Thailand Focuses On High Spending Tourists, Not Numbers

[LaoPo]

I turn my back for a few hours and TAT comes up with another stupid idea.

Thailand, apart from some golf courses, has nothing to offer to High Spending Tourists, Thai nightlife aside.

Maybe Mrs Juthaporn Rerngronasa of TAT has never been to the countries along the Mediterranea? Maybe she should visit Monaco, Nice, Cannes and Marbella first before she shouts she wants to attract rich foreigners.

Thailand is NOT a sophisticated country, fit to receive such tourists.

Focus on High Spending Tourists...yeah right

But, she is reappointed so she had to say something, no ?

A few weeks ago it was said that Thailand -within 5 years- would attract 10 million Medical tourists per year....

Medical tourism should draw 10 mn visitors in 5 years

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thailand-Med...-M-t325267.html

Ah, well...TIT

LaoPo

Edited January 18, 2010 by LaoPo

[brianw]

re peter and cat why 45year old men have to shave their heads when visiting thailand. Its another Thai SCAM when you visit the visa dept in London there is a sign that basically says if you want a free entry visa for 2years You can get one by stating you are going to become a monk. and then it says there is a barbers shop 2doors away that is run by a thai barber and a full shaven head will cost £30 x x have one beforwe you apply

[Ulysses G.]

But a statement from your bank showing $20000 in your account 3 months before arrival

And zero in your account upon departure.

Same old TAT song and dance: "quality tourists, not quantity, blah, blah, blah..."

The good news is that Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines and even Lao will gain from this.

In fact, if you travel to those countries and ask the locals what they think about Thailand, the reply is simple: NUTS!

Last November, I wearily took my first trip to the Phils on a 1 week stint at the end of my 3 week trip in Thailand, after having come to LOS for the past 5 years, learning the language to a basical level and even learning to start to write. Sad to say, things in the Phils are about 2/3 the price of things in TH, I didnt get scammed once (I get people trying to scam me almost every time I go out of the hotel in TH), I didnt have anyone trying to reach between my legs to see what was there on my way to the 7/11, and hotel quality was much, much higher. Oh, I forgot to mention, there is more to see and do there than Wat after Wat. The oly thing that will keep me coming back (on very short trips) are the few friends I've made, and that will only be short trips to Isaan. Best of luck to the chaps at the tourism department of Thailand, who have managed to show the have about as much business nous as the Koreans down the road who open in a white area and dont have any english writing in their shopping at all.

I love the traditional culture, but the present day culture which expresses the view that foreigners are just walking wallets to service the needs of those that don't want to work normal jobs like the rest of the world do really puts one off after some time.

What a load of crap. Manilla is dangerous, dirty and way more expensive than Bangkok. Most tourists are too afraid to leave their seedy, over-priced hotel rooms.

Edited January 18, 2010 by Ulysses G.

[mythBuster]

With all due respect, everything mentioned in this article contradicts the statement that numbers are less important than high paying tourists. The number of tourists are proudly up, testimonials are used to get followers into the country, and honestly spoken I do not think that the average Liverpool fan is a high priced target.

Thailand is just another Asian country, most Asians are hospitable, so this is really another non argument. Thaksin has tried it before with the Gold Card, it hopelessly failed to hit the mark. I am afraid that in the mind of the governor more expensive equals luxury.

If Thailand attracted eco tourists or sun lovers who ruined nature, it would have made sense. But all nature is already ruined, either by greedy hotel operators or by Chemical companies who feel that they do not need to abide by the law. Targeting less visitors will throw tens of thousands out of work (Who will not show up in official statistics anyhow, so this can be conveniently denied).

[moetownblues]

thai economy revolves around 3 things - Sex, - Rice and tourism. You take out one of these and thailand would crumble in a matter of minutes.

[NALAK]

Quote:Thailand is like no other place in the world

where else get tourists beaten up by tuk-tuk drivers.But on the other hand high rollers are probably using helicopters.

