Once a small fishing village, Pattaya developed into a notorious tourist destination, known as 'Sin City' mainly due to the presence of prostitution and sex tourism. The city began to grow in the 60s due to the influence of American soldiers looking for recreation during their free time. This led to an increase in tourism and the development of the tourism industry. In recent years, the Thai government has taken initiatives to improve Pattaya's image and promote family-friendly tourism.
The Thai government plans to close the country's national parks for several months each year to reduce environmental damage from mass tourism, said Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources.
Trapped in paradise
So, from now on, the Thai government only wants to allow well-to-do foreigners within its borders. Truly a noble goal, but a few decades too late. Where until now the policy was aimed at chasing as many hurdles as possible into the country, it is now suddenly about quality instead of quantity. I predict: it is a plan that is doomed to fail.
What direction will tourism in Thailand take? Fear still reigns in Thailand at the moment. But at some point they will have to make the switch there too. Trial balloons are released here and there, but there is little talk of a real plan for the future.
European tour operators complain: Thailand has become too expensive!
Research by the travel website Skif shows that a holiday in a popular beach resort in Thailand costs the same or more than in Greece, Italy, Turkey, Spain and Egypt, making it more difficult to attract European tourists.
Endangered Paradise: The Harmful Impact of Mass Tourism on the Environment in Thailand (Video)
This documentary from the Deutsche Welle tells about the harmful influence of mass tourism on the environment in Thailand.
Thailand blog as a cause of Thomas Cook's demise…
For years I have been intrigued by the curious social phenomenon known as mass tourism. A phenomenon in which large segments of the population are - temporarily - directed south in droves every year, in exactly the opposite direction that tens of thousands of others have taken in recent years, driven by a compelling socio-economic necessity for them.
A few days ago, an alarming message appeared on this blog about the decline of travel agencies in general and Thomas Cook in particular. However, the influence that Thomas Cook (1808-1892) had on the development of tourism and the massification of this tourism should not be underestimated.
Thailand is considering introducing a tourist tax
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is considering the possibility of introducing a tourist tax to use the proceeds to improve tourist attractions, but also to cover the costs of unpaid hospital bills.
Thailand: 'Mass tourism and mail order brides'
In the Side note – the other k(r)ant, you can read two articles about Thailand. The first is about mass tourism in Thailand with the catchy title: 'Full-fed monster or ultimate paradise?' and the second article is about 'mail order brides' in the Netherlands. I think it's a pretty old topic, but oh well.
Although much has been written about pollution in Thailand in the broadest sense of the word, the country is not alone in this.
Pattaya's "physical" boundaries
Construction continues in Pattaya and Jomtien. Both hotels and condos, but also the many 7-Elevens, which are popping up like mushrooms.
Thai airports cannot cope with Chinese mass tourism
Thailand, the land of golden temples, white sand beaches, smiling hosts. Or from overcrowded airports and epic traffic jams?
Bangkok sighs under an influx of tourists
Bangkok and a number of other tourist world cities including Venice, Dubrovnik, Rome and Amsterdam are overcrowded by tourists. The cities experience the negative consequences of mass tourism, such as a proliferation of often low-quality attractions, overloaded infrastructure, damage to nature and the threat to culture and heritage, according to a study by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and McKinsey .
Reader Submission: Lord, save us from mass tourism on Koh Lanta!
I have been living on Koh Lanta for 7 years and I run the Relax-Bay resort on Phrae ae beach. Now, Koh Lanta is very beautiful, but one of the most beautiful islands?