6 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

I was in China for a golfing trip in December. Chatting with my caddy, when I said I was from Thailand she immediately said what about forced organ donations.

That’s a girl who has never been outside of China, probably only has access to Chinese news sites, and the first thing that comes to her mind about Thailand is organ harvesting.

There’s a PR issue going on with regard to Thailands reputation in China.

Did you offer to donate your organ to her? 🙂

On 2/1/2026 at 5:06 AM, norsurin said:

he ridiculous high thai bath

Is that like a hip bath?

2 hours ago, Legal Lifeline said:

I agree- Thailand really does need to wake up and smell the coffee

For many years Thailand has taken as a given large tourist numbers

However other countries in South East Asia have already learnt , and will continue to learn, from Thailand's mistakes and offer a better place for tourists

Thailand needs to get its act together quickly- and we all are aware of many ways that Thailand could enhance all that it offers to tourists generally

Whether TAT will do anything is of course another matter altogether for as we all know TIT

I posted this link in the other Vietnam tourism thread running.

Vietnam built a world record long cable car to go to a beautiful little island / fun park in Phu Quoc, which is basically Vietnam's Phuket. That's called investing in tourism, with the man made structure becoming a tourist attraction in its own right.

What's Thailand built to benefit tourism and enhance the experience of tourists in Thailand?

Another example is Vietnam is building more airports. In the coming years, Vietnam will have more international airports than Thailand.

Thailand is going to have to do more than just another "Amazing Thailand" marketing drive. They are going to have to start investing in tourism infrastructure projects here, because if they don't, they will slip further and further behind, and all that repeat tourism that Thailand has enjoyed for decades, will be going to Vietnam.

2 hours ago, alex8912 said:

Still a nice Vietnam beer at 35 baht in MANY places. I'm in Hue now and Danang last week. A nice draft Sapporo beer last night was 60 baht. Food is great. Had 7 course French / Euro meal last night for 475 baht. Great coffee 30 baht bought a bottle of imported wine 248 baht! Banh mi 35-70 baht. Hotels soo nice and cheap etc...the hospitality here gets better every year I visit.

I have some expat friends that moved to Danang from Thailand. They have not regretted it. I visit them sometimes. I agree with everything in your post. It has been my experience as well.

The thing is, I think many people believe those prices must mean the environment and product delivery is "Cambodia cheap." As in, pretty rough, but it's not.

Establishments are nice, locals are friendly, the beach in Danang is great, the streets are clean etc, they are just the normal prices.

Racist troll post removed.

@Toby1947 final warning - rule 15.You may not discriminate, use slurs, or post hostile or abusive comments based on personal characteristics such as race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, nationality, disability, medical history, marital or family status, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Posts breaching this rule will be removed, and posting suspension or account closure may result.

Just for the record:

Thailand contributed significant ground forces (12,000–40,000 personnel) to the Vietnam War between 1967 and 1971 to fight communism alongside the U.S. and South Vietnam.

Known as the "Queen's Cobras" and later the "Black Panthers," these volunteer soldiers served with distinction, incurring 351 deaths and 1,358 wounded while also participating in covert operations in Laos.

For those interested see:

• Chinwanno, A. (1985) The involvement of Thailand in the Vietnam War (1954-1975). PhD Thesis. Chulalongkorn University.

• Larsen, S.R. and Collins, J.L. (1975) Allied Participation in Vietnam. Washington, D.C.: Department of the Army. Available at: United States Army Center of Military History (Accessed: 2 February 2026).

• Ruth, R.A. (2011) In Buddha's Company: Thai Soldiers in the Vietnam War. Honolulu: University of Hawaiʻi Press.

• Ruth, R.A. (2017) 'Why Thailand Takes Pride in the Vietnam War', The New York Times, 7 November [online]. Available at: NYTimes.com (Accessed: 2 February 2026).

• United States General Accounting Office (1972) United States Assistance to the Government of Thailand for Deployment of Thai Forces to Vietnam. Washington, D.C.: GAO Report B-133258.

• War Veterans Organization of Thailand (n.d.) History of the Thai Veterans. Available at: WVO Official Site (Accessed: 2 February 2026).

• Wikipedia contributors (2024) 'Thailand in the Vietnam War', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Available at: Wikipedia (Accessed: 2 February 2026). 

2 hours ago, Jim Waldron said:

Just for the record:

Thailand contributed significant ground forces (12,000–40,000 personnel) to the Vietnam War between 1967 and 1971 to fight communism alongside the U.S. and South Vietnam.

