Special Report: Are Days Numbered For The Thai Tourist Industry?

[spidermike007]

8 minutes ago, elgordo38 said:

Quit already your giving me a headache with your long read on common sense. I am not used to common sense in such large doses. I tend to go into a "it does not compute" stage where my eyes start to spin and smoke comes out of my ears. Please get a work permit and become Prayuths right hand man. Chubby cheeks needs some competition. 

 

 

Good one. I like your sardonic humor. If only the little man would accept advice, I would volunteer in a nanosecond. I believe I could help to set this economy back on track. Imagine where they would be if they actually sought qualified and expert (not saying I am qualified, nor expert, LOL) opinions, with objectivity? The very thought boggles the mind. 

[digibum]

45 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Yes. Why? Countless reasons. The completely non-visionary Tourism Minister continues to focus on the Chinese market, rather that encourage improvements, that will attract Western tourists with cash to spend. This will end up being the death blow to Thai tourism. The zero baht Chinese tourists cannot sustain the market. Period. If you really want to increase tourism, try some of the following steps:

 

1. Hire some competent people, within your administration. Make sure their background, is related to the field of expertise they are directing, or participating in. Hiring a man who owns a chain of shoes stores, to run the transportation department is not going to save lives, nor lead to innovation. You want to be innovative? Get rid of nepotism, and install an administration founded upon the concept of a meritocracy. That would be a first for this nation. That is innovation. If you want the tourism industry to thrive, hire a minister with a background in tourism, rather than design and business. It just makes sense, does it not? It is called the application of common sense and reason. 
 
2. Start arresting high level men and women who are involved in trafficking. Not low hanging fruit. Anyone can do that. That is akin to the B2 case on Dark Tao. No, actually accomplish something. That would be innovation. Tourists do not like visiting a nation that is famous for human trafficking, and slave labor. 
 
3. Stop talking, and start acting.  Jawboning does not convince anyone of anything. Action speaks far louder. That is something we have seen very little of, from you lately. Now, that would be an innovation for you. Actions that improve the environment for tourists would really help. How about focusing on improving public and traffic safety, as a place to start? 
 
4. Abolish some of the punitive duties in certain areas of the import sector. A good place to start would be with the wines. Instead of a duty of 350-450%, which has all but killed the wine industry here, lower the tariff to 100%. The amount of wine bought here would go up by 1000% overnight. This would effectively double, or triple the amount collected by the government, and would create a vibrant industry that would employ tens of thousands. And it would boost tourism. Nobody likes to visit a dinosaur nation, with antiquated, protectionist, nationalistic policies, and a complete lack of innovation. It would not only make alot of people happy (moving the country forward?) but, it would be an innovative way to stimulate the economy you have done such a great job of stifling. 
 
5. Hire a really good foreigner as a P.R. person. You certainly need it. You have dug yourself quite an impressive hole, with your immature hyperbole, and nationalistic nonsense. Filter everything you say through this person of experience. People who are planning trips do not enjoy hearing ridiculous nonsense from the leaders of that nation. Your approval throughout the world will go up dramatically. Never, ever talk spontaneously. If you did that, this would be really innovative.

 

I believe Thailand will fall from second to sixth place within ASEAN within 15 years, behind Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Burma. It's tourism industry may fall further than that. 

 

While I agree with a lot of what you say, I'm guessing some of the above are your own pet peeves and not necessarily aimed at tourism.  Do enough tourists really care that they can't get good wine in Thailand?  

 

That said, yes, Thailand is going to fall fast within ASEAN.  Unless Thailand finds a visionary leader, my guess is that they'll have to hit absolute rock bottom before they make any major changes.  The loss of face and the admission that they're not as good as they thought they were will have to be driven home with a sledgehammer for them to start reforming anything on their own.  

 

And to throw out my own little suggestion on tourism, how about building something tourism worthy?  Yes, the temples are wonderful but I'm guessing for most tourists, if you've seen one, you've seen them all.  

 

And shopping malls are not tourist attractions!!!!  Stop with the shopping malls.  

