Numbers of tourists from Russia falling by the minute

[Lite Beer]

Numbers of tourists from Russia falling by the minute

The Phuket News

Sources: Ministry of Tourism and Sport and Kasikorn Research Centre. Phuket News Graphic

BANGKOK: -- Kasikorn Research Centre (KRC) says the Russian economic crisis will cut Russian travel to Thailand by at least 9.3pc in 2014 and 24.6pc in 2015.

The forecast comes as a shock for the local travel industry as it relies heavily on this market.

The research centre said the Russian economy faces a crisis caused by the conflict in Ukraine, the EU’s economic sanctions and a fall in oil prices.

Those factors have hit the Russian economy and would cause a slowdown in of 4pc next year, it said.

As Russians are a significant source of business for the country’s tourism, the economic crisis has impacted the Thailand tourism and export sectors. The sectors suffered a loss of B21,560 million, or 0.16pc of the country’s GDP.

The crisis discourages Russian travellers from spending on long-haul trips to places like Thailand.

The centre estimated that this year there would only be 1.58 million Russian travellers to the kingdom, down 9.3% and generating B1,130,000 million, a decline of 7.3%.

The bank projected that Russian tourists to Thailand would drop by 24.6% in 2015. Revenue from this market would decrease by 20.7%.

The Kasikorn predictions contrast darkly with the figures of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, which recorded a total of 1.74 million Russian tourists visiting Thailand in 2013, up 32.66% from 2012, with a revenue rise to match.

Those figures seem most unlikely to be matched this year, given that the ministry itself gives a January-November figure for 2014 of 757,502, down from 930,843 in the same period of 2013.
That’s a fall of almost 19pc.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/numbers-of-tourists-from-russia-falling-by-the-minute-50362.php

-- Phuket News 2015-01-02

[JoePai]

Tough, they only have themselves to blame - well Putin and his idiotic invasion of Ukraine

[JingerBen]

The good news about the Russians gets better by the day.

[Bluespunk]

" Kasikorn Research Centre (KRC) says the Russian economic crisis will cut Russian travel to Thailand by at least 9.3pc in 2014"

Erm?

[chainarong]

With the high Quality tourists from other parts of Asia , it shouldn't be a problem to crank up the numbers to replace those lost.

[Dannyboy666]

Please Stop, I'm getting Misty... 555555555

[AGareth2]

most of them are families

shame really much more pleasant than the tattooed lager louts

and some good eye candy

[salavan]

a loss of B21,560 million or 0.16pc of the country's gdp a p*ss in the ocean

[Ozziepat]

Fear not. In the midst of a global downturn, Thailand will be rescued by Chinese tourist hordes and massive new government debt (aka "economic stimulus"). Happiness and prosperity will abound. Next question?

[JeremyBowskill]

"Numbers of tourists from Russia falling by the minute"

The a nice graph showing yearly drops, how do I know that the time of commenting (10.05 am to 10.06 am) it didn't rise.........

[konjohn]

bad news if your a tourism business that depends on these nationalitys

the statements by some TV members is mind boggleing about Russia and putin ...i suggest swithing off CNN then reserch what you think you know

about>

couple of hints

George Sorros, UN , IMF, US military build up in Europe, US citizen to be Ukraines new PM

[Jungle Jim]

Agree about the lager louts but it won,t break my heart to see most of the Russians gone. Ask any Thai about their opinions of the Russians and some other types of foreigners and you will get an ear full. Yea they might love your money but not your overall personality and i would have to agree with them. Negative perhaps but it is the truth. Maybe one of the reasons for foreigners getting taken advantage of. Show disrespect towards the Thais and they will find a way to get even. Respect them, respect their customs, respect their laws, respect THEIR country and guess what no problems.

[grantbkk]

The good news about the Russians gets better by the day.

This is a Christmas miracle! The good news is that the homicide rate, fraud, theft and assault rate will finally really go down at least in the short term.

[Jungle Jim]

Totally agree on the massive debt both government and personal. The bubble is about to pop not unlike 1997 but this time much worse. Spend, spend, spend like there is no tomorrow while you go farther into debt. Can,t wait for the Thai baht to hit 60 or more to the U.S dollar.

Fear not. In the midst of a global downturn, Thailand will be rescued by Chinese tourist hordes and massive new government debt (aka "economic stimulus"). Happiness and prosperity will abound. Next question?

[jaidam]

I will miss the 80s style big perms coupled with animal skin lamé pants. Farewell to the trend setters.

[kmj]

bad news if your a tourism business that depends on these nationalitys

the statements by some TV members is mind boggleing about Russia and putin ...i suggest swithing off CNN then reserch what you think you know

about>

couple of hints

George Sorros, UN , IMF, US military build up in Europe, US citizen to be Ukraines new PM

Russia reaps the seeds it sows, stop watching RT

[RKASA]

Tough, they only have themselves to blame - well Putin and his idiotic invasion of Ukraine

Putin didnt invade Ukraine. What do watch? Fox News the BBC perhaps. The US and EU where behind a coup that overthrew a democraticly elected government (not the first time). And then lie as if Russia was the bad guy. Its the reverse. Crimea is 90% Ethnic Russian and voted to remain part of Russia. I hope Russia stand up to these bullies and that there economy turns round.

90% Ehtnic Russian because stalin screwed so many of them.

