Thailand Tourism Decline To Exacerbate

[Maigo6]

In fact, there's not much that will shut off the influx of Farangs into Thailand.

Except.............

Close down the Bars where Farangs come to exploit the poor disadvantaged people of Thailand.

Put the prices up to compare with western countries for such ' Entertainment '

Then, and only then will a major dent be made into Farang arrivals to Thailand.

All the while Farangs can spend the night with a girl young enough to be their grand-daughter for the price of 3 Pint's of Beer and a pack of cigarettes in their home countries, things ain't gonna change much.

[LaoPo]

One of the main reasons why their is a decline in Thai tourism is simply because their is more competition. For European tourist spending an holiday in Turky, Egypt and the Dominican republic is much much more cheaper than in Thailand. Those countries made an tremendous effort to attract tourists. the hotels and resorts are brand new and the sell holiday packages all include, meaning all drinks, food entertainment, even barber, laundry and so on. the beaches and nature are very nice. Also its only 2 or 3 hours by plane.

For sex tourism the Dominican republic even have hotels where you can have a girl who is include in the room rate, and at your service for the time being there.

The new republic in Eastern Europe has a booming tourism industry, only 1 hour by plane or a 1000 Km drive by car. Its also a paradise for sex tourism, Hetero or Homo sexuel.

And all of that on a price level much lower than Thailand.

Also the traditional European tourist countries like France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Germany, Greece and other EU countries benefits from the single currency market and open borders. One example taking money out of ATM in another EU member state is free.

Their is also a new tendency that people get shorter holiday's, but more often 3 or 4 times yearly.

Short cultural sightseeing city trips for a weekend are booming. And lets be frankly there is no equivalent in Thailand for the numerous historical cities in Europe for this kind of tourists. This towns do everything possible to attract people. They make the historical centres traffic free, organise all kind of festivals. have many museums and so on. My home town Antwerp rather unknown in the world had 5 million foreign visitors and 1 million hotel room bookings. to give an idea last year 50 000 Japanese visitors last year. They spend 5 million euro to build a terminal to attract cruise ships, who can enter in the historical city centre.

TAT just fall a sleep because everything was easy, they did not realise that the global tourist market was changing, and now they pay the price for their laziness.

And last but not least the new energy prices make intercontinental flights very expensive. And attract Asian tourists is not enough to balance the spending power of European tourists.

Well said although I didn't know about the Dominican republic extras and Eastern Europe

Thailand is Beach, Bars, Bums and fun and becoming too expensive for what it has to offer but I have to be fair to say that LOS has that special atmosphere that most other countries in the region lack.

LaoPo

[Ulysses G.]

Close down the Bars where Farangs come to exploit the poor disadvantaged people of Thailand.

Put the prices up to compare with western countries for such ' Entertainment '

Expensive sex work is OK, but inexpensive sex work is "exploitation". I'm starting to think that Maigo6 is an expensive Western hooker on a crusade to get rid of cheaper competition.

Edited September 8, 2008 by Ulysses G.

[klikster]

Unwashed or clean .. 2%, 10%, 20% marginal income loss mostly comes right off the top and hurts the bottom line. If you think otherwise, please stop trying to convince anyone one you know squat about business and finance,

[klikster]

Except.............

Close down the Bars where Farangs come to exploit the poor disadvantaged people of Thailand.

Shouldn't that actually read:

Close down the bars where farangs come to patronize an establishment run by a Thai who exploits the poor disadvantaged people of Thailand.

[Maigo6]

Except.............

Close down the Bars where Farangs come to exploit the poor disadvantaged people of Thailand.

Shouldn't that actually read:

Close down the bars where farangs come to patronize an establishment run by a Thai who exploits the poor disadvantaged people of Thailand.

How many Bars have you been to in Pattaya that are run and funded by Thai people ?

[Ulysses G.]

I would guess quite a few, although I don't ask to see the business licence. I have certainly been to many, many bars in Thailand "that are run and funded by Thai people ". A lot more than run by foreigners.

