Global Drive To Bring Back Tourists To Thailand

[howzat]

Of course you are going to spend 150 baht for a beer on entertainment streets. You want your entertainment for free

Some guys are never happy unless they are complaining

[chooka]

Gee, Dorothy, you aren't in Kansas anymore? Get real, is any place like it was? Thailand is too expensive and too many rip-offs? Go to the Philippines or Peru, or Mexico, or Egypt if you want to see rip-offs. Expensive, compared to where, the UK, the US, Germany, Japan? It's more expensive for the same quality of housing and food in the Philippines than here in Thailand. Sure there are cheaper places, but do they have all the amenities? I am not just talking wet and warm and fuzzy things. If it's so bad, don't get that return visa. Thailand would be much better without all us falangs--we are a major cause of price increases and the rip-offs. Get out of the tourist traps, where the vast majority of falangs hang and where the majority of expense and rip-offs occur, and see for yourself.

You hit the nail on the head there.

I choose to live in Pattaya and as such pay more than if we lived in the sticks.

However there is still a bar in the next street offering beer from 29 baht a bottle. Some places mainly after hi-so Thai's it's over 150 for a beer. You can still eat cheap here if thats what you want. Hotel rooms from about 500 Baht a night. You others tell me how this is rip off central?

If someone doesn't want to buy from a Hawker or pay and inflated taxi journey they don't have to. I would never hire a Jet Ski and advise any tourists I meet not to.

It's like anywhere there is an influx or tourists... A fool and their money WILL be parted no matter where they are in the world.

You might want to consider coming to Sihanoukville Cambodia....I pay $.50 per beer and $5.00 per night for my guest house residence....and yes it is "high season"...and it is ON THE BEACH...Thailand does not want you there...They just want your money and get the hell out...IN TWO WEEKS.......Look up > Kangaroo Kitchen< Sihanoukville, Cambodia<....Come on over....!

Sounds like an Aussie joint, "Kangaroo Kitchen."

[toenail]

I read that the hotel association wants to raise rates 20% because they say to align with rates in surrounding countries. Hmmm. I feel for them, but fear that the move will not help generate more visitors.

Which surrounding countries have higher rates?

Myanmar, Cambodia, Lao?

Even in Malaysia I got very cheap deals and lower other costs+more safety from scam+better enviroment....

Well put...Here in Sihanoukville (Cambodia) I pay $.50 per beer and $.35 per pack of smokes...Life long visa and life is wonderful...

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

Basing ones "cheap deals" on the cost of beer and cigarettes isn't going to live long enough to enjoy it.

[osiboy]

Come on get real. The great advantage Thailand has is that it has accomondations for the backpacker and for the 5 star travelor. You can spend as little as 1000 baht a night and have a nice, basic clean hotel room or go to a five star hotel and spend around 5000-7000 baht a night which would be double in places like New York and Tokyo. You can eat at the local stalls (and not get sick) or go to an international chain and spend as much as you would back home. If one thinks Thailand is expensive, try Singapore, Beijing, or another big Asian city. True, Thailand is NOT as cheap as it use to be but maybe that has to do with the US dollar and Euro not being as strong as it use to be.

most of this i can agree with, but what you fail to see or point out is that a thai's salary is not comparable with that of western europe, usa, japan etc,........ so why should the cost of living be ?? if i go to tescos and get my weeks shopping its more expensive than buying the same in the UK, and im not buying cheese , lamb chops and chocolate, my bill will be about 30% more here ,.....even fruit here is more expensive , take bananas for example, how can they be the same price and more often than not more expensive cos you have to buy a whole bunch instead of the 5/6 you could eat in a few days , everything is relative and thais earning the min wage need to put in 10 hrs overtime to pay my shopping bill !, sure you can get a breakfast in pattaya for 99b,..... you can in the UK too !

[Oberkommando]

Thailand has gotten more expensive for the tourist not least of all because of high inflation and a commodities crisis that has raised prices to near Western levels.

The Thais are the ones complaining down the local markets about these price increases, not the tourists. They affect Thais more than they will affect Westerners whether we are living here or tourists.

Of course, for luxury goods and imported items, Thailand remains incredibly expensive and is becoming even more so.

