Next year I’m taking my 2 daughters, my partner, my youngest son and his wife and grand kids, my sister and her husband, my brother and his wife; to Vietnam for 4 weeks.  Nha Trang, Da Lat, HCM city, Phu Quoc, Hoi An (An Bang) and Hanoi.

 

We are staying in good hotels and it would cost me double or treble if we did this month in Thailand.

 

I think the issue for Thailand is the ascendancy of Vietnam and other Asian countries that offer a similar experience but better VFM.

 

Sooner or later Cambodia and Myanmar will be ascendant.

 

Thailand’s challenge is to stay competitive in this new marketplace.

On 9/29/2025 at 7:49 PM, georgegeorgia said:

Australian dollar 20.80

1000 baht is now $50 AUD 

 

I noticed a lot of things here in Thailand are either more expensive or comparable to Australian prices 

Yes an omelet 250 Bhat that's 12 dollars 50 Aussie in a cafe in Huahin and public hospitals have upped their prices more expensive than GP care at home medical tourism, sorry not going to happen 

 

On 9/30/2025 at 1:55 PM, orchidfan said:

Bali religion being Hindu,  of course, unrelated to anything Buddhist.

Yes, Sir, but the island of the Gods serves beef, despite following Hindu teachings ......... You find staff in kitchens cooking pork despite following the Fidel faith or waitresses serving alcohol despite being Islamists. 

My point is, that if someone believes not drinking alcohol on a Buddhist holiday is good, then NOBODY stops that person. But running around like a grouchy kindergarten teacher on the school yard, telling everybody what to do and not to do ...... I am not speaking of traffic rules or the consequences of robbery or murder, I talk about basic stuff you do not throw a grown-ups coming here to spend their holidays (and lots of money). 

14 hours ago, kiwikeith said:

Yes an omelet 250 Bhat that's 12 dollars 50 Aussie in a cafe in Huahin and public hospitals have upped their prices more expensive than GP care at home medical tourism, sorry not going to happen 

 

An omelette is 250 baht wow 😳 

14 hours ago, kiwikeith said:

Huahin and public hospitals have upped their prices more expensive than GP care at home medical tourism, sorry not going to happen 

Noticing that in Bangkok too.   Was just quoted a higher price for surgery at a government hospital than I can get at a number of private hospitals here and barely cheaper than using a (non-hospital) surgery center back in the US.

 

When Thai healthcare is more expensive than USA…..like you say….medical tourism….not going to happen.

 

The ministry of commerce was just on the news this morning talking about problems with the outrageously high prices at private hospitals.  I guess we’ll see if anything comes of it.  They need to take a look at what the government hospitals are charging too.

I just watched a YT video, the guy was on the island Khanom there is only 10% occupancy, no wonder the prices are $100 a night the place is dead, 

I just tried to book The Pullman in Khao Lak in November.  7,600 baht per night, it's a crazy price, it's not even in Khao Lak its a 20-30 minute drive to get the town.

 

 

5 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

I just tried to book The Pullman in Khao Lak in November.  7,600 baht per night, it's a crazy price, it's not even in Khao Lak its a 20-30 minute drive to get the town.

 

 

I just looked it's average price was 2500 baht, on most sites like trip.com agoda and booking.com 

3 hours ago, ChipButty said:

I just looked it's average price was 2500 baht, on most sites like trip.com agoda and booking.com 

I went direct, they have a thai resident offer but it finishes in October 

5 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

I went direct, they have a thai resident offer but it finishes in October 

 

  Interesting but counterintuitive offer.  "Pay 3x the online travel booking site price."  

11 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

An omelette is 250 baht wow 😳 

2 eggs less than 5 Bhat each yummy 

10 hours ago, Airalee said:

Noticing that in Bangkok too.   Was just quoted a higher price for surgery at a government hospital than I can get at a number of private hospitals here and barely cheaper than using a (non-hospital) surgery center back in the US.

 

When Thai healthcare is more expensive than USA…..like you say….medical tourism….not going to happen.

 

The ministry of commerce was just on the news this morning talking about problems with the outrageously high prices at private hospitals.  I guess we’ll see if anything comes of it.  They need to take a look at what the government hospitals are charging too.

Dr told me off at public hospital saying I was abusing the system 

Gay loud mouth got hauled in when my wife complained and the bill was not cheap, sent to another Dr who cancelled the bill and gave me medical care and medication and said very sorry for this come back to see me I will look after you 

 

 

10 hours ago, Airalee said:

Noticing that in Bangkok too.   Was just quoted a higher price for surgery at a government hospital than I can get at a number of private hospitals here and barely cheaper than using a (non-hospital) surgery center back in the US.

 

When Thai healthcare is more expensive than USA…..like you say….medical tourism….not going to happen.

 

The ministry of commerce was just on the news this morning talking about problems with the outrageously high prices at private hospitals.  I guess we’ll see if anything comes of it.  They need to take a look at what the government hospitals are charging too.

 

I have been saying this 10 years ago when I was mentioning that private care in canada was cheaper than in Thailand,  but you just couldn't convince some thai boot lickers otherwise.

 

That being said there will always be market for something in Thailand.  CNA dropped an interesting piece yesterday. Apparently Chinese couples think IVF in Thailand is dirt cheap.

 

 

3 hours ago, kiwikeith said:

2 eggs less than 5 Bhat each yummy 

This is in Hua Hin?

