i keep reading that Burma is easing up the military rule and that it is loaded with natural resources like gas, oil, minerals, not to mention zillions of miles of pristine beaches

this could hurt Phuket and Thailand in two ways, 1) tourist heading to Burma vs. Thailand, 2) Burmese workers going home and leaving thousands of jobs unfilled

what do you think? future problems for Phuket or no?

It'll certainly hurt the Phuket diving industry.

Burma and other countries surrounding Thailand want to become a democracy the same as Thailand and Thailand wants to become as democratic as some other countries

There are other adjoining countries where cheap laborers can be found

Lots of them are going back already,the constuction industry will be the big sufferers,the clever Burmuse are aready getting ready to start there own construction companies..when they start relaxing the rules,there will be a big exodus..

also the TOURIST INDUSTRY WILL GROW RAPIDLY..and in my opinion it wont be long..i was talking recently to one of my ex staff[bURMESE] who i have known for 10 years,he speaks 5 languages[Thai,Chinese,Malaysian,English and Burmese]...

he tells me he is ready to go back with his wife,his son has already gone back,as soon as possible and there are many like him,these poeple can help make the New Burma.. at the expense of Thailand...

Sure it will have an effect on Thai tourism, but slowly slowly. At the moment Burma is receiving virtually no tourists, in the future first backpackers will come, slowly followed by more adventures travelers, and after that the package tourists. Same as tourism in Vietnam is developing slowly slowly.

Tourism in Vietnam is not developing slowly, it is developing at break-neck speed.

I couldn't believe how many European tourists were in Na Trang when I was there three months ago compared to only two years ago. There are many westerners opening up hotels, beach-clubs, bars and restaurants. There is only one chance to "get in on the ground floor" and many westerners are taking that chance.

Burman cannot take business from Phuket, as Farang don't like communist.

Tourism in Vietnam is not developing slowly, it is developing at break-neck speed.

I couldn't believe how many European tourists were in Na Trang when I was there three months ago compared to only two years ago. There are many westerners opening up hotels, beach-clubs, bars and restaurants. There is only one chance to "get in on the ground floor" and many westerners are taking that chance.

Yes, I agree with that. Trouble is that Vietnam has just as many obstacles as Thailand with regard to Immigration and Work Permit and documentation as Thailand from what I heard from local business people last time I visited. But right now it's expensive to start up here in Phuket so Na Trang offers a cheaper start up. Personally Vietnam did not appeal to me during that exploratory visit. Going to have a poke about Burma this year and see what's going on there.

Tourism in Vietnam is not developing slowly, it is developing at break-neck speed.

I couldn't believe how many European tourists were in Na Trang when I was there three months ago compared to only two years ago. There are many westerners opening up hotels, beach-clubs, bars and restaurants. There is only one chance to "get in on the ground floor" and many westerners are taking that chance.

At the moment it is going fast, after a very, very slow startup, as always, as everywhere. Tourism there started 30 years ago, so still a long way to go before they reach Thai numbers.

Sure it will have an effect on Thai tourism, but slowly slowly. At the moment Burma is receiving virtually no tourists, in the future first backpackers will come, slowly followed by more adventures travelers, and after that the package tourists. Same as tourism in Vietnam is developing slowly slowly.

"Same as tourism in Vietnam is developing slowly slowly."

:) :)

Have you even been there????????

what do you think?

let's discuss that in 20 years.

Tourism in Vietnam is not developing slowly, it is developing at break-neck speed.

I couldn't believe how many European tourists were in Na Trang when I was there three months ago compared to only two years ago. There are many westerners opening up hotels, beach-clubs, bars and restaurants. There is only one chance to "get in on the ground floor" and many westerners are taking that chance.

That's exactly what I saw when I was there, and I went to several coastal areas in the country. The "smart money" has gone to Vietnam.

The same opportunity will exist in Burma for those willing to get in early and buy a big place for cheap. Then, as the tourism expands, your investment, whether that be a bar, restaurant or hotel, will grow, whilst times just get tougher in Phuket.

Tourism in Vietnam is not developing slowly, it is developing at break-neck speed.

I couldn't believe how many European tourists were in Na Trang when I was there three months ago compared to only two years ago. There are many westerners opening up hotels, beach-clubs, bars and restaurants. There is only one chance to "get in on the ground floor" and many westerners are taking that chance.

Yes, I agree with that. Trouble is that Vietnam has just as many obstacles as Thailand with regard to Immigration and Work Permit and documentation as Thailand from what I heard from local business people last time I visited. But right now it's expensive to start up here in Phuket so Na Trang offers a cheaper start up. Personally Vietnam did not appeal to me during that exploratory visit. Going to have a poke about Burma this year and see what's going on there.

