Thailand To Focus On Rich Tourists In 2005

[sonnyjc7]

Maybe they'll just 'up' the offerings on the sex trade. You know 'call' girls elite!!

[axl]

The 20 percent rise in tourist numbers over the first nine months of 2004 can be attributed both to the birth of several no-frills airlines this year and also to the tourism slump last year brought about by the Iraq War and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which pushed down tourist figures by 10.09 percent.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Bah - Humbug; the rise is a result of low (dumping) airfares which probably don't attract the "top end of the tourism scale"... neither the fact that Phuket has been voted the "3rd ugliest island worldwide" by National Geographics' Travel Magazine! Although - the rubbish is quite well hidden in the mangroves, it will eventually overborder. As long as there is no awareness of the environmental disaster Phuket is facing it will not attract ANY Tourists.

[cdnvic]

Encourage high-end tourists yes, but don't discourage backpackers. They may be a pain sometimes, but today's backpacker is more likely to return on a honeymoon, convention, etc in the future if they are treated well now. If they sense an attitude of "Come back when you're rich", they probably will go elsewhere.

cv

[Artisi]

Just more hot air - next week it will be another pie-in-the-sky story from the Government experts who know everthing about nothing.

Read the comment on the bottom of the page - think it sums it up prety well.

[cutter007]

Just announced, the TAT is planning a strategy of arranging the garbage piles along the street into colorful urban street artwork, then purchasing industrial fans, to blow the nasty sewer scents up from under the street.

In a resent survey by the TAT, foreign high end tourists have been found

to like large amounts of constructively arranged garbage and noxious sewer vapors.

[Thetyim]

Just announced, the TAT is planning a strategy of arranging the garbage piles along the street into colorful urban street artwork, then purchasing industrial fans, to blow the nasty sewer scents up from under the street.

In a resent survey by the TAT, foreign high end tourists have been found

to like large amounts of constructively arranged garbage and noxious sewer vapors.

Will they be using ecologically friendly recycleable garbage or just any old trash.

This might be a matter of concern for high end tourists.

[astral]

I dont think letting the thais gamble would do anyone any favours,least of all the already poor.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They don't have to let the locals in.

Malaysia manages quite well with casino's where the ethnic Malay's are not permitted to enter.

A similar rule could be applied here.

[The Coder]

It will be very interesting to understand how they intend to attract strictly high end tourists. Lower end tourists are often the kind of people who can turn a blind eye to a few things here and there because they are getting a good deal. But the ones spending lots of money naturally have much higher expectations and will be pretty disenchanted when they learn Thailand is not like the post cards. I believe if Thailand were not cheap, tourists would stay clear. Let me explain that in detail.

I will preface this by saying I have visited other countries and islands that seem to support tourism gracefully. In Thailand I have been to many places big and small throughout the North, Central, Isaan & South over many years and have witnessed a basic problem in my sad, but honest observation. While there is a lot to like about Thailand, the basic rule is this: anywhere Thai's live is transformed into a cesspool. While tourism can redistribute where Thai’s live to a degree, it has nothing to do with this problem. The natural beauty of a place is the first thing to go in development, they'll then pollute and throw all their trash in the waterways & ocean, build the lowest quality & ugliest structures which are left to deteriorate into eyesores, pump loud noise everywhere using a variety of annoying methods, not bother with reeking stenches of trash and roaches building up, put everything you buy in 2 or 3 layers of plastic bags, string up in plain view endless rats nests of hack job wiring, mistreat elephants and wildlife you come across, ruin the best photo locations with distasteful advertisements placed strategically in front of them, and tell you what time bedtime is. Yes, welcome to Thailand. Thai’s will "mai pen rai" this process all the way to the bottom at which point they lay blame with the tourists themselves for all the problems, pay lip service to the press about what a shame it is, but then not do much about it.

It’s just really a sad state of affairs in such a wonderful country. Nowhere is perfect, but my gosh everything is just such a shame here. I hope every TAT member visits foreign places that draw high income tourists. When they return to Thailand, I think they will see for the first time how repulsive many aspects of their country have become and gain an appreciation that it doesn’t have to be that way. Otherwise, their whole notion of drawing high end tourists sounds like they are just holding a finger in the wind like the elite card. The one bright spot for high end tourists I have heard of so far are the detox clinics; that marries the good qualities of Thai people with high end recreation. But as far as I can see they are out of touch here but am willing to learn about their strategy if they have one.

[boris]

Do any you people ever read anything else?

