'It's expats, not tourists, who visit Thailand'
Thanet Supharothatrangsi, president of the Chonburi Tourism Business Association, said that despite the government's rhetoric and good news show about the reopening, tourists are practically not coming to Thailand.
The travelers who arrive are not tourists at all, but business people, expats, property owners or families. The tourist industry barely benefits. He blames the many obstacles for potential tourists.
“The reality,” he says, “is that the recovery in tourism is extremely low. We only see 200-300 tourists a day in Chonburi.” “Thailand is shooting itself in the foot despite now being the first country in Southeast Asia to open its borders to international tourists.”
An RT-PCR test from the home country within 72 hours should be sufficient. And not to be tested again on arrival like now. Instead, ridiculous obstacles are set up with the Thailand Pass, tests on arrival and a day of quarantine to await the results. Cambodia only opened after Thailand, but they don't use stupid obstacles, so tourists travel there.
"Real tourists don't bother coming to Thailand now," he continued. “You can see it in the hotel bookings. They only stay in a hotel for one night to wait for their test result, then they go elsewhere.”
The decision not to reopen nightclubs, pubs and bars and the ban on alcohol or limiting drinking are also not helping. “Tourists won't even be able to have a drink to celebrate the New Year,” he continued. "They've been told they can't do this until January 15."
As further evidence for his claims, he referred to a leading German travel agency that typically sends 3.000 to 4.000 tourists per month. He said they only come to 20 a day now and not to Pattaya. Almost all of them go to Phuket, he complained.
Source: Wochenblitz
It's a bit late but there in Thailand the baht to fall anyway. The problem with Thai policymakers is that when problems arise they fantasize about a solution, wrap it in nice words and measures and then think that this will turn the tide. Thinking is not Thai hardcore. You will see that Thailand is now swinging the pendulum completely the other way, and think that this is reinventing a new wheel.
This story is true as a bus and has also been told before by myself, among others
I am also waiting for the measures he proposes . Until that happens, almost none will
tourists come.
The Thai government will also realize this and the strict measures will be abolished.
For many like me it is waiting for this to happen and then will book again
Arrived in Thailand 5 days ago, first night of quarantine and the test is not a drama, but how you are treated is: like a leper.
Almost everything closed, everywhere even in the open air a mouth mask is continuous, the taxi driver even had 3 on top of each other.
No alcohol and no entertainment anywhere.
After losing 3 high seasons (including this year) it will take a few years before Pattaya is back.
I also think the uncertainty of them always postponing whether their plans will actually go ahead on the planned date is a barrier to booking.
In short, it is really a pity for the Thai, but yes in Europe it is not plain sailing either.
Are we talking about Thailand here? Yesterday we arrived on Koh Samui. Everything went very smoothly and at the airport they are ready with all the drinks you want. You could also buy mobile cards directly. Today we stretched our legs and where it was open you could have a beer or other alcoholic drink..
That was not expected otherwise. Who is going to jump through all those hoops to spend a four week holiday with still the risk of having to quarantine for two weeks in Thailand, would you still have Covid on arrival.
It's that I live here and haven't left Thailand since the outbreak. I would definitely not travel to Thailand for a holiday. And it doesn't really matter to me whether the nightlife is still locked or not. The extra costs that I personally find much too high that you have to incur to go on holiday would scare me off.
I think the government will realize that no one is jumping on Thailand. Yes, it's nice here, but it's not the only country in the world.
Personally, I think it's just fine. The less tourists, the better I like it. Not for the people who hope for turnover or a new job.
I think the government does realize that Thailand is not the only country where Westerners can live well.
The reason they go for the more wealthy tourist who comes for a short period and spends more per day than the long-stay tourist has everything to do with the fact that the bulk of tourists will look for other countries in the coming years.
Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos have a lot to offer and the visa rules are more flexible than for Thailand.
I have been reading here for many years, long before corona, that the surrounding countries and Vietnam have so much extra to offer that Thailand will lose many tourists to those countries.
I just didn't notice that. Apart from slightly more interest in Vietnam, Cambodia and especially Laos remain only one-off secondary destinations for a minority of diehards (and before corona, mainly border runners).
Color
Cor,
Partly agree.
If you like Pattaya, for example, you should not expect much from Laos, Vietnam or Cambodia.
However, the largest group of tourists choose a new destination every year or have seen it in Thailand after 3-4 times and choose a new destination.
Until a few years ago, this new destination did not exist in Asia.
It is only a small part of tourists who go to Thailand every year
Perhaps we view it too much from the relatively small group of people who have a family, a house or a business in Thailand.
