They don't tell you how many of this number are part time expats coming for their annual 3months to visit wife and kids they would not come if they didn't have family, I know dozens this situation 

The Thai TAT or Tourism Chiefs have finally realised there in Trouble so what do they do ? spend billions upgrading there National carrier with new Aircraft realy ???

4 hours ago, ChipButty said:

My wife said only a few ago, there will be no tree's left in Phuket, 

Totally agree.  The only plants left will be cannabis plants😉

20 hours ago, Marco100 said:

My business model was " be the best at what you know best " ! So'if you know best at Beach and Nightlife than do not waist money in diversify in stuff where other countries are better than you . Consolidate what you are good at and consolidate your tourists first instead of fooling around with markets which doesn't pay ! Try to identify niches of innovative market where there is no competition and get strong in those fields . The new generations of tourists are different than those of 20-30 years ago ...

 

Or, if you're going to diversify and seek new market niches, don't first destroy the market that provides the majority of your tourism and residents: sun, beach, nature, traditions, and affordable prices.

 

13 hours ago, Pompeygeezer said:

I think the main reason for Japan doing well is the yen is very weak at the moment and nothing to do with Thailand doing anything wrong.  

 

And doesn't that make TAT think the baht is too expensive and it's time to lower it?

19 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

The article mentions Vietnam but that's about it. I don't think you can compare Japan with Thailand. They are two distinctly different destinations - with different kinds of tourists.

 

Vietnam and Thailand are much better comparitors. But I didn't notice the latest numbers of VN vs Thailand.

 

Malaysia (a Muslim country) not only had almost as many foreign tourists in 2024 as did Thailand, but has about the same number as Thailand this year again. Still, no mention of this in any news article in Thai media!

19 hours ago, Espanol said:

 

And doesn't that make TAT think the baht is too expensive and it's time to lower it?

Can a country just lower a currency?  I'm no expert but surely that's manipulation? Which most people think Thailand do anyway but if they lowered it that would actually be admitting they manipulate it.   And also so many foreigners say they should lower the Baht because it will benefit them. They have been saying that for at least the last 4/ 5  years now and it never happens and never will.   But it can't be doing Thailand that much damage otherwise they would have lowered it.  it obviously wouldn't benefit the Thai government if they lowered it, otherwise they would have done it by now.  Anything that would make the powers that be more money they would definitely do.