Known as the "Queen's Cobras" and later the "Black Panthers," these volunteer soldiers served with distinction, incurring 351 deaths and 1,358 wounded while also participating in covert operations in Laos.

For those interested see:

• Chinwanno, A. (1985) The involvement of Thailand in the Vietnam War (1954-1975). PhD Thesis. Chulalongkorn University.

• Larsen, S.R. and Collins, J.L. (1975) Allied Participation in Vietnam. Washington, D.C.: Department of the Army. Available at: United States Army Center of Military History (Accessed: 2 February 2026).

• Ruth, R.A. (2011) In Buddha's Company: Thai Soldiers in the Vietnam War. Honolulu: University of Hawaiʻi Press.

• Ruth, R.A. (2017) 'Why Thailand Takes Pride in the Vietnam War', The New York Times, 7 November [online]. Available at: NYTimes.com (Accessed: 2 February 2026).

• United States General Accounting Office (1972) United States Assistance to the Government of Thailand for Deployment of Thai Forces to Vietnam. Washington, D.C.: GAO Report B-133258.

• War Veterans Organization of Thailand (n.d.) History of the Thai Veterans. Available at: WVO Official Site (Accessed: 2 February 2026).

• Wikipedia contributors (2024) 'Thailand in the Vietnam War', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Available at: Wikipedia (Accessed: 2 February 2026). 

Can you name a couple of battles Thailand won?

For the record, Vietnam won that war. 🙂

1 hour ago, KhunHeineken said:

Can you name a couple of battles Thailand won?

For the record, Vietnam won that war. 🙂

While this is getting off topic, I don't know what more details you need beyond what I've previously shared.

While North Vietnam ultimately unified the country (and no one belittles the sacrifice of their combatants), the fact remains that Thai forces never lost a major tactical engagement they were involved in during their deployment.

In response to your request for 'a couple of battles,' here are verified instances of Thai military triumph in Vietnam:

• Battle of Phuoc Tho (Dec 20–21, 1967): The Queen’s Cobras were outnumbered but successfully repelled a massive night assault by a reinforced battalion of the Viet Cong 274th Regiment. Thai forces killed 68 enemy fighters while suffering only 6 casualties.

• Black Panther Division Proficiency: General William Westmoreland explicitly praised Thai troops for their jungle warfare skills. Local reports and newspapers like the New York Times frequently cited an enemy-to-Thai kill ratio as high as 10-to-1, famously headlined as: 'In 150 Fights, 100 [Thais] Are Dead, 1000 Viet Cong Are Killed'.

• Operation Toan Thang (1968–1969): Thai forces were critical in clearing enemy strongholds near Saigon. They were so effective that U.S. troops reportedly considered it 'good luck' to have a Thai soldier on their mission.

• Defense of U.S. Air Bases: Thai security forces successfully defended Udorn and Korat air bases from numerous infiltration attempts, including a significant 1968 sapper attack.

• The Secret War in Laos: Over 4,000 Thai irregulars (Tahan Sua Pran) were pivotal in the Battle for Skyline Ridge, holding the 'front porch of hell' against elite North Vietnamese divisions.

Hope this helps - if you're still in doubt, a quick search of the web should provide you with ample evidence regarding the prowess of Thai soldiers in Vietnam.

Never understood, not understanding it now and possibly never in the future as well.

Quantity is one thing, quality another. Thailand downgraded the quality of their tourism business steadily over the last 20 years. Rather have five million of the upper crust than 40 million zero-dollar experts. The flip side of the Thai coin would be the Kingdom of Bhutan and they make X times more money per capita, sustainable quality tourism.

Thais became too greedy, the quality dropped on par with the price increases; unjustified difficultation of Thai bureaucracy and still not understood, that not the whole world runs "Thai" style. TIT is out but hammer that into those tourism geeks at all those agencies - to start with.

24 minutes ago, Sydebolle said:

Never understood, not understanding it now and possibly never in the future as well.

Quantity is one thing, quality another. Thailand downgraded the quality of their tourism business steadily over the last 20 years. Rather have five million of the upper crust than 40 million zero-dollar experts. The flip side of the Thai coin would be the Kingdom of Bhutan and they make X times more money per capita, sustainable quality tourism.

Thais became too greedy, the quality dropped on par with the price increases; unjustified difficultation of Thai bureaucracy and still not understood, that not the whole world runs "Thai" style. TIT is out but hammer that into those tourism geeks at all those agencies - to start with.

Considering Bhutan's size and small population I don't think your money per captita comparison is fair. Besides, Thailand is very different geographically, economically and culturally.

