The Grand Palace...the great mass of Chinese humanity

[BookMan]

Visited the Grand palace with a thai friend. Fiirst time in 6 years i had been.

Back then it was busy but nothing like this day.

Thousands upon thousands of Chinese tourists in ordered chaos of possibly hundreds of tour groups,following guides holding sticks with flags on top... massing for photo ops at every opportunity... unfurling printed banners announcing where they were for all their social media friends...every third woman holding an umbrella as defence against the sun,strategically positioned to gently thwack u at head level as u passed... every 5th man or woman diverting across my path for no apparent reason.

I had difficulty tracking one companion, it is a mystery how these groups stay together

Back at the wharf... well avoid it if u can...there are even more masses here boarding their tour boats. Not sure how these boat captains know who has priority at the wharf.

It might be another 6 years till i visit the palace again

[Thian]

6 years ago i visited the grand palace with my old parents. We arrived by taxi, an official looking guy with many medals opened the door to tell us the Palace was closed for some hours, it had to do with the death of a Princess he said. But to kill the time untill it would be open he knew some good longtailboats where he brought us to. They asked extreme prices for an hour boatride so we walked all the way back to the Palace.

At the Palace we saw him again opening another arriving taxi and guiding the passengers to the pier.....

The Palace was open and at the info-desk i asked the receptionist if it had been closed that day. She couldn't speak any english but seen how busy it was inside it looked like a normal day and it hadn't been closed at all. I told her about the official guy who told us the palace was closed but she didn't care at all or couldn't understand a word of what we told her.

After visiting the Palace we tried to get a metre taxi which was totally impossible. We had to walk away from the spot and there we got a metre taxi. My parents couldn't believe what they experienced. This is Thailand!

I avoid EVERY place where groups of Chinese tourists are, unfortunately i can't avoid the Thai airport where they run around like drunk chickens.

[BookMan]

6 years ago i visited the grand palace with my old parents. We arrived by taxi, an official looking guy with many medals opened the door to tell us the Palace was closed for some hours, it had to do with the death of a Princess he said. But to kill the time untill it would be open he knew some good longtailboats where he brought us to. They asked extreme prices for an hour boatride so we walked all the way back to the Palace.

At the Palace we saw him again opening another arriving taxi and guiding the passengers to the pier.....

The Palace was open and at the info-desk i asked the receptionist if it had been closed that day. She couldn't speak any english but seen how busy it was inside it looked like a normal day and it hadn't been closed at all. I told her about the official guy who told us the palace was closed but she didn't care at all or couldn't understand a word of what we told her.

After visiting the Palace we tried to get a metre taxi which was totally impossible. We had to walk away from the spot and there we got a metre taxi. My parents couldn't believe what they experienced. This is Thailand!

I avoid EVERY place where groups of Chinese tourists are, unfortunately i can't avoid the Thai airport where they run around like drunk chickens.

I am sure the scamming touts are still around..

The good news is, you can easily get a metered taxi from thatar ea now

[tartempion]

I did the GP 3x in 15 years.

No surprise the first was the best, the last the worst.

No more GP visits planned, ever.

[BookMan]

I did the GP 3x in 15 years.

No surprise the first was the best, the last the worst.

No more GP visits planned, ever.

Entry is 500 baht now for the non Thai person

WOnder what type of discount these tour groups get..if any

[lonewolf99]

Well, sadly this is the way of the world now. 1/7th of the population is Chinese another 1/7th is indian.....the rest is a conglomerate.

White skinned and blue eyed are a minority.

This is also the way the gov want it. Total control of the masses. Renegade travellers on their own cannot be accounted for. They used to be called tourists but is seems that in this corner of the planet they are more than likely criminals, terrorists or mafia gang lords.

for even a minor infraction you will be handcuffed, locked up with all manner of bad asses, possibly beaten up, deported and banned from coming back.

Happy holidays folks.........

[NickJ]

I wonder how many of those Chinese have been lucky enough to show up on the one day a year when the Govt allows saphires to be sold so cheap that you can triple your investment when you return home??????

