Why are there so "few" tourists in Thailand now?

Could it be because more and more go to Vietnam and other countries instead? I honestly dont know, but have reflected a bit latelly as they still are wondering where the tourists are.

Thailand is not the only country in Southeast Asia with nice beaches and palm trees.

But of course, that was one of the main reasons why tourists come her for some weeks away from stress and cold weather. Everybody talked about Thailand, and these talks spread from mouth to mouth. Many of them also bought house or condo here so they could relax in a nice climate when they retire. Everybody said Thailand is a wonderful country.
 

Shortly after covid the world was desperate to travel again, especially the people from my part of the world, freezing cold Scandinavia. There were still restrictions everywhere, like vaccination etc. But people would pay a fortune to chill and enjoy a hot beach again.

In Thailand they estimated how many trillions they could earn every day when the tourists came back, it was all in the news. Credentials and number of stamps and requirements changed almost daily. More and more expensive and complicated. And the estimates of how much money they could earn just went higher and higher.

In the meantime Vietnam said "come to us instead". Here it is easy and predicatble.
 

It became so unpredictable that all large travel agencies in Scandinavia removed Thailand from their destination (!!!!) and sent the tourists to Vietnam instead. Where I am sure they had a good and hassle free holidays. And these people wont go elsewhere on their next holidays .. every year. And perhaps live there when they retire.
 

I live in a small city south of BKK. And I read the local news here after they got license as a "safe city" so they could have quaranteen hotels. And the local governement estimated 20 000 tourists to arrive within the first month. Most of them with their private jets (!!). Less than 100 came! Not with private jet, but in an overpriced taxi from Suvarnabhumi, to stay in an over priced "quaranteen" hotel before they were allowed to enjoy being here. My guess is that most were expats just wanting to come back. The tourists? They probably laid on the beach in Vietnam and couldnt care less.

So, mostly expats came back during that time. And we are the ones who support local business also during low seasons.
 

Now they also want to make it more complicated for expats. So I am starting to be a bit fed up too. "Quality expats" (means super rich people) is what they want. And that will boost the economy above the sky. I read it in the news!!
 

Have too many good friends here to move to Vietnam. Or Malaysia, Cambodia or whatever. But I think I would feel much more appreciated and welcome there.
Am I a quality expat? Probably not as I am not super rich. But I have been following the laws, paying respct to the culture and tradition. And I always smile to the locals and treat them with utter respect.
 

So what surprises me is that they still scratch their heads and wonder where the tourists are. And every time, the way to solve it is more complicated and expensive rules. Everybody still talks about Thailand, and that should never be underestimated, even if it is not in the news.
Just ask any taxi driver in Bangkok, he won't understand either.

low season.... use google.

Definitely low season, have never seen some bars so empty, think maybe so much uncertainty in the world with wars and Trump etc even hard to enter the States at the moment, have to cross your t’s and dot your i’s

Low season and it certainly isn't cheap anymore here unless you basically want to live like a backpacker .

On 7/9/2025 at 1:57 PM, Kwausie said:

uncertainty in the world with wars and Trump

Yes, maybe.

An indicator of uncertainty how it's going on economically in particular might be the fact that the hype for motorhomes in Europe has stopped. In Many factories there are more than 15.000 motorhomes waiting for buyers. In vain. People keep their money and might not spend.

27 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Yes, maybe.

An indicator of uncertainty how it's going on economically in particular might be the fact that the hype for motorhomes in Europe has stopped. In Many factories there are more than 15.000 motorhomes waiting for buyers. In vain. People keep their money and might not spend.

You'd think the opposite with high rent and house prices in europe, people would move to a motorhome.

 

 

Hot summer in europe , why come to Thailand ?

1 minute ago, FlorC said:

You'd think the opposite with high rent and house prices in europe, people would move to a motorhome.

 

 

Hot summer in europe , why come to Thailand ?

No, as I said; "people keep their money and might not spend" because a slow down in economy.

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

Yes, maybe.

An indicator of uncertainty how it's going on economically in particular might be the fact that the hype for motorhomes in Europe has stopped. In Many factories there are more than 15.000 motorhomes waiting for buyers. In vain. People keep their money and might not spend.

 

Could it be that people are finally realising that motorhomes are extremely overpriced in Europe?

On 7/9/2025 at 12:36 PM, Ralf001 said:

low season.... use google.

 

On 7/9/2025 at 1:57 PM, Kwausie said:

Definitely low season,

 

1 hour ago, ronster said:

Low season

Perhaps it hasn’t been mentioned enough, SLow season maybe?

Many years ago I had an interest in a bar on Patpong 2. April through to September was always quiet. It was busy from October through to March, especially during November, December and January. 

1 hour ago, zyphodb said:

 

Could it be that people are finally realising that motorhomes are extremely overpriced in Europe?

 you'll get a discount between 20 and 30 percent at present 

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

 you'll get a discount between 20 and 30 percent at present 

Still hugely overpriced for what you get...

On 7/9/2025 at 7:35 AM, Jack Lumber said:

Why are there so "few" tourists in Thailand now?

It's low season from after Songkran till around mid July. Tourists will be back end of July until eraly September.

58 minutes ago, zyphodb said:

Still hugely overpriced for what you get...

not at present

It's not yet the school holidays in the UK so I expect more families will travel once school's finish for the summer. That and everyone is just struggling to make ends meet so no linger taking a long-haul holiday. Same goes for young people, not sure how many go backpacking these days  - I went 20 years ago and it was the best year! 

Extreme heat in Europe is putting off any tourists 

On 7/9/2025 at 6:36 AM, Ralf001 said:

low season.... use google.

Exactly.

Rainy season = Low season, and always has done.

These days there is always someone trying to put another theory forward.

You will see a big difference in December

Enjoy it while it lasts.

In case it hasn't been mentioned yet, it's low season. It'd be highly unusual if things were super busy. 

Bangkok seems quite busy, plenty of tourists, seems like a lot of families with children.

 

Never seen so many strollers.

 

BTS packed.

 

Money changers have lines.

 

Erawan Shrine busy.

 

 

On 7/9/2025 at 1:57 PM, Kwausie said:

Definitely low season, have never seen some bars so empty, think maybe so much uncertainty in the world with wars and Trump etc even hard to enter the States at the moment, have to cross your t’s and dot your i’s

 

harder than just walking across the border and getting on the first bus to a free hotel?

Rain, rain stay away...

On 7/14/2025 at 9:44 AM, FlorC said:

You'd think the opposite with high rent and house prices in europe, people would move to a motorhome.

 

 

Hot summer in europe , why come to Thailand ?

Most Aussies choose Vietnam now 

Classic ... 2nd reply, and it's party Trumps fault 

Man creates profile. Man makes post. Man wonders why tourist numbers are down in low season when tourist numbers are always down in low season (hence why it is called "low season" perhaps?).

Man doesn't come back to reply to anything or anybody in over a week.

Man definitely is real and isn't a bot, oh yes.

Welcome to the new look Asean Now. Posts are up, all is rosy.

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Classic ... 2nd reply, and it's party Trumps fault 

Everything is Trump’s fault. 

On 7/15/2025 at 8:31 PM, still kicking said:

Most Aussies choose Vietnam now 

That was pretty much my point as well. Lots of tourists do, and for a reason.

I see that the topic title I made was a golden opportunity for the keyboard warriors to make a rant about me being clueless. But that's my mistake. And they for sure didnt miss their opportunity 😉
 

It's not your problem. Don't worry about it.