Thailand Under Strain from Tourism Surge

[webfact]

Thailand Under Strain from Tourism Surge

 

BANGKOK – Thailand’s tourist industry faces “trouble” without urgent investment to cope with an expected near-doubling of visitors to 60 million by 2030, a top official has warned.

 

Pongpanu Svetarundra, permanent secretary to the tourism ministry said Thailand must press ahead with plans to expand ports, airports and railways to deal with a holidaymaker surge that has propped up the spluttering economy but put a growing strain on infrastructure.

 

The visitor boom partly reflects explosive travel growth among newly wealthy Chinese. The rush has delivered the ruling military junta in Bangkok a much-needed financial boost but left airports and other choke points buckling under the strain.

 

Mr Pongpanu told the Financial Times “everyone is starting to get a little bit worried” by the impact of annual visitor numbers that have more than doubled in the past six years, with the tourism sector now accounting for almost a fifth of the economy.

 

Full story: http://www.chiangraitimes.com/thailand-under-strain-from-tourism-surge.html

 

-- © Copyright Chiang Rai Times 2017-04-27

 

 

[PatOngo]

Totally understandable, visiting the "Centre of the Universe" is on everyone's bucket list!

[lamyai3]

In spite of clogging up the infrastructure, I don't think the "newly wealthy Chinese" are contributing much at all to the local economy. 

[doremifasol]

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And the real reason for the urgent investment is .............

 

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Edited April 26, 2017 by doremifasol
add content

[wakeupplease]

Best story of the week so far, this one may be the winner at 60 million by 2030,

[Sphere]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

....explosive travel growth among newly wealthy Chinese...

Here's an exclusive pic of the arriving hordes of 2030.....

 

[simoh1490]

Perfectly understandable that posters who only hang out in Lower Sukkie and Beach Road don't see the more wealthy Chinese, why would they.

[mok199]

.....Thailand has now become a travel destination for the budget tour groups,i always hoped the  falang retirement population would increase,and bring with them a bright future for this country...but, Thailand wanted quantity not quality...and now they have it with clogged roads dirty beaches filthy tour buses ,and angry stressed out locals...I miss the old days...

[impulse]

3 minutes ago, mok199 said:

.....Thailand has now become a travel destination for the budget tour groups,i always hoped the  falang retirement population would increase,and bring with them a bright future for this country...but, Thailand wanted quantity not quality...and now they have it with clogged roads dirty beaches filthy tour buses ,and angry stressed out locals...I miss the old days...

 

Somehow, being a magnet for a bunch of retirees stuck in the "I miss the old days, but I can't afford to retire (or I hate everything about) back home" doesn't seem like a very viable way to move forward.

[simoh1490]

3 minutes ago, mok199 said:

.....Thailand has now become a travel destination for the budget tour groups,i always hoped the  falang retirement population would increase,and bring with them a bright future for this country...but, Thailand wanted quantity not quality...and now they have it with clogged roads dirty beaches filthy tour buses ,and angry stressed out locals...I miss the old days...

Do you not think it's a bit self centred and overly conceited to imagine that farangs were at the centre of any Thai tourism strategy, to be honest I think farangs are way way down the list of importance in this respect.

[DoctorG]

To assist with their overcrowding problem I will go to Bali again this year instead of TL.

[mok199]

2 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

Do you not think it's a bit self centred and overly conceited to imagine that farangs were at the centre of any Thai tourism strategy, to be honest I think farangs are way way down the list of importance in this respect.

mabey im a dreamer ,but a healthy mix ..instead of this invasion...

[simoh1490]

Just now, mok199 said:

mabey im a dreamer ,but a healthy mix ..instead of this invasion...

And why do you think there isn't a healthy mix currently? Let's not forget that China has a population of over 1.4 billion and they are located right next door to Thailand, the closest farang countries are what, Australia then Europe and lastly America, all of whom have many more holiday options that are nearer and better.

[mok199]

7 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

Somehow, being a magnet for a bunch of retirees stuck in the "I miss the old days, but I can't afford to retire (or I hate everything about) back home" doesn't seem like a very viable way to move forward.

don't know where you got the drama from,'if you quote me again.please use my words not yours...

