Tourism Authority of Thailand targets high-end travellers

[unanimosity]

The morons at TAT have been saying the same thing for the last 15 years. They wouldn't know how to target something if they were standing on top of it anyway so it really doesn't matter what market they say they're going after. What they fail to realize is that high-end travelers don't WANT to come to Thailand in general. Thailand's international reputation as a sex tourism haven is one reason and the other is that there is nothing here that these people want to see. Do they want to go to see a few temples, go to a jewelry store, buy overpriced high-end brand name merchandise somewhere, eat in the, mostly, mediocre restaurants here, pay absurd prices for a decent glass of wine, etc, etc, etc? What is it that the TAT thinks these people want to do here? If the TAT yoyos were really smart they'd get the government to legalize prostitution, regulate and help the sex workers and promote Thailand as the sex capital of the world. Tourism would double. Think of all that money. Obviously it would never happen but what they're going to do instead is absurd and will be a total waste of time. TIT

And they would add some form of regulated casinos and provide air conditioning in all the "cultural" attractions. Maybe adding a decent museum or two could help as well...there has to be some art that could be added to such a place...isn't there?

Honestly I don't think TAT even knows what a high end traveler desires or requires (even those from their own backyard of Singapore and China), so how could they possibly target those high end travelers? Maybe they should take a trip to Singapore, Macau, or Hong Kong instead of wasting their budgets in Samui and Phuket. They might learn something if they are able to take off the Thainess blinders.

I'm reminded of a trip my wife and I took to Playa del Carmen (certainly not high end...more upper middle class I think). Her question was "why won't Thailand do something like this?" THIS is restaurants that serve decent and in some cases awesome food at reasonable prices, clean beaches and sparkling water without trash floating in it, beaches that require a small fee, but have excellent service and no touts, clean streets, a walking street that is actually closed to cars and motocys, and no visible crime or scams. I could also mention the excellent service we received from people who could actually communicate with us in our native language. Yes, as an expat in Thailand I appreciate the need to learn Thai as a sign of respect if nothing else, but a tourist should never be subjected to this kind of expectation.

,

Mexico was like Thailand, naive in what drives inbound international tourism arrivals, but instead of consulting fortune tellers and eschewing research, Mexico retained experienced experts and followed their advice.

Oh, and Mexico understood the logic of focusing Ministry resources on international arrivals while staying out of the domestic tourism activity due to corruption and conflict of interest issues. And they understood that film festivals and sports have nothing to do with tourism even though they present opportunities for graft.

Edited August 15, 2013 by unanimosity

[Sakeopete]

How about all the clean beaches and sea life. Ooops sorry the topic is Thailand maybe it can promote itself as a layover destination to someplace with clean beaches and sea life..

Edited August 15, 2013 by Sakeopete

[Thai at Heart]

How many "high" end hotels are owned by Thai companies?

All the big names are owned by overseas chains.

Maybe the cost of marketing is less than the cost of cleaning up the street crime in tourist areas?

Bricks and mortar are owned by Thais, the foreign companies manage the business.

[lungmi]

High end Tourists can buy fake Rolex, fake Alligator Brand, a kiss to a King Cobra, see beautiful converted men, but they will

never see where Thailand is beautiful: no air condition, no English menu, no sex-spas etc.

[dudu]

You can't target them, you have to attract them, thats where i see a slight problem.

[unanimosity]

I think that it's a great idea and TAT will win out! Thailand has a great deal to offer including low prices. I like the slogan "Happiness You Can Share" and I think that we all need to understand that "Thailand" is not just the type of joint that you can find in Phuket or Pattaya where, the TAT slogan should be "happiness you can drink"

While I agree with you to about the two Ps I am not sure that Thailand will ever attract very many real high end tourists. Yes there are a few. I believe KohSamui has been successful in attracting Indian marriage business which is good for the bottom line but not for the high end.

There already are a few high end people who have homes in various parts of Thailand either to live but mostly to visit.

High end can be supported in a very few places, small isolated and where customers can be safety transferred to view sites.

I just do not think the numbers are there to replace the money bought into the normal economy by current tourists.

What must be understood is that high-end is relative and compared to the types of people that are visiting Thailand now--even the ones that have money, which does not necessarily equate to being high-end--high-end to TAT might mean somebody that has a job, since they have positioned the country to appeal to more or less itinerant single males on the make in their advertising campaigns. It takes very little for a single guy to travel, but high-end travelers tend to travel in family units and a culture that tends to accept violent abuse toward women and is famous for prostitution, even of minors, is hardly attractive to family oriented travel. High-end travelers travelling alone would be unlikely to let it be known if they ever did visit Thailand due to the stigma attached.