11 million foreigners in the country and one of them gets beaten up by a tuk tuk driver, not so bad! I wonder how many foreigners in the US are shot dead every day

recent study by major insurance company in UK lists Thailand as most hazadous country in the world to visit. British goverment figures list more Brits die in Thailand than any other country outside UK. Hardly the odd attack by a tuk tuk driver

[LaoPo]

thai economy revolves around 3 things - Sex, - Rice and tourism. You take out one of these and thailand would crumble in a matter of minutes.

The first 2 were already in place, long before the first tourist arrived on an airplane, maybe now some 80-90 years ago and had a sip on the river terrace of the Oriental Hotel.

Before that they arrived on a steamer, sitting on deck with a dry Martini...shaken, NOT stirred please.

The country is still here

LaoPo

[moetownblues]

I turn my back for a few hours and TAT comes up with another stupid idea.

Thailand, apart from some golf courses, has nothing to offer to High Spending Tourists, Thai nightlife aside.

Maybe Mrs Juthaporn Rerngronasa of TAT has never been to the countries along the Mediterranea? Maybe she should visit Monaco, Nice, Cannes and Marbella first before she shouts she wants to attract rich foreigners.

Thailand is NOT a sophisticated country, fit to receive such tourists.

Focus on High Spending Tourists...yeah right

But, she is reappointed so she had to say something, no ?

A few weeks ago it was said that Thailand -within 5 years- would attract 10 million Medical tourists per year....

Medical tourism should draw 10 mn visitors in 5 years

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thailand-Med...-M-t325267.html

Ah, well...TIT

LaoPo

medical tourism? Your joking Right? I can see it all now the so called self educated doctors lining up along side the tuk tuk drivers and other scammers at the airport fighting for your business. 500 baht give you surgery look like Tom cruise in 1 hr then my mate take you to Pattaya for good time. Then we will see a clampdown on self educated medical practitioners. A thai person can't even put in a light bulb but still calls himself an electrician I can see it someone damages a jetski or parks in a tuk tuk area and the owners cousin just finnished his 5 day surgery course and needs a heart for a farang customer.

Edited January 18, 2010 by moetownblues

[moetownblues]

Quote:Thailand is like no other place in the world

where else get tourists beaten up by tuk-tuk drivers.But on the other hand high rollers are probably using helicopters.

11 million foreigners in the country and one of them gets beaten up by a tuk tuk driver, not so bad! I wonder how many foreigners in the US are shot dead every day

recent study by major insurance company in UK lists Thailand as most hazadous country in the world to visit. British goverment figures list more Brits die in Thailand than any other country outside UK. Hardly the odd attack by a tuk tuk driver

true 3 aussies have died in Thailand so far this year and just one other in another country (haiti)

[featography]

I doubt that anyone will come to Thailand when the s**t hits the fan next month with the court ruling on Thaksin. There will be blood on the streets again with Red and Yellow shirt mobs, Police and Military.

They had better be careful with their ruling on the case. Same old tune from TAT.

Missed something in my daily reading of the news. Whats this court ruling over, coming next month? Would it be the land sale fiasco?

[moskito]

High spenders go to Paris, New Yourk, Montcarlo , even Dubai not Bangkok

Thats what I always say. High spenders want SAFE countries to make holidays or to invest, Thailand is not.

There is a very little amount of this people living here and I always guess there is something wrong with them,

the reason for them to live here or make holidays is more the small girls or boys but for sure not the safety

Thailand provides

btw. its very easy to make a small fortune in Thailand, all you have to do is bringing a big one

[NamSod]

I just wish they would reduce or eliminate the tax (VAT?) on gifts that are brought into the country. It's a racket!

[Loptr]

Shouldn't be a problem... Just send the tourists to Phuket and let them take a tuktuk anywhere -or- take a jet ski out for a spin... The locals will surely relieve them of all their dosh...

[bangon04]

I can see where the Thais are coming from. They see all the expats sat there in bars worrying about the price of beer and the real tourists flying in every year for a good 1 month blowout costing $4000. An expat doesn't throw much money around at the thai hotels, bars, restaurants, and other tourist attractions but spending their money at other expat establishments.

Not the whole truth - many expats are renting rooms / apartments. Some are even paying taxes. And more than a few are financially supporting massive extended families in Isaan (whether they intended to or not). Has someone calculated the contribution to the agricultural communities which the Thai government cannot / will not support?

