I reserved a room for a week during peak season at a rather high end accomodation. Last week I went to their website and they were offering discounts and amenities to 40% off peak I re-booked.

Many forum BMs, I think, are guest house entrepreneurs; so my question is how is peak season looking?

Less bookings than last year, same as last year, different tourists or higher demand?

Just trying to get a sense of things.

For 'my' businesses:

- New, small B&B that I opened just a few months ago. Only a few rooms available between now and April. Customers are almost all Asian women (Something to do with my airy-fairy, kiche style of decoration...)

- Ex #2's guesthouse/hotel. Some days full, some days not so full, (depending on how 'sane' the ex is on each day!)

Overall, the room rates have dropped when compared to the last couple of high seasons. Customers now mainly Chinese and Russian - 'westerners' not visiting the island in the quantities like before.

- Ex #3's guesthouse/hotel - Full on most days, (this ex doesn't exhibit mood swings...) again with mostly Asian tourists.

So,,, for me, the general trend is fewer Western tourists, being replaced by Asian tourists, especially Chinese, who are not so free-flowing with their money ==> need to reduce room rates to fill the rooms.

As for those Westerners who still come, I still see a lot of Australians, (which is great because they are generally the most laid-back, easy-going guest to have - IMHO)

Small resort in Khao Lak. I think there are slightly more peak season bookings than last year. But every individual situation is different, my place is low budget and has been there for a long time, don't know how the others are doing.

In general, I think tourism is down, tour operators and taxi drivers are complaining.

Full to bursting point here in Khaolak - Germans - Nordic and British.

Full to bursting point here in Khaolak - Germans - Nordic and British.

They all ran away from Phuket.

Don't blame them really.

Went to book two rooms in another guesthouse for Christmas/New Year yesterday as we are full at that time. They had precisely two rooms booked at that time. The nearest larger hotel is currently practically empty, as are other guesthouses near us, and I know of one with hardly any bookings all season.

We cater to the lower budget traveller, including backpackers, and that backpack trade is well down on previous years.

I'm in Karon and it looks like low-season at times, though as an established place with good online reviews and repeat custom, we are doing OK and peak looks reasonable for us though I'm expecting occupancy rates overall to be slightly down on last year.

Spoke to a Thai friend the other day who works reception of a large hotel that caters for Russians. (she complains to me about them every time I speak to her)

They are busy, but with the Russian ruble dropping 30% in recent times, as well as sanctions on Russia starting to have effect, and now the Russian economy taking a big hit on the price of oil, I would not be surprised to see a considerable slice of the Russian market dry up in the next few months.

Spoke to a Thai friend the other day who works reception of a large hotel that caters for Russians. (she complains to me about them every time I speak to her)

They are busy, but with the Russian ruble dropping 30% in recent times, as well as sanctions on Russia starting to have effect, and now the Russian economy taking a big hit on the price of oil, I would not be surprised to see a considerable slice of the Russian market dry up in the next few months.

You are correct about that. We had expected return guests (from last year) from Russian. About half never showed up. When I emailed them they all talked about the poor economy in Russia. Fortunately new guests showed up to fill the gaps. Should end up being a reasonable year for us. At least better than last year, and the year before.

Spoke to a Thai friend the other day who works reception of a large hotel that caters for Russians. (she complains to me about them every time I speak to her)

They are busy, but with the Russian ruble dropping 30% in recent times, as well as sanctions on Russia starting to have effect, and now the Russian economy taking a big hit on the price of oil, I would not be surprised to see a considerable slice of the Russian market dry up in the next few months.

Yes, Pegast already announced this many months ago.

Spoke to a Thai friend the other day who works reception of a large hotel that caters for Russians. (she complains to me about them every time I speak to her)

They are busy, but with the Russian ruble dropping 30% in recent times, as well as sanctions on Russia starting to have effect, and now the Russian economy taking a big hit on the price of oil, I would not be surprised to see a considerable slice of the Russian market dry up in the next few months.

Yes, Pegast already announced this many months ago.

I missed "Peghastly's" announcement.