[henryalleman]

<br />

One of the main reasons why their is a decline in Thai tourism is simply because their is more competition. For European tourist spending an holiday in Turky, Egypt and the Dominican republic is much much more cheaper than in Thailand. Those countries made an tremendous effort to attract tourists. the hotels and resorts are brand new and the sell holiday packages all include, meaning all drinks, food entertainment, even barber, laundry and so on. the beaches and nature are very nice. Also its only 2 or 3 hours by plane.<br /><br />For sex tourism the Dominican republic even have hotels where you can have a girl who is include in the room rate, and at your service for the time being there.<br /><br />The new republic in Eastern Europe has a booming tourism industry, only 1 hour by plane or a 1000 Km drive by car. Its also a paradise for sex tourism, Hetero or Homo sexuel.<br /><br />And all of that on a price level much lower than Thailand.<br /><br />Also the traditional European tourist countries like France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Germany, Greece and other EU countries benefits from the single currency market and open borders. One example taking money out of ATM in another EU member state is free. <br /><br />Their is also a new tendency that people get shorter holiday's, but more often 3 or 4 times yearly. <br />Short cultural sightseeing city trips for a weekend are booming. And lets be frankly there is no equivalent in Thailand for the numerous historical cities in Europe for this kind of tourists. This towns do everything possible to attract people. They make the historical centres traffic free, organise all kind of festivals. have many museums and so on. My home town Antwerp rather unknown in the world had 5 million foreign visitors and 1 million hotel room bookings. to give an idea last year 50 000 Japanese visitors last year. They spend 5 million euro to build a terminal to attract cruise ships, who can enter in the historical city centre.<br /><br />TAT just fall a sleep because everything was easy, they did not realise that the global tourist market was changing, and now they pay the price for their laziness.<br /><br />And last but not least the new energy prices make intercontinental flights very expensive. And attract Asian tourists is not enough to balance the spending power of European tourists.

<br /><br />Well said although I didn't know about the Dominican republic extras and Eastern Europe <img src="style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="tongue.gif" /> <br /><br />Thailand is Beach, Bars, Bums and fun and becoming too expensive for what it has to offer but I have to be fair to say that LOS has that special atmosphere that most other countries in the region lack.<br /><br /><font color="#0000FF">LaoPo</font><br /><br /><br />

<br /><br /><br />

In the UK its very popular to book a sex weekend to Latvia with a bunch of friends. 48 hours of sex and alcohol. Everything is well organized. The female tour guides take you arround. I saw a documenary about it on Uk television. i never saw such a bunch of animals.

In some hotels in the Dominican republic at check in you can choose a girl. Romania is a popular destination for paedophiles.

This was also show in documentary's on various TV stations.

BTW I never went to Latvia, Domican or Prague.

[LaoPo]

In the UK its very popular to book a sex weekend to Latvia with a bunch of friends. 48 hours of sex and alcohol. Everything is well organized. The female tour guides take you arround. I saw a documenary about it on Uk television. i never saw such a bunch of animals.

In some hotels in the Dominican republic at check in you can choose a girl. Romania is a popular destination for paedophiles.

This was also show in documentary's on various TV stations.

BTW I never went to Latvia, Domican or Prague.

Amazing....

LaoPo

[Ulysses G.]

In the UK its very popular to book a sex weekend to Latvia with a bunch of friends. 48 hours of sex and alcohol. Everything is well organized. The female tour guides take you arround. I saw a documenary about it on Uk television. i never saw such a bunch of animals.

In some hotels in the Dominican republic at check in you can choose a girl. Romania is a popular destination for paedophiles.

This was also show in documentary's on various TV stations.

BTW I never went to Latvia, Domican or Prague.

Amazing....

LaoPo

Amazing that he never went, but knows everything about it.

[klikster]

Except.............

Close down the Bars where Farangs come to exploit the poor disadvantaged people of Thailand.

Shouldn't that actually read:

Close down the bars where farangs come to patronize an establishment run by a Thai who exploits the poor disadvantaged people of Thailand.

How many Bars have you been to in Pattaya that are run and funded by Thai people ?

Okay, here's the first part of your post .. please copy and highlight where you said "Pattaya". Looks like you are willing to claim you meant something else as a way to weasel out of what you posted.

In fact, there's not much that will shut off the influx of Farangs into Thailand.

Except.............

Close down the Bars where Farangs come to exploit the poor disadvantaged people of Thailand.

[Maigo6]

Okay, here's the first part of your post .. please copy and highlight where you said "Pattaya". Looks like you are willing to claim you meant something else as a way to weasel out of what you posted.

Why would I try to weasel out of anything ?

Do you really need me to highlight Pattaya, if you know Pattaya I'm quite sure it needs no highlighting.

I must have hit a nerve!

If you've lived in Pattaya for years we probably know each other anyway, or certainly know people who know people!

See you in Soi 6.

[klikster]

If you've lived in Pattaya for years we probably know each other anyway, or certainly know people who know people!

I don't have a clue where you got the impression that I have ".. lived in Pattaya for years .." Seems you have as much trouble knowing who lives where as you have remembering what you said last time you opened your mouth. Creative convenience, perhaps?

See you in Soi 6.

