I’m planning a trip to Thailand and had a few concerns I’d love advice on:

• Is Bangkok and Phuket still safe for travelers?  (Combodia issues)

• I’ve been hearing a lot about price gouging—what’s the best way to get fair prices and good deals?

• Why do many places seem to have dual pricing (different rates for locals vs. tourists)?

• Is Laos (Vientiane) or other nearby destinations better value these days?

• Why do you think tourist numbers in Thailand seem to be declining lately?

• We’d prefer good quality dining (not just street food) and to stay at resorts or nice hotels—but according to some recent YouTube travel vlogs, Thailand is becoming overpriced for foreigners, and some even advise avoiding it altogether.

What’s your honest take? Is Thailand still worth it, or are there better options in Southeast Asia right now?

Still depending what you looking for ? 

 

Beaches, 

Girls 

City Wibe 

Climate environment 

 

Thailand is safe mot places

5 star hotels still available for 200 usd a night and use Agoda or Booking.com

There is no dual pricing unless you go to national parks, but there is tourist traps that take advantage of you. Taxies is an good example 

Tourists declining because of economy around the world especially in Europe and also China who now finds Vietnam more friendly. There is two reasons, China makes tighter ties with Vietnam, and Thailand is quite fed up with Chinese behaviors, as well the investment marked for Chinese have been more restricted. 

I have no idea who this youtbubers is, but a dining out for two with a bottle of wine is around 3 - 4K baht at most decent restaurants. 100 - 130 usd, but of course you can pick more expensive wine, cognac, desserts and more and end up on 200 - 300 usd 

 

 

25 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Still depending what you looking for ? 

 

Beaches, 

Girls 

City Wibe 

Climate environment 

 

Thailand is safe mot places

5 star hotels still available for 200 usd a night and use Agoda or Booking.com

There is no dual pricing unless you go to national parks, but there is tourist traps that take advantage of you. Taxies is an good example 

Tourists declining because of economy around the world especially in Europe and also China who now finds Vietnam more friendly. There is two reasons, China makes tighter ties with Vietnam, and Thailand is quite fed up with Chinese behaviors, as well the investment marked for Chinese have been more restricted. 

I have no idea who this youtbubers is, but a dining out for two with a bottle of wine is around 3 - 4K baht at most decent restaurants. 100 - 130 usd, but of course you can pick more expensive wine, cognac, desserts and more and end up on 200 - 300 usd 

 

 

Looking for 😆Travel with Family. 

On 9/23/2025 at 7:01 PM, FellforitBkk said:

I’m planning a trip to Thailand and had a few concerns I’d love advice on:

• Is Bangkok and Phuket still safe for travelers?  (Combodia issues)

• I’ve been hearing a lot about price gouging—what’s the best way to get fair prices and good deals?

• Why do many places seem to have dual pricing (different rates for locals vs. tourists)?

• Is Laos (Vientiane) or other nearby destinations better value these days?

• Why do you think tourist numbers in Thailand seem to be declining lately?

• We’d prefer good quality dining (not just street food) and to stay at resorts or nice hotels—but according to some recent YouTube travel vlogs, Thailand is becoming overpriced for foreigners, and some even advise avoiding it altogether.

What’s your honest take? Is Thailand still worth it, or are there better options in Southeast Asia right now?

Pretty safe,  Cambodia issue is solely some remote border areas,

Shop around, ask price first.

Dual pricing is standard, it is what it is.

Can't speak for Laos, for Vietnam and Cambodia, prices aren't much better and it depends what   you are buying.  Pattaya and Bangkok cheaper than Phuket.

Yes, Chinese down and Russians maybe prefer Vietnam. Good for tourists.

Plenty of good restaurants, 5 star hotels are expensive everywhere.

Yes, Thailand still worth it, naughty nightlife is getting pricey though. 

 

 

 

 

On 9/23/2025 at 8:01 PM, FellforitBkk said:

What’s your honest take? Is Thailand still worth it, or are there better options in Southeast Asia right now?

 

I love Thailand and have made 30 consecutive monthly visits since Covid.  I stay about a week to reset a China visa.  That's after working in Bangkok for about 6 years before Covid.

 

But I still suggest to my US friends and family that it's a loooong flight, and they may want to pick a beach in the western hemisphere that's within a 3 or 4 hour flight.  Like Mexico or Belize or Costa Rica.  Not that they're better.  Just easier.  30-40 hours easier, R/T if you include layovers.  Between hours in the air and jet lag, that cuts into a typical American 1-2 week holiday trip.  (If you're a European that gets 3 months of vacation a year, go for it...)

 

If you have decided on Southeast Asia, Thailand's great and your listed concerns are non-issues.  You were wise to ask about, but nothing to worry about.

On 9/23/2025 at 7:01 PM, FellforitBkk said:

Why do you think tourist numbers in Thailand seem to be declining lately?

Overvalued currency.

Inflation way worse than official numbers.

Flights expensive (affects all overseas tourism).

 

Chinese numbers down seemingly to economic situation and less repeated visitors. They want to see more of the world particularly the wealthier.

Whether certain crime events (abduction of a popular actor) and that earthquake pictures keep Chinese away? Not sure.

Russian Ruble at about a quarter of it's former value.

 

Phuket has some of the worst reputation of all places in Thailand. Would look for somewhere else.

 

Whether the social media fear mongering/panicking has an influence? Also not sure.

The same media do hype Vietnam.

Compared to Danang, Benidorm looks like a fishing village.