 

I know it's controversial but I've always liked the idea of a Las Vegas style casino resort aimed at foreigners.  I know people think Thais can't handle a casino but other countries have managed similar problems by charging locals a high enough "membership fee" that it keeps out most of the locals who shouldn't be gambling in a casino in the first place.  

 

Maybe a casino resort isn't the answer but at least it's something for tourists to do other than looking at yet another Buddha statue.  And the kinds of tourists that would go there would at least be the "quality tourists" TAT so desperately wants to attract.  

 

The problem Thailand has is that other than building something like a amusement park or a casino resort, it has nothing to offer other than beaches (which are quickly becoming destroyed), mountains (also quickly becoming destroyed), bars, golf, shopping, and nightlife/women.  There's no real art scene in Thailand.  The better bands tend to be foreigners.  Unless you like muay Thai, no real sports scene to speak of.  No museums of note.  

 

 

[spidermike007]

Just now, digibum said:

 

While I agree with a lot of what you say, I'm guessing some of the above are your own pet peeves and not necessarily aimed at tourism.  Do enough tourists really care that they can't get good wine in Thailand?  

 

That said, yes, Thailand is going to fall fast within ASEAN.  Unless Thailand finds a visionary leader, my guess is that they'll have to hit absolute rock bottom before they make any major changes.  The loss of face and the admission that they're not as good as they thought they were will have to be driven home with a sledgehammer for them to start reforming anything on their own.  

 

And to throw out my own little suggestion on tourism, how about building something tourism worthy?  Yes, the temples are wonderful but I'm guessing for most tourists, if you've seen one, you've seen them all.  

 

And shopping malls are not tourist attractions!!!!  Stop with the shopping malls.  

 

I know it's controversial but I've always liked the idea of a Las Vegas style casino resort aimed at foreigners.  I know people think Thais can't handle a casino but other countries have managed similar problems by charging locals a high enough "membership fee" that it keeps out most of the locals who shouldn't be gambling in a casino in the first place.  

 

Maybe a casino resort isn't the answer but at least it's something for tourists to do other than looking at yet another Buddha statue.  And the kinds of tourists that would go there would at least be the "quality tourists" TAT so desperately wants to attract.  

 

The problem Thailand has is that other than building something like a amusement park or a casino resort, it has nothing to offer other than beaches (which are quickly becoming destroyed), mountains (also quickly becoming destroyed), bars, golf, shopping, and nightlife/women.  There's no real art scene in Thailand.  The better bands tend to be foreigners.  Unless you like muay Thai, no real sports scene to speak of.  No museums of note.  

 

 

 

 

All goods points. Thank you for that. While the wine thing would only affect a smaller percentage of tourists, alot of high end tourists like to take advantage of the local wine scene. Thailand could have a vibrant wine industry, if they only had the vision to lower the tariffs from over 400% to 100%. The industry would grow overnight. And in the long run, the government would enjoy far more revenue, as the industry would probably grow by 1000%. I am a wine drinker, and I refuse to pay 1450 baht, for a bottle of wine I can get for $5 in LA. Or 7,000 baht for a bottle I can get for $35 in LA. The five star hotels have been struggling with the wine tariffs for decades, and suffer from far lower revenue because of the ignorant local policies. 

 

Also, alot of wealthy Thais would take advantage of being able to buy world class wines at fair prices, and would begin collecting wine. 

 

As far as culture goes, Thailand is a wasteland. Not one good museum in the country. There is a very nice museum building across from Siam/MBK, but the collection is beyond weak. No art from overseas, and since Thailand does not have a history of great painters, and the contemporary art scene is quite minimal, there is little to work with. Little to no theatre, opera, classical music, ballet, very little jazz, no stand up comedy, and precious little in the way of local culture that provides amusement. Sorry, but puppet shows just do not count. Neither do the ladyboy shows.

[anotheruser]

26 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

 

 

All goods points. Thank you for that. While the wine thing would only affect a smaller percentage of tourists, alot of high end tourists like to take advantage of the local wine scene. Thailand could have a vibrant wine industry, if they only had the vision to lower the tariffs from over 400% to 100%. The industry would grow overnight. And in the long run, the government would enjoy far more revenue, as the industry would probably grow by 1000%. I am a wine drinker, and I refuse to pay 1450 baht, for a bottle of wine I can get for $5 in LA. Or 7,000 baht for a bottle I can get for $35 in LA. The five star hotels have been struggling with the wine tariffs for decades, and suffer from far lower revenue because of the ignorant local policies. 