[DrTuner]

It's a great experience, you get to know how it feels being a buffalo in a stampede. I rate it right up with having your kidney removed without anesthesia. Sinophiles only.

[Blackheart1916]

I hear ya. Been to the GP about 9 or 10 times in the last 16 years, taking thais and visitors from home to GP and Wat Pho. Took the new GF last month and was amazed by the crush. "Ordered" chaos is being polite. No room for the Buddhists to actually worship when I was in the Emerald Buddha hall.When I told the GF I liked it in the past because it was a relaxing place to stroll around, well she was amused!

[Blackheart1916]

I did the GP 3x in 15 years.

No surprise the first was the best, the last the worst.

No more GP visits planned, ever.

Entry is 500 baht now for the non Thai person

WOnder what type of discount these tour groups get..if any

From memory (and it was only last month, I'm getting on) it was also B500 for the thai GF. Maybe someone can confirm for me.

[theoldgit]

I also visited the Grand Palace on Monday with a friend from overseas, it was a nightmare and my friend persuaded me to leave before we had completed the circuit, it will be a long time before I return.

We made our way from the pier, ignoring the touts who were telling us that the Palace was either not open yet or was closing early. Like a previous poster we also ran the gauntlet of umbrellas hitting us in the face and then joined the line of tourists pushing and shoving to get into the compound.

I should have done an about turn when I saw the packs of Chinese tourists left standing whilst, I assume, their guides were purchasing tickets.

Inside the Palace itself I've honestly never seen anything like it, as previously posted, the groups of Chinese were an absolute disgrace, they were shouting at each other, pushing and shoving everyone out of the way and treating the buildings with utter contempt.

I really don't know why Thailand is encouraging these new order tourists to visit the Kingdom, I suppose that the tour companies and hotels will reap some reward, but I understand that most of these are Chinese anyway, but I'm not sure that Thailand will reap any real benefit.

[LawrenceChee]

Indeed because at the rate of collecting 500 baht per person , it's impossible to cover the costs with only foreigner tourist who want the cultured tour and being the "only person lost in the temple " and enjoying all the cultural sights but insist on paying 30 baht like the Thais or in this GP case gets in free.

Short term gains but I can see why countries like Cambodia and Thailand needs these bus loads to sustain the tourism dollar because there is not much other trade that offers so much hard currency

Most of the foreigners here won't pay because they spend their time arguing about fair payments locals vs farangs and the thread is a dead beaten horse on TVF

Alternating that is endless bus loads of 40 Chinese tourist who will spend one hour here pay the 500, rarely complains buy all the cheap souvenirs , drinks like 3 inflated price coconuts , buys a dozen Naraya ugly bags and then rush off to another location to pay another 500 as entry

So from a business point ....where would u stand ?

[theoldgit]

From memory (and it was only last month, I'm getting on) it was also B500 for the thai GF. Maybe someone can confirm for me.

Thai people were entering free on Monday, I think that's always been the case, there was a separate line for them.

[BookMan]

I did the GP 3x in 15 years.

No surprise the first was the best, the last the worst.

No more GP visits planned, ever.

Entry is 500 baht now for the non Thai person

WOnder what type of discount these tour groups get..if any

From memory (and it was only last month, I'm getting on) it was also B500 for the thai GF. Maybe someone can confirm for me.

Free for Thai people

[thonglorjimmy]

I went there yesterday, also with a friend from overseas, simply awful, the Chinese people I witnessed were an utter disgrace.

Like the previous poster, we also left and didn't bother going to the Reclining Buddha as we expected that to be the same.

I fully understand the argument that places like this need the tourist dollars, Buckingham Palace was also very crowded last year, but at least the tourists there knew how to show some respect to the attraction and courtesy to fellow tourists, but I'm of the view that groups like this will drive people away once the word gets out, there's already murmurings on Trip Advisor.

[uptheos]

Drive people away from where.....China?

[Stradavarius37]

Well, sadly this is the way of the world now. 1/7th of the population is Chinese another 1/7th is indian.....the rest is a conglomerate.

White skinned and blue eyed are a minority.

