1 hour ago, mfd101 said:

Well, here in south Surin we know from experience that if you want a really high-class service at a reasonable price - whether doctor or builder or other technician - you look for a Chinese Thai (usually 2nd or 3rd or 4th generation).

no doubt!

38 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I don't mind the Indians.

 

Apart from walking in the middle of the road, most are respectful, you say good morning, they'll give you a happy hello, not like some of the foreigners, Arabs etc., these guys can be hostile. 

 

I worked a few years offshore India for Reliance, hard working people but avoid giving one an authorised position, it goes to their head.  

 

 

 

I've done shipyard periods in Singapore with huge daily crews of Indians. We had to lock up out ports pottys so THEY couldn't use them. Had an open bay urinal off the side of ship.

1 hour ago, henryford1958 said:

And they are all walking down Pattaya's roads arm in arm.

The one in the middle carrying a can of coke with three straws...

Not exactly something to brag about is it? 

A post changing a quote from English has been removed.

 

Rule 16. English is the only permitted language anywhere on ASEAN NOW, except within the Thai language  forum, where using Thai is allowed. Short Thai translations of technical terms are permitted in specialty  forums. While we make allowances for members who do not speak English as their first language, we expect everyone to make an effort to post in a manner that allows others to understand their posts. As an international  forum we have members from many countries in the world, and English is not the first language of every poster.

I remember when I first come to Thailand and I got an apartment on Sukhumvit soi 2 and it was owned by Indians that was ok, nice unit 2 bedrooms, They let a unit below me to some Indians and after a couple weeks they kicked them out, they were constantly cooking and it was stinking the place out, 

52 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

I've done shipyard periods in Singapore with huge daily crews of Indians. We had to lock up out ports pottys so THEY couldn't use them. Had an open bay urinal off the side of ship.

Spent some time in Keppel, never seen so many Indians in one place.

Beach boys is back.

They are like ants at a picnic. Their presence is unwelcome, their number unending,  they infest the food, and destroy the atmosphere.

The times they are a-changin

I still remember the signs in the receptions of many 5 star hotels in Phuket reading "We Do Not Accept Indians"...

 

 

 

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

File photo for reference only

 

Thailand recently celebrated a landmark achievement, welcoming over 2 million Indian tourists in 2024, marking a historic first for the country. This milestone was highlighted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) during the "Asean-India Forum," held in Bangkok from July 22 to 25. The event, themed "Journey of Opportunities: Ignite Indian Travel to Asean," aimed to strengthen tourism ties and foster new partnerships.

 

The forum brought together distinguished guests, including Nagesh Singh, the Indian Ambassador to Thailand, alongside representatives from Malaysia and other ASEAN nations. The gathering emphasised the growing bond between Thailand and India, reflecting a shared commitment to enhancing travel experiences.

 

Pattaronong Na Chiangmai, TAT's Deputy Governor for International Marketing, expressed optimism about the trajectory of this relationship. "In 2024, Thailand welcomed over 2 million Indian tourists for the first time, placing India among our top three inbound markets," he stated. This achievement underscores the importance of Indian travellers to Thailand's tourism sector and highlights the increased interest in ASEAN destinations.

 

Thailand's allure continues to draw Indian travellers, complementing the popularity of fellow ASEAN countries like Singapore and Malaysia. In 2023, these destinations ranked among the top choices for Indian tourists, illustrating a broader trend of regional exploration.

 

Santosh Kumar, head of the Indian sub-continent and Indonesia at Booking.com, shared insights into Indian travel tendencies. "Indians are enthusiastic travellers who are willing to invest money and efforts to have transformative experiences," he noted. This attitude is reshaping how tourism providers approach the market, offering tailored experiences to meet diverse interests.

 

The success of attracting over 2 million Indian tourists has set a benchmark for Thailand's tourism strategy. Hospitality businesses are encouraged to leverage value-added deals and last-minute promotions to entice visitors. Such strategies can enhance Thailand's appeal, solidifying its status as a preferred destination.

 

Moreover, the focus on crafting personalised travel experiences allows for cultural and leisurely pursuits that align with travellers' interests, positioning Thailand as a versatile and enticing choice. By understanding these needs, the tourism industry can further enhance its offerings and ensure sustained interest from Indian tourists.