 

[mok199]

1 minute ago, simoh1490 said:

And why do you think there isn't a healthy mix currently? Let's not forget that China has a population of over 1.4 billion and they are located right next door to Thailand, the closest farang countries are what, Australia then Europe and lastly America, all of whom have many more holiday options that are nearer and better.

I don't know where you live, but where I live in pattaya the new tour explosion is very obvious,i do enjoy the diversity but I see many of my old aquaintances not as open ..my biggest grind is the tour buses....tour groups on foot are just fine..triple parked tour buses are not...

 

[simoh1490]

6 minutes ago, mok199 said:

I don't know where you live, but where I live in pattaya the new tour explosion is very obvious,i do enjoy the diversity but I see many of my old aquaintances not as open ..my biggest grind is the tour buses....tour groups on foot are just fine..triple parked tour buses are not...

 

I live in the North and we see those same parades of tour buses, often under police escort. We also see the convoys of blue plated Chinese SUV's, twenty or more at a time, again with a police escort, all headed to the golf course for a golfing weekend having just driven from China.

 

But from the sound of things your gripe is not the Chinese tour groups but instead is local police enforcement of traffic regulations!

[Nowisee]

 

 

43 minutes ago, lamyai3 said:

In spite of clogging up the infrastructure, I don't think the "newly wealthy Chinese" are contributing much at all to the local economy. 

They are piling into shops at the local mall and sometimes they gather in front (right at the entrance) as they load their suitcases.  I'd have to say many of these shop survive based almost solely because of the chinese tourist.

 

15 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

Do you not think it's a bit self centred and overly conceited to imagine that farangs were at the centre of any Thai tourism strategy, to be honest I think farangs are way way down the list of importance in this respect.

Probably and will become more so and the thinking and build out is geared that way.  The healthy mix is people living here with tourist coming.  Sole dependency on tourism is not so healthy... IMO, especially if it's chinese.  

 

7 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

And why do you think there isn't a healthy mix currently? Let's not forget that China has a population of over 1.4 billion and they are located right next door to Thailand, the closest farang countries are what, Australia then Europe and lastly America, all of whom have many more holiday options that are nearer and better.

Many farang will stay here, either because they are stuck, have family or it's their preference.  There are much better options nearer and many of those countries are making it inviting, friendly and fun to go there.  Where is there?  555

 

[Thechook]

So probably need another 15,000 hotels 

[simoh1490]

Just now, Nowisee said:

 

 

They are piling into shops at the local mall and sometimes they gather in front (right at the entrance) as they load their suitcases.  I'd have to say many of these shop survive based almost solely because of the chinese tourist.

 

Probably and will become more so and the thinking and build out is geared that way.  The healthy mix is people living here with tourist coming.  Sole dependency on tourism is not so healthy... IMO, especially if it's chinese.  

 

Many farang will stay here, either because they are stuck, have family or it's their preference.  There are much better options nearer and many of those countries are making it inviting, friendly and fun to go there.  Where is there?  555

 

There is no sole dependency on anything, tourism is at best only 17% of GDP and Chinese tourists estimated to be at most, 27% of total visitors. Also do not forget, Chinese residents in Thailand accounts for about 20% of the population.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Thailand

[Thechook]

4 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

I live in the North and we see those same parades of tour buses, often under police escort. We also see the convoys of blue plated Chinese SUV's, twenty or more at a time, again with a police escort, all headed to the golf course for a golfing weekend having just driven from China.

 

But from the sound of things your gripe is not the Chinese tour groups but instead is local police enforcement of traffic regulations!

Yes very common in Chiangmai, convoys of up to 15 double decker buses under police escorts with lights flashing.  The Chinese really are treated like VIP's in Thailand.  