Not likely .. as I live in Cha am and don't drink .. feel free to start without me.

[Maigo6]

Not likely .. as I live in Cha am and don't drink .. feel free to start without me.

You and your sense of humour wil be sorely missed.

LOL

[nickh]

I doubt tourism numbers will fall significantly, if at all.

In fact, I would be willing to bet that they will increase.

You seem to have forgotten THIS one.

Fake statistics and blatant lies. What other "debating skills" do you have up your sleeve?

Yes the TOTAL NUMBER of tourists will still increase over 2007 but the GROWTH RATE will become lower than before. If you can't understand basic principles you shouldn't bother to debate them.

The hole you are in is so deep I can hardly hear you anymore. You are a complete joke when it comes to discussing anything serious. You haven't produced a shred of evidence and you just ignore the RELEVANT STATS. What a complete joke....

BTW, TAT are predicting a growth rate of about 5% this year.

Wall Street Journal

Unrest Crimps Thailand Tourism

September 10, 2008

-- Thailand's tourism industry is bracing for heavy losses as weeks of political unrest hit bookings just as the high season nears.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1220988157...=googlenews_wsj

[jumnien]

Many of the benefits of reduced tourism are starting to materialize for those of us who live here. Reduced traffic is probably the most appreciated!

[Tyke]

I haven't been following this thread but in my mind the overwhelming reason that tourists would stop coming to Thailand would be the air travel costs which are likely to rise considerably. I don't see them declining again ever. This means the long-haul tourists will decline (USA, Europe) but the more local asian tourists will increase because they will be less inclined to go the opposite way (Europe, USA).

[nickh]

Why don't you read the thread? I'm sick of repeating myself already on this thread.

EVERYTHING I have said in this discussion has been backed up by facts and data, which is much more than can be said for some of the others here.

Sept 11 2008

Bangkok Post Breaking News

foreign arrivals drop sharply due to political turmoil

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=130592

Edited September 11, 2008 by nickh

[dumball]

.. plus a wide open visa plan .

Is there anything official on Cambodia's visa plans .. like on an embassy website?

I only told you as it is on the ground , where it matters most , want to check out an embassy web site(chuckle-chuckle), be my guest , same as ANY Thai government postings on visas , your guess is as good as mine , dependant on where when and whom you may be applying to . You can obtain a full year visa in Cambodia at most travel agencies period , no hastle , no court of enquiry on grandmothers maiden name , where she is buried or if you just happen to be a millionare , deposit your passport with the appropriate fee and please come back tomorrow at 5 pm , thank you for your buisiness SIR and welcome to Cambodia .

What constitutes 'official' in Thailand any-way ?

What you said was ".. , plus a wide open visa plan .", which to me means something organized and documented.

I'm glad you find my serious question so amusing. I prefer to rely on something more substantial than maybes and taken chances. Quite a number of consular websites, Thailand included, do have the information on websites. FYI, I have had "retirement" visas, renewed annually, all legal since '97. And I'm not a millionaire.

BTW, what matters most to any serious expat is legality and consistency, just my opinion.

You have that in Thailand of course , what you read on websites are chiseled in stone , so why is it so many thousands of people have a such a hard time trying to get the 'Facts' correct when they visit multiple government facilities who come up with thier own interpretation of the 'Facts'. Practicaly every day or so , some luckless fellow writes to TV describing the problems he has ran into renewing his visa for no apparent reason according to web 'Facts' , as far as i am aware , there are more knowledgeable people about visa rules here on TV than in the whole spectrum of immigration officials .

You said you prefer to rely on something more sustantial than maybees and taking chances , how do you corelate that to what is actualy experienced at ground zero , the proof of the pudding is in the eating , not what the 'Chef' proffesses to know about cooking . Many facts are merely fiction in reality , drummed up to keep inefficient individuals in a job , do not bet your life or your money on them .

[stephaniee]

THE BIGGEST EXPLOITERS OF POOR THAI FOLK ARE THE THAIS.

foreigners just enjoy what tthai people have created!

[benjamat]

I doubt tourism numbers will fall significantly, if at all.

In fact, I would be willing to bet that they will increase.

Thai tourist authority itself estimates numbers down more tham 50% and room occupancy down 30%.

In addition, these threads obviously wewstern predomination (is that a word) China tourism virtually stopped directly because of unrest.

By the way, uk gov recently issued warning, this is kiss of death for most agent booked travelling,

[dumball]

THE BIGGEST EXPLOITERS OF POOR THAI FOLK ARE THE THAIS.

foreigners just enjoy what tthai people have created!

