Thailand tourism situation

[richard]

I seem to remember sometime back statements were being made about moving Thailand's tourist business up-market. In other words discourage low spenders and beach party kids. With all that is going on at the moment perhaps we are going to see a clampdown on the sex industry and beach party goers. Maybe the answer to that will be more frequent patrols in such places.

I remember during several visits to the US the beaches were patrolled by armed policemen who monitored behaviour and banned alcohol consumption on the beach.

The beach parties in Thailand are full of youths with their vodka buckets and drugs round the bonfire and the police seem to either manning road blocks or watching TV in the station.

I think the powers to be will capitalise on this

[buksida]

As Thailand sags, world travel booms
ven as tourist arrivals plummet in Thailand, international travel numbers rose 4.6% in the first half of 2014, boosted by strong growth in the rest of Asia, and in the Americas and parts of Europe, the World Tourism Organisation said Wednesday.

The number of international tourists surged to around 517 million between January and June, 22 million more than during the same time last year, the Madrid-based United Nations body said in a statement.

Meanwhile, international tourist arrivals to Thailand posted a decline of 10.7%, from January to August, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Released late last week, the ministry report said there were 15,703,373 visits to the country during the first eight months, down by almost 2 million visits from the 17,576,342 over the same period last year.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/most-recent/ ... avel-booms

[Korkenzieher]

Richard:

I seem to remember sometime back statements were being made about moving Thailand's tourist business up-market. In other words discourage low spenders and beach party kids. With all that is going on at the moment perhaps we are going to see a clampdown on the sex industry and beach party goers.

The comment wasn't about upmarket - it was 'high value'. High Value tourism is essentially package tours and resort dwellers. In other words, those who put up a large sum before coming to the LOS. That is where the where the slump has hit most - European package /resort tourists. It is where the government *sees* impact, and jobs being lost. Drip-feeders, such as most of us and gap-years students and the like, don't register much in their planning. Obviously we sort out things for ourselves. It is an unfortunate irony in some ways, that the 'high value tourist' is actually likely to be the lowest spender, and least profitable - but once you have built all that infrastructure - well, you need someone to use it!

[richard]

Another sure indication is the effect it's having on bars and restaurants. Party time with free food. Heavier advertising particularly on Facebook. Girls shoving it in your face from all directions. Some with hefty discount offers. Sure it happens every year but this year it is verging on panic and I don't venture out that much these days.

[Bristolian]

Are these guys (TCT) living on the same planet?

Tourism Council of Thailand predicts increase in tourist arrivals

BANGKOK, 22 September 2014 (NNT) – The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) predicts an increase in tourist arrivals, thanks to the calm political situation and waiving of Chinese tourists’ visa fees.

The TCT is preparing to present tourism boosting policies to the government by setting a target of collecting 4 trillion baht in tourism revenue by 2018.

According to TCT President Piyaman Tejapaibul, the calm political atmosphere and measures of waiving Chinese tourist's visa fees would cause tourist arrivals to increase by 7 percent or over 7 million tourist arrivals in the 4th quarter.

The total amount of tourists visiting Thailand this year will amount up to 25 million foreign tourists and tourism revenue is expected to reach 1.9 trillion baht. However, those figures are still lesser than the TCT’s earlier target at 28 million tourists and 2.2 trillion baht of revenue. Therefore, the TCT plans to suggest measures to boost tourism to the Sports and Tourism minister.

Short term plans include cooperation from the state and related agencies for better management of services at tourist destinations, promote Thailand's serenity to the outside world through various media outlets, and boost domestic tourism with legally registered business operators.

As for long term plans, a tourism roadmap will be suggested in order to achieve the goal of 4 trillion baht by 2018. -
http://thainews.prd.go.th/centerweb/new ... 9220010006

[PeteC]

Don't forget, many Thais also believe a frog ate the sun today.

[Dannie Boy]

I guess the waiving of visa fees for Chinese tourists could have a fairly big impact, but elsewhere it's difficult to see any change.

[richard]

Bristolian said

Are these guys (TCT) living on the same planet?

In short Bristolian no. They come from the planet 'wemakeitupai' in the 'aswegoalongai' galaxy

[Korkenzieher]

Well, I'm in the UK for a new visa. My local consulate is Hull, and they have more or less told me to forget it - no help whatsoever. I will be phoning the Embassy this afternoon.

The claim not to be handling any OA visa at all now, unless you are over 65 or on a marriage visa.

This isn't looking good for me personally and it is looking pretty terrible for Thai expats in general

[Bristolian]

Well, I'm in the UK for a new visa. My local consulate is Hull, and they have more or less told me to forget it - no help whatsoever. I will be phoning the Embassy this afternoon.

The claim not to be handling any OA visa at all now, unless you are over 65 or on a marriage visa.

This isn't looking good for me personally and it is looking pretty terrible for Thai expats in general

Where does the over 65 come from? I thought that 50 was the qualifying age?

[Korkenzieher]

Yes. I agree. Speaking to the lady at Hull she had obviously had a lot of difficult conversations with people and was hugely defensive. Very difficult to actually discuss the situation with her. To be honest with you, I don't think Hull at the moment know whether they are coming or going. When I have spoken to the Embassy, hopefully about 2 hours from now, I will comment back.

[HHTel]

There's no minimum income or money in the bank needed for the over 65's. They just have to show a pension no matter how small. Doesn't need Embassy approval.

[Jose]

Another sure indication is the effect it's having on bars and restaurants. Party time with free food. Heavier advertising particularly on Facebook. Girls shoving it in your face from all directions. Some with hefty discount offers. Sure it happens every year but this year it is verging on panic and I don't venture out that much these days.

do you think this will force the price of LT down

[Gregjam]

There's no minimum income or money in the bank needed for the over 65's. They just have to show a pension no matter how small. Doesn't need Embassy approval.

To avoid further confusion (or to add to it). My understanding is that Over 65's can get an O visa either single or multi entry by just showing a pension however small. This is the one requiring in/out entries every three months in the case of the multi entry.

Correct me if I am wrong but the annual ( with multi entry option) is an O-A and is the one that only requires a report to local immigration every ninety days. This one has either the income or money in the bank for three months requirements and can be renewed locally annually.

Sorry to go off topic but it is the usual point of confusion for the more elderly persons wanting to stay here longer term. Am sure Lomuamart will confirm this.

[Bristolian]

There's no minimum income or money in the bank needed for the over 65's. They just have to show a pension no matter how small. Doesn't need Embassy approval.

Now that I didn't know! Thanks . Do you have any reference for it, link or anything to confirm this as a fact? It's probably been covered before but for sure I missed it. I have a few years to go yet until I get to 65 but nice to know that it gets easier