You can buy a 3 month tourist visa on www.myvietnamvisa.com that you pick up on arrival at the airport with some passport photos.

You can extend this visa 3 times, from within Vietnam, for about $40US per extension. That's one year of living in Vietnam, without having to leave, and that's on tourist visas. There is no limit to back to back tourist visas. No need for crap like having 850,000 baht in a Thai bank account for 3 months and being over 50 etc etc etc etc. Immigration is easy there.

I know very little about work permits there because the place is that cheap, not many people need to work, only the backpackers teaching english. :) :)

Sure it will have an effect on Thai tourism, but slowly slowly. At the moment Burma is receiving virtually no tourists, in the future first backpackers will come, slowly followed by more adventures travelers, and after that the package tourists. Same as tourism in Vietnam is developing slowly slowly.

"Same as tourism in Vietnam is developing slowly slowly."

Have you even been there????????

Yes, several times, starting from over 25 years ago. And tourism development there is the same as in many places all over the world: first 20 years very, very slowly, then 5 years a bit faster, then 5 years again faster. I would say Vietnam is in the second 5 years now, but Burma still has to start with the first 20 years.

Tourism in Vietnam is not developing slowly, it is developing at break-neck speed.

I couldn't believe how many European tourists were in Na Trang when I was there three months ago compared to only two years ago. There are many westerners opening up hotels, beach-clubs, bars and restaurants. There is only one chance to "get in on the ground floor" and many westerners are taking that chance.

At the moment it is going fast, after a very, very slow startup, as always, as everywhere. Tourism there started 30 years ago, so still a long way to go before they reach Thai numbers.

Try 20 years. The boarders only really opened up in 1990.

When you say, "reach Thai numbers" - a lot of those "numbers" are coming at the expense of Phuket. Those "numbers" that Vietnam are getting are the westerners who spend money, not Chinese, Russian, Indian and Arab package holiday makers.

The amount of bars, restaurants and hotels being built there, many already in operation, is unbelievable. New airports and shipping berths, closer to the tourist areas, are planned. I know the Vietnamese taxis will not be blockading those cruise ships.

I don't know if many members on TV are aware but, a lot of Thai's go to Vietnam because Vietnam also has many casinos to cater for them.

The Vietnamese threat to tourism in Thailand, and especially Phuket, is imminent. Meanwhile, nothing has changed here for the benefit of tourist or expats.

Edited January 9, 201214 yr by NamKangMan

Try 20 years. The boarders only really opened up in 1990.

Yes, to package/organised tours, but backpackers, including myself, were there already before those 20 years. And as I wrote, it starts with the backpackers.

Sure it will have an effect on Thai tourism, but slowly slowly. At the moment Burma is receiving virtually no tourists, in the future first backpackers will come, slowly followed by more adventures travelers, and after that the package tourists. Same as tourism in Vietnam is developing slowly slowly.

"Same as tourism in Vietnam is developing slowly slowly."

Have you even been there????????

Yes, several times, starting from over 25 years ago. And tourism development there is the same as in many places all over the world: first 20 years very, very slowly, then 5 years a bit faster, then 5 years again faster. I would say Vietnam is in the second 5 years now, but Burma still has to start with the first 20 years.

When were you last there? I'd like to know your definition of "slow" and "fast.

Put it this way, Vietnam will be booming with tourist, who will return for their holidays, and who will one day retire there, while we will still be reading about tuk tuk driver bashings, jet ski scams, drink spiking, robberies, fatal motor vehicle accidents, extortion, timeshare rip offs etc in Phuket. :)

Edited January 9, 201214 yr by NamKangMan

Put it this way, Vietnam will be booming with tourist, who will return for their holidays, and who will one day retire there, while we will still be reading about tuk tuk driver bashings, jet ski scams, drink spiking, robberies, fatal motor vehicle accidents, extortion, timeshare rip offs etc in Phuket.

5555

I thought this topic was about Burma not Vietnam.....totally different..

My guess is that if (or when) Myanmar opens, the big foreign money will go there along with the construction workers (Myanmar workers)

Then it will be hard to do quality construction here and things will deteriorate rather quickly.

It may take a while for the rich farangs to switch, as they require some infrastructure which won't be available for some time.

But, yes, the backpackers are most likely going to flock there (as long as the dollar and euro remain high enough) as I think there is so much potential.

Just take a look on Google earth of all the islands and beaches.

It looks like paradise (without electricity or roads at this point however)

Burman cannot take business from Phuket, as Farang don't like communist.

Thats the second dumbest thing I have ever read.

Burman cannot take business from Phuket, as Farang don't like communist.

Thats the second dumbest thing I have ever read.

No 1. must be something out of the box!