[unanimosity]

You can't target them, you have to attract them, thats where i see a slight problem.

Precisely, and the problem isn't slight.

[unanimosity]

How many "high" end hotels are owned by Thai companies?

All the big names are owned by overseas chains.

Maybe the cost of marketing is less than the cost of cleaning up the street crime in tourist areas?

Bricks and mortar are owned by Thais, the foreign companies manage the business.

This is absolutely correct.

[Thai at Heart]

I think that it's a great idea and TAT will win out! Thailand has a great deal to offer including low prices. I like the slogan "Happiness You Can Share" and I think that we all need to understand that "Thailand" is not just the type of joint that you can find in Phuket or Pattaya where, the TAT slogan should be "happiness you can drink"

While I agree with you to about the two Ps I am not sure that Thailand will ever attract very many real high end tourists. Yes there are a few. I believe KohSamui has been successful in attracting Indian marriage business which is good for the bottom line but not for the high end.

There already are a few high end people who have homes in various parts of Thailand either to live but mostly to visit.

High end can be supported in a very few places, small isolated and where customers can be safety transferred to view sites.

I just do not think the numbers are there to replace the money bought into the normal economy by current tourists.

What must be understood is that high-end is relative and compared to the types of people that are visiting Thailand now--even the ones that have money, which does not necessarily equate to being high-end--high-end to TAT might mean somebody that has a job, since they have positioned the country to appeal to more or less itinerant single males on the make in their advertising campaigns. It takes very little for a single guy to travel, but high-end travelers tend to travel in family units and a culture that tends to accept violent abuse toward women and is famous for prostitution, even of minors, is hardly attractive to family oriented travel. High-end travelers travelling alone would be unlikely to let it be known if they ever did visit Thailand due to the stigma attached.

And normally, high end doesn't mix with low end. Is there one resort that doesn't have a mix of all stars of accommodation? They haven't planned or segregated anything properly.

[surangw]

the touts and scammers have been targeting the high end tourists all along, and they don't discriminate, they target all levels of tourism

[DocN]

...well...of course they do!

Next!

[gamini]

A lot of "sick" people on this forum who rant about everything and who have little idea of fact and up market tourists. Thailand has everything for wealthy tourists. They don't see the things(exaggertated) these TV posters mention because they don't live the same kind of life. Up-market tourists rent limosines and jet skis from the luxury Hotels they stay at they are not interested in low class resorts like Pattaya and the sleasy parts of other resorts. They are protected by the security of the five star Hotels they stay at. They never have problems with police or scams or any of the other things that other tourist face.

Thailand has some of the best hotels in the world with private beaches and a host of other attractions. The TAT is right to try and attract more High End tourists.

[kuiburi]

Guess they forgot the market of retired people that not only spend a few days or weeks but spend the last journey of there life . Even a low european pension would benifit the country . Living away from the real touristplaces retired people can have a great last journey here . ( cheap funeral to )

Before many northern europeans would spend there last day's in Italy or Spain because it was cheap and u could live an easy live on ur pension .

But it got expensive too . Thailand could cash a lot of money if they would ease down on the 800 k the retired people need for there visa .

[Emdog]

I think most of us have felt like targets, used for target practice (ready, aim, fire!) regardless of income level. Often with live ammunition...

[dudu]

A lot of "sick" people on this forum who rant about everything and who have little idea of fact and up market tourists. Thailand has everything for wealthy tourists. They don't see the things(exaggertated) these TV posters mention because they don't live the same kind of life. Up-market tourists rent limosines and jet skis from the luxury Hotels they stay at they are not interested in low class resorts like Pattaya and the sleasy parts of other resorts. They are protected by the security of the five star Hotels they stay at. They never have problems with police or scams or any of the other things that other tourist face.

Thailand has some of the best hotels in the world with private beaches and a host of other attractions. The TAT is right to try and attract more High End tourists.

They already have those chosen few, no need to attract them, the wealthy know very well about Thailand's hidden secrets, i would say they are aiming more for non budget tourists, AKA high end tourists, how the circle comes around, these people have pre paid transit to their hotel, hardly leave the comfort and security of the resort where they stay, take planned pre paid tours,eat in the resort, now what do you think will happen? hmmm, seems to me,someone had this idea years ago...