[Nowisee]

5 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

There is no sole dependency on anything, tourism is at best only 17% of GDP and Chinese tourists estimated to be at most, 27% of total visitors. Also do not forget, Chinese residents in Thailand accounts for about 20% of the population.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Thailand

I didn't say there was.
I don't forget there are Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, European, American, Aussie, etc....
As I said, "The healthy mix is people living here with tourist coming"

 

[simoh1490]

3 minutes ago, Nowisee said:

I didn't say there was.
I don't forget there are Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, European, American, Aussie, etc....
As I said, "The healthy mix is people living here with tourist coming"

 

"Sole dependency on tourism is not so healthy".  Your post number 17 above.

 

 

[jacko45k]

54 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

Perfectly understandable that posters who only hang out in Lower Sukkie and Beach Road don't see the more wealthy Chinese, why would they.

We certainly can't miss the less wealthy, near impoverished ones!

[Nowisee]

11 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

"Sole dependency on tourism is not so healthy".  Your post number 17 above.

 

 

That's right, it's not so healthy IMO.  You conveniently left out the "IMO".   I didn't say that is the case here... stop reading into.

Edited April 27, 2017 by Nowisee

[dinsdale]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand Under Strain from Tourism Surge

Re write: Thailand Under Strain from Ignorant Rude Chinese Hordes

[Nowisee]

1 minute ago, dinsdale said:

Re write: Thailand Under Strain from Ignorant Rude Chinese Hordes

 

IRC.. 555 

 

[geriatrickid]

41 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

And why do you think there isn't a healthy mix currently? Let's not forget that China has a population of over 1.4 billion and they are located right next door to Thailand, the closest farang countries are what, Australia then Europe and lastly America, all of whom have many more holiday options that are nearer and better.

Because the western and NE Asia tourists who visited during the  period of 1985-2005 were the demographic everyone covets; On a per person, they spent more in today's baht and used individual local services than the  common visitor of today. Those visitors had money and they spent it. No one purchased Leo from a 7-11 and drank it in his room. During that era, there were no Sizzlers, Wine Connections,  MK, Subway, Starbuck chains. Instead there were local restaurants and bars. where visitors spent their money. This meant that the money stayed locally. Before the corrupt  thugs took over the tuk tuk industry in places like Phuket, visitors used the tuk tuks heavily and the  local drivers charging fair prices made a decent living.

 

Thailand's tourism geniuses peed all over the demographic that gave the big profits. Now Thailand  chases after visitors from a regions that consider Thais to be  infidels and not worthy of respect, or a nation to be exploited and used as a public toilet or another place to  foul and soil. TaT thought its savior was to be in the form of the  gangsters from Russia. How wrong they were, even if they took sanction circumvention to  a new level. Now they can kiss the feet of the middle easterners, the Chinese and the Indians. Good for them. They earned it.

 

 

[Destiny1990]

About these Chinese tourist  girls i notice they do not have any flirting skills.They completely ignore u to say the least.

[RichardColeman]

So, the surge in tourism for a army led government is coming from another army driven country. Maybe they should just start the world non-democratic tourist board association. 

[simoh1490]

22 minutes ago, geriatrickid said:

Because the western and NE Asia tourists who visited during the  period of 1985-2005 were the demographic everyone covets; On a per person, they spent more in today's baht and used individual local services than the  common visitor of today. Those visitors had money and they spent it. No one purchased Leo from a 7-11 and drank it in his room. During that era, there were no Sizzlers, Wine Connections,  MK, Subway, Starbuck chains. Instead there were local restaurants and bars. where visitors spent their money. This meant that the money stayed locally. Before the corrupt  thugs took over the tuk tuk industry in places like Phuket, visitors used the tuk tuks heavily and the  local drivers charging fair prices made a decent living.

 

Thailand's tourism geniuses peed all over the demographic that gave the big profits. Now Thailand  chases after visitors from a regions that consider Thais to be  infidels and not worthy of respect, or a nation to be exploited and used as a public toilet or another place to  foul and soil. TaT thought its savior was to be in the form of the  gangsters from Russia. How wrong they were, even if they took sanction circumvention to  a new level. Now they can kiss the feet of the middle easterners, the Chinese and the Indians. Good for them. They earned it.

 

 

An interesting picture below, and they are expenditure per tourist:

 

 

http://www.thaiwebsites.com/tourism-income-Thailand.asp