Thailand tourism situation

[Ratsima]

We were in Phuket last week to do a four day scuba live aboard in the North Andaman. Over half the divers on the boat were Chinese. I knew that Chinese divers sometimes chartered entire boats, but this was our first time to dive with them from the same vessel.

As for Phuket, we didn't go anywhere but the airport and Ratsada pier. There were plenty of Russians at the airport; waiting with us in the long Nok Air checkin line.

According to Al Jazeera: "In 2022, Russians bought nearly 40 percent of all condominiums sold to foreigners in Phuket."

[migrant]

We were in Phuket last week to do a four day scuba live aboard in the North Andaman. Over half the divers on the boat were Chinese. I knew that Chinese divers sometimes chartered entire boats, but this was our first time to dive with them from the same vessel.

As for Phuket, we didn't go anywhere but the airport and Ratsada pier. There were plenty of Russians at the airport; waiting with us in the long Nok Air checkin line.

According to Al Jazeera: "In 2022, Russians bought nearly 40 percent of all condominiums sold to foreigners in Phuket."

Off topic but how was the dive??

[buksida]

Thats what I was going to ask, how about a little dive report in a new thread?

[caller]

Just an observation from my bus journey, from the airport yesterday.

I have been travelling regularly between Bkk and Hua Hin since early December using the airport bus link, apart from one trip when I drove. Invariably, when I make a reservation 2-5 days before I travel, I can usually reserve what seat I like in either direction, or if my first choice has gone, then my 2nd choice.

Also invariably, when I arrive at Hua Hin or Swampy, the bus is full. Sometimes from Hua Hin, people are left waiting for a following bus. At the airport, as soon as I arrive, I check in. This has usually required my queueing with others, as they buy tickets etc. Even though I am catching the already booked and paid for 09.30 bus, the sign displaying the next available bus is often at least two buses later or even in the afternoon.

All until yesterday, that is. Upon arrival at Swampy, there was no queue. The next available bus was for the 09.30 bus I was travelling on and at departure it wasn't near full.

Just made me think whether we are nearing the end of 'the pent up demand for travel' they keep talking about?

Hardly conclusive but a major change to my normal experience. Let's see what the situation is in 3 weeks when I next travel to Bkk.

[Nothappyjan]

Having just returned to HH I can say that the whole city is back to normal with most services back in full swing. Market Village was bursting at seams with both Farang and locals alike, Blue Port looked as it always has, a bit of a ghost town.
Good luck to the authorities with policing the songthaew no standing rule as they were always packed with many standing.
As an Australian from Perth the biggest downside is actually getting here as Thai operate only one day a week and at an exorbitant cost. We had to fly Malaysian to get here, was very comfortable but long and tiring.
We have been coming to HH since 1992 and find the current Thai Airways policy as unfathomable - previously a daily flight that was always full and at a fair and reasonable price.
Having said all that we still love coming to HH as the people are so warm and engaging.
My wife twitched a muscle in her back on the flight up but a visit to the Bangkok Hospital fixed it quickly and effectively. In two hours saw a nurse, a GP and a specialist and was out the door with medications that actually worked - all for 3000 but. Medical treatment doesn’t get any better than this.

Mod edit: discussion on flights moved to the flights topic viewtopic.php?f=47&t=28332

[Big Boy]

IMHO the High Season in Hua Hin has come to an end in the last few days. I've been out a fair bit with visiting friends recently, but packed establishments have started to slow down. I guess there'll be a Songkran revival for a couple of days next month, and that should be that until December. I think this High Season has been one of the busiest here that I can remember, so hopefully a lot of businesses will survive until the next.

[HHTel]

Easter is a week before Songkran so maybe get people coming for Easter and staying on for Songkran. Kids in the UK will be off school for a couple if weeks

[Dannie Boy]

I was out on my bicycle this morning and riding past the beachside hotels, the car parks were literally full to overflowing - more than I can remember seeing. No doubt the majority would be weekend Bankokian travellers, but certainly boosting the local Hotel and restaurant economy.

[Dannie Boy]

Just a reminder that those traveling to Thailand without a visa only get a 30 days stamp in their passports as from 1st April.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Motyduke]

Now, in the week , occupancy rate of hotels is pretty low. In week-end, it is almost full of people of Bangkok

[caller]

I was at the night market on Friday (not by choice) and it was noticeably emptier than the last time I was forced to go there a few weeks back. The only blessing was the guy selling ribs there, which I thiink are just fantastic, which compensated for the poor meal we ate (or not, as was the case).

[2/cb]

Just a reminder that those traveling to Thailand without a visa only get a 30 days stamp in their passports as from 1st April.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks! I had no idea it was changing back from 45 days.

[buksida]

Not sure about the HH situ, but tourism down here in BS has come to a screeching halt. Resorts are back down to minimal or zero occupancy, and what few local restaurants and bars we have are empty again. The short-lived two-month spurt of activity that they call "high season" appears to be over.

The junta's visa exemption reversal is evidence they don't want foreign tourists here for longer periods.

Meanwhile, Vietnam is doing the opposite: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/travel/gov ... 88691.html

[Big Boy]

This week, we've had 4 sets of fairly long term visitors go home to the UK, and we have one group arrived yesterday. Looking at the overall situation here, I'd say that was a fairly accurate sample.

[Ratsima]

My wife had work in Chonburi so we spent another night in Jomtien last Thursday. The tourism situation was somewhat underwhelming; especially compared to our visit last December when it was quite busy.

The popular Akvavit bar (decent sunsets and draft beer) had plenty of seats available. Hemingway's, often jammed, seemed to be half empty. Our hotel (Jomtien Palm Beach) was full of Sacombank (Saigon) employees at a conference; all of them wearing matching orange polo shirts which made for a striking flash of color at breakfast.

When checking in we noticed a few Thai families traveling on the เราเที่ยวด้วยกัน (We Travel Together) domestic tourism promotion scheme.

In other words, not much going on in the tourism department.