Critical thinkers wanted.

[thailiketoo]

Recently on Thai Visa there have been a number of threads about Thai people trying to figure out how to increase tourism. The Same old stuff, fewer tourists with more money. Anyone here for a while knows that has never worked.

What Thai tourism needs is Farang critical thinking skills applied to a Thai problem.

I think 1. Rid Thailand of the tourist scams like Grand Palace, Jet ski, Taxi airport, Beach Chair and so on. That's just obvious. I would add prosecute and put on public display the perpetrators of these scams in stocks and let the tourists throw Thai vegetables at them.

2. Thailand is dangerous and made more dangerous because of crooked police. Have a Thai corrupt police hot line outsourced to Switzerland.

3. Gambling for non Thai people located at all border crossings and Bangkok and Pattaya. Strict controls in place to require a passport held by the casino while the player is gambling. Auction off gambling licenses outside of Thailand and only to non Thai principles and tax the income off all dollars wagered.

[RolandRat]

Have a HUGE Notice asking tourists not to leave their common sense in the departure lounge!

Then half the scams would never succeed to start with.

[thailiketoo]

Have a HUGE Notice asking tourists not to leave their common sense in the departure lounge!

Then half the scams would never succeed to start with.

Speaking of airports that would be the first place I'd start. Imagine getting ripped off in the airport.

What a bummer. Taxis should be fixed. What does it say about a tourist authority who can't control taxis? Or better yet forget the taxis and take everyone downtown free. Have one big room with reps from all the hotels and published rates and let the tourists choose and the hotels drive the tourist to a room.

I realize this is not a real complicated idea of posting room rates and having sales reps at advertising booths. There are restaurant and hotel shows in Bangkok that do basically the same thing for hotel and restaurant owners. They show their product, give samples and are nice to people.

Get off the plane in Bangkok and a taxi won't drive with the meter on, the Grand Palace is closed and some loony guy wants to take you to a gem shop. That is not marketing that is anti marketing.

The minister tells the TAT to get more well heeled tourists but the pirate taxis and grafters get first shot? What is wrong with that?

Edited November 2, 2014 by thailiketoo

[benalibina]

Thainess is more important than money. No way it will be possible in our lifetimes to change a mentality, let alone thais asking foreigners for help. Well done for trying though.

[champers]

Taxis at Swampy generally service those travelling independently; people booking their travel & accommodation online. Internet savvy if you like. A bit of internet research prior to setting off would help greatly when you arrive in a new country. Too many just don't bother and then think that anything that goes wrong can't remotely be their fault and someone else is to blame for their pre-ordained and self-inflicted ignorance. Same applies to anyone renting a jet-ski or going to a gem shop. Wise up!!

[thailiketoo]

Thainess is more important than money. No way it will be possible in our lifetimes to change a mentality, let alone thais asking foreigners for help. Well done for trying though.

I know how to contact the people who could make a difference. My thought was if anything good came out of this thread to forward the ideas to them. I was frankly amazed to hear the lady tell the TAT to get better tourists. She is so much better than to have ideas like that.

Phibun changed Thailand completely in just a few years; not even a generation, clothes, morality, national identity he even renamed the country, so I know it's possible.

[thailiketoo]

Taxis at Swampy generally service those travelling independently; people booking their travel & accommodation online. Internet savvy if you like. A bit of internet research prior to setting off would help greatly when you arrive in a new country. Too many just don't bother and then think that anything that goes wrong can't remotely be their fault and someone else is to blame for their pre-ordained and self-inflicted ignorance. Same applies to anyone renting a jet-ski or going to a gem shop. Wise up!!

I agree with you but the scams and crime and danger are giving Thailand a very bad reputation right now while that is the last thing the country needs give the current situation.

Since now there is a Singapore like situation in control change can be easier, swifter and longer lasting.

[benalibina]

Thainess is more important than money. No way it will be possible in our lifetimes to change a mentality, let alone thais asking foreigners for help. Well done for trying though.