[Thai at Heart]

A lot of "sick" people on this forum who rant about everything and who have little idea of fact and up market tourists. Thailand has everything for wealthy tourists. They don't see the things(exaggertated) these TV posters mention because they don't live the same kind of life. Up-market tourists rent limosines and jet skis from the luxury Hotels they stay at they are not interested in low class resorts like Pattaya and the sleasy parts of other resorts. They are protected by the security of the five star Hotels they stay at. They never have problems with police or scams or any of the other things that other tourist face.

Thailand has some of the best hotels in the world with private beaches and a host of other attractions. The TAT is right to try and attract more High End tourists.

No one says they are wrong.

They've trotted this line out every year for 10 years. Thing is, these people probably have the least loyalty of any travelers. They can go basically anywhere they want, and expect the best wherever they go.

Go to Thailand to the best hotel, then 6 months later go somewhere else to the best hotel.

[jpduggan]

Hope they don't use LINE !

[gerry1011]

A lot of "sick" people on this forum who rant about everything and who have little idea of fact and up market tourists. Thailand has everything for wealthy tourists. They don't see the things(exaggertated) these TV posters mention because they don't live the same kind of life. Up-market tourists rent limosines and jet skis from the luxury Hotels they stay at they are not interested in low class resorts like Pattaya and the sleasy parts of other resorts. They are protected by the security of the five star Hotels they stay at. They never have problems with police or scams or any of the other things that other tourist face.

Thailand has some of the best hotels in the world with private beaches and a host of other attractions. The TAT is right to try and attract more High End tourists.

I agree with you.

Thailand has everything for high end tourists.

Some of the greatest hotels in the world (Oriental Dhara Devi, for example), excellent service everywhere, limousines, plenty of high end restaurants, large yachts for charter, private jet companies and helicopter tours, fashionable beach clubs and other entertainment venues, luxury tented camps in the mountains for the nature lovers, top class department stores, the best spas in the world, plenty of golf courses... I don't see anything missing.

But most members of this forum never go to such places. It's another world.

High end tourists do not get scammed by Tuk Tuks, they never approach one

[noitom]

High end tourists are a key target and easy for the Thais to snare. The tourists can leave their first class hotel on Rajadamri and weave their way through street vendors all the way to the corner

[Felt 35]

.......same procedure as last year, Miss TAT.........the same procedure as every year Mr believer....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1v4BYV-YvA

[The Deerhunter]

They could always make us renew our visas every 60 days instead of every 90 days and double the visitor numbers over-night. And increase the number of people flying to do a Visa run to help Thai Airways' profitability. Special 3 day fares to KL, Pnom Penh, Rangoon & Vientiane.

(Oh Gosh. Did i say that out loud?)

[maximillian]

You could be forgiven for thinking TAT know what they are doing! I don't see anything here in Thailand that would attract a high end tourist. I think other Asian countries have more to offer without the rip offs!

Have you ever been a guest in Four Seasons or any similar resort ?

[Ace of Pop]

A lot of "sick" people on this forum who rant about everything and who have little idea of fact and up market tourists. Thailand has everything for wealthy tourists. They don't see the things(exaggertated) these TV posters mention because they don't live the same kind of life. Up-market tourists rent limosines and jet skis from the luxury Hotels they stay at they are not interested in low class resorts like Pattaya and the sleasy parts of other resorts. They are protected by the security of the five star Hotels they stay at. They never have problems with police or scams or any of the other things that other tourist face.

Thailand has some of the best hotels in the world with private beaches and a host of other attractions. The TAT is right to try and attract more High End tourists.

I agree with you.

Thailand has everything for high end tourists.

Some of the greatest hotels in the world (Oriental Dhara Devi, for example), excellent service everywhere, limousines, plenty of high end restaurants, large yachts for charter, private jet companies and helicopter tours, fashionable beach clubs and other entertainment venues, luxury tented camps in the mountains for the nature lovers, top class department stores, the best spas in the world, plenty of golf courses... I don't see anything missing.

But most members of this forum never go to such places. It's another world.

High end tourists do not get scammed by Tuk Tuks, they never approach one

So very true.

