Thailand Tourism Situation

[Insight]

I read this on another forum. Can anybody in the business on here validate it?

I work as a travel agent here in Thailand, from chats with customers I can confirm that many tourists now being put off Thailand, these are respectable hard working people who in the past have chosen Thailand as their Holiday destination. Many of my customers have had many repeat vacations to Thailand, but have said they no longer want to come until the government changes.

One such custumer is a 42 year old broker who has been coming here for 10 years +, he enjoys going to the clubs in Bangkok, he doesn't take drugs, but he likes a drink and enjoys music and upscale bars. He' a big big spender, stays in the top hotels, the type of tourist I thought this country wanted to attract. Anyway he was caught up in a piss test in a certain soi 11 club, that is enough for him, since then he has vowed never to return, I wonder how many other big spenders like him have been put off? I can name countless others, I meet lots of people in my line of work.

The Thai economy is starting to look a little shaky to say the least, the government really has made a mess of Thailands image abroad, it will take years to re do the damage. You'd think after the Tsunami they would try to do anything they could to get the tourists back.

I don't understand the logic of targeting westerners, they will not accept it, and will vote with their feet and take their money elsewhere.

I'm actually pretty convinced Thaksin will have difficulty holding onto his position if things continue the way they are. I'm not talking about just nightlife here, i'm talking of the handling of the entire economy and Thai way of life.

People are not better off now, they may have more material things than they did 5 years ago, new cars, credit cards, loans etc.

Thaksin will only hold on to power by keeping the farmers in NE happy, but if Bangkok start getting angry, they're the ones with the real power, his days are numbered.

Could the end of Thaksin be closer than we expect? I know many will think it's impossible to consider the thought of Thaksin not being able to hold onto power, but as soon as people realise how much dept they are in, and how much Thaksins personal fortune has increased, they won't be happy.

Even some of the Thai language newspapers that were always pro Thaksin are now starting to change their tune, if the media decide to join together they could bring him down easily, remember, the media don't like being restricted, and as soon as Thaksin is out of favour with the public, they will turn on him.

We are heading for recession, the Thai's will once again pay the price for government blunders.