The above-mentioned USD4000 spent by "real" tourists is going into the pockets of the already wealthy in Bangkok (who in turn pay for the TAT nonsense advertising campaigns) and less of it trickles down into poorer pockets...

[mca]

I assume the tragedy in Khon Kaen was at the Teaching Hospital for the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, the only University in Isaan with a medical school. I learned long ago that P. Aeroginosa was a common contaminant of fluorescein, a dye used to highlight scratches to the cornea not otherwise visable. Many years ago, fluorescein solution was replaced by impregnated paper strips.

High spending medical tourists, one of the groups targeted by TAT are likely to do serious research before choosing Thailand, OK, not KKU, over Singapore, Malaysia, India for exotic and expensive medical procedures.

Ir was at Khon Kaen hospital. Government institution.

[featography]

Thailand has natural beauty, its culture and the brand image going for it.

- Natural beauty is equal in other places, such as Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia & Malaysia - the key is how it is preserved in future!

- Thai culture is interesting but again, is there really a big advantage over other SE nations? Nothing/little has been done to show Thai culture to visitors, e.g. a network of B&Bs

- The Thai 'brand' is still strong. People think that they will have a more luxurious, more friendly/tastier(!), higher quality holiday in Thailand than the other SE countries, but that is changing. One thing that's keeping it high in Europe is the increase in Thai food awareness (though usually Malaysian or other SE owners), but try finding Thai in the US or middle east!

A lot of my friends who have returned to Thailand on holiday, have not been pleased with the developments. More expensive, less quality, less friendly are the opinions I have heard.

I certainly don't feel that Thailand is improving it's levels of service. The prices have gone up, but with no real justification.

TAT should enforce the quality to protect the brand and that should cover all areas of Thai 'attractions'. People are prepared to spend money if they get value

An example of a good idea that failed was the sticker with 'We speak English'. Every Taxi had the sticker but virtually none spoke English.

A simple Gold, Silver & Bronze scheme which enabled businesses to register with TAT and be given higher status based on recommendation & meeting quality guidelines, would go a long way to maintaining/re-establishing the Thai brand. Of course, the Thais would stick up Gold stickers in every business, but if there was a call center that allowed you to check 'instantly' if it was a valid gold business, then it would quickly die out.

The Thai paradox is places like Pattaya, which they don't want to accept, because it is against Thai values, but in the end it makes a lot of money. It might be worth them considering turning it into a special zone, where foreigners are allowed to buy land, own businesses, and laws are different, e.g. legalise gambling/prostitution/late night drinking etc.

"One thing that's keeping it high in Europe is the increase in Thai food awareness (though usually Malaysian or other SE owners), but try finding Thai in the US or middle east!"

As a matter of fact, there are plenty of Thai restaurants in every city in the US. For the last 10 yrs, its been the fastest spreading food in the country. I have been to several cities and had no problem finding Thai restaurants in any yellow pages. Example; Salem oregon, population 210,000 has 5 Thai restaurants.Even the small towns in the rural and farming areas have 1 to 3 Thai eateries. I ate a steady diet of Thai for 2 before I moved to Thailand. The taste and quality in the US matched that of Thailand. I can't speak for the middle east, other than my neighbor here, said that when he did contract work in Saudi Arabia, there was no where to find Thai food, some years ago.

[bangon04]

Wasn't this tried before and failed miserably to attract the rich?

Amazing Value to attract high rollers? Doesn't sound right. Also, do they believe that the cost of the Visa is barrier to high-roller travel?

Yes it was.

Big clamp downs on the bars, girl cover ups and early closing, elite cards and the building of more posh hotels, expensive restaurants, Spas and golf clubs.

The emphasis was put on middle aged and elderly American couples who it was hoped would join golf clubs, stay at expensive hotels, wine and dine at the expensive restaurants, go to bed at 9.00pm and perhaps purchase some condos to use during their 2 weeks holiday visit to Thailand once a year.

Of course we all know the outcome of that scheme, so I suppose the philosophy is: if at first you don't succeed try and try again until you're totally destroyed it.

