Pattaya high season hotel bookings well down on 2017 - but there could be a reason say THA

[paulikens]

i bet it will still be rammed come next month

[fruitman]

2 hours ago, jlwilliamsjr18 said:

Could it be, it's Pataya?  The water is contaminated, the odors (sewage) are horrid and the hawkers are aggressive. 

The songthaews horn ALL THE TIME, vendors even come inside the restaurant to annoy diners, there not enough shade on the new boulevard, taxi's are annoying, english is bad, it stinks, nowhere to sit comfortably and enjoy the beach...and it isn't cheap anymore.

[watcharacters]

1 minute ago, paulikens said:

i bet it will still be rammed come next month

 

I bet you'll be wrong..

[NoshowJones]

1 hour ago, Mises said:

I agree with the reasons for the decline in numbers of Europeans, Americans, Australians etc. coming to Thailand as already stated by so many here. The Laguna area in Phuket has had the quietest November I have ever seen, Boat Avenue is virtually empty, the independent restaurants are struggling, just trying to survive and hoping December will boom. What if it does not? I get the impression from flight prices still being discounted - LHR-BKK under £500 - that the planes are far from full.

I have been going to the UK every year for the past few years, and never saw an empty seat in any plane.

When I first started coming to Thailand when you got more than 70Bt to GBP, on two occasions, I had three window seats all to myself, one was KLM, the other Thai Airways.

[madmitch]

9 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

"What? If anything Thailand's visa rules are easy for tourists".

Not for the under fifties who want to stay long term they are not.

This thread is about tourists, not long-stayers.

[NoshowJones]

1 hour ago, meinphuket said:

What a load of cheap BS. Nothing is technologically different from last year, nobody books months in advance any more, except for Russians, and then only for the  peak season. Accept it, from now on in tourism will decline slowly but surely,  and offering free dinners and apres dinner BJs in Soi Nana won't change any of that. Greed, safety issues, ignorance and aggression have taken its toll.

Yes, mainly greed, and you have the hotels and guest houses putting their prices up for the high season at the beginning of October instead of November. Like I said. Mainly greed.

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

Not one of my British friends is coming to Thailand this year. That's usually a crew of 5-8 men and women, most of whom come at least twice a year, for one to two months a visit. That's a lot of lost revenue. Yes, the exchange rate is a big reason. But there are lots of little things like poor service, more expensive lodgings and rising drink and food prices. 

[NoshowJones]

12 minutes ago, madmitch said:

This thread is about tourists, not long-stayers.

So you don't get tourists who want to stay long time??

There are not so many of these left now because of the visa rules.

[marcusarelus]

4 minutes ago, Kaoboi Bebobp said:

Not one of my British friends is coming to Thailand this year. That's usually a crew of 5-8 men and women, most of whom come at least twice a year, for one to two months a visit. That's a lot of lost revenue. Yes, the exchange rate is a big reason. But there are lots of little things like poor service, more expensive lodgings and rising drink and food prices. 

After Brexit even worse.  Don't look for Brits traveling for 10 years. 

[marcusarelus]

1 minute ago, possum1931 said:

So you don't get tourists who want to stay long time??

There are not so many of these left now because of the visa rules.

After reading this thread why would anyone want to stay long time?

[connda]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

But some of this could be explained by changes in booking behavior brought on my computer technology.

Of course.  With computer technology, the word gets out globally much faster.  Chinese are put off by safety issues surrounding the sinking of the Phoenix as well as being threatened with arrest for feeding pigeons, and farangs have been told that although they are "bigger spenders" they are not particularly as desirable as Chinese, in fact, not necessarily even wanted by the big hotel associations, civic groups, and the TAT.  "Come if you want, but you're not our target demographic.  But our taxi drivers and lady boys need someone to assault and beat-up on and farang fit the bill, in which case we'll tolerate your presence.  Now if you come, don't expect street markets or big parties on the Islands or to enjoy a beer between 2 pm to 5 pm, or late night fun during your holiday - we're ending those in the name of "happiness to the people" and "peace and order.  If you want those, check out vacations in Mexico."

[connda]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

But some of this could be explained by changes in booking behavior brought on my computer technology.