That is not the bulk of the millions of tourists that Thailand receives every year.
The new countries have a lot to offer for a one-off or 2-3 visit
Luang prabang in laos is on the world heritage list.
Ankor Wat in Cambodia is known worldwide
Before corona, a large number of buses with a huge number of Chinese tourists stopped here every day. Groups of literally hundreds of people.
In addition to very good western food, Vietnam also has a lot to offer in authentic culture and also has beautiful beaches.
The ease of obtaining a 3-month visa on arrival in Laos, Cambodia or Vietnam may also play a role in the future for those who want a longer stay than 2 weeks.
No income requirement.
Boys boys and whining and complaining!! Fortunately, peace reigns here and there is no revolt against a government that has policy and vision. And then regarding entrance to Thailand. Be happy that measures are being taken here and if it's too much trouble for you, stay home. Yes t are mainly business people expats and owners og . Logically, these are always people with vision and are used to being the first with everything. Nothing but compliments for the Thai government and their measures and also for the Dutch Embassy that is there for us. I wish those who persevered and sit here comfortably a good time. Greetings from Hua Hin emile
I think you missed something, Emile, with your 'no revolt against a government that has policy and vision'…….
Fortunately, peace reigns here and there is no revolt against a government that has policy and vision…..
555
Can't you start a pink glasses shop in Hua Hin?
No revolt against the government?
Apparently you don't have much knowledge of Thailand anyway.
The corona measures are just very strict in Thailand compared to the Netherlands.
Or do you already see the Dutch wearing face masks in the car?
Can you see it happening in the Netherlands: A thermometer pressed against the head to determine whether you can enter the supermarket.
Compulsory admission to a specially established corona hospital if you have corona.
Although off-topic I would like to welcome you to this forum Emile Ratelband.
Perhaps we will read your comments and/or contributions more often in the future.
To open your eyes to Thailand, I give you some web links from English-language media to read as well as this forum, because apparently you are (very) poorly informed.
https://www.facebook.com/bangkokpost/ en https://www.bangkokpost.com
https://www.facebook.com/ThaiPBS/ en https://www.thaipbsworld.com/
https://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish en https://www.khaosodenglish.com/ en https://www.facebook.com/pravit.rojanaphruk.5/
https://www.facebook.com/PrachataiEnglish/ en https://prachatai.com/english/
https://www.facebook.com/ThaiEnquirer/ en https://www.thaienquirer.com/
https://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/IsaanRecord en https://theisaanrecord.co/eng/
And last but not least:
https://www.facebook.com/zenjournalist/
Furthermore there are:
https://www.newmandala.org/thailand/
https://asia.nikkei.com/Location/Southeast-Asia/Thailand
I wish you a lot of reading pleasure and a not too rough awakening.
Correct minor inaccuracies.
https://www.facebook.com/ThaiPBS/ must be https://www.facebook.com/ThaiPBSWorld/
And if you want to respond to articles on this forum, please note that the response option will be closed within 3 days after publication.
@TheoB,
With the mentioned links you can't deny that your bubble is your truth and not THE truth?
If someone in Hua Hin or any other place in Thailand pays 60 million baht for an apartment, drives a big Mercedes and enjoys 5 star restaurants, is that a reason to be ashamed or should you consider that normal because you don't have the money with you? can take to the other world. That form of personal freedom is also there and not only reserved for the happy few given the prices in Bangkok.
Nobody knows THE truth Johnny, because you have to be omniscient for that. No matter how hard someone can try to be objective, absolute objectivity does not exist.
So I know I don't own THE truth. My perspective is that of someone at the bottom of Dutch society and the large part of the Thai population that is poor.
The links I provided help to get a more realistic picture of the political situation in Thailand in particular. This as a counterbalance to government propaganda.
But if you find these resources too one-sided, I hereby invite you to share links to websites that you think are worth reading.
I wish everyone his wealth if that wealth is gathered in an honest, sincere and just way. I have nothing to do with feeling superior and/or unscrupulous grabbing self-enrichers.
Not so long ago I wrote on this forum that Thailand is the paradise for the (very) rich Thai and the foreigner who wears pink glasses and blinkers who spends (very) much money in Thailand.
Moderator: Off topic
Thailand has a relaxed atmosphere. Always around 29 degrees. Beautiful beaches and nature. I care a lot about that.
Goedkoop eg rent a detached house with a large garden for 6000 bath.
Now only 1 day required in a hotel. So not 2 weeks. That's great. You don't need a face mask on a motorbike. LOL.
Depends on what helmet you wear. I think a face mask is super on a Bike... Good against all kinds of Insects.