55 minutes ago, transam said:

Then we have a different opinion on Vapes.....🤗

Oh, vapes are not odourless, and the smoke flavours drifting around are 'orrible....🤢

 

I wonder if vapers know, that if caught smoking a fag in or near a venue is 2000bht fine, if a vape, 5000bht, so even the powers that be, think the same as me........🤭

Shows the intelligence of both.  

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Thai government plans to invest 10 billion baht (US$305.34 million) this month in purchasing bad debts, aiming to relieve around 2 million people affected.

 

The huge private party loan sharking business in Thailand is a terrible thing that entraps financially need people in super high interest rate debt burdens from which they virtually never can recover.

 

That said, once the government buys out 10 billion baht in bad debits (assuming they do), what's to prevent the same or similar people from going out and wracking up new debts again buying extravagances and things not essential to their lives and well-being?

 

More broadly, since when did it become the government's role to spend public tax dollars to buy out bad debts that were issued by lenders who presumably vetted their borrowers before giving them the money... Doesn't any of the culpability for these bad debts fall back onto the private parties that made the bad lending decisions in the first place???

 

Just asking....

 

2 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

The huge private party loan sharking business in Thailand is a terrible thing that entraps financially need people in super high interest rate debt burdens from which they virtually never can recover.

 

True. But I don't see the relevance when talking about the decline in foreign tourist arrivals...

1 hour ago, Airalee said:

I myself will be responsible for three of the total number of foreigner entries for this year.

 

It helps the official numbers to look better but what it actually means is that I have been leaving Thailand for months at a time and I’m spending less time and money in Thailand.

 

 

 

Same for the BS numbers that claim Malaysia was the largest source of visitors with 3.8 million - border walkers who visit every week or two make up a large amount of that number.  But then again - it does say 'visitors' not tourists. How to lie TAT style - provide visitor numbers and then talk about tourists - and claim every visitor is a tourist and that they all spend 50K each visit.

 

Hey Mr Anutin are you listening??  TAT have been lying for many years !!  You should make them only count visitors as tourists - when they arrive in Thailand at one of the international airports - and when they state on their online Arrival Card that they are on a holiday.  By the way Mr Anutin - exactly how many have arrived using the online arrival card system stating that they are on holiday??  What did you say - they dont count them?!  Well how the f**** does TAT know how many tourists?  What did you say - they count all arrivals as tourists to make the economy look better ?!! OK - now I understand - that is why 3.8 million Malaysians have 'visited' Thailand as a tourist. That also explains why when we were in Bangkok 3 times this year for over a week each time, that we saw lots of Indians and Chinese, but we saw SFA Malaysians.  By the way Mr Anutin - did you know that the Bangkok Jewellery Trade Centre (largest in this part of SEAsia) is absolutely full of Indians - buying and selling jewels - probably 95% of the 3 floors of sellers are Indian - took us a long time to find a Thai seller. Did you also know that there are Indians all over Bangkok selling khrapp in the Malls and shopping centres?  Just saying Sir - in case you did not know.  

Devalue the mighty Baht, and you can compete with Vietnam—in manufacturing, exporting and tourism.

6 minutes ago, Isaan sailor said:

Devalue the mighty Baht, and you can compete with Vietnam—in manufacturing, exporting and tourism.

 

It would probably benefit 99 percent of the population, but not the other 1% who control approximately 67% of the country's wealth, so it won't happen... 😆 

2 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

True. But I don't see the relevance when talking about the decline in foreign tourist arrivals...

 

The OP report was based on data from the Bank of Thailand, which looked at the tourism numbers in the context of their impact on the broader Thai economy...as bankers tend to do!  Hence the related inclusion of info on the government's plans to spend 10 BILLION baht buying up bad debts....

 

3 minutes ago, Isaan sailor said:

Devalue the mighty Baht, and you can compete with Vietnam—in manufacturing, exporting and tourism.

 

In pictures for the hard of thinking to understand why what you said is 100% accurate, and is why Vietnam is growing 8-9% since Covid and Thailand is slowly dying. Clearly the wealthy Thais with $billions overseas keep the Baht high.

 

 

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Unfortunately Thailand has been done to death, has made a bad name for itself and is just too expensive now. 

I just returned to Thailand after a one month vacation. I visited 5 airports on my trip and I returned to Suvarnbahumi with a bit of a fresh look at the country. Don't get me wrong, I love Thailand and I write these comments because I do not think my home away from home looked good.

I was standing in line waiting to be processed when an immigration official told us to go to a new line. He directed us by pointing his finger up in the air at a 120 degree angle which no one understood. Then when it was my turn in the immigration line, the official was nothing short of nasty, blatantly impatient. I learned that if I have a return entry visa they will not even look at the the TDAC form (I had worked so diligently to complete). While I was at immigration, the lines were not long nor was it crowded.