If you did you might have noticed Australians found that back packers left the most amount of money of all the travelers in Australia. They stay the longest and spend the most over a long period of time.

As for the TAT understanding this I have often wondered if they are smart enought to read with understanding as these figures have been out for some time.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Backpackers also pionered many of the places in Thailand that are now mainstream

[Kan Win]

It will be very interesting to understand how they intend to attract strictly high end tourists. Lower end tourists are often the kind of people who can turn a blind eye to a few things here and there because they are getting a good deal. But the ones spending lots of money naturally have much higher expectations and will be pretty disenchanted when they learn Thailand is not like the post cards. I believe if Thailand were not cheap, tourists would stay clear. Let me explain that in detail.

I will preface this by saying I have visited other countries and islands that seem to support tourism gracefully. In Thailand I have been to many places big and small throughout the North, Central, Isaan & South over many years and have witnessed a basic problem in my sad, but honest observation. While there is a lot to like about Thailand, the basic rule is this: anywhere Thai's live is transformed into a cesspool. While tourism can redistribute where Thai’s live to a degree, it has nothing to do with this problem. The natural beauty of a place is the first thing to go in development, they'll then pollute and throw all their trash in the waterways & ocean, build the lowest quality & ugliest structures which are left to deteriorate into eyesores, pump loud noise everywhere using a variety of annoying methods, not bother with reeking stenches of trash and roaches building up, put everything you buy in 2 or 3 layers of plastic bags, string up in plain view endless rats nests of hack job wiring, mistreat elephants and wildlife you come across, ruin the best photo locations with distasteful advertisements placed strategically in front of them, and tell you what time bedtime is. Yes, welcome to Thailand. Thai’s will "mai pen rai" this process all the way to the bottom at which point they lay blame with the tourists themselves for all the problems, pay lip service to the press about what a shame it is, but then not do much about it.

It’s just really a sad state of affairs in such a wonderful country. Nowhere is perfect, but my gosh everything is just such a shame here. I hope every TAT member visits foreign places that draw high income tourists. When they return to Thailand, I think they will see for the first time how repulsive many aspects of their country have become and gain an appreciation that it doesn’t have to be that way. Otherwise, their whole notion of drawing high end tourists sounds like they are just holding a finger in the wind like the elite card. The one bright spot for high end tourists I have heard of so far are the detox clinics; that marries the good qualities of Thai people with high end recreation. But as far as I can see they are out of touch here but am willing to learn about their strategy if they have one.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Some “Posters” (ruin the best photo locations with distasteful advertisements placed strategically) and also try to “Ruin” Thailand on ThaiVisaDot Com, me think

Sawadee Krap..................... to you all that wish to “Ruin” Thailand

Kan Win

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

P.S Thank you RDN for the edit, nice one on this Fred for me.

Edited December 8, 2004 by Kan Win

[cojones]

they wont be rich any longer after the thais have scammed them and cleaned them out with dubious and nefarious practices

not to mention dubble pricing !!

[cojones]

Thailand has a too down market reputation nowadays .

constant murders and the general bad publicity .

there was a big spread in the UK press today about the crazy druged up guy with the schoolkid with knife at throat .

for christs sake you never see this stuff in european holiday destinations .

you never read about balcony jumpers and murders of tourists in european holiday resorts like you do in LOS

[SoCal]

I love when I come to BKK, and I hear the girl on the airport intercom say: ka. So sexy. I love the smile and good naturedness of so many of the Thai people. I love that I can go get a massage for 2 hours for $7. I love my various meals at the street stalls, and always have to hit my favorites when in town. I love the fact that I can live like a relative king on $100/day, where as most places this only pays for the hotel.

I think most people who love Thailand either love it for the sex industry, or for the simple things like a child's smile, maybe both.

That said, I do not see either reason as a compelling reason for a rich person to put Bangkok before Hong Kong or Singapore.

Thailand has so many resources, and so many issues. Seems like it would be better to deal with this, than pie in the sky (BKK Detroit of Asia, BKK fashion center of Asia, BKK lifestyles of the rich and famous, etc.)

Someone needs a reality check.

[strawberry]

I get to Bangkok about 4 times a year and have been doing this for a number of years.

When I first came here in 91 I was really struck by the lack of angry pimping of car horns,I just got back last night after a 2 day visit. Its changed, Thai's are changing.

coming out of the BTS in Nana or Silom and having photo's of naked woman rudely stuffed in my face and when protesting the guy wanting to fight you.