They may get away with squeezing the golden goose, but in this case it will kill it off completely.

Are the big expensive 5 star extra hotels in Chiang Mai still open?

[bangon04]

"One thing that's keeping it high in Europe is the increase in Thai food awareness (though usually Malaysian or other SE owners), but try finding Thai in the US or middle east!"

As a matter of fact, there are plenty of Thai restaurants in every city in the US. For the last 10 yrs, its been the fastest spreading food in the country. I have been to several cities and had no problem finding Thai restaurants in any yellow pages. Example; Salem oregon, population 210,000 has 5 Thai restaurants.Even the small towns in the rural and farming areas have 1 to 3 Thai eateries. I ate a steady diet of Thai for 2 before I moved to Thailand. The taste and quality in the US matched that of Thailand. I can't speak for the middle east, other than my neighbor here, said that when he did contract work in Saudi Arabia, there was no where to find Thai food, some years ago.

So many Thai restaurants are needed in Europe to provide work for lady immigrants from Thailand who never worked in the bar.

[ratcatcher]

According to Juthaporn, the TAT will also promote Thailand as a centre of medical tourism. The Middle East is the main target. Moreover, "green tourism" campaigns are planned to appeal to tourists from Europe, where environmental awareness is high

This is one my favourite comments from that report yeah ok so all those 'enviromental aware' europeans will come here and find what!! Exactly what does green tourisnm mean to TAT an elephant ride a visit to the zoo. These people are on another planet and they're looking after Thailands tourisim!!

I think your last sentence speaks volumes. They are simply out of touch with reality.

I am almost 100% certain that being Thai , typically they have no farangs on their commitee that can offer criticism,advice and input. And for sure no-one at T.A.T. reads Thai visa

That would be losing face.

Most of the posts on this topic point out Thailand's shortcomings.

I liked the one about "Environmental Tourism"

Perhaps T.A.T. needs to check out some of the beaches where tourists go, clean up the piles of garbage lining the roads and railway tracks near some towns.

It is easy to present Thailand as a gem when the tourists are rushed, in air-con buses or limos, to exclusive resorts with pristine beaches and are cossetted in this make believe world that the resort owners create. The reality is quite different.

[Hollywood]

In Samui, the clientelle has changed dramatically, high end hotels are busy, but local busnesses are suffering badly as the hotels do thier upmost to keep the guests on hotel property.

That is correct. I think this is a smart move. The middle class is hurting around the world and the people with the big bucks are still spending. This is where you have to look for potential visitors that WILL SPEND MONEY. I lived in Hawaii years ago where the jets were full of the ' $399 package' cheap middle america couples that ate at McDonalds each night.

[geriatrickid]

I have a bad feeling that someone has assumed that "wealthy" tourists won't mind paying 500 baht for a short ride in a Phuket tuktuk. You cannot very well capture the proposed market unless standards are improved. That means enforcement of the existing rules and regulations and in providing the necessary tourist infrastructure.

Bah, why bother discussing this. Waste of tie.

Here's a photo suggestion to go along with that misleading sales slogan of "Amazing Thailand Amazing Value" , Put up a picture of a Phuket tuk tuk. Maybe they can feature the driver that savagely beat up the old french man. That's sure to impress the wealthy tourists.

[kimamey]

Ive got a great idea why not start some sort of "elite card" type thing?? dohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Never heard of their mega superstar bloke either????

I've heard of him from my Thai gf but I'm not sure he will be known outside SE Asia or maybe even Thailand.

[MaiDong]

High end tourists bring money to those already with money, big hotel and land owners, politicians and their pals...

The losers will be the people on the streets, the businesses who really appreciate a few falang coming into their cafe for breakfast or enjoying a pad tai on the street.

The real Thai people who meet the tourists on street level should create their own tourism board(if they don't disappear soon after), something more realistic, folky, traditional, without all the naff singing and dancing of hopeful 'high-end'(and frankly <deleted>) hotels!

Where do the ruling classes think the man/woman on the street is going to recoup the losses that the large establishments have taken away??

This is such greed, short-sightedness, unbelievable Thailand.