 

The surge in Indian tourists reflects broader travel trends and cultural exchanges between Thailand and India. By fostering connections through forums like the Asean-India event, both countries can anticipate continued growth in tourism numbers. Such collaborations pave the way for economic benefits and cultural understanding, enriching the experiences of travellers and local communities alike.

 

Thailand's achievement is more than just a statistic; it is a testament to the effectiveness of targeted marketing and meaningful partnerships. As Thailand continues to innovate and adapt to changing travel landscapes, the country is well-positioned to maintain its status as a top destination for Indian tourists and beyond.

 

In summary, the milestone of welcoming over 2 million Indian tourists is a significant moment for Thailand, indicative of the strength of ASEAN-Indian travel bonds and the opportunities they present. As this vibrant relationship evolves, the focus remains on enhancing tourist experiences and fostering cultural exchanges, promising an exciting future for both nations.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-08-04

 

I live here (Pattaya) and can confirm. Feels like I'm in Calcutta. A human termite infestation. I try to stay in my apartment as much as possible, to avoid them.

17 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

The Tourist Authority of Thailand, and the Government in general, can't make up their minds about what kind of tourists they want. Sure, there are some/many rich Indians, but the vast majority of that 2 million arrivals figure are your typical developing country lower class (spending) tourists. The same is probably true for many of the Russian tourists here - the rich ones stand out - but they sure aren't the majority. Both countries come here looking for a cheap holiday and, for some/many, cheap booze and cheap available sex. The same can be said for many Europeans, Brits, etc., - while some are rich, most aren't. You only need to read the weekly punch-ups in Pattaya and Phuket to see the reality of who comes here (in general). Thailand will never transition to a holiday destination for the rich and famous - because there aren't enough of them to make much money from. Thailand is a country of more than 70 million  - it's not some little Caribbean island of 200,000 inhabitants that can survive off the spending of some 1 million well-healed tourists annually. 

<pst

 

17 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

The Tourist Authority of Thailand, and the Government in general, can't make up their minds about what kind of tourists they want. Sure, there are some/many rich Indians, but the vast majority of that 2 million arrivals figure are your typical developing country lower class (spending) tourists. The same is probably true for many of the Russian tourists here - the rich ones stand out - but they sure aren't the majority. Both countries come here looking for a cheap holiday and, for some/many, cheap booze and cheap available sex. The same can be said for many Europeans, Brits, etc., - while some are rich, most aren't. You only need to read the weekly punch-ups in Pattaya and Phuket to see the reality of who comes here (in general). Thailand will never transition to a holiday destination for the rich and famous - because there aren't enough of them to make much money from. Thailand is a country of more than 70 million  - it's not some little Caribbean island of 200,000 inhabitants that can survive off the spending of some 1 million well-healed tourists annually. 

Most are the "1 drink, 4 straws" type. That locals, expats, and other tourists universally loathe..

18 hours ago, chawbdurian said:

I wonder what Thai people think of this

I assume that's a rhetorical question. Locals can't stand them. 

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand recently celebrated a landmark achievement, welcoming over 2 million Indian tourists in 2024 (...)

 

Yes, and all of them were walking around in Pattaya when I went there last time... 😆 

How quick has Thailand stopped begging the Chinese to come ?

And they're all here in Pattaya. Thrills!

5 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

not like some of the foreigners, Arabs etc

Including Westerners......grumpy, unfriendly

1 hour ago, BarraMarra said:

How quick has Thailand stopped begging the Chinese to come ?

When one door is closed there is opening another.

Doesn't matter where the tourists are from

They are obnoxious where ever they are.....

22 hours ago, chawbdurian said:

I wonder what Thai people think of this

The ladyboys will be over the moon.

So many gold chains to liberate  

ladyboys never had it so good, even opening a Indian street to keep them contained 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) seeks to attract high-value travellers in line with national tourism strategy — driving toward its year-end target of 39 million visitors and 2.23 trillion Baht in revenue.

 

TAT assumes the average tourist will spend 50,000 baht in Thailand per visit (not flights to/from Thailand).

 

Now TAT celebrates low-dollar travelers. 

7 hours ago, DULEROY said:

I note that Pakistan and Bangladesh are not on this list. Are they included in the figure for India.

And every one of them probably causes two tourists from elsewhere to stay away. 