[IsaanUSA]

A lot of people in Euroland and N Amerika will be having second thoughts about travel in the coming year (and possibly decade).

Been having second thoughts for a few years. Hopefully it won't last a decade!!!!

Saving for retirement is top priority.

[robokop]

Come on get real. The great advantage Thailand has is that it has accomondations for the backpacker and for the 5 star travelor. You can spend as little as 1000 baht a night and have a nice, basic clean hotel room or go to a five star hotel and spend around 5000-7000 baht a night which would be double in places like New York and Tokyo. You can eat at the local stalls (and not get sick) or go to an international chain and spend as much as you would back home. If one thinks Thailand is expensive, try Singapore, Beijing, or another big Asian city. True, Thailand is NOT as cheap as it use to be but maybe that has to do with the US dollar and Euro not being as strong as it use to be.

Very true. First the exchange rate is not set by Thailand, but as a result of other countries mismanagement, which is worse than Thailands. UK exchange rate is a 48 Baht per 1 Pound. It is Englands lousy Socialistic economic system, which has driven the exchange rate from around 70 Baht for 1 Poun, to 48. USD has also down down, but not as much yet. Obami is busy putting Trillions of Dollars each year on the National Debt, now $15 Trillion USD, and the economy could fall back into a recession. Obami is spending money faster than the US can print the money, so one day it will show up in the exchange rate, now 31 Baht. Prices in Pattaya and Bangkok are no where near as high as HK or Singapore. Hotel prices and costs are even much higher in Manila, a poop hole compared to Bangkok

[TeddyFlyfisherDavis]

Gee, Dorothy, you aren't in Kansas anymore? Get real, is any place like it was? Thailand is too expensive and too many rip-offs? Go to the Philippines or Peru, or Mexico, or Egypt if you want to see rip-offs. Expensive, compared to where, the UK, the US, Germany, Japan? It's more expensive for the same quality of housing and food in the Philippines than here in Thailand. Sure there are cheaper places, but do they have all the amenities? I am not just talking wet and warm and fuzzy things. If it's so bad, don't get that return visa. Thailand would be much better without all us falangs--we are a major cause of price increases and the rip-offs. Get out of the tourist traps, where the vast majority of falangs hang and where the majority of expense and rip-offs occur, and see for yourself.

You hit the nail on the head there.

I choose to live in Pattaya and as such pay more than if we lived in the sticks.

However there is still a bar in the next street offering beer from 29 baht a bottle. Some places mainly after hi-so Thai's it's over 150 for a beer. You can still eat cheap here if thats what you want. Hotel rooms from about 500 Baht a night. You others tell me how this is rip off central?

If someone doesn't want to buy from a Hawker or pay and inflated taxi journey they don't have to. I would never hire a Jet Ski and advise any tourists I meet not to.

It's like anywhere there is an influx or tourists... A fool and their money WILL be parted no matter where they are in the world.

You might want to consider coming to Sihanoukville Cambodia....I pay $.50 per beer and $5.00 per night for my guest house residence....and yes it is "high season"...and it is ON THE BEACH...Thailand does not want you there...They just want your money and get the hell out...IN TWO WEEKS.......Look up > Kangaroo Kitchen< Sihanoukville, Cambodia<....Come on over....!

Sounds like an Aussie joint, "Kangaroo Kitchen."

Does it REALLY make a difference...?> And what is your point...?I am from the USA...and this place is wonderful....

[Headgame]

Just an observation from a local but it is hard to accept that Phuket occupancy rates are 70% this November vs. 36% last November.

It certainly seems much "quieter" this November as opposed to last November and certainly not twice as "busy" as the numbers would suggest.

[merlen10002]

my parents were going to visit us in thailand this xmas until i told them the

exchange rate, they are now going to malaysia and we are hoping to go visit them

there , .....i spend most of my time here in rayong, the average price of a beer

on entertainment street is 120B !!,...... for a small one , thats nearly £5 per

pint !!......... its becoming like the UK now , i buy from the supermarket and

drink at home or on the beach , the average thai on 275B per day , they have a

choice,.eat OR drink !!!