Suvarnabhumi Airport did not look as fresh and modern as the ones in the States or Tapei which had more shops, longer corridors and more space to walk. The other airports had free airport Internet, but at Svarnabhumi, you get one free hour and then you have to pay. 

The airport personnel I spoke with did not approach the level of English needed to successfully communicate with a foreigner. This included the gate personnel for domestic flights. I asked two people at the gate for information, but they had to call a third person to talk to me.

I cannot understand how Svarnbhumi gets the raving reviews I read about here at ASEAN NOW. To the casual tourist arriving in Thailand, the country does not present the best of itself. I found the Taiwanese workers' English to be much better. 

Perhaps this is why Vietnam looks better and better to many travelers to Southeast Asia.

Give it 24  hours and a  TAT Spokesman will trot out and tell us all they predict Millions running up to the Christmas period.

A euro is now around 38 baht,that same euro will buy you 68 pesos.

That is a big difference!

I will make a comparison about the price of living here and in the Phillies.

 

4 hours ago, ronster said:

Revises forecasts !!

Yeah for about two days , then it will announce 6 billion people are coming to Thailand 🙄🤯

You can't keep track of stories that contradict each other on tourist numbers that come to Thailand.

41 minutes ago, thaipo7 said:

You can't keep track of stories that contradict each other on tourist numbers that come to Thailand.

Maybe that's what PM was asking trump for 😂

They just never learn; greed rules and nothing else matters !

2 hours ago, Stocky said:

The Bangkok Post in August this year stated that "According to TAT, Malaysian tourists' average spending is roughly 5,500 baht per day, or over 28,700 baht per trip, staying 4.96 days."

 

https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tourism/thailand-eyes-5-million-malaysian-tourists-amid-china-competition

 

Which is about the average according to RoadGenius who say "In 2024, international tourists spent an average of 5,690 baht per day, approximately $160 USD while visiting Thailand."

 

https://roadgenius.com/statistics/tourism/thailand/

 

     Yes, and Google says the average Chinese tourist spends about 52,000 baht per visit to Thailand.  So, while Malaysia and China are neck and neck for which country will be #1 for tourist visits to Thailand, a Chinese tourist is much more lucrative for Thailand--52,000 baht vs. 28,700 baht.  

5 hours ago, Peter Crow said:

Well just had one week in Danang, two connecting rooms four star hotel 4300 a night (for both), going rate in Thailand is 7K +. Food is about 20% cheaper, wine same same, taxi/Grabs are cheaper. Entry/Exit formalities take one minute, with a smile. The country is huge and has plenty to offer. My Khe is spotlessly clean and rightfully considered on of the greatest beaches in the world.

 

I also spent a week in Danang and loved it. I thought the food was better, and the coffee was amazingly good. We didn't stay in a "nice" hotel, but the breakfast buffet was good enough, and better than in Thailand.

I do wish they would pick up more of the trash there, but it's a great place to visit.

 

1 hour ago, newnative said:

     Yes, and Google says the average Chinese tourist spends about 52,000 baht per visit to Thailand.  So, while Malaysia and China are neck and neck for which country will be #1 for tourist visits to Thailand, a Chinese tourist is much more lucrative for Thailand--52,000 baht vs. 28,700 baht.  

But that's data per stay, we need to compare like with like. The average Chinese tourist stays 7.36 days spending approximately 42,428 Thai Baht which is Bht5,764 per day, so not much more than a Malaysians Bht5,500 per day on a 4.96 day trip.

 

https://broadsheet.asia/2025/07/10/thailands-tourism-sector-faces-challenges-as-chinese-visitor-numbers-plummet/

 

Though that same article goes on to say "Malaysian tourists spend significantly less, averaging 21,450 Thai Baht (~US$602) per trip over shorter stays of 4.17 days." which equates to Bht5,143 per day - so Malaysians on average spend 11% less per day than the Chinese (5% if you take the Bangkok Post numbers). 

Two things affect tourism. The currency of the destination, value for money is important.

The second, whether people can afford to take vacations in the first place. The cost of living has increased in some countries from where the most popular tourists come from. 
Until they accept the reality of the situation rather try and forecast the future, and waste money on what they think will attract them, they address the issues they can control, ie the baht.

If they bothered to look on the internet and read people’s reviews of their holiday stays in Thailand they might understand what actions are required.

 

On 10/29/2025 at 9:34 AM, snoop1130 said:

Photo courtesy of MGR Online

 

Thailand experienced a 7.25% drop in foreign arrivals from January 1 to October 26 this year, welcoming 26.25 million visitors compared to 2024. This decline, reported by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, indicates persistent challenges in Thailand's crucial tourism sector despite ongoing recovery efforts. Malaysia was the largest source of visitors, with 3.8 million, followed by China at 3.72 million.

