Thailand As Most Popular Asian Destination

[lovetotravel]

Completely shut down the sex bars and massage parlours for 60 days and see how the tourist industry rates then......

Kinda agree with you, but in many places, that's not the draw. Hua Hin, Chiang Mai (some yes), Chantaburi, Samui and the other islands there, parts of Phuket, parts of Pattaya (many Russian couples now), Bangkok (lots, but lots of tourists also interested in other things), etc.

The types of visitors here is changing for sure.

[blazes]

"inspire us to continue developing Thailand as a destination of choice for international travellers from the German speaking regions of Europe"

not that big market: germany, austria, some swithzerland, less than 100mln

Greece maybe?

[blazes]

It won't be anymore if the BBC continues to mangle the news. Last night I heard their anchor referring to the story about the Thai guy who found his lost dog in that lorry load of dogs rescued in transit to Vietnam. "He managed to save his dog from ending up on the dinner tables of Thailand". Forget tsunamis, forget floods, forget violence on the street; nothing could be better calculated to remove tourists than a belief that Thais eat dogs.

omg, you mean they don't?

[blazes]

oh come on , not everything is that bad here ..... except maybe thai airways ...I always thought Singapore airlines and Cathay were the best Asian airlines ... as a former passengers on TG I gave up some time ago for their louzy biz class ...But its true anyway Thailand is one of the best Asian destination ...if you remove the : hookers, scams, traffic, taxi scams , jet ski scams , the rest is nice , great diving , excellent food , beautiful beaches ( there are still some) nice weather . .

Thai "excellent food" makes me long for Welsh lamb....

[blazes]

I wish that you were right, but eating dogs doesn't seem to hurt Vietnam's tourist numbers.

In Belgium they even eat horse meat.... Nothing wrong with that! In China they eat human foetusses... In Japan they eat whales and dolphins... the list is endless!

No, the proper termination of the list is ...human. Plenty of examples in recent and distant history.

[newjobs61]

Damb it ! I can never visit the rest of asia now as thailand is the savest place to be WHAT aload of crap that is

ive seen the other half of asia and it is all good bars full of farangs people having fun

also KL have there own soi cowboy wow what a night out no scammers there !!

jakarta also has a soi 4 called BLOCK M wow party all night long 6 am close

whats thailand got NOT ALOT

Edited March 17, 2012 by newjobs61

[TheGhostWithin]

It isn't the best and most popular destination for the head of the Shinawatra family just yet, and may he forever hold his time-piece, as time peace doesn't exist to the scrawny tw@it!

-mel.

Bringing Politics into an unrelated economic article is not cool Mel.. We get enough of this trolling from some of the other long standing members. You like him or you hate him, but this is not his thread - it belongs to a different subject altogether, unless you can prove a link between the awards and Big T.

[TackyToo]

Belief in Thailand is like a religion, it is an act of faith, not of facts.

too bad there are no Darwinists at the TAT

[MILT]

I'm not suprised at all. There is so much to see and do in this beautiful country and the people are much more warm and welcoming to foriegners than in other parts of Asia - especially China. This is a country with problems like many, and has one of the most corrupt and incompetent governments that exist on the planet. But LOS still has its charms and I see that every time I look at my beautiful wife who embodies the best the Kingdom has to offer.

[Tony59329]

Thai Airways = best Asian airline

Just love this one!!!

[Markaew]

I wish that you were right, but eating dogs doesn't seem to hurt Vietnam's tourist numbers.

Thais eat people too. You think that would hurt tourism?

[Markaew]

I'm not suprised at all. There is so much to see and do in this beautiful country and the people are much more warm and welcoming to foriegners than in other parts of Asia - especially China. This is a country with problems like many, and has one of the most corrupt and incompetent governments that exist on the planet. But LOS still has its charms and I see that every time I look at my beautiful wife who embodies the best the Kingdom has to offer.

I see the problem with Thailand's image is Thailand is judged by referencing the people outside Bangkok, Pattaya, etc. where the people are much more friendly and are more of what you expect from Thailand. Bangkok, Pattaya, etc. are horrible examples for Thailand where the people double price, scam, and are incredibly rude.

[khunkeith]

Thai Airways = best Asian airline

I have never had a bad experience with Thai Airlines. on the contrary, I have always enjoyed flying Thai Air. For one, the seats in economy have more leg room that US or European carriers. Thai has never lost my luggage as has Lufthansa, British Air, Korean Air or United AL. It's one of the top 10 airlines worldwide, rated by travelers. I agree it's not the #1 Asian airline but, there I would rather fly Thai that ANA, Korean Airlines, Philippine AIr or one of the numerous regional carriers.

[khunkeith]

I'm not suprised at all. There is so much to see and do in this beautiful country and the people are much more warm and welcoming to foriegners than in other parts of Asia - especially China. This is a country with problems like many, and has one of the most corrupt and incompetent governments that exist on the planet. But LOS still has its charms and I see that every time I look at my beautiful wife who embodies the best the Kingdom has to offer.

