Thailand Launches Discount Travel Frenzy

[MeetJohnDoe]

Some real moaners here, what kind of hotel room do you get for $80US in your own country?

And another thing...Bangkok is not anything like capitol cities in our countries, with its dangerous levels of air and water pollution, poor transportation infrastructure, few, if any, world-class museums, theatres, or other cultural attractions, and mediocre shopping. So it is certainly correct that Bangkok 5-Star hotels should be substantially cheaper than hotel rooms in the capitol cities of Europe, North America, and north Asia at any time.

[ThaiEye]

Moaners are at it again about how dismal Bangkok and Thailand is when Thailand has just been voted in London as:

1) Best Value for Money in the World

2) #3 in the World for Authenticity

3) #3 in the World for Friendliness

4) #4 in the World for Nightlife

5) #4 in the World for Shopping

http://www.countrybrandindex.com/country-brand-rankings/

[mac.wheeler]

Moaners are at it again about how dismal Bangkok and Thailand is when Thailand has just been voted in London as:

1) Best Value for Money in the World

2) #3 in the World for Authenticity

3) #3 in the World for Friendliness

4) #4 in the World for Nightlife

5) #4 in the World for Shopping

http://www.countrybrandindex.com/country-brand-rankings/

Does it not occur to you to question the subjectivity of this report? It was created by a branding company which lists countries included in the survey as its clients.

[dudemeister]

Moaners are at it again about how dismal Bangkok and Thailand is when Thailand has just been voted in London as:

1) Best Value for Money in the World

2) #3 in the World for Authenticity

3) #3 in the World for Friendliness

4) #4 in the World for Nightlife

5) #4 in the World for Shopping

http://www.countrybrandindex.com/country-brand-rankings/

Does it not occur to you to question the subjectivity of this report? It was created by a branding company which lists countries included in the survey as its clients.

Thailand did not make the rankings for:

History

Art & Culture

Resort & Lodging Options

Ease of Travel

Safety

Rest & Relaxation

Natural Beauty

Beach

Fine Dining

Outdoor Activities & Sports

Families

Rising Star

Standard of Living

Ideal for Business

Easiest to do Business

New Country for Business

Conferences

Political Freedom

Most Like To Live In

Quality Products

Advanced Technology

Environmentalism

Most Impressive Last Year

[torrenova]

Moaners are at it again about how dismal Bangkok and Thailand is when Thailand has just been voted in London as:

1) Best Value for Money in the World

2) #3 in the World for Authenticity

3) #3 in the World for Friendliness

4) #4 in the World for Nightlife

5) #4 in the World for Shopping

http://www.countrybrandindex.com/country-brand-rankings/

Does it not occur to you to question the subjectivity of this report? It was created by a branding company which lists countries included in the survey as its clients.

There is also the perception versus the reality. People perceive Thailand as a cheap country with beautiful beaches etc. and this perception exists in people who have never been to Thailand. The reality is also lost on sme people who have been to Thailand as they compare everything to "back home" or they may not have visited for some time.

Finally you have the effects of inflation (rampant in Thailand whatever official statistics say) and the dramatic effect of foreign exchange rate fluctuations. Some one who visited thailand from the UK circa 4 years ago would have received Bt73 for their pound. Today they will get only Bt50. That is approximately a 30% decrease in their spending power which when coupled with the high levels of inflation experienced in Thailand over the same period, means that Thailand is far from the bargain destination they once thought it was.

[MeetJohnDoe]

Moaners are at it again about how dismal Bangkok and Thailand is when Thailand has just been voted in London as:

1) Best Value for Money in the World

Best value for what...this phrase is so amorphous it has no meaning!

2) #3 in the World for Authenticity

Again, what idoes "authenticity" mean? Does it mean that all the times I have traveled to other cities and countries it was all in my imagination and that in fact these trips never really happened I will tell you one thing, however, the smell of raw sewage wafting up into my nose on a hot and steamy Bangkok afternoon...now that's AUTHENTIC

3) #3 in the World for Friendliness

I agree. Thais are for the most part a friendly group of people...but keep in mind, this costs them nothing...and often brings rewards like bigger tips

4) #4 in the World for Nightlife

Yeah...if your ideal of nitelife is chatting up girls who slave away in rice patties when not entertaining tourists that have itches that need scratching and if you don't mind being told by Big Brother to be back home and in bed by 1 a.m. In terms of real musical, theatrical, or social nitelife...get real!