This is also the way the gov want it. Total control of the masses. Renegade travellers on their own cannot be accounted for. They used to be called tourists but is seems that in this corner of the planet they are more than likely criminals, terrorists or mafia gang lords.

for even a minor infraction you will be handcuffed, locked up with all manner of bad asses, possibly beaten up, deported and banned from coming back.

Happy holidays folks.........

Why is that sad?

[LawrenceChee]

Do like what I do ...hang out at thonglor the bus loads haven't discovered it hang out at nice hotel they have not got the group rates yet ...soon maybe but not yet

I Guess people who complain about bus loads of guests are the same as i see in the Caribbean

Busloads of drunk Americans in the island wanting a local experience and being booish about it and spoiling it for everyone else

But for the insider tourist there are still loads of places untouched by the bus loads and you just need to be smart about where to get them

I was in Kyoto recently and its bus load maniac there as even the orderly Japanese wants their tourist dollar

To avoid that and have the best experience, I stayed at Hyatt no tour groups there as anything under 150 rooms there is normally no ideal group rates

Visits the smaller Temples in the day as its not in their tour itinerary , take a slow kaseiki lunch which is normally 2-3 hours ....they don't have time for that and 30 mins before the close Everyday my missus went to the popular Temples and the place was dead quiet as after lunch the tour groups bring them all to the pharmacy store

So in that 5 days there we saw zero bus loads of Chinese even though they are all there

Edited March 17, 2016 by LawrenceChee

[BookMan]

I can only see the amount of Chinese tourists and tour groups increasing in the short term

The admission price will rise for entry to the Grand Palace, maybe to 600, 700 baht to maximise easy profits

[BookMan]

I went there yesterday, also with a friend from overseas, simply awful, the Chinese people I witnessed were an utter disgrace.

Like the previous poster, we also left and didn't bother going to the Reclining Buddha as we expected that to be the same.

I fully understand the argument that places like this need the tourist dollars, Buckingham Palace was also very crowded last year, but at least the tourists there knew how to show some respect to the attraction and courtesy to fellow tourists, but I'm of the view that groups like this will drive people away once the word gets out, there's already murmurings on Trip Advisor.

Wat Pho/reclining Buddha was a lake of serenity compared to the Grand Palace. The hall where the reclining Buddha is had quite a few people (and a queue for the free bottled water that came with the ticket), but otherwise, walking around, not so bad. Some of the areas around the back and sides were almost empty

I think Wat Pho was 100 or 150 baht.. and free for Thai people

[smokie36]

Very similar story when I was there last month.

Loved watching a Thai soldier snatch a phone off of some moron at the Emerald Buddha...he told the idiot once to put it away...then grabbed it and walked off.

I hope that tourist is still telling the tale of his lost phone!

[Suitcase]

Was at Wat Po last Sunday.

Same thing, Chinese everywhere.

Did not go in.

Ticket price, 100 baht.

Thai people were let in a side door to pray.

Went to the river to cross over to Wat Arun but

could see it was still under renovation and the scaffolding

went all the way to the top.

No good for photos.

Returned to hotel with nothing to show!

[louse1953]

6 years ago i visited the grand palace with my old parents. We arrived by taxi, an official looking guy with many medals opened the door to tell us the Palace was closed for some hours, it had to do with the death of a Princess he said. But to kill the time untill it would be open he knew some good longtailboats where he brought us to. They asked extreme prices for an hour boatride so we walked all the way back to the Palace.

At the Palace we saw him again opening another arriving taxi and guiding the passengers to the pier.....

The Palace was open and at the info-desk i asked the receptionist if it had been closed that day. She couldn't speak any english but seen how busy it was inside it looked like a normal day and it hadn't been closed at all. I told her about the official guy who told us the palace was closed but she didn't care at all or couldn't understand a word of what we told her.

After visiting the Palace we tried to get a metre taxi which was totally impossible. We had to walk away from the spot and there we got a metre taxi. My parents couldn't believe what they experienced. This is Thailand!

