On 11/22/2025 at 10:58 AM, actonion said:

You hear  many many times how Thai's love their Country, so why do they destroy it with Litter, after Songkran after the recent Loy Kratong  public parks / beaches, covered with garbage 

I wonder about this as well. 

I live near a lovely little lake with restricted traffic streets and a narrow strip of park surrounding it.

It is very popular with walkers and joggers, it has a couple of picnic tables where people gather to chat and even have birthday parities for neighbors.

Yet there is always significant litter in the strip of park surrounding the lake.

There are no bins so that I am sure contributes but even still I can't understand people just throwing their trash on the ground here.

1 hour ago, Jack Hammer said:

Interesting to know what percentage of tourism would decline if prostitution was completely abolished, 40%? , 50%? 

Mention Thailand in the Western world and it’s not long before people start talking about it being the sex capital of the world. I come to Thailand twice a year, I am courteous and civil, but I still feel as if I’m just being tolerated.

10%, maybe. The industry seems to be dying a slow death, it is not what it was before, and there is a relatively small percentage of tourists these days that engage. 

1 hour ago, Jack Hammer said:

Interesting to know what percentage of tourism would decline if prostitution was completely abolished, 40%? , 50%? 

Mention Thailand in the Western world and it’s not long before people start talking about it being the sex capital of the world. I come to Thailand twice a year, I am courteous and civil, but I still feel as if I’m just being tolerated.

When someone asks me with a smirk, what do you love so much about Thailand, I tell them the reason I keep gravitating back to Thailand is my love of ancient architecture. My love of Sukhothai design is lifelong. The older ones with the Khmer influence are especially appealing to me. I have been to Wat Mahathat 30 times. The influence of Singhalese, with the Lotus bud chedi, ( a symbol of purity and Divine birth) and the four images of the Buddha, are profound. I especially like the Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo in Si Satchanalai. I am also deeply drawn to the Hariphunchai architecture found in the Sukhotahi Historical park. I used to travel to Bagan in Burma often. It is not possible now, but the Pahtothamya Temple is one of my favorites, with the 11th century paintings of sea creatures.

 

This shuts them up quickly. They look at me like I am from another planet. Wow. I had no idea you were so passionate about archaeology.

 

 

1 hour ago, Patong2021 said:

Spain's tourism industry is not growing. In case you missed it, tourism was down this summer. Local people in hot destinations don't like the  visitors either. Alot of Europeans are souring on the hostility of Spain now. At least no one will attack you at a restaurant in Thailand just for being a tourist.

That's a good sign for Spain, and hopefully Thailand understand as well. 

 

Being to dependent on Tourism, and uncritically welcome everyone and anyone is a big mistake. 

 

Party and drug tourism will be a set back for Thailand if it increases more than it have been the last few years. 

5 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Build legit resorts, inclusive resorts with real entertainment, shows, bars, cafe's outdoor seating, open-air public pedestrian areas.

Somewhere where real families can enjoy safety.

 

All-inclusive resorts are vacation destinations where the price of your stay includes accommodations, meals, drinks, entertainment, and various activities, allowing guests to enjoy their time without worrying about additional costs.   (AI)

 

In other words.............zero dollar tourism?

I’m curious to know what Clayton means by an independent tourism board. How’d that change anything, or does he see it as a tool to circumnavigate around the way approval is given by the government for future developments. 
In recent interviews he talks of significant key investments needed in the tourism industry to attract tourists which includes his own company’s plan to build an iconic facility in Bangkok, namely a casino. 
In my opinion he’s one of the last people TAT should consider listening to about when his own ulterior motives are clearly evident for all to see.

On 11/22/2025 at 9:50 AM, KireB said:

Maybe Thailand could start by cleaning up the country. The amount of plastic on the beaches is growing every year. Why would you fly for 12 hours to see a wasteland.

One thing must be said about the plastic on the beaches, most of it come by the sea. Not thrown by people. I have participated in many beach clean ups and it's sad to see. We would clean a big stretch one day, just to see it full of plastic the next day. It's specially bad on the Andaman sea. 

3 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Where are they doing that ?

From my recent experience, just about every bathroom in Spain, France, and Italy.

