Economy Political Jitters and Falling Numbers Shake Thailand’s Tourism Recovery

[spidermike007]

23 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

Says the American

Well you make a reasonable good point. I do believe that my country is impossibly smug and my government is ridiculous, however let me ask you one question, does that mean that every American is smug and ridiculous, or does that just mean that their government is out of control? 

 

When I level a criticism at Thailand it's typically as a criticism of their government not necessarily their people, in certain instances the criticism applies to the people in a general sort of way, but in many instances it doesn't. 

[BarraMarra]

Maybe a TAT spokesman should stroll along the pearl of the Andaman in Patong in Phuket and see the rubbish strewn beach and public walkway where you run the risk of being hit from a local on his bike bringing food and vendors setting up.

[MalcolmB]

31 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Thailand suffers from an impossible level of smugness and arrogance

 

 

3 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

does that mean that every American is smug and ridiculous,

Not everyone.

But most of you are. 
You voted Trump.

Twice.

In any other democracy he would not even be in the running, he would be unacceptable to any other democracy.

[palmbeachblueeyes]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of Today Online

 

Thailand's tourism sector is reeling as foreign visitor numbers slide. From January 1 to June 22, there was a 4.24% drop in arrivals compared to the same time last year, revealed by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

 

Only 16.04 million foreign tourists visited in this period, sparking concern among industry experts.

Malaysia leads as the top source of visitors with 2.19 million arrivals, followed closely by China at 2.17 million.

 

Despite these figures, the aftershocks of the pandemic are evident. The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has revised its forecast, now predicting 37 million foreign tourists this year, falling short of the nearly 40 million record set in 2019.

 

The political climate adds another layer of complexity. Concerns over potential instability surged following a leaked conversation between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodia’s former prime minister, Hun Sen, concerning border tensions.

 

The fear of a coup has worried the tourism industry, which is seeking assurance against political turmoil.

 

The prospect of a coup is alarming for operators, as it would deepen the uncertainty overshadowing a fragile recovery. “A coup would be disastrous for our sector,” one local operator warned, emphasising the need for a stable democratic system.

 

As Thailand attempts to revitalise its tourism industry post-pandemic, it faces the dual challenge of overcoming both economic hurdles and political uncertainties.

 

The industry remains hopeful for stability, which is crucial for recovery in both tourism and the broader economy.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from [source] 2025-06-25

 

 

The sky is not falling in chicken little.  The shift in the tourist from Chinese to Westerners may mean smaller numbers but increase in spending

 

The government is doing a lot of things locally and nationallly that will improve things.  Small examples like changes in sidewalk clearings and bigger things like railroad improvements and marijuana laws will make a difference.  I am not naive there will be ways around the medical marijuana rules, but maybe every other shop does not have to sell marijuana.  

 

The enforcement of sidewalk rules may be a small thing but it may be that the government recognizes that farang walk and like to walk safely. 

 

What the Tourist Authority needs to do is promote Thailand on the net.  As an example Pattaya has more attractions than Bangkok and Jomtien is the center of that but they don't get the publicity they need and deserve. His weekend there is a huge gay pride parade in Pattaya yet there is still no announcement of when that is going to start.  Farang like to plan ahead and they like to know when things start and end.  Gay tourists spend a lot of money because they spend all day and all night  If you look at gay travel blogs they only talk about Bangkok and Phuket.  If they talk about Pattaya they talk about Sunee Plaza even though there are no longer any gay bars there.  Only the government has the resources to publicize gay Jomtien. 

 

 

 

 

 

[spidermike007]

5 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

 

 

Not everyone.

But most of you are. 
You voted Trump.

Twice.

In any other democracy he would not even be in the running, he would be unacceptable to any other democracy.

There you go again with your extreme levels of generalizations. I have despised Trump since the late seventies as I was in commercial real estate in New York City and knew exactly who and what he was. I've never voted for him, I've never liked him, and I don't even have a nanogram of respect for him, and yet according to you I voted for him twice? Why? Because I'm American. Yikes. Get a life, please. 

[Zack61]

I wouldn’t have thought 4.24% was of great concern. Not sure  it justifies a jittery response. It’s not in Thailand’s best long term interests to keep growing tourist numbers especially at the expense of quality. 

[norsurin]

They will never ever face the truth.They get greedy from when their born.They learned from their government that is ok to cheat and steal from foreigners.Let the foreigner build a house..buy a car and pay for the land and after throwing him out and take everything from him.Let ur "uncle"move in and drive the car and laughing.

Dual pricing is ok.Double the price for a beer when lak of customers.Ask for a taximeter is almost impossible.

Let the streetfights in Phuket and Pattaya continue.Let the criminals feel safe in Thailand when their on the run.

And so on...

[emptypockets]

3 minutes ago, norsurin said:

They will never ever face the truth.They get greedy from when their born.They learned from their government that is ok to cheat and steal from foreigners.Let the foreigner build a house..buy a car and pay for the land and after throwing him out and take everything from him.Let ur "uncle"move in and drive the car and laughing.

Dual pricing is ok.Double the price for a beer when lak of customers.Ask for a taximeter is almost impossible.

Let the streetfights in Phuket and Pattaya continue.Let the criminals feel safe in Thailand when their on the run.

And so on...

How much did she take you for?