 

Also, alot of wealthy Thais would take advantage of being able to buy world class wines at fair prices, and would begin collecting wine. 

 

As far as culture goes, Thailand is a wasteland. Not one good museum in the country. There is a very nice museum building across from Siam/MBK, but the collection is beyond weak. No art from overseas, and since Thailand does not have a history of great painters, and the contemporary art scene is quite minimal, there is little to work with. Little to no theatre, opera, classical music, ballet, very little jazz, no stand up comedy, and precious little in the way of local culture that provides amusement. Sorry, but puppet shows just do not count. Neither do the ladyboy shows.

 

The current government would be more likely to raise the price of wine. They aren't exactly known to be alcohol friendly.

[Brer Fox]

This is where many of Thailand's potential tourists are now going. Note the figures for China:

 

http://www.thanhniennews.com/travel/vietnam-sees-record-foreign-arrivals-in-july-64720.html

 

And this is why they go there.

 

http://www.thanhniennews.com/travel/a-day-at-the-beach-is-cheapest-in-vietnam-ranking-64701.html

 

Of special interest to drinkers. When I am staying outside Hanoi in the country I buy my beer by the crate from a local supplier. He delivers to the door.

 

24 bottles Hanoi lager 430ml bottle for US$ 7.50/crate of 24 = about 11 tbh/bottle. White Horse scotch at BigC US$13/750ml bottle.

[dhream]

On 8/3/2016 at 5:12 AM, MyFrenU said:

The Costa Del Crime (Sol) is a very apt comparison,resorts like Marbella,Calahonda,Fuengirola,Benalmadena have been dying slowly and painfully for years.Funnily enough the cheapest of the lot Torremolinos is thriving now mainly due to Spanish tourists from other parts of the country,who of course love the history of Malaga the Andalucian capital.
Other parts of Spain are thriving like Barcelona with the Catalans now complaining that the 10 Million per year visitors that descend on the city are too many!
The Canary Islands also Tenerife,Gran Canaria,Lanzarote and Fuengirola are in the enviable position of being just about the only place in Europe that can guarantee sunshine and good weather in the Winter.They will always be busy especially with Scandinavians that only holiday in Winter,they say Summer is beautiful at home so why bother?
It was only a matter of time before Thailand finally killed the Goose that lays the Golden Egg,you can only kill so many tourists and get away with it before people say enough is enough!

There's one Bjorn every minute.

As enjoyable as it is to induge in schadenfreude,  people won't  be cancelling en masse anytime soon. 

Bangkok in particular is going from strength to strength with the super rich who enjoy uban sojourns and pricey nightlife.

Only old hands with any memory of better days are looking for alternatives that can offer the scene 20-30 years ago. And Thailand is surrounded by eager competitors all the way to the Maldives. But the ignorant will still fly in by the ton.

 

[MyFrenU]

2 minutes ago, dhream said:

There's one Bjorn every minute.

As enjoyable as it is to induge in schadenfreude,  people won't  be cancelling en masse anytime soon. 

Bangkok in particular is going from strength to strength with the super rich who enjoy uban sojourns and pricey nightlife.

Only old hands with any memory of better days are looking for alternatives that can offer the scene 20-30 years ago. And Thailand is surrounded by eager competitors all the way to the Maldives. But the ignorant will still fly in by the ton.

 

At least you don't need heating in that cave you live in,does it have an internet connection?

[dhream]

Civil turmoil would have to get to Arab Spring proportions. And even then. People still getting shot poolside and blown out of the sky leaving Egypian resorts. Hasn't stopped certain people from showing up anyway. Go figure.

Edited August 4, 2016 by dhream

[WinnieTheKhwai]

On 8/3/2016 at 8:29 AM, anotheruser said:

 

Don't you actually have to sign in with your passport to visit Ao Manao? I want to visit it some day but the thought of having to carry my passport with my PE visa in it sort of puts me off.

