Beyond Khaosan: Will Thailand's push for 'high-value' tourists finally pay off?

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Beyond Khaosan: Will Thailand's push for 'high-value' tourists finally pay off?
By Shane Danaher



BANGKOK: -- Excepting the possibility of natural or political disaster, 2013 will be a record year for tourism in Thailand.

Last year, the Kingdom hosted 22 million international visitors and, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), this year should improve upon that number, attracting upwards of 24 million tourists to the Kingdom.

While a large amount of this new traffic will come from China, and from repeat visits from European budget travelers, the TAT is hoping to attract a new type of visitor in 2014, one who might change Thailand’s reputation as the country of hangovers (and Hangovers), ladyboys and bucket drinks.

In a March 2013 statement to the National News Bureau of Thailand, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra urged the TAT to attract more “high-end visitors.” While she lauded the agency’s ability to increase the numbers of Thailand’s international visitors, she also urged it to increase the proportion of “high-end” tourists from 20 to 30%.

The TAT, in turn, has moved to capture this high-end segment. Based on the results of a 30,000-person survey, the Authority elected to focus on attracting wealthy visitors by touting Thailand’s possibilities as a destination for golf, wedding or eco-tourism.

“Our focus on niche markets is the way of the future,” writes a TAT representative. “We have to move beyond trying to generate quantitative, numerical growth.”

Conventional logic holds that more tourists equal more money, but in the case of big-spending visitors, more money may be available without putting a further strain on the country’s infrastructure. In her statement to the TAT, Yingluck pointed out chidingly that the average visitor to Thailand spends only THB3,000 (USD100) per day. The PM wants to improve on that number, but some tourism industry professionals question the motivation behind this shift, and doubt its essential practicality. [read more...]

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2013/07/31/beyond-khaosan-will-thailands-push-high-value-tourists-finally-pay


-- Coconuts Bangkok 2013-07-31

[bigbamboo]

Theses are tough targets KY is setting and it poses questions.

Are there enough golfers whose wives are prepared to be golf widows for two weeks when they are supposed to be on holiday? How many young couples will fly all the way to Thailand for their wedding when most of their friends and family won't be able to? And eco tourists... to Thailand?

What Thailand needs to do is to improve the way it takes care of it's guests if it wants to encourage the 'better class' of tourist. It takes more than a heavily made up smile I'm afraid.

[jalansanitwong]

Is the couple in the above photo supposed to be the hi end tourists TAT is so desperately chasing?

If so , theyre right on track !

[bigbamboo]

Is the couple in the above photo supposed to be the hi end tourists TAT is so desperately chasing?

If so , theyre right on track !

I think Wilbur and Ethel above are more hi calorie and big end.

[ava15]

Thailand's image in general across the globe is far from classy unfortunately.

[jcb2001]

It sure isn't going to help get high end tourist into Thailand with all the problems around Phuket. Most foreign tourist will be wanting a pleasant experience of the pristine beaches of Thailand they have read about. They are in for a big surprise when they encounter Tuk Tuk drivers that are out to scam them and jet ski operators that rip off the tourist. Until Thailand can get a handle on this, many tourist will fly back home disappointed after their holiday here.

[Redhawk]

"Yingluck pointed out chidingly that the average visitor to Thailand spends only THB3,000 (USD100) per day. " As long as the population here is arrogant, ignorant, incapable of talking english in the tourism sector, full of natiolism, acting irresponsible, calling different prices for the same service and so on, why people should spent more money or so called high valuable tourists and do the 100,-$ of an average visitor ( this is already insulting ) having a lower value because he is average?!

[paddyjenkins]

We have lots of new scams and assaults to looks forward to...Golf course scam 1....turf damaged by reckless swing, foreign player held down and beaten senseless by gang of enraged caddies who demand baht 60,000, wife dragged off by hair to ATM to make payment....Golf Course scam 2...local Thais run screaming and shoutng at falang playing Golf and miraculously find scratch on rented Golf club, Gold club renter gang kidnap falang player until baht 90,000 baht payment made to replace the club which strangely can be bought new for baht 400 at the local shop...wife made to work in bar, servicing customers in back room until debt cleared...Wedding scam...a Thai man will appear and take snaps without any request, he will demand baht 12,000 per picture from his baht 300 instant Polaroid camera and when quibbled with he and his gang will attack the happy couple with machetes until dead, then the local tourist police hand them the groom's wallet to cover their expenses and loss of face....I look forward to all of it....

