Tourists may be required to pay entrance fee for visiting Koh Tao

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

Yes I have been there its a beautiful place to go.

Its cheap in relation to other western countries.

I have studied abroad and I pay more for everything in western countries in comparison to Thailand. So in paying more I also pay more for services. Including public safety. But even in a lot of your home countries very bad murders and rapes happen all the time.

I am Thai and to be honest I don't care for the type of tourist that comes to Thailand. Sorry but I am being blunt and rude also. The 10% you say in GDP we can do without more then the tourists can do without Thailand.

I don't think you are a real Thai, I think you are a Chinese immigrants offspring, a spoiled brat, a HiSo wannabee who got everything from his dad. A real Thai would not write shit like you do on a public forum. A real Thai would be ashamed of your comments today.

So I am not a real Thai I am a wanna be Thai?? why? because I have Chinese in my families history which I am very proud of.

What you are saying doesnt make sense. You are personally attacking me and complaining about Thailand. You are a very negative person.

In your thinking you are very un-Thai and I am not complaining about Thailand. How can you say that no Thai could have done this murder? Do you think all Thais are saints??

"The 10% you say in GDP we can do without more then the tourists can do without Thailand.

This must be one of the most stupid comments of the week on this forum.

[chrisinth]

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Whoever makes this stuff up is as bright as a 40w bulb.

Lee, you know you can get lamps now with lower wattage?

Just sayin' like, it reads they are a bit clever @ 40w........................

[ktdiver]

Ridiculous. I didn't think things could get anymore foolish.

[daveAustin]

In its current guise I wouldn't go there again if the entry fee were 25 satang and the hotels were free. It would have to be cleansed of its greedy, savage populace by a tsunami before I'd consider it.

[aTomsLife]

helping non Thais

Did your studies abroad tell you what happens when a country loses 10% of GDP

Its economy contracts. Which will not be a problem if we also don't have to pay for all the non-thai fake tourists using up public resources.

Look at the German man with the swollen leg. Just 1 example.

Obviously your education was bought for you instead of earned, because you haven't learned much of anything. You seem a spoiled little rich girl who grew up in a Bangkok bubble. There are no public resources available free of charge to foreigners. We pay for everything out of pocket. That's where the 10% GDP comes from. How can you not understand that?

How can you also not understand that an economy is like a set of dominoes. Once the pieces start falling it all goes down. For example, people who make their money from tourism will go broke if no tourists come. Then they cannot buy electronics, or cars or eat in nice restaurants, so then those businesses suffer too.

Speaking the truth is by definition NOT slander. Criticism can help Thailand to improve. Just like our technology helps you to improve. Who cares if it's made here. Anyone can turn a screw. But it takes innovative and free thinking societies to invent things: from refrigerators and air conditioners, to airplanes and cars, to the internet and facebook, that is all possible thanks to westerners. You're welcome.

But you think: How dare we speak freely? And if you don't like what we say, we must leave, right?

I'm from the USA. Millions of people come to my country, including Thais, and still complain about things. That is their right because even though they weren't born in the USA like I was, they are still human, the same as me. We are civilized enough to understand that, are you?

You give one example about a German who received -- wow! -- a whole 50,000 baht. I mean, who cares? What about all the westerners who have built houses for Thai women, then get kicked out? What about all the western men who support Thai families with their pensions? You don't care about them because they aren't Thai, right?

You're nothing but a bigot, and your hate makes you ignorant. And your ignorance is its own punishment. I pity you.

Edited October 2, 2014 by aTomsLife

[Showbags]

There is a country...not so far away....much much better

[soalbundy]

helping non Thais

Did your studies abroad tell you what happens when a country loses 10% of GDP

Its economy contracts. Which will not be a problem if we also don't have to pay for all the non-thai fake tourists using up public resources.

Look at the German man with the swollen leg. Just 1 example.

Since the economy will contract with very high unemployment you wont need all the farang based technology, like cars, computers,iphones, air travel, medicines, medical equipment, all types of production machines, tractors,televisions,motorbikes,etc. because you wont be able to afford them, never mind, i'm sure you will be able to produce your own ya ba and not have to import it from Burma. The world wont care anymore about corruption, cheating,murders and rapes because you will be doing it to yourselves.

Farang Based technology, that is funny. Where is it all made? In Asia, so I think we will survive.

but who designed it, and who owns those factories where it is produced and who is going to keep those factories running when the Thai economy collapses due to massive unemployment and there are no customers. Ford, BMW, Mercedes, Honda, etc. aren't Thai owned,Thailand has no technology of its own, it is all borrowed,at a cost, from America, Europe or Japan. I know Thai work ethic, i have trained many Thais in Germany,they are lazy and like to play a lot.10% reduction of GDP isn't just a contraction, it is a collapse.

[Brian Corrigan]

I take it that the new system pay as you go will include Thai tourist? Then again Thai's will no doubt be charged a reduced rate. Welcome to the land of smiles..

[mick01827]

Welcome to murder island

Good luck with bringing people back

[Arkady]

A fee to provide the security that they should have been providing free.

[canuckamuck]

As long as prostitution is cheap Thailand will have tourists, even if they have to do hand to hand combat just to catch a songtaew.

[sunshine51]

A fee to provide the security that they should have been providing free.

Utterly absurd isn't it? Crying shame IMO.