 

"Sometimes".    The last couple visits I didn't need to sign anything.  And on a previous visit I think I used a driver's license. (Your mileage may vary on that one.)

 

Anyway as you will be driving a car anyway to even get there, it's not terribly inconvenient to put your passport in the glove box;  I usually do if I don't forget.  (Heck I have my passport with me in the car pretty much all the time, also here in Chiang Mai. )

[MyFrenU]

20 minutes ago, WinnieTheKhwai said:

 

"Sometimes".    The last couple visits I didn't need to sign anything.  And on a previous visit I think I used a driver's license. (Your mileage may vary on that one.)

 

Anyway as you will be driving a car anyway to even get there, it's not terribly inconvenient to put your passport in the glove box;  I usually do if I don't forget.  (Heck I have my passport with me in the car pretty much all the time, also here in Chiang Mai. )

Why do you need your passport to visit the Gulf of Thailand,can someone enlighten me please?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ao_Manao

[thaibeachlovers]

On 3 สิงหาคม 2559 at 6:27 AM, anotheruser said:

The internet is contributing to this a bit. All of the scams and other delightful news from Thailand makes it to every corner of the world. Though for me the thing that is going to be the greatest factor in this is the state of the environment. Thailand has become one polluted mess. The time it took them to trash the entire country is shocking.

 

The locals seem to have little to no awareness for the environment and all of the garbage everywhere. They simply think all foreigners find Thailand the best place in the world to vacation and don't understand that people are tired of holidaying in piles of trash while basking in the fumes of burning plastic.

 

At least the sex tourists who are seemingly willing to put up with anything for some cheap ass will continue to come. Oh wait a minute...

 

 

The time it took them to trash the entire country is shocking. 

 

I guess you haven't been in LOS long to say that. It's been a mess for a very long time, certainly long before i started visiting, and that was a very long time ago.

 

I like the bit in the OP about the condo market collapsing. Hopefully that will also happen in LOS, then that will bring long term rents down and also the cost of hotels.

 

I doubt very much that tourism will disappear altogether, but the last 20 years have seen an unhealthy build up of mass tourism during which the best beaches have been destroyed by concrete and too many hotels, the cheap places have largely disappeared and scams are now common.

If it went back to 1990 numbers things might get better. I'd certainly like to see the 5* resorts fail, as they are the ones responsible for most of the beach destruction.

 

Nevertheless, I expect Pattaya to keep on partying. Mongers don't care that the beach is rubbish, but they do like cheap hotels.

[thaibeachlovers]

11 minutes ago, MyFrenU said:

Why do you need your passport to visit the Gulf of Thailand,can someone enlighten me please?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ao_Manao

Tourists ( all of us farangs, even if we live in LOS ) are supposed to carry ID at all times. Thais have ID cards, farangs do not. They also need to be able to ascertain that we are not overstayers, so need to see visa.

[thaibeachlovers]

23 hours ago, mojorison said:

Or a waterfall that as well as being a landmark to Rama 5 and revered by Thais, also is festooned with dozens of blue water pipes draping down it as the locals brashly appropriate the water for their homes and businesses, totally missing the point that their businesses revolve around the beauty and sanctity of the waterfall. People would go to see the water fall... all they see now is shit. And they talk about it. And it gets passed around. The Thais ardently kill every goose that lays golden eggs. You try to tell them, or explain the ins and outs, and they either think your'e a silly billy, or they don't agree, or they say if I don't he will, so I have to, or vice versa. They know all, and have outrageous egos combined with exceptionally robust senses of self worth. Unfortunately they also happen to have next to no experience abroad, and are completely oblivious to any other perception... for the most part, (not all though). This malaise by the way is the same mindset running the country at the moment. (Edit, I have always found it unusual that a people with such a conflated view of the Buddha, can so rampantly pollute their and his environment. I always thought that to be disrespectful. Truth is, they just don't think about things deeply enough.) /RANT

I went to see a non western touristed waterfall once. Horrible drinking shacks lined the river and garbage everywhere, next to a national park. Koh Samet IS a national park and is a rubbish tip end to end.

Dead goose indeed.