Thai's treat their Royals and their anthem, flag with a great deal of respect, and rightly so, so why do they insist on treating their country like a garbage tip.

follow a school bus after school and watch the garbage being thrown out of the windows. I always stay back from the school buses because on more than one occasion I've been hit by flying garbage, as I ride my small moter cycle. See the difference when travelling by train to Malasia you always know when you are in Malasia by the cleanliness of the country.

I really don't think that rich tourists want to expose themselves to this more than one time.

On Tuesday I'm over at Nana to pick up my plane tickets and have to wait about 2 hours to get them by the time I'm out of there I'm hungry much much Blood sugar in need of a hit trying to find a restuarant to fix me up finally after much time I need to eat regardless and go order my favourite, prawns garlic and pepper, 300 baht. In my local town this same dish costs me 45 baht. good for rich tourists no bloody good for me. I think leaving the tourist areas for the rich is OK, they will probably only come once and go somewhere else. Why visit a garbage tip after all only us poor people do that. Regards joe

[strawberry]

I want to add

that the reason I wrote the last letter was because I really do love Thailand and the country Thai folks. It really is a different country out here in the hay. also I think its OK for me to critise because I have Thai kids and what affects them affects me.

Regards Joe

[Heng]

I dont think letting the thais gamble would do anyone any favours,least of all the already poor.

I think foreigner-only (with high entry fees for locals perhaps) casinos could work here. It could be a way to give back to all those who are bitter over double pricing at national parks, open markets, and such. Increasing foreigner turnover... or 'rollover' actually could only mean increased revenues for the local economy. At current rates, it usually takes years before a typical falang goes belly up... with legalized casinos, we could reduce that time period from years to weeks and days, Las Vegas style.

TAT Visit Thailand Year 2008 "Lose your shirt, lose your pants, lose it all!" Comped 4 star hotel accomodations for 2-3 days for X00,000 Baht losers and return first class air tickets for those who lose more than X,000,000 Baht.

[gburns57au]

Do any you people ever read anything else?

If you did you might have noticed Australians found that back packers left the most amount of money of all the travelers in Australia. They stay the longest and spend the most over a long period of time.

As for the TAT understanding this I have often wondered if they are smart enought to read with understanding as these figures have been out for some time.

Backpackers also pionered many of the places in Thailand that are now mainstream

Thats because backpackers can get jobs here.....they come on limited resources and earn more money to spend here....they still go home broke. I dont think Thailand will let them work....many BP's earn enough to have a holiday in Thailand on the way back or go there and come here to replete their finances.

[gburns57au]

I dont think letting the thais gamble would do anyone any favours,least of all the already poor.

I think foreigner-only (with high entry fees for locals perhaps) casinos could work here. It could be a way to give back to all those who are bitter over double pricing at national parks, open markets, and such. Increasing foreigner turnover... or 'rollover' actually could only mean increased revenues for the local economy. At current rates, it usually takes years before a typical falang goes belly up... with legalized casinos, we could reduce that time period from years to weeks and days, Las Vegas style.

TAT Visit Thailand Year 2008 "Lose your shirt, lose your pants, lose it all!" Comped 4 star hotel accomodations for 2-3 days for X00,000 Baht losers and return first class air tickets for those who lose more than X,000,000 Baht.

That was the deal with the proposed casino on Koh Larn, no entry to Thai People unless escorted by a farang. no high entry fee was proposed

[gburns57au]

The mega rich wont come to Thailand while they have all the name resorts in Europe and the US...

The people they need to attract are the middle people, the ones that go there 2 or 3 times a year on modest incomes, or the families that go there once a year. Sure we dont have big budgets...but we keep going back there.

The Thai government is run by a business man and his mates are big business men....maybe the big hotel chains are feeling the pinch and have made noises to Papa Taksin and his crew.

[Ajarn]

By 'Backpacker', what does that really mean?

Anyone travelling with a backpack?

All young travelers?

All 'poor' 'kii nio' types of travelers, regardless of age?

If a person is old and poor, and uses a backpack as luggage, is he/she still a backpacker?

If a person is young, financially well-off, stays in more upmarket places, and uses a backpack for luggage, are they still a backpacker, too?

To me, a 'backpacker' is not a negative image. I see them as, generally, adventurous, fun, open-minded, resilient kinds of folks. Many have been great classroom teachers, too.