[bim]

Tough, they only have themselves to blame - well Putin and his idiotic invasion of Ukraine

Putin didnt invade Ukraine. What do watch? Fox News the BBC perhaps. The US and EU where behind a coup that overthrew a democraticly elected government (not the first time). And then lie as if Russia was the bad guy. Its the reverse. Crimea is 90% Ethnic Russian and voted to remain part of Russia. I hope Russia stand up to these bullies and that there economy turns round.

90% Ehtnic Russian because stalin screwed so many of them.

And most of the world was screwed by Imperialist Britain so no need to hang on to the Falklands, Gibralter then hey. The US covert imperliasm (maybe not so covert with 170 military bases worldwide) will end oneday as all empires have in the past. Russia as with Thailand have recently agreed monetary swaps with China. Russia is no fool. There economy will bounce back. And as for the racsist rants on Russian tourists here in Thailand im a Brit and wouldnt been seen dead with the beer idiots from my own country here. It doesnt mean all Brits are like that though. Edited January 2, 2015 by bim

[bboy]

Hmm nothing against the Russians as can't judge the calibre of "quality tourists" of any nationality- always good & bad eggs. However, I do feel a bit "som nam naa" towards TAT/Pattaya bars/restaurants/night scene for going way over the top to welcome Russian tourists at the expense of shunning other nationalities.

I recently stayed at a place between Pattaya & Jomtien & the whole area was totally geared at Russians. Menus in Thai&Russian only, many bars just with Russian signs - if we'd entered it would have been like going into a quiet country pub in England where the music stops & everyone stares then someone asks "are youuu locaall?". Whatever happened to encouraging a melting pot of all nationalities & mingling?! Baffles me how people go abroad & do everything they can do "stick to their own" - no desire to interact with locals or learn the lingo. Same with the Brits that flock to the English villages in Spain. Bizarre comfort zone stuff.

[MJP]

Please keep the Russian bashing to an absolute minimum. We have Russian members on this forum, members like StasD and he's a really good bloke.

[FangFerang]

At first I thought this story was about Russians and Pattaya Balconies.

[JingerBen]

most of them are families

shame really much more pleasant than the tattooed lager louts

and some good eye candy

"...some good eye candy" ???

Scantily clad Russians on the beach good eye candy?

You have peculiar tastes.

[ratcatcher]

At first I thought this story was about Russians and Pattaya Balconies.

Russian tourists in Pattaya will continue to fall, that's half the fun.

http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/61259/russian-women-falls-5th-floor-condo-balcony-south-pattaya/

[Prbkk]

Tough, they only have themselves to blame - well Putin and his idiotic invasion of Ukraine

Putin didnt invade Ukraine. What do watch? Fox News the BBC perhaps. The US and EU where behind a coup that overthrew a democraticly elected government (not the first time). And then lie as if Russia was the bad guy. Its the reverse. Crimea is 90% Ethnic Russian and voted to remain part of Russia. I hope Russia stand up to these bullies and that there economy turns round.

Regardless of the rights and wrongs, this short term pain for Russia will be longer term gain: the shift to China for trade, freeing itself from USD ties with a greater focus on RMB denominated activity= backfire on US and Europe. It may take a while but the Russians will be back.

[bannork]

At first I thought this story was about Russians and Pattaya Balconies.

Russian tourists in Pattaya will continue to fall, that's half the fun.

http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/

61259/russian-women-falls-5th-floor-condo-balcony-south-pattaya/

Apparently they will be falling a lot more this year, police should close any pavements in front of hotels they frequent. Or do they utter some warning seconds earlier, like golfers shouting "fore!"?

[stickyrice2000]

But TAT insisted that the tourist arrivals are still up? What happened? (scratching my balls from all these confusions)

[noitom]

Thais are punch drunk. They keep taking it on the chin staggering around the ring, shocked and dismayed that another opposition punch has landed on the kisser. They can't understand it. The Thais are befuddled. This all comes as a surprise. They don't read the news nor have a clue as to what is going on in the world. The Thais can't understand why others don't show up in droves lapping like hungry dogs for their sure fire "lures."

[halloween]

Tough, they only have themselves to blame - well Putin and his idiotic invasion of Ukraine

Putin didnt invade Ukraine. What do watch? Fox News the BBC perhaps. The US and EU where behind a coup that overthrew a democraticly elected government (not the first time). And then lie as if Russia was the bad guy. Its the reverse. Crimea is 90% Ethnic Russian and voted to remain part of Russia. I hope Russia stand up to these bullies and that there economy turns round.

"Crimea is 90% Ethnic Russian and voted to remain part of Russia"

Didn't that happen after the invasion?

How many other russian enclaves are due for annexation?

[jbaldwin]

This is a classic glass half full against glass half empty issue.

We have just had a report that say this year Thailand will have the second highest number of Russian tourist ever. Then there is a forecast that next year the number will plummet to around 4 times the level in 2009.

How can the Thai economy survive having 4 times as many Russian tourists as 6 years earlier. Take cover everyone. The sky is falling.

[halloween]

Tough, they only have themselves to blame - well Putin and his idiotic invasion of Ukraine

Putin didnt invade Ukraine. What do watch? Fox News the BBC perhaps. The US and EU where behind a coup that overthrew a democraticly elected government (not the first time). And then lie as if Russia was the bad guy. Its the reverse. Crimea is 90% Ethnic Russian and voted to remain part of Russia. I hope Russia stand up to these bullies and that there economy turns round.

Regardless of the rights and wrongs, this short term pain for Russia will be longer term gain: the shift to China for trade, freeing itself from USD ties with a greater focus on RMB denominated activity= backfire on US and Europe. It may take a while but the Russians will be back.

Hitler said something similar about Germany and WWII.