Still, as the ignorant western tourist picks their tour by staying at the hotel that looks the nicest in the brochure, expect the lemmings to keep coming. They rarely stray from the pool and the bar anyway.

[digibum]

6 hours ago, anotheruser said:

 

The current government would be more likely to raise the price of wine. They aren't exactly known to be alcohol friendly.

 

Well, I'm not sure if it's the fact that they're not alcohol friendly vs. not being alcoholic friendly.  Thailand has a significant problem with people who consume too much alcohol (leading cause of fatal crashes, etc).  Unfortunately, governments (in general) tend to react to problems with knee jerk solutions and for this government, constant crackdowns on the sale of alcohol seems to be the solution.  

Would they view hi-so wine consumption differently?  Not sure but I doubt there would be as much enthusiasm in making sure that wine bars are not located too close to schools as there is for beer and hard liquor sales near schools.  

[digibum]

6 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

As far as culture goes, Thailand is a wasteland. Not one good museum in the country. There is a very nice museum building across from Siam/MBK, but the collection is beyond weak. No art from overseas, and since Thailand does not have a history of great painters, and the contemporary art scene is quite minimal, there is little to work with. Little to no theatre, opera, classical music, ballet, very little jazz, no stand up comedy, and precious little in the way of local culture that provides amusement. Sorry, but puppet shows just do not count. Neither do the ladyboy shows.

 

Wasteland is a good choice of words.  

 

While I don't want to sound like a basher, I think the general lack of interest in the arts speaks volumes about the depth of Thai culture.  Every so often I see small flashes of innovation and creativity in The society but I can name very few cities with a population the size of Bangkok that have so little going on in the arts.  

 

I'm not even asking for giant opera hall, I'm talking about the fact that I can't name a single city the size of Bangkok that doesn't have street performers performing for tips in major tourist areas.  

 

Thailand can't even muster that.  

 

Of course, this is exactly why Thailand has so much trouble attracting tourists who see it as anything other than as a low cost holiday destination (even if the costs aren't so low anymore).  If all they have to offer is their natural resources and hookers, guess what kinds of tourists you'll attract.  

 

 

[digibum]

5 hours ago, dhream said:

There's one Bjorn every minute.

As enjoyable as it is to induge in schadenfreude,  people won't  be cancelling en masse anytime soon. 

Bangkok in particular is going from strength to strength with the super rich who enjoy uban sojourns and pricey nightlife.

Only old hands with any memory of better days are looking for alternatives that can offer the scene 20-30 years ago. And Thailand is surrounded by eager competitors all the way to the Maldives. But the ignorant will still fly in by the ton.

 

 

I think the tourism numbers will argue with you on that one.  The only thing holding Thailand's tourism industry together at the moment is large package tours from China.  The farangs aren't coming in the numbers like they used to.  That's just a fact according to TAT's own numbers.  

 

Talk to anybody who works in tourism and they'll tell you that despite increasing numbers their profits are declining.  

[anotheruser]

41 minutes ago, digibum said:

 

Well, I'm not sure if it's the fact that they're not alcohol friendly vs. not being alcoholic friendly.  Thailand has a significant problem with people who consume too much alcohol (leading cause of fatal crashes, etc).  Unfortunately, governments (in general) tend to react to problems with knee jerk solutions and for this government, constant crackdowns on the sale of alcohol seems to be the solution.  

Would they view hi-so wine consumption differently?  Not sure but I doubt there would be as much enthusiasm in making sure that wine bars are not located too close to schools as there is for beer and hard liquor sales near schools.  

 

What I mean is they are likely to continue to raise taxes on all alcohol across the board. So i wouldn't hold my breath that wine will get cheaper.

 

[Wilsonandson]

 

What I mean is they are likely to continue to raise taxes on all alcohol across the board. So i wouldn't hold my breath that wine will get cheaper.

 

Who can drink wine in a tropical climate anyway. Gives me a terrible headache. By the way whose they? The government or the military? Raise the price of alcohol much more and people will be smuggling it in through the borders. I remember when you could buy 3 bottles of beer for 100 baht. Now you can't buy 2 bottles of beer for 100 baht. Threaten the people with guns, didn't work in the US prohibition era.