On 2/2/2026 at 8:12 AM, KhunHeineken said:

I posted this link in the other Vietnam tourism thread running.

Vietnam built a world record long cable car to go to a beautiful little island / fun park in Phu Quoc, which is basically Vietnam's Phuket. That's called investing in tourism, with the man made structure becoming a tourist attraction in its own right.

What's Thailand built to benefit tourism and enhance the experience of tourists in Thailand?

Another example is Vietnam is building more airports. In the coming years, Vietnam will have more international airports than Thailand.

Thailand is going to have to do more than just another "Amazing Thailand" marketing drive. They are going to have to start investing in tourism infrastructure projects here, because if they don't, they will slip further and further behind, and all that repeat tourism that Thailand has enjoyed for decades, will be going to Vietnam.

I agree- otherwise Thailand will fade - and end up looking like a tired old seaside town in the UK that has seen better days and is now past its sell by date

17 hours ago, Legal Lifeline said:

I agree- otherwise Thailand will fade - and end up looking like a tired old seaside town in the UK that has seen better days and is now past its sell by date

Yes. There will be vacant commercial premises everywhere, including hotels, that will be no longer viable to run.

The problem for expats is, it's the tourism that gives us the variety of restaurants, bars, flights, entertainment, activities, golf courses, shopping centers etc. We will lose that variety and choice if Thailand does not have a thriving tourism industry.

We can joke about it now, but in 10 years time, Thai hookers very well may go to Vietnam to work in the tourist areas, in the same way the Russians, Africans, Uzbek's etc work the coconut bars here.

One thing in for sure, no longer can the Thai's sit back and do nothing. The stats show a downward spiral.

18 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Yes. There will be vacant commercial premises everywhere, including hotels, that will be no longer viable to run.

The problem for expats is, it's the tourism that gives us the variety of restaurants, bars, flights, entertainment, activities, golf courses, shopping centers etc. We will lose that variety and choice if Thailand does not have a thriving tourism industry.

We can joke about it now, but in 10 years time, Thai hookers very well may go to Vietnam to work in the tourist areas, in the same way the Russians, Africans, Uzbek's etc work the coconut bars here.

One thing in for sure, no longer can the Thai's sit back and do nothing. The stats show a downward spiral.

I agree totally- a big issue is whether or not the Thai authorities realise that the situation is no where nearly as strong as they think it is

On 2/2/2026 at 1:14 PM, Jim Waldron said:

the fact remains that Thai forces never lost a major tactical engagement they were involved in during their deployment.

That's because they never actually had one. 😂

On 2/2/2026 at 8:12 AM, KhunHeineken said:

I posted this link in the other Vietnam tourism thread running.

Vietnam built a world record long cable car to go to a beautiful little island / fun park in Phu Quoc, which is basically Vietnam's Phuket. That's called investing in tourism, with the man made structure becoming a tourist attraction in its own right.

What's Thailand built to benefit tourism and enhance the experience of tourists in Thailand?

Another example is Vietnam is building more airports. In the coming years, Vietnam will have more international airports than Thailand.

Thailand is going to have to do more than just another "Amazing Thailand" marketing drive. They are going to have to start investing in tourism infrastructure projects here, because if they don't, they will slip further and further behind, and all that repeat tourism that Thailand has enjoyed for decades, will be going to Vietnam.

The big Ferris Wheel in Patayya where a local has to pay bt200 and a tourist has to pay bt400. This is why Thailands gone down the Pan for tourism.

5 hours ago, BarraMarra said:

The big Ferris Wheel in Patayya where a local has to pay bt200 and a tourist has to pay bt400. This is why Thailands gone down the Pan for tourism.

Are you suggesting it's the high cost, or the dual pricing that is deterring the tourists?

On 2/4/2026 at 8:11 AM, Legal Lifeline said:

I agree totally- a big issue is whether or not the Thai authorities realise that the situation is no where nearly as strong as they think it is

The Thai authorities think what the Thai authorities have always thought, and that is, the tourist will just keep coming, because they always have. So no need to do anything to enhance Thailand's tourism industry.

Thailand is in for a big shock in the next few years.

Vietnam is great.

But overlooked is that Vn has a fraction of Thailand's repeat visitors.

And laptop bros / Western economic refugees are basically ruining places like Da Nang.

Just a matter of time folks.

On 2/4/2026 at 2:51 PM, KhunHeineken said:

Yes. There will be vacant commercial premises everywhere, including hotels, that will be no longer viable to run.