Is this some kind of Traveler's Elitism? Why is there so much hostility and trashing of 'backpackers'? I can't remember ever having bad experiences with these kinds of travelers... It's the ones with the more 'riaproy' kinds of luggage who have annoyed me more.

[Phil Conners]

It will be very interesting to understand how they intend to attract strictly high end tourists. Lower end tourists are often the kind of people who can turn a blind eye to a few things here and there because they are getting a good deal. But the ones spending lots of money naturally have much higher expectations and will be pretty disenchanted when they learn Thailand is not like the post cards. I believe if Thailand were not cheap, tourists would stay clear. Let me explain that in detail.

I will preface this by saying I have visited other countries and islands that seem to support tourism gracefully. In Thailand I have been to many places big and small throughout the North, Central, Isaan & South over many years and have witnessed a basic problem in my sad, but honest observation. While there is a lot to like about Thailand, the basic rule is this: anywhere Thai's live is transformed into a cesspool. While tourism can redistribute where Thai’s live to a degree, it has nothing to do with this problem. The natural beauty of a place is the first thing to go in development, they'll then pollute and throw all their trash in the waterways & ocean, build the lowest quality & ugliest structures which are left to deteriorate into eyesores, pump loud noise everywhere using a variety of annoying methods, not bother with reeking stenches of trash and roaches building up, put everything you buy in 2 or 3 layers of plastic bags, string up in plain view endless rats nests of hack job wiring, mistreat elephants and wildlife you come across, ruin the best photo locations with distasteful advertisements placed strategically in front of them, and tell you what time bedtime is. Yes, welcome to Thailand. Thai’s will "mai pen rai" this process all the way to the bottom at which point they lay blame with the tourists themselves for all the problems, pay lip service to the press about what a shame it is, but then not do much about it.

It’s just really a sad state of affairs in such a wonderful country. Nowhere is perfect, but my gosh everything is just such a shame here. I hope every TAT member visits foreign places that draw high income tourists. When they return to Thailand, I think they will see for the first time how repulsive many aspects of their country have become and gain an appreciation that it doesn’t have to be that way. Otherwise, their whole notion of drawing high end tourists sounds like they are just holding a finger in the wind like the elite card. The one bright spot for high end tourists I have heard of so far are the detox clinics; that marries the good qualities of Thai people with high end recreation. But as far as I can see they are out of touch here but am willing to learn about their strategy if they have one.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Excellent post, I agree 100% !

[the_webninja]

It looks to me like the Gov Officials in Thailand are trying to Change the Image of Thailand to try to make it one Similar to that of Hawaii, being that Thailand has the Same kind of Weather, and the Japanese Flock to Hawaii, so why not Thailand?(They're Thinking).

However I think that the people who are making these Decisions are very Republican Biased Putting thier attention on the Rich while passing Laws to Oppress the Poor. This all boils down to Republican Domination and Control of Thailand. I have seen a definet move to Change Laws which relflect the very same kinds of Laws that President Bush and his Brother Jeb Bush have tried to implement here in the US. And THEY are Republican. Their Goal is to Force Christian Ideas upon the World. So you will many new Laws in Thailand that does not comply with the Buddhist Ideas of Compassion and Understanding of the people, and instead these New Laws will be based on Hatred and Contempt of the People. The Thai Government officials will start to look like a Bunch of Mean Old men, similar to the Chinese Communists. Because that's how the Republicans are, they Beat up on the Poor people and Serve the Rich the red carpet and Drinks.

The Thai Government Treats the people of Thailand like they are a bunch of Step Children who won't listen. And they Invite the seedy Sneaky Rich to Dabble in their homeland. With Thailand having such a Long History of CIA people hanging around, it is any wonder that Bush can Control Thailand so Easily when Daddy Bush was HEAD of the CIA. 3 People from one family "elected" to Government office here in the US? (Little Strange?) But George W. Bush was the First President ever to have Rocks thrown at his Limo as he Took Office. Because he Literally STOLE the Election in 2000. And they Proved it.

Okay back to Thailand, If you want to do anything about it you have to talk about it. To the people of Thailand. Most won't care, but there is a Monument in the center of Bangkok because there WAS some who cared. Enough to Cause Riots. Maybe that is what it will take to Get the Republicans out of Office in Thailand Again. The Fact is, the Republicans think of the People as a Bunch of Dumb ----s,

So if you sit back and do nothing, then they Win. It is as simple as that. If you don't like the way things are, then you have to DO SOMETHING to help try to Change it. I know, that if you are not a Thai Citizen, you can get kicked out of Thailand for even WRITING about this kind of stuff (Another Law which should be Changed). But again like I said before, to do nothing, means you are content to Let the Republicans do what they will. You think Raising the Requirements for your Bank Account to stay in Thailand is Bad? Wait a Couple Years. They will pass Laws to Kick you out no matter WHAT you try to do to Stay. Real Estate will Skyrocket if they get their way, and the common people will not even be able to afford to survive. Much Less the Foriegners who think Thailand is a Cool Place.

