Lately everytime I open anything news it is talking about a new 5 star hotel opening in Bangkok.

How the hell are they surviving

High quality tourists...

When businesses survive when they shouldn't, often money laundering involved

Just now, scubascuba3 said:

When businesses survive when they shouldn't, often money laundering involved

'Leaver', is that you?

1 hour ago, kingstonkid said:

Lately everytime I open anything news it is talking about a new 5 star hotel opening in Bangkok.

How the hell are they surviving

Thousands of hotels get business conferences and seminars from Thais.

Bangkok is a major business hub as well as a tourist destination. About one-third of arriving foreigners are thought to be visiting Thailand for business reasons, not tourism. International business travelers tend to stay in five-star hotels which have services lesser hotels don't provide because tourists usually don't need such services.

Just now, Olmate said:

'Leaver', is that you?

I thought that was khunLeo

5 star is a stretch, especially since they are self rated.

Some locations in Thailand have ridiculous hotel rates, we used to go to Kata Noi every year at semester break, staying at the Katathani. It's a big 5* hotel, 5 or so swimming pools, great beach, barely acceptable breakfast but poor restaurants.

We normally pay about 5,000 baht a night, the last 2 years it's been circa 11,000 baht a night which is terrible value, it's full og Rusiians which I think has pushed the price up.

Instead, we went to Vietnam, we've been about 12 times in the last couple of years. One person can fly to Phu Quoc via Bangkok and stay at the Dusit Princess for one night cheaper than staying at the Katathani for one night and the Dusit Princess is far superior in all respects.

We came back a week ago from 4 weeks staying at Nha Trang, Dalat, Phu Quoc, An Bang (Hoi An) and Hanoi. I like 4 or 5* hotels and I particularly the smaller ones where you get a relationship with the staff and it seems in Vietnam & Thailand outside the tourist hot spots you can get much more reasonable accommodation than Bangkok or Phuket.

Five star hotel prices in Thailand are about the eqivalent of 2 or 3 star ones in a lot of the west so even average, not high end, tourists think they're getting a bargain on their once a year holiday and don't mind paying.

Edited May 3May 3 by treetops

Just now, treetops said:

Five star hotel prices in Thailand are about the eqivalent of 2 or 3 star ones in a lot of the west so even average, not high end, tourists think they're getting a bargain on their once a year holiday and don't mind paying.

5 star hotels in Thailand cost $250 up. A 3 star hotel in the west is $100 or $120.

The best bargains are 4 star hotels on islands heavily discounted in low season. They go from 3000 baht to 1000/1400 baht. The best deal I got was a deluxe cabana on Lanta for 900 baht which was worth 3500 baht.

What I have noticed is that many extremely wealthy Thais invest in projects that will probably never return the money in their lifetime. But they still do it.

Some of it may come from high-ranking government or army connections, and some of it may simply be inherited wealth.

It is especially clear in districts like Suan Phueng, where you see big land, fantasy themes, and well-developed, expensive facilities.

Some of these places do not seem to have enough customers to even cover the maintenance costs.

But for the owners, maybe that is not the point. It is not always a business in the normal sense. For them, it may be a hobby, a status symbol, a family project, or simply a way to turn land and money into something visible.

In some cases, money may be laundered or moved through family members, land purchases, construction projects, resorts, cafés, or other businesses. That could explain why some places are built at huge cost even when there seems to be no realistic chance of earning the money back through customers alone.

Edited May 3May 3 by Hummin

Just now, Rockyroad said:

5 star hotels in Thailand cost $250 up. A 3 star hotel in the west is $100 or $120.

The best bargains are 4 star hotels on islands heavily discounted in low season. They go from 3000 baht to 1000/1400 baht. The best deal I got was a deluxe cabana on Lanta for 900 baht which was worth 3500 baht.

5 star in Thailand is often normal ranged hotels in Europe. Can not compare with 5 star in Dubai

Just now, Rockyroad said:

A 3 star hotel in the west is $100 or $120.

I guess you have never been to a popular destination in America. Think more...

Just now, Rockyroad said:

5 star hotels in Thailand cost $250 up. A 3 star hotel in the west is $100 or $120.

The best bargains are 4 star hotels on islands heavily discounted in low season. They go from 3000 baht to 1000/1400 baht. The best deal I got was a deluxe cabana on Lanta for 900 baht which was worth 3500 baht.

Once again your clearly limited knowledge of all things Thailand, and many things western, stands out.

There will be examples priced as you say no doubt, but I'm talking typical rates in areas where the once a year holidaymaker is likely to be looking at.

Just now, treetops said:

Once again your clearly limited knowledge of all things Thailand, and many things western, stands out.

There will be examples priced as you say no doubt, but I'm talking typical rates in areas where the once a year holidaymaker is likely to be looking at.

No 5 star hotel is dirt cheap unless the rating is incorrect.

Please give me two examples of 5 star hotels that are dirt cheap? Otherwise you are talking nonsense.