[anotheruser]

Goverment or military doesn't matter which. The result is the same. Thailand has been raising taxes and cutting hours of sales for awhile now.

[NCC1701A]

all these problems in Thailand are why I never leave Soi 6 in Pattaya. Very convenient, has everything I need, everyone is very friendly.    

Edited August 4, 2016 by NCC1701A

[Wilsonandson]

all these problems in Thailand are why I never leave Soi 6 in Pattaya. Very convenient, has everything I need, everyone is very friendly.    

I thought you lived in Hua Hin?

[NCC1701A]

Just now, Wilsonandson said:

I thought you lived in Hua Hin?

i am just joking...

I am in HH.

[Wilsonandson]

i am just joking...

I am in HH. [emoji4]

I know, just pulling your chain.
5555:lol:

[digibum]

Just got done reading an interesting article in the Financial Times (paywalled) titled "Thailand’s tourism boom: it’s over".  Unlike the OP they don't rely on anecdotal evidence or focus on us poor farangs.  

 

Some interesting takeaways:  

 

Chinese tourism numbers are strong . . . but not strong enough.  Growth of Chinese tourists is decelerating and Thailand has few markets that can send enough people to keep the tourism arrivals growing at pervious rates of growth.  

 

Tourism officially accounts for 13.2% of the Thai GDP and this is the highest percentage of GDP in history.  But it's not because tourism is doing well, it's because the rest of the Thai economy is doing poorly.  If you take out the impact of tourism on Thailand's 2015 growth numbers, Thailand's GDP grew by only 0.6%.  Even with the tourism boost, Thailand's GDP growth rate lags significantly behind Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Vietnam.  

 

Unofficially, tourism probably accounts for closer to 20% of GDP as official numbers only count on monies spent directly on tourism related activities (i.e. hotels, tours, airfare, etc) and not all monies tourists might spend (shopping, restaurants, etc).  

 

Official average spend per tourist has remained almost unchanged during the Chinese tourist boom.  My thought:  Since fewer farangs come to Thailand on package tours, our unofficial spend is much higher which accounts for why Chinese tourism numbers are up (and farang tourism numbers are down) but many tourism related businesses are saying that their businesses are hurting.  Additionally, the prices of many goods and services related to the tourism industry have increased over this period so it appears that the Chinese tourists may be spending the same amount but getting less for their money - which may, in itself, help explain why tourism is slowing. 

 

The FT concludes that Thailand's tourism sector will continue to grow more modestly in the future.  However, given that the rest of Thailand's economy is in the dumps, that means that the Thai government cannot rely on tourism to save their weak GDP growth numbers.

 

This is precisely why Thailand is always chasing the mythical "quality tourist."  It's much easier hunting unicorns than finding new markets with growing middle class bases that can flood the arrivals terminal.  

 

And this is why fixing Thailand represents such a monumental challenge.  Thailand's entire economy is flailing.  Sector by sector they've run out of ways to keep the machine going.  They're losing the battle for manufacturing and electronics to Vietnam.  India and Vietnam are putting pressure on industries like rice and other agriculture.  Tourism growth is leveling off.  

 

Fixing it means ignoring xenophobia, Thai exceptionalism, and face saving and admit that they have a major problem.   It will force everything from the lack of English fluency, skilled labor deficiencies, protectionist business and land ownership laws, all the way to learning the golden rule, the customer is always right . . . even if he doesn't understand Thai culture.  It will be a humbling experience, assuming Thailand chooses to fix things.  

 

The other option is to just become less and less competitive and watch their ASEAN neighbors eat their lunch while they all chant "Thailand #1"  

 

 

 

 

[spidermike007]

11 hours ago, digibum said:

 

Wasteland is a good choice of words.  

 

While I don't want to sound like a basher, I think the general lack of interest in the arts speaks volumes about the depth of Thai culture.  Every so often I see small flashes of innovation and creativity in The society but I can name very few cities with a population the size of Bangkok that have so little going on in the arts.  

 

I'm not even asking for giant opera hall, I'm talking about the fact that I can't name a single city the size of Bangkok that doesn't have street performers performing for tips in major tourist areas.  