We who have Traveled and Partied in Thailand MADE Thailand something Special. We tell our Stories to others and they come. If Thai Government Takes away all the Happiness of the people, no more Singing and Dancing, and Drinking, No more Late night Shows, no more Fun. No More Stories to tell, No more Tourists.

Most Rich People I know will not go to Thailand because they Think of Thailand as a "Filthy Place". So the IDEA of the Rich going to Thailand is only a Dream of the Thai Gov. Officials. It is the Poor who are not Prejudice who LOVE the Thai people, not the Rich. The Gov officials are adopting the Greed Hatred and Contempt of Christian Beliefs, combined with Republican Politics, Instead of remembering the Buddhist Ideas of Having Compassion and Understanding for Human Nature, not Condemning it. I guess the Government Officials have not Learned the important Values of Life.

Such as LOVE is More important than Money*

If they Forsake OUR Love of Thai people, for their GREED, then soon they will learn the TRUE nature of Evil.

[paehk]

Not writing to criticise anyone's socioeconomic status nor do I believe there needs to be any justification for wanting to travel to BKK. Having said that:

The three guys in my office that are heading off to BKK are dreading the business trip... They are staying for 2 weeks, in 8000 baht a night hotel rooms, with almost 40,000 baht per day per person in allowable discretionary expenses, with drivers, and extremely easy work schedules. The main complaints are that Thailand's humidity is almost unbearable for the guys who are coming straight from San Diego, that the city is dirty, that the tourists sometimes/often behave in a manner that would be considered reprhensible in their native countries, the dramatic divide in social classes, etc...

I dont think these most of these problems are ones which Thailand has the ability for all practical purposes to remedy, unless they can somehow repostion the equator, give everyone a couple million baht and force them to save it, reorganize there infrastructure from bottom to top (not top to bottom)

People of real means from my personal experience, head to places that cater to them: Virgin Islands, Monte Carlo, Alps.

Having read that many farang live in Thailand on 40,000 baht is a shocker, I know it is possible, but it is somewhat hard to believe that there are that many people living on less than that.

My advice, get a good education, make 40,000 baht a day and go wherever you wanna, to ###### with govt instituted tourist objectives!

[wamberal]

My wife and I come to BKK yearly so that she can visit her family. We would be classified as rich tourists, we fly first-class and stay in the best hotels while we are in LOS.

I used to enjoy staying at the Dusit or Pan-Pacific, having a walk in Lumpini in the morning, walk around Silom at lunchtime to find a restaurant....but no longer. Lumpini has become a horrible ordeal because of the noise, and the pavements around Silom and Sukhumvit are virtually impassable compared to first world cities.

We also stayed at the Inter-Continental......the surrounding area is a bit better...but I had lunch at Baan Khun Mae in Siam Square which used to be a great spot, and it was terrible.

It is becoming difficult to find good Thai food in the touristy restaurants....I suppose that is because good Thai requires a lot of labour, and labour is becoming more expensive.

Having seen all the sights, and done all the things, frankly there is no real reason for us to come to LOS, except for the family connexion.

I suspect that we would like Phuket...must try it one day.

[Backpack_thailand]

The three guys in my office that are heading off to BKK are dreading the business trip... They are staying for 2 weeks, in 8000 baht a night hotel rooms, with almost 40,000 baht per day per person in allowable discretionary expenses, with drivers, and extremely easy work schedules.

Yeah, sounds like a REALLY bad time will be had by all...!!!

&lt;deleted&gt;-A-Duck - 40 grand A DAY...?? You couldn't spend that much money! Be grateful that you have the opportunity like this...With the attitude of your friends I am confident that their 40 grand "pocket money" will be very easily re-directed into the Thais pockets...."Som Nom Na!"

"Boo-Hoo - I've got to go to Bangkok, do &lt;deleted&gt;-all all day and paid the equivalant of 6 months local salary in one day...Boo-Hoo - How can I cope with it all, my hotel is only a 10 Star luxury PALACE...Boo-Hoo - What have I done to deserve such a horrible thing to be given to me...???"