I avoid EVERY place where groups of Chinese tourists are, unfortunately i can't avoid the Thai airport where they run around like drunk chickens.

That is what the luggage trolley is for these days.Straight through the middle of them,take a few shy Thais with you.Maybe i will make my own flag,something to indicate i am an ignorant bastard.Any suggestions.

Edited March 17, 2016 by louse1953

[NoshowJones]

every 5th man or woman diverting across my path for no apparent reason.

Just walk straight through them, any adult who deliberately walks into my path

I just keep on walking as if they weren't there.

[callaway]

6 years ago i visited the grand palace with my old parents. We arrived by taxi, an official looking guy with many medals opened the door to tell us the Palace was closed for some hours, it had to do with the death of a Princess he said. But to kill the time untill it would be open he knew some good longtailboats where he brought us to. They asked extreme prices for an hour boatride so we walked all the way back to the Palace.

At the Palace we saw him again opening another arriving taxi and guiding the passengers to the pier.....

The Palace was open and at the info-desk i asked the receptionist if it had been closed that day. She couldn't speak any english but seen how busy it was inside it looked like a normal day and it hadn't been closed at all. I told her about the official guy who told us the palace was closed but she didn't care at all or couldn't understand a word of what we told her.

After visiting the Palace we tried to get a metre taxi which was totally impossible. We had to walk away from the spot and there we got a metre taxi. My parents couldn't believe what they experienced. This is Thailand!

I avoid EVERY place where groups of Chinese tourists are, unfortunately i can't avoid the Thai airport where they run around like drunk chickens.

That is what the luggage trolley is for these days.Straight through the middle of them,take a few shy Thais with you.Maybe i will make my own flag,something to indicate i am an ignorant bastard.Any suggestions.

Just make a flag with your comment on. I am sure that will be enough.

[off road pat]

Went to the Grand Palace with visiting friends last month. Hordes of Chinese tourists !!! everywhere. As I hate crowds and the entrance price went up to 500 thb I decided to have a coffee in one of the overpriced restaurants opposite.. and let the friends visit alone with my Thai wife who could go for free. We walked to wat po, were the entrance was some 200 Thb. I remember from the many times I visited wat Po it used to be free or some 50 Thb ?!?!....we walked to the pier were there were hordes of Chinese tourists and waiting time was so long and prices were so expensive, we decided to go for a restaurant a little further. very disappointing everything !!. Except that last restaurant witch was not cheap but excellent food desserts and coffee. this made my day.....!

Best Regards.

Edited March 17, 2016 by off road pat

[LawrenceChee]

Went to the Grand Palace with visiting friends last month. Hordes of Chinese tourists !!! everywhere. As I hate crowds and the entrance price went up to 500 thb I decided to have a coffee in one of the overpriced restaurants opposite.. and let the friends visit alone with my Thai wife who could go for free. We walked to wat po, were the entrance was some 200 Thb. I remember from the many times I visited wat Po it used to be free or some 50 Thb ?!?!....we walked to the pier were there were hordes of Chinese tourists and waiting time was so long and prices were so expensive, we decided to go for a restaurant a little further. very disappointing everything !!. Except that last restaurant witch was not cheap but excellent food desserts and coffee. this made my day.....!

Best Regards.

Glad you found your oasis ....that's what smart traveler would do

[LawrenceChee]

I was in Chiangmai Central Festival which has now become a tour bus stop

6 months ago you could jet ski into the mall corridors and not hit a soul as it was that empty on a weekday

Today at 1100am the supermarket ground floor is packed with the hordes

Yes the locals are upset , yes it will never be quiet again but watching them shop and knowing it supports thousands of Thais in a dead beat factory rather than smoke / drink means someone is earning a livelihood

In the 30 mins spent there, the average Chinese spent probably what I would buy in 3 months of mangoes , fried chicken wings and fruits

I can understand why the Thais are grimacing , not smiling and still taking the money

It's Asia money still talk ...fast forward 5-6 years Thailand will get the same effects as HK ...already the social media for those who can read mandarin is saying Doi Suthep is overrated , mango and sticky rice is not that tasty (Chiangmai has been closing them fast as they are no longer keen) and the Malls are more expensive than USA

So hopefully it will quiet down in 10 years which will be when I officially retire

In the meantime ...thankfully the Chinese are keeping the Thais employed at the lower scales

Be honest TVF posters , when was the last time you bought a souvenir photo dish at Pattaya coming off a high speed boat or those packets of cashew nuts or a Naraya bag ?