[spacebass]

"Yingluck pointed out chidingly that the average visitor to Thailand spends only THB3,000 (USD100) per day. " As long as the population here is arrogant, ignorant, incapable of talking english in the tourism sector, full of natiolism, acting irresponsible, calling different prices for the same service and so on, why people should spent more money or so called high valuable tourists and do the 100,-$ of an average visitor ( this is already insulting ) having a lower value because he is average?!

When the Government charges the Visiting Tourist 10 Times more than Thai people to enter tourist attractions (e.g. Koh Samet National Park, The Crocodile Zoo Bangkok , Kings Palace) what are simple Thai Folk going to think is the way to go??

This is another example of Thai normality , You can't change normality !

[Virt]

The average tourist spend a lot more than TBH3000 a day if the calculation is included the flight cost and hotel rate.

Flight cost is insane from Europe with Thai airways and then Bangkok airlines to Samui and back.

Just came home from our 4th vacation in Thailand after 23 days on Samui/Bangkok

and i think if all is included me and my gf spent close to 50,000 Danish kroner which is about TBH 250,000 which is close to TBH 11,000 a day.

I can't see how we could afford to spent a lot more on our vacation.

Unless i get a second job so i can afford more vacations to Thailand

[tingtongfarang]

They dont seem to consider the negative reports from the tourists they had already when returning home,

Many of my relatives and friends have told they would love to visit thailand but their wives have no interest and for obvious reasons would never allow their husbands to travel here alone,

Difficult for thailand to loose the image it worked so hard to get after all these years.

[fakename]

I like the thought of "eco-toursim, makes me think of all the jelly fish on the beach, that look like plastic bags!

[pisico]

Governments the world over are disconnected with the real life that average folks lead. Do they really know what most tourists have to endure in this country whether "hi-end" or backpacker?

How many times Abbhisit, Yingluck or any other MP walked on the sidewalks of Bangkok having to dodge motorcycles and/or squeeze their bodies through the crowd packing the space left by the encroaching food vendors? How many of them went to a jet-ski shop and rented one of the machines and be scammed afterwards? Many tourists have.

The people at the top of the pyramid of power have no clue that this country is awash in corruption, dual price policies, scams and sorely lacking in safety standards, to mention only a few..

This is a country in which the people and government alike have an idyllic image of themselves. A reactive country in which accountability is an alien notion. Not to mention saving face.

I was commenting about this with a Thai friend, university graduate and well traveled chap. I said to him that corruption will go on for as long high officers in the Royal Thai Police that are involved in running illegal casinos and when caught, the only visible punishment is to remove them to inactive posts. That is no punishment, I said. He replied that the removal meant that their careers were ruined. Never mind that the police are in charge of enforcing the laws. That their primordial duty is that of protecting the people. That went over his head.

Thais are not inclined to push for improvement and/or changes. They are reactive, not proactive and, for as long as making and buying merits is the core of their belief and re-incarnation and rebirth are at the end of the road; why bother?

The government becomes aware that "something is wrong" when a disaster or scandal make it to the headlines. Tourists die from poisoned food in Chiang Mai, a senior citizen is stabbed by a taxi driver and the most frequent incidence: tuk-tuk drivers ganging up on tourist in Pukhet and other Southern tourist venues... But from to become aware and to do something about it is a long, long distance and wait.

Yet, with that picturesque image they have of their country they make projections and dream off these rosy plans for the future. Publicity and a good image in adds will take care of that... So they hope.

[Bluespunk]

"Beyond Khaosan: Will Thailand's push for 'high-value' tourists finally pay off?"

No.

[Skywalker69]

Is the couple in the above photo supposed to be the hi end tourists TAT is so desperately chasing?

If so , theyre right on track !

I think Wilbur and Ethel above are more hi calorie and big end.

Mr and Mrs. Big Mac.

[LuckyLew]

Thailand is not in a position to be a hi end tourist detination

It is more known for cheap food, cheap hotels, cheap transportation and cheap woman

By cheap women I mean 30 or less a throw

Everyone I talk to back home would hardly consider Thailand as a destination ...

Too far ... too much risk of trouble ... too many bad reports in the news

Thailand should be happy with what they attract and learn to treat them properly

[Tatsujin]

Is the couple in the above photo supposed to be the hi end tourists TAT is so desperately chasing?

If so , theyre right on track !

I think Wilbur and Ethel above are more hi calorie and big end.

Mr and Mrs. Big Mac.

They've got to be American's, right? lol

[Time Traveller]

Thailand need not worry. "high-value tourists" love crime, racism, being ripped off, and dirty beaches. But most of all they love being labelled as a "quality" person.