Don't know how you think Malaysia , Kuala Lumpur is less expensive than Thailand, Bangkok, Malaysia is three times more expensive than Thailand, the taxi don't have metters they quote whatever they like, don't think you can compare Malaysia people to Thais, Thais leave them for dead, the only thing Malaysia has going for it is they all speak english, been there four time, Melaka once, it is borring not as expensive as KL or Panang, Panang is a wast of time and money, the worst beach I have ever been to, and it is the beach in front of all the good hotels, dirty, it washes up mud with every wave, has lot of debris from the pasing ships and it stinks, the restaurant there are really expensive, stayed in KL twice, it is expensive. I think your post is just another sour grape one against Thais again because you sure as hell don't know about Malaysia.

[Sloototter]

Greed and corruption will be the death blow for tourist industry here in Thailand. Long live Cambodia, Vietnam and other neighboring countries. Thailand has become second hand choice by greed and corruption

[robokop]

my parents were going to visit us in thailand this xmas until i told them the

exchange rate, they are now going to malaysia and we are hoping to go visit them

there , .....i spend most of my time here in rayong, the average price of a beer

on entertainment street is 120B !!,...... for a small one , thats nearly £5 per

pint !!......... its becoming like the UK now , i buy from the supermarket and

drink at home or on the beach , the average thai on 275B per day , they have a

choice,.eat OR drink !!!

Which exchange rate do you use? I thought the BHT v's GBP = 48/49THB

Okay just noticed a pint would normally equal two bottles.

I get a laugh when people from other countries complain about Thailand, the costs and other problems, like floods and demonstrations.

People leaving and arriving in England are having a problem with the STRIKE by Government workers at the Immigration Dept. That does not help tourism. Costs in London are unreal, extremely expensive. Terrorists attacks-ugh. England has problems same as Thailand but they never talk about problems in their country, just complain about cost of beer and cheap hotels. Thailand is a major tourist attraction in Asia and it's prices do not reflect that. Problem with those complaining is that they want everything for almost nothing. I would hate to think what a tourist pays for a beer in London.

[h90]

Come on get real. The great advantage Thailand has is that it has accomondations for the backpacker and for the 5 star travelor. You can spend as little as 1000 baht a night and have a nice, basic clean hotel room or go to a five star hotel and spend around 5000-7000 baht a night which would be double in places like New York and Tokyo. You can eat at the local stalls (and not get sick) or go to an international chain and spend as much as you would back home. If one thinks Thailand is expensive, try Singapore, Beijing, or another big Asian city. True, Thailand is NOT as cheap as it use to be but maybe that has to do with the US dollar and Euro not being as strong as it use to be.

I had a nice basic hotel room with free Wifi close to the beach for 600 Baht in Malaysia.

[h90]

Photos of dirty towels hanging in dead trees on the beach should help!

yes it will do the trick and if it is not enough we'll show a picture of the nice klong on the beach. This which the close by 5 star hotel uses to drain the toilet waste water into the sea....

[Oberkommando]

Don't know how you think Malaysia , Kuala Lumpur is less expensive than Thailand, Bangkok, Malaysia is three times more expensive than Thailand, the taxi don't have metters they quote whatever they like, don't think you can compare Malaysia people to Thais, Thais leave them for dead, the only thing Malaysia has going for it is they all speak english, been there four time, Melaka once, it is borring not as expensive as KL or Panang, Panang is a wast of time and money, the worst beach I have ever been to, and it is the beach in front of all the good hotels, dirty, it washes up mud with every wave, has lot of debris from the pasing ships and it stinks, the restaurant there are really expensive, stayed in KL twice, it is expensive. I think your post is just another sour grape one against Thais again because you sure as hell don't know about Malaysia.

All taxis in KL except those from the airport have meters. It's up to you to get them to use them though.

Prices in KL are comparable to those in Bangkok. Many things are in fact cheaper in Malaysia.

I find the Malays far friendlier than the Thais too, even to the extent of a complete stranger offering me a free lift back to my hotel in Johor last month when I couldn't find a taxi. That sort of hospitality has never happened to me in Thailand in 27 years.