Just now, marin said:

I guess you have never been to a popular destination in America. Think more...

He did state the 'west', not the Americas, or USA specifically. When someone states west, W. Europe, Americas, AU & NZ come to mind with me, so very diverse star rating & pricing.

In the USA, 1 star chains probably start at $100. Limited, but remember EU always being overpriced.

Thailand has a lot of self rated 5 star, and IMHO, 3+ or 4 stars at best. True 5 star, IMHO, are rare here.

I was going to point that out earlier in the thread, but changed my mind. Looking on booking.com, for Bangkok, and about 200 5* accommodations, of ~2900

Filtered in 'wheelchair access' and it drop to ~100

Filtered in 'spa' and dropped to ~80.

Filter 'sauna' .... 6

How many have 24 hr room service, 3 or 4 restaurant, concierge to get tickets to events, along with in house tailor or shopping. Barber, hair stylist ... or ... shoe shine.

Edited May 3May 3 by KhunLA

Just now, treetops said:

Once again your clearly limited knowledge of all things Thailand,

Really? How many Thai hotels have you stayed in? I've stayed in 250+. You sound full of it.

Just now, KhunLA said:

Thailand has a lot of self rated 5 star, and IMHO, 3+ or 4 stars at best. True 5 star, IMHO, are rare here.

Exactly. The real ones are 5000+. The ones at 3000 claiming to be 5 star are really 4 star. The best value rooms are the 3 to 4 star ones low season on sale coming down under 1500.

Just now, Hummin said:

5 star in Thailand is often normal ranged hotels in Europe. Can not compare with 5 star in Dubai

yes but no risk go missiles

Just now, papa al said:

yes but no risk go missiles

Surprising firework comes for free! It used to be quite peaceful there, and a easy country to travel as well the Neighbouring states and also countries. I really enjoyed Oman, beautiful country, and also the people there, as well food.

Just now, Rockyroad said:

No 5 star hotel is dirt cheap unless the rating is incorrect.

Please give me two examples of 5 star hotels that are dirt cheap? Otherwise you are talking nonsense.

I wasn't saying they were cheap, I was saying Western hotels are expensive when compared to their Thai equivalents, so western holdaymakers will occupy them thinking they're getting a bargain.

Just now, Rockyroad said:

Really? How many Thai hotels have you stayed in? I've stayed in 250+. You sound full of it.

You just can't help yourself, can you?

Just now, Rockyroad said:

Exactly. The real ones are 5000+. The ones at 3000 claiming to be 5 star are really 4 star. The best value rooms are the 3 to 4 star ones low season on sale coming down under 1500.

I personally wouldn't expect a 5* to be less than 10k a night, and better include a nice brekkie buffet or in room brekkie.

Edited May 3May 3 by KhunLA

Just now, treetops said:

I wasn't saying they were cheap, I was saying Western hotels are expensive when compared to their Thai equivalents, so western holdaymakers will occupy them thinking they're getting a bargain.

You just can't help yourself, can you?

Give me some examples of 5 star hotels at 2 star prices. You can't because you made up a fake story.

Agoda has a so called 5 star room for 600 baht lol

Looks like 3.5 stars to me.

Agoda gives you free breakfast and 25% off on selected properties at Diamond level

Just now, Rockyroad said:

Agoda has a so called 5 star room for 600 baht lol

Looks like 3.5 stars to me

3.5 ... I think you're being kind. Probably great value, but far from 5*

Just now, Rockyroad said:

Give me some examples of 5 star hotels at 2 star prices. You can't because you made up a fake story.

Just now, Rockyroad said:

Exactly. The real ones are 5000+.

2 star in the west for one night next week.

Now I know you could cherry pick something that contradicts this, just as I have done to support it, but in general western equivalents are much more expensive hence the tourist thinking they've got a bargain and filling them up, which is what the OP was asking about.

As stated before:

Just now, treetops said:

Once again your clearly limited knowledge of all things Thailand, and many things western, stands out.

Just now, KhunLA said:

3.5 ... I think you're being kind. Probably great value, but far from 5*

3 to 3.5. You would have to stay there to rate it. I never look at those ratings. Only look at reviews, pics, location vs price point. A 2 star guesthouse might be nicer than a 3.5 star hotel, ratings mean nothing.

Just now, treetops said:

2 star in the west for one night next week.

Now I know you could cherry pick something that contradicts this, just as I have done to support it, but in general western equivalents are much more expensive hence the tourist thinking they've got a bargain and filling them up, which is what the OP was asking about.

As stated before:

Between 1 and 4 star western hotels are a rip off. I agree. But the 5 star hotel chains worldwide are priced much the same. They don't discount much.

Rating systems are based on features like pools, restaurants, breakfast.

I look for location and things like a balcony to wash clothes or sit. I like pools but only big ones. I dont need a restaurant. Some charm like a wooden bungalow is a plus.