Edited July 31, 2013 by Time Traveller

[Tatsujin]

“We know that many very well-off people are now keen to give back to society,”

Since when????

I swear they have their heads so far up their own . . .

[ginjag]

Is the couple in the above photo supposed to be the hi end tourists TAT is so desperately chasing?

If so , theyre right on track !

Chang nam seems to fit the high end photo's (nothing personal to the couple)

[jocko]

Were do high end tourists go for there holidays now ?

[Huayrat]

Low end tourists cant afford to come to Thailand... The flight cost from Europe kills them off straight away.. 35k baht then the hotel bill so they go to the horrible tacky places instead Turkey and benidorm

[Bluespunk]

Low end tourists cant afford to come to Thailand... The flight cost from Europe kills them off straight away.. 35k baht then the hotel bill so they go to the horrible tacky places instead Turkey and benidorm

Monty python felt the same.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Yz2LaJOVAiA

[Tomtomtom69]

The average tourist spend a lot more than TBH3000 a day if the calculation is included the flight cost and hotel rate.

Flight cost is insane from Europe with Thai airways and then Bangkok airlines to Samui and back.

Just came home from our 4th vacation in Thailand after 23 days on Samui/Bangkok

and i think if all is included me and my gf spent close to 50,000 Danish kroner which is about TBH 250,000 which is close to TBH 11,000 a day.

I can't see how we could afford to spent a lot more on our vacation.

Unless i get a second job so i can afford more vacations to Thailand

You're spending more than enough here. But what's so good about Thailand that you can't go somewhere else next time instead? There are more than 200 countries in this world and even in the region you have Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, Indonesia etc. competing for your tourist Kroner all worthwhile destinations that may end up costing you a lot less than Thailand does (or at least you might be able to get more value for money).

Thailand is generally a nice country but I am getting sick of the obsession with tourism in this country...how many tourists before everyone's satisfied? And secondly it is hardly the only country that is worth visiting in this region.

[ginjag]

The photo -main heading.

She said "is there a weight watchers club here" he said don't know but I might try a pint of beer while i'm here.

with being High end tourists they can afford a 10 bht ice cream from KFC.

[RogueLeader]

Low end tourists cant afford to come to Thailand... The flight cost from Europe kills them off straight away.. 35k baht then the hotel bill so they go to the horrible tacky places instead Turkey and benidorm

Neither of which are cheap. Try again.

[kimamey]

Thailand is not in a position to be a hi end tourist detination

It is more known for cheap food, cheap hotels, cheap transportation and cheap woman

By cheap women I mean 30 or less a throw

Everyone I talk to back home would hardly consider Thailand as a destination ...

Too far ... too much risk of trouble ... too many bad reports in the news

Thailand should be happy with what they attract and learn to treat them properly

By cheap women I mean 30 or less a throw

30 what?

I think you need to clarify that. There are many different currencies at different rates in the world and suggesting 30 in many of them (Thai baht for instance) could cause a stamped.

[ginjag]

Thailand is not in a position to be a hi end tourist detination

It is more known for cheap food, cheap hotels, cheap transportation and cheap woman

By cheap women I mean 30 or less a throw

Everyone I talk to back home would hardly consider Thailand as a destination ...

Too far ... too much risk of trouble ... too many bad reports in the news

Thailand should be happy with what they attract and learn to treat them properly

By cheap women I mean 30 or less a throw

30 what?

I think you need to clarify that. There are many different currencies at different rates in the world and suggesting 30 in many of them (Thai baht for instance) could cause a stamped.

Think he meant pounds sterling--or us dollars.

[givenall]

My business in MBK who does deepens on tourist has its worst performance this year among past 7 years. This is a joke, tourist may be coming here but they don't have money or spend money

[kimamey]

Thailand is not in a position to be a hi end tourist detination

It is more known for cheap food, cheap hotels, cheap transportation and cheap woman

By cheap women I mean 30 or less a throw

Everyone I talk to back home would hardly consider Thailand as a destination ...

Too far ... too much risk of trouble ... too many bad reports in the news

Thailand should be happy with what they attract and learn to treat them properly

By cheap women I mean 30 or less a throw

30 what?

I think you need to clarify that. There are many different currencies at different rates in the world and suggesting 30 in many of them (Thai baht for instance) could cause a stamped.

Think he meant pounds sterling--or us dollars.

I was assuming US dollars but there are a lot of expats on here who may be in delicate health and who now think financially in terms of baht. That could have serious consequences.