Edited November 30, 2011 by Oberkommando

[Stjohnm]

1322626576[/url]' post='4881142']

my parents were going to visit us in thailand this xmas until i told them the

exchange rate, they are now going to malaysia and we are hoping to go visit them

there , .....i spend most of my time here in rayong, the average price of a beer

on entertainment street is 120B !!,...... for a small one , thats nearly £5 per

pint !!......... its becoming like the UK now , i buy from the supermarket and

drink at ึhome or on the beach , the average thai on 275B per day , they have a

choice,.eat OR drink !!!

The exchange rate with the Rigitt vs £€$¥ has gone tits up as well so they're not any cheaper than Thailand, last time I was down there KL was the same price as BKK for most things you can still get ฿9 to RM1 down from ฿10.

฿120 for a beer, that's the sort of price a 5 star hotel charges from the mini bar, I'd find a differnt bar, I won't pay more than ฿75-฿90

[rikkie]

Thailand is not the 'cheap' holiday destination that it used to be, it's more of a rip off destination now.

because you stupid, most thai people are honest, you just have to be a good judge i live 5 year hear and never had a problem, and yes it is cheap here to live if you are not a cheap Charley

[cowslip]

I think the floods will be the least of their problems - as the world finds out about the appalling lack of customer service in Thailand, the degradation of the beaches and natural resources etc., more and more people will look elsewhere for a holiday destination. They will be replaced by less critical "low-end" budget package holidaymakers who don't know or care about service or the environment.

NB - Also when they find out that the "2 for 1" price they are paying is in fact exactly the same as the old price for 2 rooms they will also feel less inclined to come again.

Edited November 30, 2011 by cowslip

[rikkie]

my parents were going to visit us in thailand this xmas until i told them the

exchange rate, they are now going to malaysia and we are hoping to go visit them

there , .....i spend most of my time here in rayong, the average price of a beer

on entertainment street is 120B !!,...... for a small one , thats nearly £5 per

pint !!......... its becoming like the UK now , i buy from the supermarket and

drink at ึhome or on the beach , the average thai on 275B per day , they have a

choice,.eat OR drink !!!

The exchange rate with the Rigitt vs £€$¥ has gone tits up as well so they're not any cheaper than Thailand, last time I was down there KL was the same price as BKK for most things you can still get ฿9 to RM1 down from ฿10.

฿120 for a beer, that's the sort of price a 5 star hotel charges from the mini bar, I'd find a differnt bar, I won't pay more than ฿75-฿90

i buy a beer for 48 66 cl for bath so what you complaining how much in your country

you go to Belgium to drink more cheap then in your aw so good UK

my gf she make 45,000 a month.

and a sing is still 70 bath here, but you don't get entertainment if you know what i mean

so we eat and drink, you just make a country look bad, what there is in the UK just poverty

[rikkie]

I think the floods will be the least of their problems - as the world finds out about the appalling lack of customer service in Thailand, the degradation of the beaches and natural resources etc., more and more people will look elsewhere for a holiday destination. They will be replaced by less critical "low-end" budget package holidaymakers who don't know or care about service or the environment.

NB - Also when they find out that the "2 for 1" price they are paying is in fact exactly the same as the old price for 2 rooms they will also feel less inclined to come again.

you think Thailand is expensive think again even with the flood it is still 70% more cheap then Belgium

what is wrong with you people you like to go to a paradise but have no money, you just same thai.

You can have a ticket for 500 euro and have a room for 350 bath, so what you tell, if you want to stay Hilton you pay not complain

[rikkie]

I think the floods will be the least of their problems - as the world finds out about the appalling lack of customer service in Thailand, the degradation of the beaches and natural resources etc., more and more people will look elsewhere for a holiday destination. They will be replaced by less critical "low-end" budget package holidaymakers who don't know or care about service or the environment.

NB - Also when they find out that the "2 for 1" price they are paying is in fact exactly the same as the old price for 2 rooms they will also feel less inclined to come again.

if i see comments here i think why.... you still live here, if you not happy go please

go to uk or germany or australia or even usa it is so much better there

[rikkie]

I think the floods will be the least of their problems - as the world finds out about the appalling lack of customer service in Thailand, the degradation of the beaches and natural resources etc., more and more people will look elsewhere for a holiday destination. They will be replaced by less critical "low-end" budget package holidaymakers who don't know or care about service or the environment.