[maximillian]

A lot of "sick" people on this forum who rant about everything and who have little idea of fact and up market tourists. Thailand has everything for wealthy tourists. They don't see the things(exaggertated) these TV posters mention because they don't live the same kind of life. Up-market tourists rent limosines and jet skis from the luxury Hotels they stay at they are not interested in low class resorts like Pattaya and the sleasy parts of other resorts. They are protected by the security of the five star Hotels they stay at. They never have problems with police or scams or any of the other things that other tourist face.

Thailand has some of the best hotels in the world with private beaches and a host of other attractions. The TAT is right to try and attract more High End tourists.

I agree with you.

Thailand has everything for high end tourists.

Some of the greatest hotels in the world (Oriental Dhara Devi, for example), excellent service everywhere, limousines, plenty of high end restaurants, large yachts for charter, private jet companies and helicopter tours, fashionable beach clubs and other entertainment venues, luxury tented camps in the mountains for the nature lovers, top class department stores, the best spas in the world, plenty of golf courses... I don't see anything missing.

But most members of this forum never go to such places. It's another world.

High end tourists do not get scammed by Tuk Tuks, they never approach one

Fully agree with you.

But most of those high end resorts are not Thai but multinational hotels chains who always manage to avoid paying taxes in Thailand. Profits go mainly to the US and other countries. Whereas the many low budget travellers and expats spend most of their money with small Thai family businesses. Thinking they would leave more money in Thailand after all. I might be wrong, though... ???

[harrry]

A lot of "sick" people on this forum who rant about everything and who have little idea of fact and up market tourists. Thailand has everything for wealthy tourists. They don't see the things(exaggertated) these TV posters mention because they don't live the same kind of life. Up-market tourists rent limosines and jet skis from the luxury Hotels they stay at they are not interested in low class resorts like Pattaya and the sleasy parts of other resorts. They are protected by the security of the five star Hotels they stay at. They never have problems with police or scams or any of the other things that other tourist face.

Thailand has some of the best hotels in the world with private beaches and a host of other attractions. The TAT is right to try and attract more High End tourists.

I agree with you.

Thailand has everything for high end tourists.

Some of the greatest hotels in the world (Oriental Dhara Devi, for example), excellent service everywhere, limousines, plenty of high end restaurants, large yachts for charter, private jet companies and helicopter tours, fashionable beach clubs and other entertainment venues, luxury tented camps in the mountains for the nature lovers, top class department stores, the best spas in the world, plenty of golf courses... I don't see anything missing.

But most members of this forum never go to such places. It's another world.

High end tourists do not get scammed by Tuk Tuks, they never approach one

Fully agree with you.

But most of those high end resorts are not Thai but multinational hotels chains who always manage to avoid paying taxes in Thailand. Profits go mainly to the US and other countries. Whereas the many low budget travellers and expats spend most of their money with small Thai family businesses. Thinking they would leave more money in Thailand after all. I might be wrong, though... ???

And some of those that aren't have been built by clearing jungle which has actually been set aside for agricultural use by the villagers that used to live in the area only.

[Thai at Heart]

A lot of "sick" people on this forum who rant about everything and who have little idea of fact and up market tourists. Thailand has everything for wealthy tourists. They don't see the things(exaggertated) these TV posters mention because they don't live the same kind of life. Up-market tourists rent limosines and jet skis from the luxury Hotels they stay at they are not interested in low class resorts like Pattaya and the sleasy parts of other resorts. They are protected by the security of the five star Hotels they stay at. They never have problems with police or scams or any of the other things that other tourist face.

Thailand has some of the best hotels in the world with private beaches and a host of other attractions. The TAT is right to try and attract more High End tourists.

I agree with you.

Thailand has everything for high end tourists.

Some of the greatest hotels in the world (Oriental Dhara Devi, for example), excellent service everywhere, limousines, plenty of high end restaurants, large yachts for charter, private jet companies and helicopter tours, fashionable beach clubs and other entertainment venues, luxury tented camps in the mountains for the nature lovers, top class department stores, the best spas in the world, plenty of golf courses... I don't see anything missing.

But most members of this forum never go to such places. It's another world.

High end tourists do not get scammed by Tuk Tuks, they never approach one

Fully agree with you.

But most of those high end resorts are not Thai but multinational hotels chains who always manage to avoid paying taxes in Thailand. Profits go mainly to the US and other countries. Whereas the many low budget travellers and expats spend most of their money with small Thai family businesses. Thinking they would leave more money in Thailand after all. I might be wrong, though... ???

They are owned and built by local people and the hotel is managed for a fee or profit share.

Foreigners are not allowed to own hotels here. Another anachronistic protectionist rule.