[soalbundy]

As long as prostitution is cheap Thailand will have tourists, even if they have to do hand to hand combat just to catch a songtaew.

and the whores aren't even good in bed, but they are funny.

[KamalaRider]

Farang Based technology, that is funny. Where is it all made? In Asia, so I think we will survive.

but who designed it, and who owns those factories where it is produced and who is going to keep those factories running when the Thai economy collapses due to massive unemployment and there are no customers. Ford, BMW, Mercedes, Honda, etc. aren't Thai owned,Thailand has no technology of its own, it is all borrowed,at a cost, from America, Europe or Japan. I know Thai work ethic, i have trained many Thais in Germany,they are lazy and like to play a lot.10% reduction of GDP isn't just a contraction, it is a collapse.

Unfortunately, that little girl won't understand what you just said, she can't grasp that 10% off from Thai economy would even be a huge financial loss for all of the ASEAN countries unless the money shifts to one or more of the ASEAN countries.

Like someone said, it's like a brick of dominos.

In her small world, 10% is nothing, she can lose that without a blink and I think that's how she sees the economy in Thailand. She won't understand and unfortunately, the majority of Thais with her.

Someone before said she's probably a spoiled brat, living of her fathers money and it must be true, if she's got money, we'll never know and quite frankly, I don't give a rats a$$ if she has.

I have become so disillusioned about Thai ingenuity, I even believe that the EBOLA vaccine the scientists in Thailand claim they have invented is a stolen copy from some other countries pharmaceutical company or it could be just bogus to reassure it's people they are safe.

[mdmayes]

Thainess...need I say any more.

[aglae4]

So this mean this island will make money because there has been a murder there....How long will it take for the surrounding islands to understand what they have to do so that they can also ask a fee to the visitors? And I feel sooooo bad for the family and friends of the murdered young people there when they see this.

[NamKAheng]

Is this April fool's day?

[ableguy]

Added this to my list of places never to visit in LOS, started with Pattaya a decade ago and is growing.

[whaleboneman]

I am sure that if you're raped and murdered there would be a refund.

[jewel]

I think this is a good idea.

Not every country can afford the security and luxury of other places.

Tourist come to Koh Tao becuase its cheap.

If foreigners want more security they should pay for something rather then complain something is not good all the time.

Obviously you do not think that the host country, in this case Thailand has a resposibility to take care of the people that visit the country? Do thais pay for security when they travel to another country?

Maybe the good people of Koh Tao should not be so kei neow if they want tourists to visit their Island. After all there are other Islands and indeed other countries that would be more welcoming to tourists.

But I get you're piont, which is why should Thais care what happens to tourists in Thailand?

Yes exactly.

If I was in your country and I would the host country care about what happened to me?

No they just want me to spend my money.

So why should my thai people pay money for stupid tourists.

Dont worry, many "stupid" tourists allready changed for cambodia, vietnam, malaysia,...and i (working for a touroperator here) encourage them not to go to thailand anymore. Not because i think it is unsafe, simply because they are not welcome. And that began long ago.

Many people have enough to be treated like a walking atm and the neighbouring countries are much more welcoming.

[Lupatria]

Nobody gets killed for free!

[fish fingers]

I have to say that this murder has shown how the Government look at tourists and foreigners - I don't want to say Thai people in general

A large amount of Thailands revenue/commerce is linked to the Hotel sector. They must be really feeling the pinch recently, and if Thailand keeps treated tourists badly, then they will start looking elsewhere

Its neighbours are emerging as viable alternatives, Cambodia achieved over 7% growth in just one yr alone

[davethailand]

Added this to my list of places never to visit in LOS, started with Pattaya a decade ago and is growing.

So you've never visited Pattaya I gather?

Why boycott it 10 years ago?

Edited October 2, 2014 by davethailand

[lildragon]

Hmm we've just had a serious and still unsolved murder of two innocent tourists here on our lovely island just two weeks ago... what to do? I know start CHARGING people to come to our glorious sess pit now. Wonderful!

[sscsamui]

That is a Great idea... Then Nobody will want to visit Koh Tao and they won't have any crime agents tourist. Then the Locals can shoot each other like in the old days...

[jaywalker]

Rent your own bodyguard at the airport

That could become a booming business! Thailand: Hub of Bodyguards!

Too bad it sounds like a good idea.

[jaywalker]

Hopefully the majority of tourists, who planned to spend their next vacation on KT, will cancel their trip to Thailand.

These ignorants must feel the consequences of their unbelievable behaviour in their bank accounts and pockets and finally learn how to treat customers like patrons. Their attitude is like: Hey, you should be grateful we allow you to visit the greatest and most beautiful country of the world.

....with the dirtiest beaches and where you get sand kicked on you & shoved around because you aren't renting a "sun bed" under an umbrella in the shade.

[MRDave]

Welcome to Thailand!

Edited October 2, 2014 by MRDave

[Farang two dot zero]

This bad news appears on other media or is it a fake?

I saw on this website too http://www.samuitimes.com/koh-tao-considers-charging-entrance-fee-visiting-island

Edited October 2, 2014 by Farang two dot zero

[IsaanUSA]

So, they're now going to charge an additional fee to provide things they and the Police should be doing anyway ... classic ...

Sorry but police are not for your security....police are for enforcing laws.