1 minute ago, newnative said:

From my recent experience, just about every bathroom in Spain, France, and Italy.

Ohh my bad, I thought the thread was about Thailand.

On 11/23/2025 at 12:55 AM, ozz1 said:

They are really missing the point really people want value for money just lower the baht and people will come back

US of A will not allow currency manipulation

The quality of tourist in Thailand is terrible.  I was on Ko Chang two weeks ago.  Had planned to be there 4 nights with a friend visiting from the USA.  I left after the first night.  Only low-class eastern europeans that show no respect for Thailand or Thai culture.  Ko Chang is Just an extension of Pattaya -- which is already the bottom rung of any ladder.  

And how is Thailand going to absorb these crazy target numbers of 45 - 60 million visitors?  Phuket is already a disaster.  Many other destinations are already over-crowded with tourists.  The answer is not to just stuff more people into a limited space -- and answer to be selective.  The famous and well-respected Harvard Professor Theodore Levitt wrote an essay called Marketing Through Differentiation.  Thailand should read that paper, 100 times.  The market is saturated, and Thailand has lost the better quality tourist that wants to learn about Thai culture and the history of Thailand.  

More is NOT BETTER.  Better is Better. 

To me it always feels like Thailand is number one in shooting in its own feet. Every day, month etc there are either new rules or current ones change.  Tourist don't like that. Nor do many tourist like the dual pricing system. It is understandable from Thailands perspective but not if you are a tourist. The hospitals act the same way If you are a foreigner apparently they can rip you off. I haven't seen that or any other behaviour in my own country when Thai people are the "foreigners".

And if you visit my country for permanent resisdence and If they get a visa they are allowed to work, they can buy properties, start their own business etc etc. There is no 90 days reporting. You get a visa for 5 years and can get the nationality within that periode. They can contribute to the country if you want to participate. No restrictions at all. They are welcome.  

3 hours ago, ChipButty said:

I've done a few of them all inclusive resorts in Jamaica and the Caribbean , I dont see them happening in Thailand, My daughter like them with two young kids, the last one she went to was in Morocco, all 4 of them was cheaper than a flight to Thailand, 

Exactly... family friendly and a revenue earner..

If only Thailand could evolve from the gutter

2 hours ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

All-inclusive resorts are vacation destinations where the price of your stay includes accommodations, meals, drinks, entertainment, and various activities, allowing guests to enjoy their time without worrying about additional costs.   (AI)

 

In other words.............zero dollar tourism?

They all need a supply chain.... that benefits the local population

On 11/22/2025 at 11:06 AM, Peter Crow said:

The stuff I like I get in France, Switzerland and the Red Sea. 

 

So, as a tourist I wouldn't come to Thailand anymore.

 

Some twenty years ago, I was bit depressive and came for a Dive/Monger 10 days. Married the girl who sold me the dive packages.

muff diver packages

 

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

When someone asks me with a smirk, what do you love so much about Thailand, I tell them the reason I keep gravitating back to Thailand is my love of ancient architecture. My love of Sukhothai design is lifelong. The older ones with the Khmer influence are especially appealing to me. I have been to Wat Mahathat 30 times. The influence of Singhalese, with the Lotus bud chedi, ( a symbol of purity and Divine birth) and the four images of the Buddha, are profound. I especially like the Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo in Si Satchanalai. I am also deeply drawn to the Hariphunchai architecture found in the Sukhotahi Historical park. I used to travel to Bagan in Burma often. It is not possible now, but the Pahtothamya Temple is one of my favorites, with the 11th century paintings of sea creatures.

 

This shuts them up quickly. They look at me like I am from another planet. Wow. I had no idea you were so passionate about archaeology.

 

 

I agree with some of the things you've said here. About Si Sachanalai in particular, it is a magic place where you can stroll amongst the temple without ant interference from other tourists, as most of them just rush to Sukhothai and overlook this gem under the trees.

 

Been to Pagan in 1986, before the earthquakes ... Sad they've never ungooned this beautiful country, and that Thailand is edging into the same direction.

Thailand is a joke. 