[paddyjenkins]

A lot of "sick" people on this forum who rant about everything and who have little idea of fact and up market tourists. Thailand has everything for wealthy tourists. They don't see the things(exaggertated) these TV posters mention because they don't live the same kind of life. Up-market tourists rent limosines and jet skis from the luxury Hotels they stay at they are not interested in low class resorts like Pattaya and the sleasy parts of other resorts. They are protected by the security of the five star Hotels they stay at. They never have problems with police or scams or any of the other things that other tourist face.

Thailand has some of the best hotels in the world with private beaches and a host of other attractions. The TAT is right to try and attract more High End tourists.

I agree with you.

Thailand has everything for high end tourists.

Some of the greatest hotels in the world (Oriental Dhara Devi, for example), excellent service everywhere, limousines, plenty of high end restaurants, large yachts for charter, private jet companies and helicopter tours, fashionable beach clubs and other entertainment venues, luxury tented camps in the mountains for the nature lovers, top class department stores, the best spas in the world, plenty of golf courses... I don't see anything missing.

But most members of this forum never go to such places. It's another world.

High end tourists do not get scammed by Tuk Tuks, they never approach one

So very true.

Yes, so very true. And there is more you guys didn't mention too, that all the low life forumers clearly fail to understand about the high end quality types. First, they dont just mostly use limos but they actually have their own special roads so they dont suffer from traffic congestion or bad air. And if they do decide to taste real thainess then if taking a tuk tuk, say, they are provided an authentic hiso one with an always smiling driver who always provides the best service he can and would never attack a hiso foreigner. Havent you seen the marketing campaigns, well, those shots are from hiso thai world that loso cheap charlies scum dont get to experience. And if the high so types decide to leave their resorts and shop then they stroll on clear, sweeping pavements largely free of vendors apart from one or two who smile cheerfully at the foreigners as they sell their organic street food or happily display beautiful thai silk or craftwork, with no hard sell or aggression as they are just happy to be there to show such wonderful artistry. And if the hiso types want to go out to a bar or club, then these are not in sleazy patpong or pattaya where touts and thugs rightfully assault and abuse the loso falang scum, but in parallel universe lala thai land in which bills are never padded and the bar staff and security never engage in orgies of violence for the tiniest of excuses but if a hiso falang got a little tipsy they watch over them carefully and ensure their safe return to their hotels. Sometimes the tipsy hiso falang has even met a local girl and these encounters often end happily ever after, not in murder, fraud or both as with loso falang and the local girls in parallel hiso world are never motivated by money. I wish i could go to parallel hiso world but alas, i am just loso scum.

[DocN]

A lot of "sick" people on this forum who rant about everything and who have little idea of fact and up market tourists. Thailand has everything for wealthy tourists. They don't see the things(exaggertated) these TV posters mention because they don't live the same kind of life. Up-market tourists rent limosines and jet skis from the luxury Hotels they stay at they are not interested in low class resorts like Pattaya and the sleasy parts of other resorts. They are protected by the security of the five star Hotels they stay at. They never have problems with police or scams or any of the other things that other tourist face.

Thailand has some of the best hotels in the world with private beaches and a host of other attractions. The TAT is right to try and attract more High End tourists.

I agree with you.

Thailand has everything for high end tourists.

Some of the greatest hotels in the world (Oriental Dhara Devi, for example), excellent service everywhere, limousines, plenty of high end restaurants, large yachts for charter, private jet companies and helicopter tours, fashionable beach clubs and other entertainment venues, luxury tented camps in the mountains for the nature lovers, top class department stores, the best spas in the world, plenty of golf courses... I don't see anything missing.

But most members of this forum never go to such places. It's another world.

High end tourists do not get scammed by Tuk Tuks, they never approach one

So very true.