NB - Also when they find out that the "2 for 1" price they are paying is in fact exactly the same as the old price for 2 rooms they will also feel less inclined to come again.

you think Thailand is expensive think again even with the flood it is still 70% more cheap then Belgium

what is wrong with you people you like to go to a paradise but have no money, you just same thai.

You can have a ticket for 500 euro and have a room for 350 bath, so what you tell, if you want to stay Hilton you pay not complain

and the it will not affect the sea, as you know everything is going there, now just more fast.

talk like that will make people more poor here, you want to help them promote it, everything is ok here

[moskito]

Thailand is not the 'cheap' holiday destination that it used to be, it's more of a rip off destination now.

Agree 100%.

Thailand is now very expensive. Many people do not want an expensive holiday

Many people will not come to Thailand now because too expensive and too many rip offs

Absolutely, BUT let us not forget it is not only Thailands fault that the exchange rates are bad for Farangs or ppl from western destinations or Australia.

OUR, Thailands economy is still booming, Chinas too and many countries in Asia wont complain atm. Europe and the JewSA are History, thanks

to the Banksters there and the never ending Greed the foreign exchange rates compared to the Thaibaht is not the best anymore. No worries here,

I make my money in Thaibaht and a chinese customer is as good as a german one.

[Oberkommando]

you think Thailand is expensive think again even with the flood it is still 70% more cheap then Belgium

You get what you pay for in many cases. For example the beer in Belgium is exquisite, Thai beer is terrible in comparison.

Thais will still pay 6 to 12 times more for a German car than a Belgian would, even for one assembled in Thailand.

[Mosha]

TAT will send Red Shirts around the world. Anyone refusing to visit Thailand will get their windows broken.

[rikkie]

you think Thailand is expensive think again even with the flood it is still 70% more cheap then Belgium

You get what you pay for in many cases. For example the beer in Belgium is exquisite, Thai beer is terrible in comparison.

Thais will still pay 6 to 12 times more for a German car than a Belgian would, even for one assembled in Thailand.

what you don't know Inbev ows 50% of Singa, so thats Belgium and thai beer is good, but i am sure you like Heineken

[ROMANOBA]

Expensive compared to which country?

Thailand is not the 'cheap' holiday destination that it used to be, it's more of a rip off destination now.

Agree 100%.

Thailand is now very expensive. Many people do not want an expensive holiday

Many people will not come to Thailand now because too expensive and too many rip offs

[rikkie]

Thailand is not the 'cheap' holiday destination that it used to be, it's more of a rip off destination now.

Agree 100%.

Thailand is now very expensive. Many people do not want an expensive holiday

Many people will not come to Thailand now because too expensive and too many rip offs

Absolutely, BUT let us not forget it is not only Thailands fault that the exchange rates are bad for Farangs or ppl from western destinations or Australia.

OUR, Thailands economy is still booming, Chinas too and many countries in Asia wont complain atm. Europe and the JewSA are History, thanks

to the Banksters there and the never ending Greed the foreign exchange rates compared to the Thaibaht is not the best anymore. No worries here,

I make my money in Thaibaht and a chinese customer is as good as a german one.

i agree thailand is still strong against the euro, i am still happy when i get money from europe , but... whas more happy 3 year ago 55555

i never go back this is the most nice country in the world

[Oberkommando]

what you don't know Inbev ows 50% of Singa, so thats Belgium and thai beer is good, but i am sure you like Heineken

The regional best lager beer is by far and away Angkor from Cambodia.

I don't have a favourite Thai beer as all those available in Thailand are pretty poor but of those I drink Heineken isn't among them given the choice.

Inbev own 50% of Boon Rawd? That's news to me.

[Oberkommando]

Thought you were talking nonsense.

Boon Rawd Brewery is a privately held company that produces and markets alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages. The company offers products such as: soda, beer, drinking water, energy drinks and fruit juices. Boon Rawd Brewery owns Singha, Leo, Thai Beer, and B-Ing brand names. The company primarily operates in Thailand, where it is headquartered in Bangkok.