 

Thailand can't even muster that.  

 

Of course, this is exactly why Thailand has so much trouble attracting tourists who see it as anything other than as a low cost holiday destination (even if the costs aren't so low anymore).  If all they have to offer is their natural resources and hookers, guess what kinds of tourists you'll attract.  

 

 

 

 

And just think what will happen to the tourist industry here as prices continue to escalate? As much as the authorities like to talk about low inflation, I see prices creeping up every day. If Thailand is no longer the low cost destination, and the natural resources continue to get fouled, and the authorities do nothing about public or traffic safety, police reform, or addressing the countless scams going on, and the sex industry continues to decline, what will people come here to see? 

 

There is a very real chance Thailand will be overtaken by Malaysia, Vietnam, Burma, and the Philippines, both in terms of tourism, and economic output. That would leave them at #6 within ASEAN, as they are already second to Indonesia. 

 

There are countless aspects to this equation nobody in control seems to understand, especially the Tourism Minister, and the little man. Developing more zero baht tourism (most Chinese tourists) is definitely, and definitively not the answer. Yes, they continue prodding down that dark and destructive path of desolation. The entire country runs the risk of becoming the largest tourism museum in the world, with countless hotels and resorts abandoned, due to a lack of guests. It could and would have a devastating effect on the economy. Are there any visionary leaders pondering this possibility at this point in time? Of course not. There is little vision in their midst. 

 

There is alot that can be done to develop the arts here. If there was interest. For the most part, the only Thais who seem to have an interest are the ones who have spent time overseas, where they see what an integral part of daily life the arts are. There is a small community of talented artists and designers here, but they get absolutely no support from this completely visionless government, and most of society. People talk about Thai culture. But, history does not make a culture. And puppet shows, occasions traditional dance performances, and horrific soap operas on TV do not go very far to create an environment of cultural and artistic inspiration. Music seems to be the most vibrant aspect of local culture. People seem to get that. But, it is not diverse enough. Not much in the way of classical music, jazz, folk, electronica, etc. Just straight up Thai rock, for the most part. Granted some of it is quite good. But, we all need to be surrounded by creative juice. It is inspiring. It should be encouraged at every level of society, and that is not the case.

[digibum]

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

 

 

And just think what will happen to the tourist industry here as prices continue to escalate? As much as the authorities like to talk about low inflation, I see prices creeping up every day. If Thailand is no longer the low cost destination, and the natural resources continue to get fouled, and the authorities do nothing about public or traffic safety, police reform, or addressing the countless scams going on, and the sex industry continues to decline, what will people come here to see? 

 

There is a very real chance Thailand will be overtaken by Malaysia, Vietnam, Burma, and the Philippines, both in terms of tourism, and economic output. That would leave them at #6 within ASEAN, as they are already second to Indonesia. 

 

There are countless aspects to this equation nobody in control seems to understand, especially the Tourism Minister, and the little man. Developing more zero baht tourism (most Chinese tourists) is definitely, and definitively not the answer. Yes, they continue prodding down that dark and destructive path of desolation. The entire country runs the risk of becoming the largest tourism museum in the world, with countless hotels and resorts abandoned, due to a lack of guests. It could and would have a devastating effect on the economy. Are there any visionary leaders pondering this possibility at this point in time? Of course not. There is little vision in their midst. 

 

There is alot that can be done to develop the arts here. If there was interest. For the most part, the only Thais who seem to have an interest are the ones who have spent time overseas, where they see what an integral part of daily life the arts are. There is a small community of talented artists and designers here, but they get absolutely no support from this completely visionless government, and most of society. People talk about Thai culture. But, history does not make a culture. And puppet shows, occasions traditional dance performances, and horrific soap operas on TV do not go very far to create an environment of cultural and artistic inspiration. Music seems to be the most vibrant aspect of local culture. People seem to get that. But, it is not diverse enough. Not much in the way of classical music, jazz, folk, electronica, etc. Just straight up Thai rock, for the most part. Granted some of it is quite good. But, we all need to be surrounded by creative juice. It is inspiring. It should be encouraged at every level of society, and that is not the case.