5) #4 in the World for Shopping

Shopping for what? Cheap trinkits, clothes, and other crap from China is CHEAPER in China. Just about any imported electronic, clothes, or other items are much cheaper elswhere and often can't even be found in Bangkok/Thailand. An how many painted umbrellas and wooden frogs does one need to buy?

[mrtoad]

Moaners are at it again about how dismal Bangkok and Thailand is when Thailand has just been voted in London as:

1) Best Value for Money in the World

2) #3 in the World for Authenticity

3) #3 in the World for Friendliness

4) #4 in the World for Nightlife

5) #4 in the World for Shopping

http://www.countrybrandindex.com/country-brand-rankings/

You certainly have a Thaieye, you're bloody blind. No doubt you probably stand at the top or bottom of escalators, or try to get on to a bus or train before people get off.

[ThaiEye]

I'd rather believe professional reporters than wanna-be ones:

"CBI is a world leader in terms of global brand consultancy which incorporates qualitative and quantitative research, quality opinions and references relevant statistics which link brand equity to assets growth and expansion.

Developed by Future Brand in conjunction with the public relations firm Weber Shandwick’s Global Travel Practice, the annual study has, for the past four years, ranked countries in accordance to key criteria while identifying emerging global trends in the world’s second largest economic industry – travel & tourism"

Thailand also:

10th in the “Best Country Brand to Extend a Business Trip” — Where travellers want to extend business travel into a personal vacation

10th in the “Best Country Brand for Desire to Visit / Visit Again” — The country travelers would most like to visit or return

[mrtoad]

How relevent are these ratings in terms of todays perceptions and realities of Thailand? I guess a number of things have happened since that data was gathered. Only those that bury their head in the sand would fail to realise that.

Thaieye, I am not a "wannabe reporter", but I do a fair amount of work which is related to tourism, so I'm seeing it from that side.

[mac.wheeler]

I'd rather believe professional reporters than wanna-be ones:

"CBI is a world leader in terms of global brand consultancy which incorporates qualitative and quantitative research, quality opinions and references relevant statistics which link brand equity to assets growth and expansion.

Developed by Future Brand in conjunction with the public relations firm Weber Shandwick’s Global Travel Practice, the annual study has, for the past four years, ranked countries in accordance to key criteria while identifying emerging global trends in the world’s second largest economic industry – travel & tourism"

These are not professional reporters, they are a company which specialises in raising brand awareness, extending brand reach and creating positive brand association. They are in no way subjective, they are PAID to make their customers look better, and some of their clients are the tourist authorities of many of the countries included in the survey, along with a large quantity of airlines, hotel chains and other tourist related businesses.

I would rather believe professional and IMPARTIAL reporters than paid ones.

[ThaiEye]

I'd rather believe professional reporters than wanna-be ones:

"CBI is a world leader in terms of global brand consultancy which incorporates qualitative and quantitative research, quality opinions and references relevant statistics which link brand equity to assets growth and expansion.

Developed by Future Brand in conjunction with the public relations firm Weber Shandwick's Global Travel Practice, the annual study has, for the past four years, ranked countries in accordance to key criteria while identifying emerging global trends in the world's second largest economic industry – travel & tourism"

These are not professional reporters, they are a company which specialises in raising brand awareness, extending brand reach and creating positive brand association. They are in no way subjective, they are PAID to make their customers look better, and some of their clients are the tourist authorities of many of the countries included in the survey, along with a large quantity of airlines, hotel chains and other tourist related businesses.

I would rather believe professional and IMPARTIAL reporters than paid ones.

Top 10 countries who won overall:

1. Australia
   
2. Canada
   
3. United States
   
4. Italy
   
5. Switzerland
   
6. France
   
7. New Zealand
   
8. United Kingdom
   
9. Japan
   
10. Sweden
    

Just face the facts, the CBI are honestly straight to the point - their reporters dont make up stuff in the spur of the point while propped at a barstool with a labtop.

[mac.wheeler]

Just face the facts, the CBI are honestly straight to the point - their reporters dont make up stuff in the spur of the point while propped at a barstool with a labtop.

Firstly they are not reporters, they are branding consultants.

Secondly, how can they be honest when their own clients are part of the survey?

How convenient for them that the top three in the list of overall winners you posted are all customers of the branding company.