The problem for expats is, it's the tourism that gives us the variety of restaurants, bars, flights, entertainment, activities, golf courses, shopping centers etc. We will lose that variety and choice if Thailand does not have a thriving tourism industry.

We can joke about it now, but in 10 years time, Thai hookers very well may go to Vietnam to work in the tourist areas, in the same way the Russians, Africans, Uzbek's etc work the coconut bars here.

One thing in for sure, no longer can the Thai's sit back and do nothing. The stats show a downward spiral.

The decline in Thai tourism can be explained almost entirely by the decline in Chinese visitor numbers, a market when at its peak detractors like you insisted brought little to the Thai economy. So your so called downward spiral is restricted to a downward spiral in one market, which is likely to only recover given the low level it reached in 2025.

Why might expats face less choice when you and others have argued for years that the Chinese only frequent Chinese owned businesses ?

I'm pretty sure you will still get your Sunday Roast and be able to buy your can of beans in an expat shop as the traditional Western markets are not in a " downward spiral ". In fact just looking at the UK, 2025 marked full recovery in that market since the pandemic, first time since 2019 numbers exceeded over 1 million.

Just looking at who are fuelling the growth in Vietnam in 2025, besides the 48% growth in Chinese tourists " significant spikes were recorded from the Philippines - 81%, India 48% & Russia 196.9 ".

So 3 of the most maligned groups of tourists on this forum when they visit Thailand, suddenly become the poster boys of a successful growth market when they visit Vietnam ?

On 2/2/2026 at 9:33 AM, wensiensheng said:

I was in China for a golfing trip in December. Chatting with my caddy, when I said I was from Thailand she immediately said what about forced organ donations.

That’s a girl who has never been outside of China, probably only has access to Chinese news sites, and the first thing that comes to her mind about Thailand is organ harvesting.

There’s a PR issue going on with regard to Thailands reputation in China.

Yeah, there is BS "news" in China about Thailand. There is BS "news" about China in the western media. There is BS "news" about many other countries in other countries' media. Crickey, even internally to some countries there is BS "news" about people who, for whatever reason, favour one politcal party over another. Nobody should trust any country's media, and especially not the global fake news outlets like X or youtube (or MSN or Fox or BBC or GB News).

Hope your caddy helped you get a good score by the way!

12 hours ago, kinyara said:

The decline in Thai tourism can be explained almost entirely by the decline in Chinese visitor numbers, a market when at its peak detractors like you insisted brought little to the Thai economy. So your so called downward spiral is restricted to a downward spiral in one market, which is likely to only recover given the low level it reached in 2025.

Why might expats face less choice when you and others have argued for years that the Chinese only frequent Chinese owned businesses ?

I'm pretty sure you will still get your Sunday Roast and be able to buy your can of beans in an expat shop as the traditional Western markets are not in a " downward spiral ". In fact just looking at the UK, 2025 marked full recovery in that market since the pandemic, first time since 2019 numbers exceeded over 1 million.

Just looking at who are fuelling the growth in Vietnam in 2025, besides the 48% growth in Chinese tourists " significant spikes were recorded from the Philippines - 81%, India 48% & Russia 196.9 ".

So 3 of the most maligned groups of tourists on this forum when they visit Thailand, suddenly become the poster boys of a successful growth market when they visit Vietnam ?

Your post is not lost on me. I do take your point.

Now, picture Vietnam announcing a Thailand style retirement visa next week.

Where would that leave Thailand a few yeas from now?

Tourism down, and a rapidly declining retirement destination.

It's only a matter of time before Vietnam offers such a visa.

So, perhaps you can post what positive things Thailand is doing to attract, and retain, tourists, and retirees, because I just see them going along the same old path, ignoring their competitors, particularly Vietnam, who are now big players in the region.

There's plenty of people to go around. Cheap Chinese still enjoy Thailand.

I wonder how the world will cope with two countries (along with India) now with billion populations that are seeing a rise in middle class and travel.

The idea of a quiet beach experience will be gone.

I was in Switzerland last year and literally everyone in the town i was in was from China. Other than the workers you could have sworn you were in China

On 2/15/2026 at 9:16 PM, DonniePeverley said:

There's plenty of people to go around.

I agree.

It just depends on which country gets the wealthy ones, and which country gets the cheap charlies.

The race is one for quality over quantity. So far, Thailand has failed on both .

On 2/13/2026 at 6:43 PM, Woke to Sounds said:

Vietnam is great.

But overlooked is that Vn has a fraction of Thailand's repeat visitors.

And laptop bros / Western economic refugees are basically ruining places like Da Nang.

Just a matter of time folks.

How are digital nomads ruining Danang?