 

In light of the decline, the Bank of Thailand (BoT) has revised its foreign arrival forecast for 2025 to 33 million, a reduction from the 35 million initially expected, and far below the pre-pandemic peak of nearly 40 million in 2019. Vitai Ratanakorn, BoT Governor, addressed economic concerns at a business seminar, projecting economic improvement by the first quarter of 2026, amid a slowdown in the latter half of this year.

 

Ratanakorn identified bad debt as an urgent issue, with escalation in support measures expected within weeks. The Thai government plans to invest 10 billion baht (US$305.34 million) this month in purchasing bad debts, aiming to relieve around 2 million people affected. With household debt at 86.8% of GDP, among the highest in Asia, this remains a significant economic hurdle.

 

Despite tourism being essential to Thailand's economic recovery, the economy is expected to grow by only 2.2% in 2025 and 1.6% in 2026, following a 2.5% growth in 2024. While aiming to boost international tourism, Thailand grapples with these financial challenges, seeking a balance in its economic strategy.

 

The government is hopeful that renewed economic measures, along with a rebound in tourism, will steer Thailand toward recovery and sustainable growth. These initiatives are seen as critical to addressing both the drop in foreign arrivals and the broader economic issues the country faces.

 

Key Takeaways

• Thailand saw a 7.25% decrease in foreign arrivals over 10 months.
• The BoT cut arrival forecasts for 2025, setting a new target of 33 million.
• Bad debt and household debt remain pressing economic challenges.

 

Related Stories

Thailand’s tourism slips amid mounting debt and weak growth

Thailand Aims for Tourism Recovery with New Safety Initiatives

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-10-29

 

 

And the seesaw continues. One minute your up the next your down 🙈

5 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

 

<deleted> off and annoy someone else with your crap.

That's not nice is it, I can't help it if you can't understand anything.........🙄

6 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

 

In pictures for the hard of thinking to understand why what you said is 100% accurate, and is why Vietnam is growing 8-9% since Covid and Thailand is slowly dying. Clearly the wealthy Thais with $billions overseas keep the Baht high.

 

 

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Thanks for posting.  I understand Vietnam controls its currency differently, but the difference in currencies is stark.  Lets hope the BoT gets the message and takes action before the economy collapses.

10 hours ago, ronster said:

Revises forecasts !!

Yeah for about two days , then it will announce 6 billion people are coming to Thailand 🙄🤯

Right one day it boom the next day it is bust. I don't change my socks as frequently as Thailand revises its tourist numbers.

7 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Same for the BS numbers that claim Malaysia was the largest source of visitors with 3.8 million - border walkers who visit every week or two make up a large amount of that number.  But then again - it does say 'visitors' not tourists. How to lie TAT style - provide visitor numbers and then talk about tourists - and claim every visitor is a tourist and that they all spend 50K each visit.

 

Hey Mr Anutin are you listening??  TAT have been lying for many years !!  You should make them only count visitors as tourists - when they arrive in Thailand at one of the international airports - and when they state on their online Arrival Card that they are on a holiday.  By the way Mr Anutin - exactly how many have arrived using the online arrival card system stating that they are on holiday??  What did you say - they dont count them?!  Well how the f**** does TAT know how many tourists?  What did you say - they count all arrivals as tourists to make the economy look better ?!! OK - now I understand - that is why 3.8 million Malaysians have 'visited' Thailand as a tourist. That also explains why when we were in Bangkok 3 times this year for over a week each time, that we saw lots of Indians and Chinese, but we saw SFA Malaysians.  By the way Mr Anutin - did you know that the Bangkok Jewellery Trade Centre (largest in this part of SEAsia) is absolutely full of Indians - buying and selling jewels - probably 95% of the 3 floors of sellers are Indian - took us a long time to find a Thai seller. Did you also know that there are Indians all over Bangkok selling khrapp in the Malls and shopping centres?  Just saying Sir - in case you did not know.  

Agreed. Please examine the visa status and work permits of the many, many business people of Indian appearance.

It sometimes seems the quiet, polite Thais are being squeezed out by pushy competition.

 

11 hours ago, newnative said:

    What is striking to me is not the international tourist numbers, which really aren't that bad, but the forecast of just 1.6% economic growth for next year.  That is bad.  Thailand can't expect tourism to carry all the load.  It needs to look at everything else that is contributing to that anemic 1.6% number.  All segments need improvement with a number that low.   Just as a comparison, next door Vietnam has around 6% as its forecasted growth rate for 2026, according to Google.  