I see the problem with Thailand's image is Thailand is judged by referencing the people outside Bangkok, Pattaya, etc. where the people are much more friendly and are more of what you expect from Thailand. Bangkok, Pattaya, etc. are horrible examples for Thailand where the people double price, scam, and are incredibly rude.

I agree, you can't judge Thailand by the tourist areas of BKK or Pattaya. Pattaya, in particular, sucks big time. If a tourist (or expat for that matter) only experiences Thailand by going to tourist resorts, they are missing out on a lot. In areas like Pattaya, many tourists arrive with no knowledge of Thai culture. I remember being aghast once when I saw a group of western tourists climbing all over a religious statute (with their shoes on no less) and taking photos like it was a Disney resort. I have seen a tourist literally knock down a free lance vender at the beach. I see tourists walking 3 or 4 abreast on the sidewalks and not making way for people coming in the other direction. Perhaps the Thai's in tourist areas have just adapted to what they see the tourists do.

But, get away from the areas heavily populated by tourists and, it's a completely different Thailand.

[lovetotravel]

I'm not suprised at all. There is so much to see and do in this beautiful country and the people are much more warm and welcoming to foriegners than in other parts of Asia - especially China. This is a country with problems like many, and has one of the most corrupt and incompetent governments that exist on the planet. But LOS still has its charms and I see that every time I look at my beautiful wife who embodies the best the Kingdom has to offer.

I see the problem with Thailand's image is Thailand is judged by referencing the people outside Bangkok, Pattaya, etc. where the people are much more friendly and are more of what you expect from Thailand. Bangkok, Pattaya, etc. are horrible examples for Thailand where the people double price, scam, and are incredibly rude.

And how much different is that from many of the other major tourist places around the world? I'd hate to think of all the European cities I've been scammed in...or had scams attempted. Scammers are everywhere there are tourists, unfortunately.

[TheGhostWithin]

I'm not suprised at all. There is so much to see and do in this beautiful country and the people are much more warm and welcoming to foriegners than in other parts of Asia - especially China. This is a country with problems like many, and has one of the most corrupt and incompetent governments that exist on the planet. But LOS still has its charms and I see that every time I look at my beautiful wife who embodies the best the Kingdom has to offer.

I see the problem with Thailand's image is Thailand is judged by referencing the people outside Bangkok, Pattaya, etc. where the people are much more friendly and are more of what you expect from Thailand. Bangkok, Pattaya, etc. are horrible examples for Thailand where the people double price, scam, and are incredibly rude.

And how much different is that from many of the other major tourist places around the world? I'd hate to think of all the European cities I've been scammed in...or had scams attempted. Scammers are everywhere there are tourists, unfortunately.

Mark, I think the difference between most tourist scams in developed countries and scams in many Asian, African and sometimes near-east countries is that the authorities turn a blind eye to, and often take part in the scams. Agreed, this must happen in our own home countries too, though I do not often read of it happening. I see it happening in Thailand, and read about it regularly happening in Cambodia too. I think this marks the difference between Say that of Thailand (or Nigeria), and being a tourist in the US, UK, or even somewhere like Australia (who sorry for the Aussies out there, but was founded as a prison colony, however have managed to step foot on the right path fairly quickly). I love Asia, but do worry one day I will fall victim to one of these elaborate scams - you can't always see them coming.

[khunkeith]

I'm not suprised at all. There is so much to see and do in this beautiful country and the people are much more warm and welcoming to foriegners than in other parts of Asia - especially China. This is a country with problems like many, and has one of the most corrupt and incompetent governments that exist on the planet. But LOS still has its charms and I see that every time I look at my beautiful wife who embodies the best the Kingdom has to offer.

You have not traveled much I guess if you think Thailand is one of the most corrupt and incompetent governments that exist on the planet. Travel to just about any African, South or Central American and even other Asian countries, including India and South West Asia. Then, rethink your post.

[khunkeith]

20 most corrupt countries.

20. Haiti

19. Cambodia

18. Angola

17. Burundi

16. Yemen

15. Iraq

14. Venezuela

13. Côted´Ivoire

12. Syria

11. Chad

10. Ethiopia

9. Iran

8. Swaziland

7. Democratic Republic of the Congo

6. Belarus

5. Equatorial Guinea

4. Afghanistan

3. Laos

2. Eritrea

1. Uzbekistan

[TheGhostWithin]

20 most corrupt countries.

20. Haiti

19. Cambodia

18. Angola

17. Burundi

16. Yemen

15. Iraq

14. Venezuela

13. Côted´Ivoire

12. Syria

11. Chad

10. Ethiopia

9. Iran

8. Swaziland

7. Democratic Republic of the Congo

6. Belarus

5. Equatorial Guinea

4. Afghanistan

3. Laos

2. Eritrea

1. Uzbekistan

Sourced from where, exactly? Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe do not even feature on this list.. I for one have doubts as to the correctness. The snake rots from the head in Thailand, in its present and past forms, they are one and the same. Thaksin speaks, Pheu Thai does. A ruling party that takes orders for a fugitive found guilty in abstentia who resorts to using his funds to protest in a combination non-violent and violent protest to overthrow the then government in power should be more than enough to have the Kingdom included on this list.

