How Much Does Tourism Contribute To Thai Gdp?

[Brunus]

Tourists - no quibble with that - but are expats tourists or immigrants (as said - in the WIDEST sense)

tourism - has a some very unfortunate spin-offs for locals

It dispossesses them of property

Forces them to work for corporate wages.

Increases the price of land out of the range of locals

Increases the cost of living

Does not necessarily give work to locals at all - many use imported labour - at ALL levels from casual labour up to management.

Seldom is any effort made to educate or incorporate local population into the industry through training etc - they are expected to participate only on a very menial level.

Destroys environment

Destabilises societies, cultures and groups that have existed for centuries

Pollutes natural food resources

Strains infrastructures and utilities

etc etc.....

EXPATS - I would not say they are tourists - and of course they fall into different categories - those who work her and bring needed expertise into the country, and those who just live here or retire here.

I would say - set against the downsides of tourism - 6% is a very generous figure.

As far as I know a tourist is not allowed to work. It's like that everywhere. So if you refer to poor people going to a country to work, they have an impact, but they are not tourists, because as you said they WORK. Expats who don't work and spend money coming from abroad can be seen in my opinion as long term tourists. The WIDEST sense doesn't mean nothing, expats and immigrants are not the same thing. Same for Thailand. English teachers working here are not tourists.

Considering TAT is so worried about losing tourists, you should explain them your reasons why tourism has a some very unfortunate spin-offs for locals. Next time they will say that they lost tourists on purpose.

[ferd54]

Who is "marksamui" ? Is he an economics expert or an established official who works for the IMF or is he just another expat opinion (amongst hundreds) who serve as the usual uninformed white noise on thaivisa. Seeing as his name is marksamui, which i'm sure has massive credibility amongst some thailand beer bar expats, means precisely jack sh*t in the real world.

I think that is a point well taken.

wintermute, I still have a couple of question since you seem to know what you're talking about:

* Does the fact international tourist money is hard foreign currency bring any additional benefit?

* What is the magnitude of the tourism contribution compared to that from Thai exports of rice?

Thanks

[MrHammer]

It would be more useful to compare the effects of "immigrants" - in the widest sense - in other countries - it is the poor immigrant who contribute most to societies they join not people who come and simply spend money.

That's just complete nonsense. Immigrants drive down wages, work illegaly, are a liability to health care centers and in countries with socialised welfare are also a huge expense. Not to mention immigrants in most countries are more criminal than the original population.

That's the case in Europe and that's why Thais and others have such a hard time getting a Visa.

Farang immigrants to Thailand on the other contribute almost 100% positively to Thailand, spending lots of money, bringing know how and teaching the locals English. Thailand benefits massively with no expenditure at all on expats.

[Sherlocke]

It would be more useful to compare the effects of "immigrants" - in the widest sense - in other countries - it is the poor immigrant who contribute most to societies they join not people who come and simply spend money.

That's just complete nonsense. Immigrants drive down wages, work illegaly, are a liability to health care centers and in countries with socialised welfare are also a huge expense. Not to mention immigrants in most countries are more criminal than the original population.

That's the case in Europe and that's why Thais and others have such a hard time getting a Visa.

Farang immigrants to Thailand on the other contribute almost 100% positively to Thailand, spending lots of money, bringing know how and teaching the locals English. Thailand benefits massively with no expenditure at all on expats.

Sounds like the manifesto of the BNP!

[MrHammer]

It would be more useful to compare the effects of "immigrants" - in the widest sense - in other countries - it is the poor immigrant who contribute most to societies they join not people who come and simply spend money.

That's just complete nonsense. Immigrants drive down wages, work illegaly, are a liability to health care centers and in countries with socialised welfare are also a huge expense. Not to mention immigrants in most countries are more criminal than the original population.

That's the case in Europe and that's why Thais and others have such a hard time getting a Visa.

Farang immigrants to Thailand on the other contribute almost 100% positively to Thailand, spending lots of money, bringing know how and teaching the locals English. Thailand benefits massively with no expenditure at all on expats.

Sounds like the manifesto of the BNP!

Not at all. It's just the truth in Europe.

The comparison simply isn't valid. Expats in Thailand ARE a benefit for Thailand and a FREE one at that. You get no public services from Thailand as an expat here, i.e. the cost is close to zero. Thailand may not need expats per se, particularly not if they don't want to move forward towards 1'st world status, but they sure get a good deal from them.

[Sherlocke]

Still sounds like BNP to me get a reality check.

then tell it to those Vikings you like to dress up as........I'm sure they'd agree with you

[MrHammer]

Still sounds like BNP to me get a reality check.

then tell it to those Vikings you like to dress up as........I'm sure they'd agree with you

Now I dont know what you're rambling about Sherlock. I don't dress up, I am of good viking stock, not from the Isle colonized over and over.

[Sherlocke]

I expect "good Viking stock" is a kind of soup?

I'm not in the least surprised you can't understand me....especially if you are a simplistic as your views on immigration suggest.

[MrHammer]

[david96]

The only reason (inbound) tourism is encouraged by countries is that it brings in foreign currency, it is equivilent to an export industry. Outbound tourism is seen as an import industry.

Tourism for statistical purposes may include all types of traveller, individual, family, business.

Travel Industry is a better term to use.

It is one of the first industries that suffer a downturn when there is a recession in the economy.

Thailand is not the only country in the world to suffer a downturn.

And how to they count the number of travellers in and out of Thailand in a year? The number arriving and the number departing? Passenger movements I think they are called.

Average number of days stay? Number by visa type?

GDP does not tell the whole story there are a lot of other factors.

[d0om4gloom]

I expect "good Viking stock" is a kind of soup?

I'm not in the least surprised you can't understand me....especially if you are a simplistic as your views on immigration suggest.

To attack the Original poster as someone quoting the bnp manifesto quite simply shows how politically correct you feel the need to be without understanding the slightest thing about them. The bnp is a vile and dangerous organisation and the original poster made no comments associating with them other than voicing an opinion which he/she is perfectly entitled to hold - albeit we might not all agree

[Sherlocke]

I repeat - the comments on immigration sound like the BNP manifesto - it is an observation based on the comments - if the OP chooses to follow those sentiments then I think it is perfectly fair - and pertinent - to point this out.

Edited December 21, 2009 by Sherlocke

[Sherlocke]

I have to say too that I'm surprised by the ignorance about immigration and the effects/benefits it has.

[junglist]

As my wife has told me over and over again. Thai's have a hard time understanding causes effect. Take away 1% of the revenue and see how much it hurts the nation.

[samran]

It would be more useful to compare the effects of "immigrants" - in the widest sense - in other countries - it is the poor immigrant who contribute most to societies they join not people who come and simply spend money.

That's just complete nonsense. Immigrants drive down wages, work illegaly, are a liability to health care centers and in countries with socialised welfare are also a huge expense. Not to mention immigrants in most countries are more criminal than the original population.

That's the case in Europe and that's why Thais and others have such a hard time getting a Visa.

Farang immigrants to Thailand on the other contribute almost 100% positively to Thailand, spending lots of money, bringing know how and teaching the locals English. Thailand benefits massively with no expenditure at all on expats.

Sounds like the manifesto of the BNP!

Not at all. It's just the truth in Europe.

The comparison simply isn't valid. Expats in Thailand ARE a benefit for Thailand and a FREE one at that. You get no public services from Thailand as an expat here, i.e. the cost is close to zero. Thailand may not need expats per se, particularly not if they don't want to move forward towards 1'st world status, but they sure get a good deal from them.

Yes....they are "bloody" immigrants back home, but when it is you, you are gods gift ot Thailand.