Thailand tourism situation

[oakdale160]

Thai is so fortunate that so many of the tourists are REPEAT visitors. The Scandinavian 6 monthers, the golfers even the sex tourists have all been here many times and understand that the politics affect everyday life for the tourist very little and that all the political protests are in a very small part of Bangkok and that there are no echo protests elsewhere.
A big loss particularly to BKK is the convention and meeting business that will go elsewhere. That sector is a very nervous one.

[Name Taken]

"Who knows, perhaps they say one thing concerning "welcome", but mean something else. A self sufficient Thailand without the need for any foreign influence, including tourism. Keep an eye on the BOI if they start to tighten requirements. That would be a sure sign. Pete"

^^ Any Thai government would be foolish to reduce BOI support of foreign investment. Pretty quickly Thailand would slip to the levels of Cambodia, Laos etc and there would be a public reaction that could not be contained. However I do agree that they would like the foreign investment without the actual direct involvement in the Thai economy that the foreign investors must have, to safeguard their investments. The government can not have their cake and eat it.....even in the LOS.

What were we saying?........

....."In an internal briefing document circulated among foreign embassies and seen by the Bangkok Post Sunday, fears are raised about possible amendments to the Foreign Business Act (FBA), which governs the activities of foreign businesses in Thailand......"

http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/new ... strictions

It looks like Thailand is trying very hard to slip to the level of North Korea.

[oakdale160]

When casually walking past bars they can look busy when they really are not. They are often full with 5 bar girls, but if you count the paying customers there are only 1 or 2.

[STEVE G]

I just flew in today and the airport was pretty busy for early November, a lot of older Scandinavians who I presume are coming out for the winter as usual.

[Expat657]

Certainly seems dead to me....

[europtimiste]

Why are you surprised: Yesterday night just after midnight, two of my friends took a Tuk Tuk at Soi Binta. First stop Sa Song Rd. hotel opposite to Bangkok bus station, second stop Soi 57 close to fisherman pier. Fare asked 800,00 Baht. Complain where ? police station ? No hope, I will not write what I think about them, it will be deleted. Is there any army post ?

[richard]

For that route.max 200

[STEVE G]

Yes, for 800 bt I would expect to get about as far as Petchaburi!

[Big Boy]

Most tourist advice does state, "Agree a price before travelling."

[buksida]

Travelled back through Don Muang at the weekend and for the first time ever there were more immigration officers and booths open than tourists, was through in less than two minutes!

[theprice01]

yes, i thought it was obvious to everyone to agree a price first

[richard]

When punters fall out of bars at midnight quite often they don't think of the obvious with anything involving money

[centermid7]

yes, i thought it was obvious to everyone to agree a price first

Nope. Wrong in a big time way. Give them 1000 Bt in the morning + a hearty handshake and move on. Any dissent then just explain that "I am not a tourist" and all will be well. All in a light hearted kinda way of course.

This for Hua Hin. Maybe not so much for other parts of LOS.

[dtaai-maai]

^^ Classic!!

[oakdale160]

This is really off topic. the tourist slump has NOTHING to do with Bar girl prices.