Edited March 17, 2016 by LawrenceChee

[mydee]

This is where I stand- From a business point of view I would do a cost benefit analysis of the revenue gain against the irreversible damage to priceless art and antiques uncontrolled access to the Grand Palace will cause. If you are not an geologist I don't think too many people will be visiting one of the earliest Christian churches which was destroyed by the ISIS mongrels in Syria recently, yet the damage caused by rampaging tourists is just as bad in the long run, people were rubbing against gold and painted surfaces because of the crowd and damaging them. And it is so easy to control- Like the Vatican or Tower of London you limit the number of tourists going through at any one time have them going through in discrete groups so you can control them. In the long term you will be better off. Thailand could learn a lot from Bhutan who charge like wounded bulls (about $4000 for a visa) for the privilege of entering their country. They get a better class of tourists and still have plenty of revenue coming in.

From a cultural point of view you do what the comrades in Vietnam do when people go to visit the tomb of Ho Chi Minh. When I was there two Chinese women started babbling on when they were walking around Uncle Ho's embalmed remains. They were quickly pulled aside by the guards and taken to a room. I never saw them again. The temple of the Emerald Buddha, is for serious Thai Buddhists the holiest place in the country.In the old days you would be told to shut up if you spoke in the shrine. It is a tragedy that it has come to this.

PS One way to deal with the Chinese gropers who always accidentally brush against women is to do what my wife does - carry a biro or felt pen and use it on their trousers when they get too close. It works a treat.

Indeed because at the rate of collecting 500 baht per person , it's impossible to cover the costs with only foreigner tourist who want the cultured tour and being the "only person lost in the temple " and enjoying all the cultural sights but insist on paying 30 baht like the Thais or in this GP case gets in free.

Short term gains but I can see why countries like Cambodia and Thailand needs these bus loads to sustain the tourism dollar because there is not much other trade that offers so much hard currency

Most of the foreigners here won't pay because they spend their time arguing about fair payments locals vs farangs and the thread is a dead beaten horse on TVF

Alternating that is endless bus loads of 40 Chinese tourist who will spend one hour here pay the 500, rarely complains buy all the cheap souvenirs , drinks like 3 inflated price coconuts , buys a dozen Naraya ugly bags and then rush off to another location to pay another 500 as entry

So from a business point ....where would u stand ?

[BookMan]

I was in Chiangmai Central Festival which has now become a tour bus stop

6 months ago you could jet ski into the mall corridors and not hit a soul as it was that empty on a weekday

Today at 1100am the supermarket ground floor is packed with the hordes

Yes the locals are upset , yes it will never be quiet again but watching them shop and knowing it supports thousands of Thais in a dead beat factory rather than smoke / drink means someone is earning a livelihood

In the 30 mins spent there, the average Chinese spent probably what I would buy in 3 months of mangoes , fried chicken wings and fruits

I can understand why the Thais are grimacing , not smiling and still taking the money

It's Asia money still talk ...fast forward 5-6 years Thailand will get the same effects as HK ...already the social media for those who can read mandarin is saying Doi Suthep is overrated , mango and sticky rice is not that tasty (Chiangmai has been closing them fast as they are no longer keen) and the Malls are more expensive than USA

So hopefully it will quiet down in 10 years which will be when I officially retire

In the meantime ...thankfully the Chinese are keeping the Thais employed at the lower scales

Be honest TVF posters , when was the last time you bought a souvenir photo dish at Pattaya coming off a high speed boat or those packets of cashew nuts or a Naraya bag ?

economically what u say makes sense and its good to hear that some under utilised mall space has found a second life

from a personal standpoint it is unpleasant to interact with

Edited March 17, 2016 by BookMan