15 hours ago, gk10012001 said:

well as a MS graduate student I taught the under graduate first semester and second semester algebra, pre calculus and differential calculus classes at University of Massachusetts.  PhD really is needed to teach more advanced maths and physics and engineering.  No MS level person is really qualified to teach advanced calculus, say the topics in Kaplan's classic text or Partial Differentials, or so many other courses

Honestly, I'm drooling over all this amazing stuff—compared to the Mickey Mouse, Hello Kitty CS curriculum we had at uni.
I’ve always loved calculus, even though I was pretty terrible at it (still am, tbh). Totally agree—a PhD or beyond is pretty much essential for diving into advanced calculus.

I just assumed the basics of CS were being taught properly. Asking for a friend lol, but is there even a point in trying to learn advanced calculus at this stage in life?
Late 40s, always been fascinated, just never had the right teachers… and maybe the cognitive wiring isn’t quite there either.

On 8/4/2025 at 10:48 AM, snoop1130 said:

File photo for reference only

 

Thailand recently celebrated a landmark achievement, welcoming over 2 million Indian tourists in 2024, marking a historic first for the country. This milestone was highlighted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) during the "Asean-India Forum," held in Bangkok from July 22 to 25. The event, themed "Journey of Opportunities: Ignite Indian Travel to Asean," aimed to strengthen tourism ties and foster new partnerships.

 

The forum brought together distinguished guests, including Nagesh Singh, the Indian Ambassador to Thailand, alongside representatives from Malaysia and other ASEAN nations. The gathering emphasised the growing bond between Thailand and India, reflecting a shared commitment to enhancing travel experiences.

 

Pattaronong Na Chiangmai, TAT's Deputy Governor for International Marketing, expressed optimism about the trajectory of this relationship. "In 2024, Thailand welcomed over 2 million Indian tourists for the first time, placing India among our top three inbound markets," he stated. This achievement underscores the importance of Indian travellers to Thailand's tourism sector and highlights the increased interest in ASEAN destinations.

 

Thailand's allure continues to draw Indian travellers, complementing the popularity of fellow ASEAN countries like Singapore and Malaysia. In 2023, these destinations ranked among the top choices for Indian tourists, illustrating a broader trend of regional exploration.

 

Santosh Kumar, head of the Indian sub-continent and Indonesia at Booking.com, shared insights into Indian travel tendencies. "Indians are enthusiastic travellers who are willing to invest money and efforts to have transformative experiences," he noted. This attitude is reshaping how tourism providers approach the market, offering tailored experiences to meet diverse interests.

 

The success of attracting over 2 million Indian tourists has set a benchmark for Thailand's tourism strategy. Hospitality businesses are encouraged to leverage value-added deals and last-minute promotions to entice visitors. Such strategies can enhance Thailand's appeal, solidifying its status as a preferred destination.

 

Moreover, the focus on crafting personalised travel experiences allows for cultural and leisurely pursuits that align with travellers' interests, positioning Thailand as a versatile and enticing choice. By understanding these needs, the tourism industry can further enhance its offerings and ensure sustained interest from Indian tourists.

 

The surge in Indian tourists reflects broader travel trends and cultural exchanges between Thailand and India. By fostering connections through forums like the Asean-India event, both countries can anticipate continued growth in tourism numbers. Such collaborations pave the way for economic benefits and cultural understanding, enriching the experiences of travellers and local communities alike.

 

Thailand's achievement is more than just a statistic; it is a testament to the effectiveness of targeted marketing and meaningful partnerships. As Thailand continues to innovate and adapt to changing travel landscapes, the country is well-positioned to maintain its status as a top destination for Indian tourists and beyond.

 

In summary, the milestone of welcoming over 2 million Indian tourists is a significant moment for Thailand, indicative of the strength of ASEAN-Indian travel bonds and the opportunities they present. As this vibrant relationship evolves, the focus remains on enhancing tourist experiences and fostering cultural exchanges, promising an exciting future for both nations.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-08-04

 

Wow the straw manufacturers will be working 24/7 to keep up with demand. Soap manufacturers going bankrupt 

Gotta admit that tourists coming from the world's most populous countries tend to be stereotyped in different ways. Chinese (loud, no manners), Indians (smelly, cheap, mysoginist), Americans (loud, know-it-all), Russians (stoic, unfriendly), Japanese (inward, can be aloof). Dunno about Indonesians.. (quiet, respectful?) - anyway, those are the big countries. Smaller ones have stereotypes too of course. They all do.