5 hours ago, Shocked farang said:

One thing must be said about the plastic on the beaches, most of it come by the sea. Not thrown by people. I have participated in many beach clean ups and it's sad to see. We would clean a big stretch one day, just to see it full of plastic the next day. It's specially bad on the Andaman sea. 

Yep, I just came back from a lovely beach walk, and while it is supposed to high season there is still a lot of plastic on the beach.  The Thais don't seem to care about it, and don't realize it's hurting tourism.

They need to import some commonsense.

They keep ramming more condos, hotels, events etc in but don't fix core longstanding issue like traffic jams and a taxi service renowned for overcharging and standover tactics. Not to mention road safety, enforcement of basic law and rights, double pricing, water storage, bashings, marine and transport safety and often a general don't give a f*** attitude.

They should take a pause. Fix this then continue. 

 

10 hours ago, Hummin said:

 

As I said, Spain have alot to learn from Spain, how they got F over with cheap tourists for 40 years now

 

I see, it was not clear, so we are actually agreeing with each other that Spain is a crap tourist destination due to it being cheap, hence lower level tourists. 👍

There is nothing to reinvent. Just tell the clowns in charge to manage their tourism industry in an adult and logic way. First thing that comes to my mind are these stupid alcohol restrictions

On 11/22/2025 at 8:21 AM, webfact said:

Clayton stresses an ambitious vision, urging the Thai government to target 45 million visitors by 2030 and 60 million by 2035

Way beyond saturation point.

7 hours ago, sikishrory said:

They need to import some commonsense.

They keep ramming more condos, hotels, events etc in but don't fix core longstanding issue like traffic jams and a taxi service renowned for overcharging and standover tactics. Not to mention road safety, enforcement of basic law and rights, double pricing, water storage, bashings, marine and transport safety and often a general don't give a f*** attitude.

They should take a pause. Fix this then continue. 

 

Yes "They" just don't seem to care whatsoever about the "core long-standing issues"  that is why they are long-standing: motorbikes on the sidewalks in Bangkok, no pedestrian bridges in Pattaya so very busy roads can be crossed safely. ,stray dogs and garbage all over the place .  

On 11/22/2025 at 9:05 AM, smedly said:

Thailand has been in the tourism industry for over 40 years, by now they should be experts and yet they still manage to muck things up over and over again on a massive scale, how about getting some highly educated people into government that are more interested in improving Thailand and not their bank balance 

 

Agreed 

 

In fact, it's approach to everything is completely off. I can't think of anything it gets right completely. Much these days littered with government scams, laws..

 

One thing it really should do is promote retirement and retirees here from Western countries. That's stable income flowing into the country. 

 

Another thing is really cracking down on Chinese, Israeli, etc behavior be it felonious or just alcohol and drugs. Need to go scorched earth on organized crime. 

 

I could make a list of dozens of things they do wholly wrong these days but why

7 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

I see, it was not clear, so we are actually agreeing with each other that Spain is a crap tourist destination due to it being cheap, hence lower level tourists. 👍

 

Pushing up prices doesn't increase the quality of tourists lol.

 

Thailand should get luxury tourism out of its head outside offering it to the middle classes. It's failed for two decades. It's too random and dangerous for people with real money 

 

Thailand has been and always will be a cheap destination for working and middle classes. If people care about the quality of their warm holiday they'll go to Florida or Caribbean 

On 11/22/2025 at 9:05 AM, smedly said:

Thailand has been in the tourism industry for over 40 years, by now they should be experts and yet they still manage to muck things up over and over again on a massive scale, how about getting some highly educated people into government that are more interested in improving Thailand and not their bank balance 

Improving Thailand and not their bank balance: Like in Pattaya flyovers at intersections to improve traffic instead of bogus city/contractors kickback "improvements" Look at the nice Pattaya beach promenade before it was converted into a glorified road. And now in Jomtiem: what was a nice quaint atmosphere along Jomtiem beach being converted into another god dam parking lot+ plus massive drain pipe unnecessary project. No prizes guessing why no one is going to interfere here.

13 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Excellent 😅 😅 

Thousands of people doing nothing wrong will be denied entry during this current crackdown

Because Thailand can't properly target criminals and illegal workers?

Know of no other country with Ministries working so urgently at cross purposes