     Thailand's economic growth rate in 2010, when I arrived, was 7.8%.  The international tourist visitor number for 2010 was 15.8 million.  It's easy to see that, with 33 million international visitors projected for 2025, tourism is actually doing its share for the economy.  It's lots of other segments that are not.  

Thailand's stock market has stagnated for a decade or more, not a good sign of economic health. Also, the population is loaded with debt. Watched a very interesting Channel News Asia (Singapore) documentary exploring this. Basically many middle class Thais have little idea on how to plan financially and the whole "face" situation is exacerbated in terms of "keeping up with Joneses". It wasn't biased against Thailand...most participants were Thai and lots of comments on YouTube from Thai viewers said it was accurate.

 

As far as tourism goes, Thailand is no longer a cheap destination unless you live like a Thai. I've noticed quite a lot of my food and groceries are cheaper in the UK, for example, and the average wage in UK is far higher than Thailand. Vietnam is much cheaper, though I still definitely prefer the Thai vibe.  

 

Places like Samui have been screwed over by excessive tourism. Nothing much romantic about them now. 

 

It's a mystery to me why the currency remains so strong...

I'm getting dizzy.  Its up, its down, its up, its down, its up, its down.

11 hours ago, Emdog said:

I'd like them to supply more than just numbers of visitors (Malaysia leads current report). Seems length of stay might be correlated to how much is spent... give us the mean/mode/median numbers.

Some Malaysian guys crossing into S Thailand for some female companionship have different spending levels and areas than a family of Chinese....

 

A good start would be total visitor nights rather than headcount.

Thailand tourism was doing brilliant before the elections and the new governments policies a few years were total insanity. 

 

There is a reason why countries have border controls - namely firstly to not let trash and criminals into your country. The previous administaration basically in their infiniate wisdom decided to basically open up the borders to the world - to countries that were even less economically developed than Thailand. All visa removed, all visas fees removed. Just come on in. 

 

The visa free for Indians was a disgrace. 

 

On top of that they introduced long term visas, with some of the most basic tests known to man. No checks for criminals, no hardcore checks and balances. 

 

As a result you have let in masses of cheap tourists, trashy tourists, violent tourists, and criminals. You've ruined the country. 

 

Hotels are suffereing as people staying on 60 day visas are going into airbnb and not hotels. 

 

Culture is suffering as you now have nationalities like Russia, Isreal, taking over regions. 

 

To compound further matters they allowed marijuana use. For families to see benidorm brits light up a big fat one around their children is a no no. It's a no no to China. It's a no to singaporians. etc No wonder these people are heading elsewhere. You are not meant to smoke in public, but unlike America or Netherlands this isn't enforced in Thailand. 

 

Criminals, violence running amok.

 

Local governors should be removed from city planning. Heritage areas, amazing sois, local culure all destoryed for the short term dollar and condos. malls. An utter disgrace. 

 

So the policies that were meant to see tourism increase has destroyed it. No one wan

6 hours ago, Stocky said:

But that's data per stay, we need to compare like with like. The average Chinese tourist stays 7.36 days spending approximately 42,428 Thai Baht which is Bht5,764 per day, so not much more than a Malaysians Bht5,500 per day on a 4.96 day trip.

 

https://broadsheet.asia/2025/07/10/thailands-tourism-sector-faces-challenges-as-chinese-visitor-numbers-plummet/

 

Though that same article goes on to say "Malaysian tourists spend significantly less, averaging 21,450 Thai Baht (~US$602) per trip over shorter stays of 4.17 days." which equates to Bht5,143 per day - so Malaysians on average spend 11% less per day than the Chinese (5% if you take the Bangkok Post numbers). 

   We are comparing 'like with like'.  Both are tourists visiting Thailand.   We have around 3 million Malaysians visiting Thailand so far this year and spending, on average, using your figures, 21,450 baht each while they are here.  We have slightly less but still around 3 million Chinese so far spending, using your figures, 42,428 baht each while they are here.   Whether they are staying 1 day or 10 days, each tourist, Malaysian or Chinese, is dropping those average amounts in Thailand while they are here.

    So, I'll ask my question that I have asked on other threads.  Would you rather have 3 million Malaysians give you 21,450 baht each or 3 million Chinese give you 42,428 baht each?   Both Malaysian and Chinese tourists are important, as #1 and #2 in numbers, but, obviously, the Chinese market is more lucrative for Thailand.   

13 hours ago, newnative said:

     Thailand's economic growth rate in 2010, when I arrived, was 7.8%.  The international tourist visitor number for 2010 was 15.8 million.  It's easy to see that, with 33 million international visitors projected for 2025, tourism is actually doing its share for the economy.  It's lots of other segments that are not.  

 

That number most surely included credit expansion. The people in 2025 are totally overloaded with debt so any growth going forward needs to be in the real economy.