[TheFishman1]

When the tourist came back to their home country and they tell their friends how they got ripped off by the taxis the double pricing as the national parks etc. etc. no wonder numbers are down people are tired of getting ripped off

[Peter Crow]

I have spend over 6 months in VN, since 1989, never had any complaint about the food..

 

I don't eat street food in Thailand, family dinners are in the 3K to 4K range with a bottle of wine...

[Aussie999]

3 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

Says the American

Irrelevant to the subject

[Aussie999]

3 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

Huh?

 

I’m sure only last week i read an article that said tourist numbers were going through the roof, particularly from certain European countries.

 

On the other hand, the week before there was an article bemoaning a lack of visitors.

 

Who knows what the situation really is 🤷‍♂️. I certainly don’t think TAT do.

I just ask the girls at the bar, and massage shops, no customers.

[Jiggo]

May be they should just take a look what's going on in the real world, cost of living, wars etc.

[Jiggo]

4 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

Da Nang has quite a diverse selection of eating places.

 

While I was there for a few days I had an expensive meal of fine dining in a ritzy roof top restaurant. And then I had another dinner sitting on plastic stools at a local street side restaurant. Both had delicious food.

 

Along the beach there are a number of trendy restaurants. There are also a lot of large seafood restaurants on the land side of the beach road. They appear to be for Chinese tour groups and I have them a miss.

Here now, 

Extended my trip from Thailand, not missing Pattaya/Jomtien, much better infrastructure, beach, no bully types looking for a punch up, and cannibis smelling types 

[geisha]

I believe that it’s due to wanting too many , for a starter.

Then, Thailand has gotten itself a rotten reputation !  In your face prostitution, fighting ladyboys , and drugs galore ! It won’t get better .

Thailand , you reap what you sow !! 

[portisaacozzy]

6 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

Da Nang has quite a diverse selection of eating places.

 

While I was there for a few days I had an expensive meal of fine dining in a ritzy roof top restaurant. And then I had another dinner sitting on plastic stools at a local street side restaurant. Both had delicious food.

 

Along the beach there are a number of trendy restaurants. There are also a lot of large seafood restaurants on the land side of the beach road. They appear to be for Chinese tour groups and I have them a miss.

when in Vietnam i try and eat as much french food as i can find,its also the only country in the world where i can afford to eat good french food !!!. plus,beguettes cheese and wine for breakfast !!!

[BarraMarra]

6 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

37 million.

A few less westerners due to high cost of living in their countries biting hard.

Easily replaceable.

Where they going to replace them from Malcolm ? they tried to entice visitors from all over as they tried to open markets, even in Azerbaijan and failed. There stuck with Indians, Arabs, and the few Chinese that are not scared off.

[MalcolmB]

22 minutes ago, BarraMarra said:

Where they going to replace them from Malcolm ? they tried to entice visitors from all over as they tried to open markets, even in Azerbaijan and failed. There stuck with Indians, Arabs, and the few Chinese that are not scared off.

Israel 

[baansgr]

15 hours ago, technoronin said:

Thailand is doing a thorough job of discouraging those of us who want to come spend a few months there.  Making my bank account unusable was the last straw.

Why should you be entitled to a bank account...very few countries around the world would issue you one if you are only a tourist visiting for a month or two...it's called money laundering..and what's the big deal, just bring cash or pay 220 baht withdrawl fee

[baansgr]

9 hours ago, Aussie999 said:

I just ask the girls at the bar, and massage shops, no customers.

It's been like that for 20 years mate since foreigners started running bars, jacked the prices up and generally get <deleted>e service

[AhFarangJa]

20 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

If the Thai Government refuse to enter the 21st century, tourist numbers will go down.. Look at how vaping is handled, alcohol sales/buying hours, double standards and pricing ,scams,  constantly publishing that all foreigners are bad, such as no decent clothing, drinking and behavior.. and of course the constantly threat of defamation by negative reviews, and fines for posting alcohol promotion if you publish picture on social media.... It seems that nothing is allowed in the land of smiles anymore and all foreigners are unwelcome, and also the foreigners living here are with outdated visa rules as 90 days report, address notifications, endless paperwork for extension the visa every year, and high taxes on imported articles as wines, and now the latest income taxes... Why than complaining that they stop visiting you?? Don't they understand that they are not a welcoming country anymore??

Nailed it Sir, exactly right, along with a manipulated currency.

[wensiensheng]

16 hours ago, TheFishman1 said:

When the tourist came back to their home country and they tell their friends how they got ripped off by the taxis the double pricing as the national parks etc. etc. no wonder numbers are down people are tired of getting ripped off

Again with the national parks? 
 

Jeez, it’s petty cash to a tourist and in relative terms very few visit national parks. There are a LOT of much more meaningful rip offs going on, one of which you mention, taxi’s

[Aussie999]

5 hours ago, baansgr said:

It's been like that for 20 years mate since foreigners started running bars, jacked the prices up and generally get <deleted>e service

Rubbish...you are not the only one that lives here

[baansgr]

30 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

Rubbish...you are not the only one that lives here

Really..falang bar owners have ruined the bar scene, greed, greed and more greed

[Jiggo]

6 hours ago, baansgr said:

Why should you be entitled to a bank account...very few countries around the world would issue you one if you are only a tourist visiting for a month or two...it's called money laundering..and what's the big deal, just bring cash or pay 220 baht withdrawl fee

Terrible advise, should never bring cash, I never did even before you could use the ATMs.

A Wise pre paid or similar, much safer.