Of course.  With computer technology, the word gets out globally much faster.  Chinese are put off by safety issues surrounding the sinking of the Phoenix as well as being threatened with arrest for feeding pigeons, and farangs have been told that although they are "bigger spenders" they are not particularly as desirable as Chinese, in fact, not necessarily even wanted by the big hotel associations, civic groups, and the TAT.  "Come if you want, but you're not our target demographic.  But our taxi drivers and lady boys need someone to assault and beat-up on and farang fit the bill, in which case we'll tolerate your presence.  Now if you come, don't expect street markets or big parties on the Islands or to enjoy a beer between 2 pm to 5 pm, or late night fun during your holiday - we're ending those in the name of "happiness to the people" and "peace and order.  If you want those, check out vacations in Mexico."

[Easy Come Easy Go]

1 hour ago, Cake Monster said:

Very recently, I spoke to a Brit and his Wife that were only off the Plane a few hours, and they said their flight was only about 60% full. and most of the passengers were only on a short stop-over in BKK before an onward flight to either Vietnam, or Cambodia.

I guess that the average Tourist from the UK is fed up with the " in your face " commercialism of Thailand now, and are looking for better destinations.

For sure, with the weak Pound, the UK Tourists will be looking for more value for their Pound 

There are so many factors involved here, but that is a huge part of it. I wonder though, if this trend continues of poor tourism numbers, will the Thai baht and economy weaken as a result? 

[Easy Come Easy Go]

1 hour ago, Cake Monster said:

Very recently, I spoke to a Brit and his Wife that were only off the Plane a few hours, and they said their flight was only about 60% full. and most of the passengers were only on a short stop-over in BKK before an onward flight to either Vietnam, or Cambodia.

I guess that the average Tourist from the UK is fed up with the " in your face " commercialism of Thailand now, and are looking for better destinations.

For sure, with the weak Pound, the UK Tourists will be looking for more value for their Pound 

There are so many factors involved here, but that is a huge part of it. I wonder though, if this trend continues of poor tourism numbers, will the Thai baht and economy weaken as a result? 

[wvavin]

A loser always has reasons!

[murraynz]

7 hours ago, mercman24 said:

hey did you forget the INDIANS i was in Pattaya a few nights ago, thought i was in INDIA lol, even cheaper charlies than the Chinese

there are definitely more indians coming to pattaya, than in previous years.

i cant understand why they mostly walk on the roads, then cross without looking-- very dangerous for motorcyclists.

[greeneking]

48 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

So you don't get tourists who want to stay long time??

There are not so many of these left now because of the visa rules.

The visa rules which change all the time.  Are they making it more easy or more difficult this month - I can't keep up!

Malaysia offers, I believe, 90 days on arrival and has done for years without any problems that I know of.

Why is Thailand so paranoid?

[Knocker33]

<deleted> get over it.  People have just had enough of Thais and Thailand

[Easy Come Easy Go]

6 minutes ago, greeneking said:

The visa rules which change all the time.  Are they making it more easy or more difficult this month - I can't keep up!

Malaysia offers, I believe, 90 days on arrival and has done for years without any problems that I know of.

Why is Thailand so paranoid?

It's not paranoid, it's greedy. You have to pay for extensions and trips back and forth, whereas the 90 days wouldn't warrant that. 

[dallen52]

6 hours ago, BestB said:

 

People are just not coming back and all who came. All say the same thing , which is Thailand is not cheap as it use to be and those who come to party say it’s not as fun as it use to be.

As far as farang tourists go.

The British, Australian, European ones. 

It's true.. 

 

It's not a cheap holiday here anymore. 

The women get older, and younger ones won't come for freelance.

No money in that.

 

Saw Heineken 45 baht a half pint in Buchao today.

That's £2.20  in the U.K money.

Aussie $ cheaper. $4 is a good buy.

But one cheap beers not going to bring them in.

 

Exchange is the killer sorry to say.

20% to 25% less for the farang exchange money.

 

But they have the Chinese..

So they keep telling us.

[BestB]

2 minutes ago, dallen52 said:

As far as farang tourists go.

The British, Australian, European ones. 

It's true.. 

 

It's not a cheap holiday here anymore. 

The women get older, and younger ones won't come for freelance.

No money in that.

 

Saw Heineken 45 baht a half pint in Buchao today.

That's £2.20  in the U.K money.

Aussie $ cheaper. $4 is a good buy.

But one cheap beers not going to bring them in.

 

Exchange is the killer sorry to say.

20% to 25% less for the farang exchange money.

 

But they have the Chinese..

So they keep telling us.

They no longer have the Chinese, and Chinese currency has lost quite a lot so now also an expansive holiday, even if they eat only Mama noodles ????