 

There's another thread in the news section about the PM saying there will be no violence during the referendum where someone has linked to a different article about an economic policy that was proposed labeled the Siamese Parasite.  The idea being that Thailand would just jump from country to country changing allies and loyalties based on wherever strong economic growth was happening.  Presto!  Now they can avoid economic downturns.  

 

Laughably, one of the biggest criticisms wasn't the plan itself but the fact the PM didn't like being compared to a parasite.  The article even mentions some preferring the concept of a Tiger instead.

 

But, this is already being implemented in tourism (without anybody really acknowledging it).  Thailand has been jumping around from Brits to Aussies to Germans to Swedes to Chinese to Indians and will continue to do so until they run out of countries to suck up to.  

 

And much like in tourism, at least from the article, it doesn't appear that the plan addresses the problems in the Thai economy (too much dependence on agriculture and exports and not enough domestic consumption) so they can be fixed.  It's just chasing the money like a bar girl works her list of overseas sponsors.  

 

In terms of your comments specifically about the arts scene in Thailand, I mostly agree.  I don't pretend to be some nose in the air elitist about art but the complete lack of it in Thailand is appalling.  I mean, it says so, so much about Thai culture that they cannot create anything new and don't appreciate any art that isn't Thai.  

 

Where I disagree is on your thoughts on rock bands, and perhaps music in Thailand in general.  I can appreciate a good drunken dance to some Carabao (is that rock or issan/country?) as much as the next guy but I think most Thai music is more or less adapting western music to Thai tastes.  

 

I've personally never heard any music in Thailand that seems particularly inspired and unique (rock or otherwise).  Maybe I don't get out enough :-)  I can certainly appreciate that some bands are trying but few are really trying to create anything new.  

 

Because in Thailand, it doesn't have to be good.  It just needs to be in Thai.  

 

[Inepto Cracy]

The one thing I find with talking to tourists from any country on Phuket, is they get peed off having to only buy beers etc when the times are right, ( Right for whom?). Then when there is a holiday or exciting day, no alcohol. Then cannot buy or drink alcohol over public happy holiday or voting days. Yes us expats can buy alcohol on any day of the week or month, we talking tourists here who don't have the connections the expats have.

Hang on all the if you cant have a beer here don't come here idiots, take a look around, nobody is coming here in large droves like in the past, no, not even the Chinese.

Hang you are on holiday, you want a beer with your meal, chill out and relax on the beach, damn you cannot have a bed or umbrella on the beach, hostile gestures from once placid friendly folk, hey the list is now never ending.

Well we always said sum num naa in the past, well this is it, now a wake up call.

Thanks to the mighty internet and social media, everything dirty is in the world wide public domain.

Oh woh wit me, no money, no tourist.

Shame, you killed your own tourist market by greed.

[mesterm]

On 8/3/2016 at 9:32 AM, taichiplanet said:

preaching to the converted. what about doing the article in Thai and see what response (if any!) there is.

 

Best comment in this thread.

[moe666]

On ‎8‎/‎2‎/‎2016 at 7:13 PM, anotheruser said:

I don't think comparing the entire island of Palawan to Ao Manao is all that fair. Ao Manao is a small place in comparison that enjoys a relatively unique atmosphere because it is on a base. Palawan is a world renowned island. 

 

Anyway when a place like Ao Manao is at the forefront of the discussion of beaches you know we are scraping the bottom of the barrel. Is it a nice beach undoubtedly. Is it a reason tourists would come all the way across the world? Definitely not. 

 

 

Palawan Island is a bit over hyped been there a couple oftimes  no big deal

[hawker9000]

On August 4, 2016 at 5:11 PM, thaibeachlovers said:

Tourists ( all of us farangs, even if we live in LOS ) are supposed to carry ID at all times. Thais have ID cards, farangs do not. They also need to be able to ascertain that we are not overstayers, so need to see visa.

 

This bit of really bad advice makes the rounds anew here every few months. Just need to carry a photocopy of your pp info page & visa/stamp.  Leave the pp in your room safe.  'No fun having your pp pick-pocketed, take it from someone who knows just exactly how much fun it is.  If you're a resident expat out on overnight roadtrips, that's a different story of course.