Ye gods and little fishes , that surely must be the quote of the day , simple , direct and right to the heart of the matter , but i would like to add , as far as the powers that be want them to enjoy that situation by their rules .

[robee]

Excellent idea! now you should do the right thing and lead by example. Make your next post from Phnom Penh.

Doncha just love it

[Lancashirelad]

Close down the Bars where Farangs come to exploit the poor disadvantaged people of Thailand.

Might be wrong, but guess that mostly refers to Pattaya.

People seem to forget, or be unawawe of, its history. In that American soldiers (fit young men with money) were sent there for R & R when it was just a sleepy little fishing village.

News got around that these guys were there, at a loose end, with money, and the female variety of "the poor disadvantaged people of Thailand" showed up in their droves to empty the service men's wallets.

Now, who was exploiting who?

nothing much has changed since then i guess.

[klikster]

.. plus a wide open visa plan .

Is there anything official on Cambodia's visa plans .. like on an embassy website?

I only told you as it is on the ground , where it matters most , want to check out an embassy web site(chuckle-chuckle), be my guest , same as ANY Thai government postings on visas , your guess is as good as mine , dependant on where when and whom you may be applying to . You can obtain a full year visa in Cambodia at most travel agencies period , no hastle , no court of enquiry on grandmothers maiden name , where she is buried or if you just happen to be a millionare , deposit your passport with the appropriate fee and please come back tomorrow at 5 pm , thank you for your buisiness SIR and welcome to Cambodia .

What constitutes 'official' in Thailand any-way ?

What you said was ".. , plus a wide open visa plan .", which to me means something organized and documented.

I'm glad you find my serious question so amusing. I prefer to rely on something more substantial than maybes and taken chances. Quite a number of consular websites, Thailand included, do have the information on websites. FYI, I have had "retirement" visas, renewed annually, all legal since '97. And I'm not a millionaire.

BTW, what matters most to any serious expat is legality and consistency, just my opinion.

You have that in Thailand of course , what you read on websites are chiseled in stone , so why is it so many thousands of people have a such a hard time trying to get the 'Facts' correct when they visit multiple government facilities who come up with thier own interpretation of the 'Facts'. Practicaly every day or so , some luckless fellow writes to TV describing the problems he has ran into renewing his visa for no apparent reason according to web 'Facts' , as far as i am aware , there are more knowledgeable people about visa rules here on TV than in the whole spectrum of immigration officials .

You said you prefer to rely on something more sustantial than maybees and taking chances , how do you corelate that to what is actualy experienced at ground zero , the proof of the pudding is in the eating , not what the 'Chef' proffesses to know about cooking . Many facts are merely fiction in reality , drummed up to keep inefficient individuals in a job , do not bet your life or your money on them .

How does any of what you wrote make consistent and legal information unimportant? The reason so many of your so-called "thousands of people" have such a hard time getting their facts straight is because they rely on information such as you originally gave.

As to the cooking analogies, you seem to be the one claiming to be the chef .. yet never detailed a recipe.

And if you don't like my posts, don't read or respond to them. Simple, huh?

[Ulysses G.]

Why don't you read the thread? I'm sick of repeating myself already on this thread.

EVERYTHING I have said in this discussion has been backed up by facts and data, which is much more than can be said for some of the others here.

Sept 11 2008

Bangkok Post Breaking News

foreign arrivals drop sharply due to political turmoil

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=130592

These are the FACTS Jack!

[madjbs]

really.....?? :D

[Ulysses G.]

I doubt tourism numbers will fall significantly, if at all.

In fact, I would be willing to bet that they will increase.

Thai tourist authority itself estimates numbers down more than 50% and room occupancy down 30%.

By the way, uk gov recently issued warning, this is kiss of death for most agent booked travelling,

Yep.

Edited September 14, 2008 by Ulysses G.

[iaminwa]

As if Thailand's tourism industry wasn't already in trouble, now this stupidity we've seen in the last few days.

However, this countries loss will only benefit the tourism industries of neighbouring countries such as Cambodia and Vietnam.

If you've invested in Thailand, start divesting or start preparing for losses.

Yep, agree with you mate..even told a mate of mine who has made a deposit and a couple of payments on a confo off the plan to stop paying and walk away now..unfortunately, he is in love with a Thai bird, and will not listen!

I am not even going to bother reading the rest of the posts as you have hit the nail on the head!

[nickh]

Phuketwan

Phuket Gets Set For Disaster This High Season...

By Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian

Saturday September 20, 2008

He cited one well-known resort at Surin that has just two occupants in its 118 rooms

at present...

http://phuketwan.com/article/tourism/phuke...is-high-season/