The Times ran a Travel item a week or so ago. It stated wonderful country, beautiful beaches, incrdiblel food and lovely people, and cheaper than Thailand. The article was about Malaysia.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/05/19/china-proves-key-market-for-penang-as-tourist-visits-surge-in-2024-says-govt-rep

 

Quote

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang International Airport (PIA) saw a remarkable surge in Chinese tourist arrivals, with a staggering 218.86% increase in 2024 compared to the previous year, solidifying China’s position as a key foreign market for the state.

State tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, said the number of Chinese tourists arriving through international arrivals at Penang International Airport was 5,918 in 2022, 37,711 in 2023, and 120,245 in 2024.