[ThaiEye]

Just face the facts, the CBI are honestly straight to the point - their reporters dont make up stuff in the spur of the point while propped at a barstool with a labtop.

Firstly they are not reporters, they are branding consultants.

Secondly, how can they be honest when their own clients are part of the survey?

How convenient for them that the top three in the list of overall winners you posted are all customers of the branding company.

Lines 2 and 3 totally contradict themselves.

Just admit that Thailand honestly won - thousands of different people were interviewed for this survey!

Running back forth, tried to defend yourself. Stats and professional reporting says it all - I think you lost the argument mate...

[mac.wheeler]

So, now you're saying that Thailand isn't a customer? Then, again just shows that Thailand honestly won - thousands of different people were interviewed for this survey!

Running back forth, tried to defend yourself. Stats and professional reporting says it all - I think you lost the argument mate...

I am pointing out the interesting coincidence that the fact they are employed by the tourist authorities of the top three overall wining countries is rather suspicious. I did not mention Thailand at all, I am simply discrediting the source which you are using as your entire basis for discussion.

Find me an impartially produced survey which places Thailand so highly and I will concede my argument.

[ThaiEye]

So, now you're saying that Thailand isn't a customer? Then, again just shows that Thailand honestly won - thousands of different people were interviewed for this survey!

Running back forth, tried to defend yourself. Stats and professional reporting says it all - I think you lost the argument mate...

Find me an impartially produced survey which places Thailand so highly and I will concede my argument.

13th DANISH TRAVEL AWARDS 2008,

Thailand has been voted the world's "Best Tourist Country 2008" for the second consecutive year in an annual tourism award ceremony in Copenhagen, a senior official said yesterday.

Stockholm director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Manit Boonchim reported that Thailand had won the award at the ceremony on October 9 held by the Danish travel magazine Stand By at the Hilton Copenhagen Airport Hotel. It was the 13th time that the annual event had been held.

The ranking was based on votes from 8,000 tourists and business operators in Denmark, he said, and Thailand bested over 40 other countries to win the award.

http://www.todaytravelasia.com/th/thailand...Hash=7c94521c4f

********************************

13th ANNUAL TRAVEL + LEISURE WORLD’S BEST AWARDS

BANGKOK NAMED WORLD’S BEST CITY 2008

Travel + Leisure, the world's leading travel magazine, has organized its annual World’s Best Awards Readers’ Survey, for the thirteenth consecutive year. Readers were asked to help define excellence in travel by rating airlines, hotels, travel destinations and more.

In the publication's 2008 readers’ survey, Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is named ‘World’s Best City 2008’. The city of Bangkok also leads the Top 10 cities in Asia. The northern city of Chiang Mai ranks third in Asia.

The tropical island paradise of Phuket — ‘Pearl of the Andaman’ ranks second among the Asia’s Top 3 islands for a consecutive year.

Thai Airways International, the national carrier, is third among the Top 10 international airlines.

Three hotel/resort properties in Thailand are represented in the Top 20 of the 2008 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Hotels category featuring the Top 100. These are The Oriental Bangkok, The Peninsula, Bangkok and the Four Seasons Resort in Chiang Mai.

The Four Seasons Resort in Chiang Mai also ranks second among the world’s Top 20 hotel spas and is also named the Travel + Leisure 2008 ‘World’s Best Hotel Spa’ for the Asia Pacific, Africa and Middle East. The resort also ranks among the Top 15 in the ‘Top Small Hotels’ category.

Eight of the Top 50 hotel and resort properties in Asia in the Travel + Leisure 2008 World’s Best Hotels category are in Thailand.

[mac.wheeler]

13th DANISH TRAVEL AWARDS 2008,

Stand By magazine

Thailand has been voted the world's "Best Tourist Country 2008"

13th ANNUAL TRAVEL + LEISURE WORLD’S BEST AWARDS

BANGKOK NAMED WORLD’S BEST CITY 2008

Travel + Leisure, the world's leading travel magazine

Neither are impartial, both are profit making organisations in the tourism marketplace, both carry paid advertising, the latter also provides booking services.

[ThaiEye]

13th DANISH TRAVEL AWARDS 2008,

Stand By magazine

Thailand has been voted the world's "Best Tourist Country 2008"

13th ANNUAL TRAVEL + LEISURE WORLD'S BEST AWARDS

BANGKOK NAMED WORLD'S BEST CITY 2008

Travel + Leisure, the world's leading travel magazine

Neither are impartial, both are profit making organisations in the tourism marketplace, both carry paid advertising, the latter also provides booking services.