[marcusarelus]

5 minutes ago, dallen52 said:

As far as farang tourists go.

The British, Australian, European ones. 

It's true.. 

 

It's not a cheap holiday here anymore. 

The women get older, and younger ones won't come for freelance.

No money in that.

 

Saw Heineken 45 baht a half pint in Buchao today.

That's £2.20  in the U.K money.

Aussie $ cheaper. $4 is a good buy.

But one cheap beers not going to bring them in.

 

Exchange is the killer sorry to say.

20% to 25% less for the farang exchange money.

 

But they have the Chinese..

So they keep telling us.

Ya right the younger ones the lookers will just stay on the farm and cut rice. 

[geisha]

Apart from the bad exchange rate, it’s the kamikaze drivers that frighten “ normal” tourists away. While in Europe the road rules are getting stricter and speed limits lower, it’s all hell  let loose on Thailand’s roads and nobody does an intelligent thing about it ! Families with children don’t go to a country that is known everywhere as being dangerous. 

[Spidey]

2 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Yep. We went to Safari World a few weeks back. Just like little India. They were even playing Bollywood songs to get the crowd excited before the Dolphin show! Coach loads of single men as well as families.

I think that this is a major reason that Brits and farangs in general have given up on Pattaya. They have had enough bad experiences with South Asians in their own country. They don't want a "get away from it all" holiday in a resort where they are outnumbered and are cheek and jowl with badly dressed, badly behaved, and smelly individuals that have already taken over their own towns and cities. Busman's holiday.

[SheungWan]

1 hour ago, marcusarelus said:

After reading this thread why would anyone want to stay long time?

Because we don't want to be elsewhere.

[SheungWan]

15 minutes ago, Spidey said:

I think that this is a major reason that Brits and farangs in general have given up on Pattaya. They have had enough bad experiences with South Asians in their own country. They don't want a "get away from it all" holiday in a resort where they are outnumbered and are cheek and jowl with badly dressed, badly behaved, and smelly individuals that have already taken over their own towns and cities. Busman's holiday.

Being cheek by jowl with the badly dressed gives me an edge.

[hotchilli]

Thailand is fast becoming a fourth rate last hope Asian holiday destination.. 

the same old Land of smiles recording has been wiped off the face of tourism by social media showing the true face of Thailand..

Nothing to new to offer from what's been around for the last 30 years, tired, worn-out, done to death

only the dregs of Pattaya are still around, bar girls & pissed up youths who are happy to entertain each other

lets face it 100,000 plus Thai girls have even gone to South Korea to find something new...

Thailand is like the "Butlins" of old.... white wash doesn't cover the cracks anymore.. time to bulldoze the place & build something new & entertaining, not just a line of bars & massage shops!

[SheungWan]

Just now, hotchilli said:

Thailand is fast becoming a fourth rate last hope Asian holiday destination.. 

the same old Land of smiles recording has been wiped off the face of tourism by social media showing the true face of Thailand..

Nothing to new to offer from what's been around for the last 30 years, tired, worn-out, done to death

only the dregs of Pattaya are still around, bar girls & pissed up youths who are happy to entertain each other

lets face it 100,000 plus Thai girls have even gone to South Korea to find something new...

Thailand is like the "Butlins" of old.... white wash doesn't cover the cracks anymore.. time to bulldoze the place & build something new & entertaining, not just a line of bars & massage shops!

Tell us where you are and we'll do a comparison.

[Spidey]

Just now, SheungWan said:

Being cheek by jowl with the badly dressed gives me an edge.

Yes, I get that but the invasion is complete, you can't get away from them. Went for a swim and lunch in the Areca Lodge last week. Mostly farangs with their farang wives, a few farangs with their Thai "girlfriends. Large group of young Indians spread round the pool and started acting like complete idiots. Really annoying. Most people, us included, packed up and left the pool area.

[curlylekan]

A lot could be argued her but for the most part, this is a great post. Someone is finally noticing that problems cannot be viewed from a single systems point of view. For instance, the drop in Chinese tourists are not just from the Phuket boat accident, but maybe that incident stopped a certain type of Chinese traveler or most are getting tired of Thailand and want to travel more out west, or a dozen of other reasons. I'm glad, I prefer those Chinese from the COUNTRY of Taiwan a lot more and those from the country of China who do not travel in big groups.20 and 30 year old Chinese are much more well-mannered. Still, those from the country of Taiwan are even more well mannered.