I know how to contact the people who could make a difference. My thought was if anything good came out of this thread to forward the ideas to them. I was frankly amazed to hear the lady tell the TAT to get better tourists. She is so much better than to have ideas like that.

Phibun changed Thailand completely in just a few years; not even a generation, clothes, morality, national identity he even renamed the country, so I know it's possible.

Morality......hmmmm.....if he changed it for the better......then.....well you know. Read up on Thai cultural mandates. Maybe unlike the lady you referred to, it is still present in their way of acting.

I agree with you though that Thailand could be a very prosperous country and that touristwise it could do alot better. Again....mentality....

[thailiketoo]

Thainess is more important than money. No way it will be possible in our lifetimes to change a mentality, let alone thais asking foreigners for help. Well done for trying though.

I know how to contact the people who could make a difference. My thought was if anything good came out of this thread to forward the ideas to them. I was frankly amazed to hear the lady tell the TAT to get better tourists. She is so much better than to have ideas like that.

Phibun changed Thailand completely in just a few years; not even a generation, clothes, morality, national identity he even renamed the country, so I know it's possible.

Morality......hmmmm.....if he changed it for the better......then.....well you know. Read up on Thai cultural mandates. Maybe unlike the lady you referred to, it is still present in their way of acting.

I agree with you though that Thailand could be a very prosperous country and that touristwise it could do alot better. Again....mentality....

I agree I don't think Phibun changed much for the better. But he did change things. Now all that is needed is a Phibun who has a clue about what is necessary in a modern world - Singapore style but with Thainess. I could see Thailand doing spanking instead of caning.

[StreetCowboy]

Taxis at Swampy generally service those travelling independently; people booking their travel & accommodation online. Internet savvy if you like. A bit of internet research prior to setting off would help greatly when you arrive in a new country. Too many just don't bother and then think that anything that goes wrong can't remotely be their fault and someone else is to blame for their pre-ordained and self-inflicted ignorance. Same applies to anyone renting a jet-ski or going to a gem shop. Wise up!!

I agree with you but the scams and crime and danger are giving Thailand a very bad reputation right now while that is the last thing the country needs give the current situation.

Since now there is a Singapore like situation in control change can be easier, swifter and longer lasting.

I think people come here because they want to get rid of their money. They have more money than sense, but not so much money that they can afford to go to Singapore, so they come here instead. The quicker and more painlessly they do it, the better, for all concerned.

What TAT should be doing is remembering the old adage "attack is the best form of defence"; Thai massage, Thai restaurants, corrupt coppers - all those attractions can be delivered in the tourist's home country, without them having to get on a plane or take a day off work.

SC

[ksamuiguy]

Do some research, Thailand is not dangerous.

Most Tourists are inept and unaware and in awe of the Wonders of Thailand.

They don't speak the language, they do not know "The Kingdom" is or ever was under Martial Law.(nor do they care)

Most are not responsible enough to have travel insurance, so Thai Hospitals get stuck with a lot of unpaid bills.

Expectations are high for the lowest price they can get.

Most are Scammed in their home country by their people, ludicrous promises and non existent perks.

There is nothing wrong with Not Knowing, there is something wrong With Not Finding Out.

I get tired of hearing that "The Kingdom" Scams the tourists, No It begins long before they leave their home country.

Lets start supporting Thailand and stop criticizing everything they say and do.

I also believe that if you don't live in The Kingdom" ,living here legally, you have no right to criticize what is happening in "The Kingdom"

Just my opinion! Thai bashing pisses me off. You are a guest in "The Kingdom" remember that.

[benalibina]

Do some research, Thailand is not dangerous.

Most Tourists are inept and unaware and in awe of the Wonders of Thailand.

They don't speak the language, they do not know "The Kingdom" is or ever was under Martial Law.(nor do they care)

Most are not responsible enough to have travel insurance, so Thai Hospitals get stuck with a lot of unpaid bills.

Expectations are high for the lowest price they can get.

Most are Scammed in their home country by their people, ludicrous promises and non existent perks.