Defending yourself right left and center! Hah.... just concede mate! By the way; Happy New Year!

[Jiu-Jitsu]

I'd rather believe professional reporters than wanna-be ones:

"CBI is a world leader in terms of global brand consultancy which incorporates qualitative and quantitative research, quality opinions and references relevant statistics which link brand equity to assets growth and expansion.

Developed by Future Brand in conjunction with the public relations firm Weber Shandwick’s Global Travel Practice, the annual study has, for the past four years, ranked countries in accordance to key criteria while identifying emerging global trends in the world’s second largest economic industry – travel & tourism"

Thailand also:

10th in the “Best Country Brand to Extend a Business Trip” — Where travellers want to extend business travel into a personal vacation

10th in the “Best Country Brand for Desire to Visit / Visit Again” — The country travelers would most like to visit or return

I refuse to believe that you posted this without your tongue being rather firmly lodged in your cheek.

[mrtoad]

I'd rather believe professional reporters than wanna-be ones:

"CBI is a world leader in terms of global brand consultancy which incorporates qualitative and quantitative research, quality opinions and references relevant statistics which link brand equity to assets growth and expansion.

Developed by Future Brand in conjunction with the public relations firm Weber Shandwick’s Global Travel Practice, the annual study has, for the past four years, ranked countries in accordance to key criteria while identifying emerging global trends in the world’s second largest economic industry – travel & tourism"

Thailand also:

10th in the “Best Country Brand to Extend a Business Trip” — Where travellers want to extend business travel into a personal vacation

10th in the “Best Country Brand for Desire to Visit / Visit Again” — The country travelers would most like to visit or return

I refuse to believe that you posted this without your tongue being rather firmly lodged in your cheek.

No, he actually believes this.

[mrtoad]

So, now you're saying that Thailand isn't a customer? Then, again just shows that Thailand honestly won - thousands of different people were interviewed for this survey!

Running back forth, tried to defend yourself. Stats and professional reporting says it all - I think you lost the argument mate...

Find me an impartially produced survey which places Thailand so highly and I will concede my argument.

13th DANISH TRAVEL AWARDS 2008,

Thailand has been voted the world's "Best Tourist Country 2008" for the second consecutive year in an annual tourism award ceremony in Copenhagen, a senior official said yesterday.

Stockholm director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Manit Boonchim reported that Thailand had won the award at the ceremony on October 9 held by the Danish travel magazine Stand By at the Hilton Copenhagen Airport Hotel. It was the 13th time that the annual event had been held.

The ranking was based on votes from 8,000 tourists and business operators in Denmark, he said, and Thailand bested over 40 other countries to win the award.

http://www.todaytravelasia.com/th/thailand...Hash=7c94521c4f

********************************

13th ANNUAL TRAVEL + LEISURE WORLD’S BEST AWARDS

BANGKOK NAMED WORLD’S BEST CITY 2008

Travel + Leisure, the world's leading travel magazine, has organized its annual World’s Best Awards Readers’ Survey, for the thirteenth consecutive year. Readers were asked to help define excellence in travel by rating airlines, hotels, travel destinations and more.

In the publication's 2008 readers’ survey, Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is named ‘World’s Best City 2008’. The city of Bangkok also leads the Top 10 cities in Asia. The northern city of Chiang Mai ranks third in Asia.

The tropical island paradise of Phuket — ‘Pearl of the Andaman’ ranks second among the Asia’s Top 3 islands for a consecutive year.

Thai Airways International, the national carrier, is third among the Top 10 international airlines.

Three hotel/resort properties in Thailand are represented in the Top 20 of the 2008 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Hotels category featuring the Top 100. These are The Oriental Bangkok, The Peninsula, Bangkok and the Four Seasons Resort in Chiang Mai.

The Four Seasons Resort in Chiang Mai also ranks second among the world’s Top 20 hotel spas and is also named the Travel + Leisure 2008 ‘World’s Best Hotel Spa’ for the Asia Pacific, Africa and Middle East. The resort also ranks among the Top 15 in the ‘Top Small Hotels’ category.

Eight of the Top 50 hotel and resort properties in Asia in the Travel + Leisure 2008 World’s Best Hotels category are in Thailand.

Happy New Year Sunrise.