7 hours ago, kiwikeith said:

Dr told me off at public hospital saying I was abusing the system 

Gay loud mouth got hauled in when my wife complained and the bill was not cheap, sent to another Dr who cancelled the bill and gave me medical care and medication and said very sorry for this come back to see me I will look after you 

 

 

Surprised that they cancelled the bill.   I’ve been flat out ripped off at hospitals here and when attempting to complain it falls on deaf ears.  

7 hours ago, Celsius said:

 

I have been saying this 10 years ago when I was mentioning that private care in canada was cheaper than in Thailand,  but you just couldn't convince some thai boot lickers otherwise.

 

That being said there will always be market for something in Thailand.  CNA dropped an interesting piece yesterday. Apparently Chinese couples think IVF in Thailand is dirt cheap.

 

 

I don’t know how the private hospitals stay in business.  I have been in so many that were almost empty.  Some things about the Thai health care system are great but others….nah.   
 

I wonder what the debt levels of doctors are here.  I don’t trust doctors with too much debt.

32 minutes ago, Airalee said:

Surprised that they cancelled the bill.   I’ve been flat out ripped off at hospitals here and when attempting to complain it falls on deaf ears.  

Not cancelled redone at cheaper price 

14 hours ago, ChipButty said:

I just looked it's average price was 2500 baht, on most sites like trip.com agoda and booking.com 

 

For my dates (10-13/11) it's 5,100 baht on booking.com

10 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

 

For my dates (10-13/11) it's 5,100 baht on booking.com

I see that, I was just looking there is some stupid prices coming up to high season, no wonder people are choosing other places, 

On 9/30/2025 at 2:23 PM, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

I was 49 at the time she died so I had already been well brought up and educated. 

 

Not all of us old folks are illiterate when it comes to smart phones and the like, especially after 40 years as a software engineer. 

 

Do you live in a cave and light fires by rubbing stick together?

You are my neighbour

On 9/30/2025 at 2:33 PM, Liverpool Lou said:

Nonsense.  That's about as rational as saying that not everyone has electricity.  Which part of society that is travelling internationally doesn't have a phone?  

Quite a lot of people actually.

2 hours ago, Photoguy21 said:

On 9/30/2025 at 2:33 PM, Liverpool Lou said:

Which part of society that is travelling internationally doesn't have a phone?  

Quite a lot of people actually.

Really...from where do you get your statistics showing that "a lot" of international travellers these days don't, have phones?

3 hours ago, Photoguy21 said:

You are my neighbour

 

Great.

 

Re my cave.

 

In the three bed detached house across the street (in Phuket) houses a German guy and his family, most of the other 350 houses are owned by Thais so which house do you live in?

 

The private gated area incudes banks, pharmacies, 7/11's and fifty other shops, nice and convenient. 

 

The house next door had just been sold for 6.5 million baht, so maybe you will be the new neighbour?

 

If so you can teach me your fire making technique. 

 

The good thing about Phuket is houses are dirt cheap compared to England, the same house would cost about 24million baht in a nice seaside town in Southern England.

 

My cave in Phuket is great. 

 

But due to the money floating around in Phuket there are some fantastic dream houses well and truly out of most peoples league and well above mine costing around 600 million baht. https://www.phuket.net/property/blog/10-expensive-homes-sale-phuket/

 

 

 

58 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Really...from where do you get your statistics showing that "a lot" of international travellers these days don't, have phones?

 

He did a quick survey of his mates.

 

The only one or two people I have ever come across who do not have phones are the conspiracy nutters who think governments are following our every move in order to keep track of us all.😄

 

Or the very, very old who find this tech alien to them which is understandable.

20 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Really...from where do you get your statistics showing that "a lot" of international travellers these days don't, have phones?

THey have phones but many do not have a smart phone which is what is required. Think about it, it is possible that you can work it out

1 hour ago, Photoguy21 said:

22 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Really...from where do you get your statistics showing that "a lot" of international travellers these days don't, have phones?

THey have phones but many do not have a smart phone which is what is required. Think about it, it is possible that you can work it out

Nonsense, think about it, what international traveller buys a non-Smart phone in 2025?  Don't be so ridiculous, it should be possible for you to work it out.

11 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Nonsense, think about it, who buys a non-Smart phone in 2025, who even sells one that anyone, never mind international travellers, would buy, come to that?   Don't be so ridiculous.

Many people do especially older people who are not tech savvy. Your comment is uninformed. A Nokia 3310 is an excellent phone. Simple to use but basic facilities only. Many older people want the basics and nothing else. It is a pity you are not more aware of what people buy and require from day to day use of a phone.

3 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said:

Many people do especially older people who are not tech savvy. Your comment is uninformed

Not as uninformed as your comments on the subject...we are talking about those who will be travelling internationally.

1 minute ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Not as uninformed as your comments on the subject...we are talking about those who will be travelling internationally.

You know nothing about these technologies and peoples requirements and it shows

On 10/4/2025 at 1:11 PM, Photoguy21 said:

Many people do especially older people who are not tech savvy. Your comment is uninformed. A Nokia 3310 is an excellent phone. Simple to use but basic facilities only. Many older people want the basics and nothing else. It is a pity you are not more aware of what people buy and require from day to day use of a phone.

I bought a new phone the other week, Im ok with technology on phone and PC's, I must have been one of the first people to buy a mobile all them years ago, I have had alsorts of phones, but this time I bought the cheapest phone in Samsung, It was all I needed only 2 people call me, I live with one and the other is my daughter back in the UK, It was becoming a big joke in the shop with my wife and our mae baan, It was becoming a joke on Facebook, Papa don't buy that it's not good it's to slow, Like me! I use whatsapp and you tube I dont play games, I dont take photo's I let her do that with her phone,