We won;t even get into the pre-2008 purchases by Pojamon Shinwatra under the blessings of Thaksin and the FIDC to purchase a huge amount of prime real estate on Ratchadapisek Road, of which was deemed to be illegal. So tell me how Thailand does not make the list of the top 20 most corrupt countries in the present? Sourced:

[khunkeith]

20 most corrupt countries.

20. Haiti

19. Cambodia

18. Angola

17. Burundi

16. Yemen

15. Iraq

14. Venezuela

13. Côted´Ivoire

12. Syria

11. Chad

10. Ethiopia

9. Iran

8. Swaziland

7. Democratic Republic of the Congo

6. Belarus

5. Equatorial Guinea

4. Afghanistan

3. Laos

2. Eritrea

1. Uzbekistan

Sourced from where, exactly? Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe do not even feature on this list.. I for one have doubts as to the correctness. The snake rots from the head in Thailand, in its present and past forms, they are one and the same. Thaksin speaks, Pheu Thai does. A ruling party that takes orders for a fugitive found guilty in abstentia who resorts to using his funds to protest in a combination non-violent and violent protest to overthrow the then government in power should be more than enough to have the Kingdom included on this list.

We won;t even get into the pre-2008 purchases by Pojamon Shinwatra under the blessings of Thaksin and the FIDC to purchase a huge amount of prime real estate on Ratchadapisek Road, of which was deemed to be illegal. So tell me how Thailand does not make the list of the top 20 most corrupt countries in the present? Sourced: http://www.thaivisa....isek-land-case/

according to Transparency International, Thailand is listed as the 80th most corrupt out of 183 countries world wide in December, 2011. google Transparency International and do some reading. the previous list might be a couple years out of date, I did not check the date for current accuracy.

if you think Thailand is in the top 10, you don't have much knowledge of global affairs I am afraid.

Edited March 18, 2012 by khunkeith

[phomsanuk]

"inspire us to continue developing Thailand as a destination of choice for international travellers from the German speaking regions of Europe"

not that big market: germany, austria, some swithzerland, less than 100mln

Yes but they are not broke!

[garrya]

...by Go Asia, a marketing network that specialises in marketing Asia as a destination for travellers. They make their money providing this kind of news feed. Why should they be interested to reflect the truth?

I'm bored by all these industry clowns creating awards and rankings and giving the prices to themselves.

Agree with this. IMO there is no such thing that impartial marketing organisation. There are numerous best beaches of the year, best countries, best airlines.....et cetera

[garrya]

Thai Airways = best Asian airline

Just love this one!!!

Some people must have put their ticks into the wrong box na

[khunkeith]

20 most corrupt countries.

20. Haiti

19. Cambodia

18. Angola

17. Burundi

16. Yemen

15. Iraq

14. Venezuela

13. Côted´Ivoire

12. Syria

11. Chad

10. Ethiopia

9. Iran

8. Swaziland

7. Democratic Republic of the Congo

6. Belarus

5. Equatorial Guinea

4. Afghanistan

3. Laos

2. Eritrea

1. Uzbekistan

Sourced from where, exactly? Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe do not even feature on this list.. I for one have doubts as to the correctness. The snake rots from the head in Thailand, in its present and past forms, they are one and the same. Thaksin speaks, Pheu Thai does. A ruling party that takes orders for a fugitive found guilty in abstentia who resorts to using his funds to protest in a combination non-violent and violent protest to overthrow the then government in power should be more than enough to have the Kingdom included on this list.

We won;t even get into the pre-2008 purchases by Pojamon Shinwatra under the blessings of Thaksin and the FIDC to purchase a huge amount of prime real estate on Ratchadapisek Road, of which was deemed to be illegal. So tell me how Thailand does not make the list of the top 20 most corrupt countries in the present? Sourced: http://www.thaivisa....isek-land-case/

according to Transparency International, Thailand is listed as the 80th most corrupt out of 183 countries world wide in December, 2011. google Transparency International and do some reading. the previous list might be a couple years out of date, I did not check the date for current accuracy.

if you think Thailand is in the top 10, you don't have much knowledge of global affairs I am afraid.

ms quote in former post. Thailand is rated 80th out of 183 countries. That means, there are 103 countries more corrupt according to the transparency International website.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2011/dec/01/corruption-index-2011-transparency-international

Edited March 18, 2012 by khunkeith

[Chupup]

WHAT an absolute load of TRIPE, all i can say is how much were they paid to put out this B S, it is quite obviously not TOP Destination as noted by the Empty? part Empty of the Many Hotels at the tourist destinations of Pattya , Puket & Hue Hin/Cha am, Chan Mai covered in Smoke haze as well as most of the Northern states, i don't know just what these people are useing but its certainly clouding their judgment

[Jerrytheyoung]

The issue is which level of tourists you attract? Low income or High income ones?

Obviously the gangsterisation of some areas like Phuket or Pattaya cannot attract European middle class families, only broken young backpackers can be attracted by the low cost of living. So total resources provided by tourism????