W**KERS!

Edited December 16, 2004 by Backpack_thailand

[Felt 35]

At current rates, it usually takes years before a typical falang goes belly up... with legalized casinos, we could reduce that time period from years to weeks and days, Las Vegas style.

TAT Visit Thailand Year 2008 "Lose your shirt, lose your pants, lose it all!"

You are at least honest about you and your country`s intention.

[Ijustwannateach]

Not writing to criticise anyone's socioeconomic status nor do I believe there needs to be any justification for wanting to travel to BKK.  Having said that:

...............My advice, get a good education, make 40,000 baht a day and go wherever you wanna, to ###### with govt instituted tourist objectives!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hmmm..... somehow I don't think there are that many "well-educated" persons, even in the U.S.A., with roughly 1000USD a day to spend. I could be out of touch. Possibly there are other factors related to extremely high incomes than, primarily, education?

"Steven"

[Limbo]

Without Backpackers, who's gonna discover the next "secret paradise" that all the regular tourists can then come in and destroy...??

You need us, more than you realise!

That's a good one, backpacker! And it absolutely true. I had only once in my life a pack on my back, walking on the toendra's close to the North Cape.

I was more the type with the weekend bag and smelling socks. Family so to say.

I remember Ibiza, Formentera, Crete, Gomera and Koh Samui from the times before the 'Johnny six-packs' arrived there with their enormous trunks. Mostly in groups of course.

Next week it is exactly twenty years ago that I visited Koh Samui for the first time, no electricity but a lot of coconuts.

Now they have electricity, but the coconuts are replaced by another kind of nuts.

[Limbo]

Having read that many farang live in Thailand on 40,000 baht is a shocker, I know it is possible, but it is somewhat hard to believe that there are that many people living on less than that. 

My advice, get a good education, make 40,000 baht a day and go wherever you wanna, to ###### with govt instituted tourist objectives!

Mr. Paehk,

The day will come that you realise that some money doesn't make you happy.

In the best case it will make it easier for you to be unhappy.

And now a very difficult one:

If you really want to find happiness in Thailand, it might be easier to do that by only spending 15.000 Baht a month than the 40.000 you mentioned.

Crazy thought isn't it? But I am sure that some people exactly understand what I mean by it. You too?

[Felt 35]

It will be very interesting to understand how they intend to attract strictly high end tourists. Lower end tourists are often the kind of people who can turn a blind eye to a few things here and there because they are getting a good deal. But the ones spending lots of money naturally have much higher expectations and will be pretty disenchanted when they learn Thailand is not like the post cards. I believe if Thailand were not cheap, tourists would stay clear. Let me explain that in detail.

I will preface this by saying I have visited other countries and islands that seem to support tourism gracefully. In Thailand I have been to many places big and small throughout the North, Central, Isaan & South over many years and have witnessed a basic problem in my sad, but honest observation. While there is a lot to like about Thailand, the basic rule is this: anywhere Thai's live is transformed into a cesspool. While tourism can redistribute where Thai’s live to a degree, it has nothing to do with this problem. The natural beauty of a place is the first thing to go in development, they'll then pollute and throw all their trash in the waterways & ocean, build the lowest quality & ugliest structures which are left to deteriorate into eyesores, pump loud noise everywhere using a variety of annoying methods, not bother with reeking stenches of trash and roaches building up, put everything you buy in 2 or 3 layers of plastic bags, string up in plain view endless rats nests of hack job wiring, mistreat elephants and wildlife you come across, ruin the best photo locations with distasteful advertisements placed strategically in front of them, and tell you what time bedtime is. Yes, welcome to Thailand. Thai’s will "mai pen rai" this process all the way to the bottom at which point they lay blame with the tourists themselves for all the problems, pay lip service to the press about what a shame it is, but then not do much about it.

It’s just really a sad state of affairs in such a wonderful country. Nowhere is perfect, but my gosh everything is just such a shame here. I hope every TAT member visits foreign places that draw high income tourists. When they return to Thailand, I think they will see for the first time how repulsive many aspects of their country have become and gain an appreciation that it doesn’t have to be that way. Otherwise, their whole notion of drawing high end tourists sounds like they are just holding a finger in the wind like the elite card. The one bright spot for high end tourists I have heard of so far are the detox clinics; that marries the good qualities of Thai people with high end recreation. But as far as I can see they are out of touch here but am willing to learn about their strategy if they have one.

BRAVO