[mca]

Thailand is like no other place in the world," said Juthaporn. "We'll stick you in prison for 10 years for having an opinion!"

Dunno if that's the cherry on the trifle that folks want to hear Juthaporn.

[alyx]

I spend over 1.2 million baht a year in Thailand, who spends more, a tourist or me, TAT should focus on taking care of me and people like me, people who live here!

It might not add up to your maths but I am sure the tourist does spend more: let's say that (poor) tourist will spend an average of Baht 1,000 per say giving, at the end of year, Baht 365,000 and so on...you might be surprised how much a tourist spend. When I go on holidays (in Europe), for a month or so , I can spend up to a year of my budget back home (but then again I go for quality rather than quantity when it comes to how many holidays I take)

Why should you be taken care of ? You already are here, using all benefits provided by the kingdom including 'cheap' (compared to Europe)access to a tremendous amount of 'excellent' services that one would only dream of in their countries of origin

Edited January 18, 2010 by alyx

[Maxxamum]

Really the demographic with money is the baby boomers in America. Kids gone, still working, and $3 trillion to spend. What about golf, eco-tourism, unique scenery, and safe passage while in-country.

[LaoPo]

I have a bad feeling that someone has assumed that "wealthy" tourists won't mind paying 500 baht for a short ride in a Phuket tuktuk. You cannot very well capture the proposed market unless standards are improved. That means enforcement of the existing rules and regulations and in providing the necessary tourist infrastructure.

Bah, why bother discussing this. Waste of tie.

Here's a photo suggestion to go along with that misleading sales slogan of "Amazing Thailand Amazing Value" , Put up a picture of a Phuket tuk tuk. Maybe they can feature the driver that savagely beat up the old french man. That's sure to impress the wealthy tourists.

Yeah right....TAT is aiming on High Spending Tourists but they can't even offer a proper, clean and non-corrupt taxi system in place, let alone this kind of tourists are coming to Thailand to have themselves transported in dangerous transport vehicles like a tuk-tuk.

They've worked their @rses off, became rich and come to Thailand to ride in Tuk-Tuks ?

LaoPo

[Johnny99]

It seems to me that many Thais, but particularly government officials, do not learn from their past mistakes, or the mistakes of others. Nor are they likely to do so as that could cause a loss of face. Seems to me the drop off in tourist numbers began in earnest about 2 or 3 years ago when the first campaign to attract 'quality tourists' by the TAT was implemented. Couple that with some political unrest, health scares, safety and violence against farang issues, and you've got yourself exactly the perfect storm--to DIScourage tourism. Also, while Amazing Thailand was once a very good value for a vacation destination, those days are long gone. Too many cheats, lies, and scams. PLUS the unexplainable growth in the strength of the Baht.

Let's not forget the "Back to Family Values" campaign that resulted in the decline of the entertainment industry which is one of the main reasons that foreigners are attracted to Thailand!!! Oh well, I give up trying to figure out what motivates Thai tourism campaigns.

[alyx]

Ive got a great idea why not start some sort of "elite card" type thing?? dohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Never heard of their mega superstar bloke either????

I've heard of him from my Thai gf but I'm not sure he will be known outside SE Asia or maybe even Thailand.

Ooops do you really mean it? Wake up

[johnswift1956]

I spend over 1.2 million baht a year in Thailand, who spends more, a tourist or me, TAT should focus on taking care of me and people like me, people who live here!

It might not add up to your maths but I am sure the tourist does spend more: let's say that (poor) tourist will spend an average of Baht 1,000 per say giving, at the end of year, Baht 365,000 and so on...you might be surprised how much a tourist spend. When I go on holidays (in Europe), for a month or so , I can spend up to a year of my budget back home (but then again I go for quality rather than quantity when it comes to how many holidays I take)

Why should you be taken care of ? You already are here, using all benefits provided by the kingdom including 'cheap' (compared to Europe)access to a tremendous amount of 'excellent' services that one would only dream of in their countries of origin

"Well said". I don't see what TAT has to do with anyone except Tourists on Tourist Visas. People who stay on in Thailand for longer periods cannot be counted as Tourists even the ones on constant visa runs.