Yes, so very true. And there is more you guys didn't mention too, that all the low life forumers clearly fail to understand about the high end quality types. First, they dont just mostly use limos but they actually have their own special roads so they dont suffer from traffic congestion or bad air. And if they do decide to taste real thainess then if taking a tuk tuk, say, they are provided an authentic hiso one with an always smiling driver who always provides the best service he can and would never attack a hiso foreigner. Havent you seen the marketing campaigns, well, those shots are from hiso thai world that loso cheap charlies scum dont get to experience. And if the high so types decide to leave their resorts and shop then they stroll on clear, sweeping pavements largely free of vendors apart from one or two who smile cheerfully at the foreigners as they sell their organic street food or happily display beautiful thai silk or craftwork, with no hard sell or aggression as they are just happy to be there to show such wonderful artistry. And if the hiso types want to go out to a bar or club, then these are not in sleazy patpong or pattaya where touts and thugs rightfully assault and abuse the loso falang scum, but in parallel universe lala thai land in which bills are never padded and the bar staff and security never engage in orgies of violence for the tiniest of excuses but if a hiso falang got a little tipsy they watch over them carefully and ensure their safe return to their hotels. Sometimes the tipsy hiso falang has even met a local girl and these encounters often end happily ever after, not in murder, fraud or both as with loso falang and the local girls in parallel hiso world are never motivated by money. I wish i could go to parallel hiso world but alas, i am just loso scum.

...and what you all don't understand: TAT is full of it and your hi- end tourists are not, what they are aiming for.

These guys are here already and there are only so many of them.

What TAT fails to communicate, is that what they understand as "hi- end" is nothing but mass- tourists, who would rather stay 2 weeks at the Amari, than at Pongs Guesthouse.

They want numbers AND revenue.

They just don't understand, that there are only a hand full of Victoria Beckham's around!

[Ace of Pop]

A lot of "sick" people on this forum who rant about everything and who have little idea of fact and up market tourists. Thailand has everything for wealthy tourists. They don't see the things(exaggertated) these TV posters mention because they don't live the same kind of life. Up-market tourists rent limosines and jet skis from the luxury Hotels they stay at they are not interested in low class resorts like Pattaya and the sleasy parts of other resorts. They are protected by the security of the five star Hotels they stay at. They never have problems with police or scams or any of the other things that other tourist face.

Thailand has some of the best hotels in the world with private beaches and a host of other attractions. The TAT is right to try and attract more High End tourists.

I agree with you.

Thailand has everything for high end tourists.

Some of the greatest hotels in the world (Oriental Dhara Devi, for example), excellent service everywhere, limousines, plenty of high end restaurants, large yachts for charter, private jet companies and helicopter tours, fashionable beach clubs and other entertainment venues, luxury tented camps in the mountains for the nature lovers, top class department stores, the best spas in the world, plenty of golf courses... I don't see anything missing.

But most members of this forum never go to such places. It's another world.

High end tourists do not get scammed by Tuk Tuks, they never approach one

So very true.

Yes, so very true. And there is more you guys didn't mention too, that all the low life forumers clearly fail to understand about the high end quality types. First, they dont just mostly use limos but they actually have their own special roads so they dont suffer from traffic congestion or bad air. And if they do decide to taste real thainess then if taking a tuk tuk, say, they are provided an authentic hiso one with an always smiling driver who always provides the best service he can and would never attack a hiso foreigner. Havent you seen the marketing campaigns, well, those shots are from hiso thai world that loso cheap charlies scum dont get to experience. And if the high so types decide to leave their resorts and shop then they stroll on clear, sweeping pavements largely free of vendors apart from one or two who smile cheerfully at the foreigners as they sell their organic street food or happily display beautiful thai silk or craftwork, with no hard sell or aggression as they are just happy to be there to show such wonderful artistry. And if the hiso types want to go out to a bar or club, then these are not in sleazy patpong or pattaya where touts and thugs rightfully assault and abuse the loso falang scum, but in parallel universe lala thai land in which bills are never padded and the bar staff and security never engage in orgies of violence for the tiniest of excuses but if a hiso falang got a little tipsy they watch over them carefully and ensure their safe return to their hotels. Sometimes the tipsy hiso falang has even met a local girl and these encounters often end happily ever after, not in murder, fraud or both as with loso falang and the local girls in parallel hiso world are never motivated by money. I wish i could go to parallel hiso world but alas, i am just loso scum.

The Day i ride a Donkey in the Old Country to feel at home,ill have this bloody great chip remove from me shoulder first..

[Commander Tamson]

Have you seen the "Thailand - Kitchen of the World" adverts that are currently running on BBC World. I suppose TAT must have been involved with that. It's well made and obviously targeting the hi-end tourist. The aim as I see it is to try and dispel the sex-tourist reputation that LOS has and, of course it's going to be a huge uphill struggle, but they have to start somewhere. Getting rid of that reputation will do all of us living here the world of good too and we should be supporting the effort instead of decrying it.

Having said that, the thread has had it's usual mix of very entertaining posts and which of course keeps us all coming back!