There is nothing wrong with Not Knowing, there is something wrong With Not Finding Out.

I get tired of hearing that "The Kingdom" Scams the tourists, No It begins long before they leave their home country.

Lets start supporting Thailand and stop criticizing everything they say and do.

I also believe that if you don't live in The Kingdom" ,living here legally, you have no right to criticize what is happening in "The Kingdom"

Just my opinion! Thai bashing pisses me off. You are a guest in "The Kingdom" remember that.

Interesting.

[mikebell]

A refreshing post from' ksamuiguy' but seriously flawed. I agree with the premise that 'thai bashing' for its own sake is unproductive. I've lived here full time for 9 years so qualify to criticize..

I have never been made to feel 'a guest' here. I have been robbed by the Highwaymen on a regular basis. I am not talking bribing here but avoiding the ludicrous made up charges leveled at a farang driver. (Incidentally since having darkened film fitted to my car the highway toll has plummeted.)

I have endured the dual pricing with gritted teeth. I expect to be overcharged because of my skin colour. I do not expect justice from Thai courts/police. I am unable to own my own home. I am made to report like a criminal on probation every 90 days.

I stay because the climate is better than the UK. My pension (albeit frozen by British Government discrimination) goes further here so my quality of life is better. The ladies are prettier and less hefty than the pool available to me in Europe.

Thailand has its faults but I can live with them.

[thailiketoo]

A refreshing post from' ksamuiguy' but seriously flawed. I agree with the premise that 'thai bashing' for its own sake is unproductive. I've lived here full time for 9 years so qualify to criticize..

I have never been made to feel 'a guest' here. I have been robbed by the Highwaymen on a regular basis. I am not talking bribing here but avoiding the ludicrous made up charges leveled at a farang driver. (Incidentally since having darkened film fitted to my car the highway toll has plummeted.)

I have endured the dual pricing with gritted teeth. I expect to be overcharged because of my skin colour. I do not expect justice from Thai courts/police. I am unable to own my own home. I am made to report like a criminal on probation every 90 days.

I stay because the climate is better than the UK. My pension (albeit frozen by British Government discrimination) goes further here so my quality of life is better. The ladies are prettier and less hefty than the pool available to me in Europe.

Thailand has its faults but I can live with them.

Your post has absolutely nothing to do with the topic. Which is, " What Thai tourism needs is Farang critical thinking skills applied to a Thai problem."

[StreetCowboy]

A refreshing post from' ksamuiguy' but seriously flawed. I agree with the premise that 'thai bashing' for its own sake is unproductive. I've lived here full time for 9 years so qualify to criticize..

I have never been made to feel 'a guest' here. I have been robbed by the Highwaymen on a regular basis. I am not talking bribing here but avoiding the ludicrous made up charges leveled at a farang driver. (Incidentally since having darkened film fitted to my car the highway toll has plummeted.)

I have endured the dual pricing with gritted teeth. I expect to be overcharged because of my skin colour. I do not expect justice from Thai courts/police. I am unable to own my own home. I am made to report like a criminal on probation every 90 days.

I stay because the climate is better than the UK. My pension (albeit frozen by British Government discrimination) goes further here so my quality of life is better. The ladies are prettier and less hefty than the pool available to me in Europe.

Thailand has its faults but I can live with them.

Your post has absolutely nothing to do with the topic. Which is, " What Thai tourism needs is Farang critical thinking skills applied to a Thai problem."

Perhaps you could use the Report function for the off-topic posts.

I think that the sport of rugby union will help improve the pool of critical thinkers in Thailand. The sport encourages fitness, teamwork, thinking under pressure, discipline and sacrifice. No wonder the armed forces are so enthusiastic.

SC

[metisdead]

I don't think this topic really fits in the Pub as per this description:

Thailand is legendary for it's entertainment, both traditional, and modern. Discuss Night Life, restaurants, bars, music, movies, concerts, expat life, fun, or just a chat about everything Thailand. Because we live life to the fullest here!

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