Thailand tourism situation

[STEVE G]

Actually immigration at Suvarnabhumi has got much better over the last year or two, on my visit this month I got through both ways very quickly, particularly the exit with the automatic gates. It used to often take 30-40 minutes.
As for Chinese tourists, I see way more of them in Luxembourg than I ever do in Hua Hin.

[pharvey]

Fair enough, I was simply reporting an opinion of a friend, not my own - after all, I've not been back for a while. Glad to hear immigration is decent, but questionable over Chinese Tourist Groups - I hear many different stories, though perhaps more in the North.

[STEVE G]

I don't remember ever seeing groups of Chinese tourists in Hua Hin, obviously it would be hard to identify individuals but you don't see large groups walking around following someone with a flag!

[Dannie Boy]

Regarding immigration, I’m sure I’ve experienced greater delays at Heathrow when the e-gates haven’t been working than here in Thailand and as Steve has mentioned, the past few years it seems to have got quicker.

[buksida]

His reasoning? Immigration and checks at the airport (long delays), a massive influx of Chinese and Tour Parties (the LHG understands and has forgiven him ), price increases (despite loving "Rural Thailand") and basically a big change in attitudes to tourists/foreigners. He's now loving Vietnam...

I'll give him two out of four: airport queues in Japan are horrific, and Thailand wins on that aspect, but you have to be lucky with timing. I honestly don't know where TAT's 7 million Chinese are, certainly not in Hua Hin or any of the places we've visited in the past year. The other two - surging prices and bad attitudes/service - are spot on, Vietnam wins hands down.

[buksida]

To add to that, I'll give him three ... it looks like those airport queues could go back to "horrific" levels again soon:

Tougher checks for arrivals
National Police Chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch has ordered immigration police to step up the screening process for foreign arrivals.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... r-arrivals

[buksida]

Thailand Battles Stunning Collapse in Chinese Tourist Arrivals Amid Surging Industry Fallout and Pivotal Investment Delays
Thailand’s tourism industry is experiencing a breathtaking deterioration of Chinese tourist arrivals that is sending the previously hegemonic market into a state of panic with safety fears, intense intra-regional competition, and changing travel mood sending millions to alternative destinations. With Chinese tourists now opting to go to safer, more enticing destinations such as Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea, Thailand’s business is suffering skyrocketing collateral that has brought many tour operators out of business, with multi-billion baht projects of investment stuck at crossroads with developers tentatively peering into a more uncertain tomorrow.

Thailand’s once-booming tourism industry is grappling with one of its most serious downturns in recent history, triggered by a sharp collapse in the number of Chinese visitors—the country’s largest and most lucrative inbound market prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. As many travel businesses enter what industry leaders describe as “hibernation mode,” the outlook remains bleak, with projections suggesting a full recovery may not occur until at least 2026.

Full story: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news ... nt-delays/

Of course, Thailand will always blame something else for its own problems ...
Israel-Iran war starting to hit tourism to Thailand
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/ge ... o-thailand

[buksida]

Another reason tourists aren't flocking here anymore ... people eventually get tired of getting ripped off.

Thailand’s Overpricing Crisis – From Pattaya beaches to floating markets, the tourist trap widens
Even at government-licensed venues, loopholes allow for “optional” add-ons to quietly inflate the cost — often without receipts or itemized transparency.

Legal Framework, Toothless in Practice?
While Ratchaburi’s Office of Commerce reiterated that boat tour operators must follow provincial pricing laws and post clear signage, enforcement remains weak. Violations under Thailand’s Price of Goods and Services Act can theoretically result in fines or jail time, but actual prosecutions are rare.

As Ms. Rung-ruethai Koetchaeng, a senior commercial affairs officer, noted, some previous complaints have resulted in criminal judgments — but only after lengthy investigations. In the meantime, tourists continue to be misled.

Thailand has long marketed itself as a value destination, offering experiences that are both affordable and authentic. But incidents like this — especially when they go viral — erode that image fast.

For returning tourists and long-term visitors, the sentiment is shifting. “It’s not just the Pattaya scams anymore,” said one expat in a travel forum. “It’s everywhere — markets, tours, taxis. You always have to be on guard.”

Local operators often defend these prices by saying tourists “agree to the deal.” But the lack of clarity, the power imbalance, and the absence of consistent signage all contribute to what many would call exploitative — even if technically legal.

The Damnoen Saduak case should be a wake-up call for the entire industry. If Thailand is serious about attracting high-quality tourists and encouraging repeat visits, it must do more than offer apologies after the fact.

Transparency in pricing, clearly posted signs in multiple languages, stricter oversight of private operators, and easily accessible complaint mechanisms should be the norm — not the exception.

Because when one tourist pays 9,500 baht for a boat ride, the cost is not just monetary — it’s reputational. And that’s a price Thailand cannot afford to keep paying.

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/thaila ... ens-506323

[Martinoo]

The very truth, for sure......
but if you think that doesn't happen in the neighboring countries you are in for a surprise.
I worked in Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Vietnam and China...they f... you in every country, some just not so deep

Technically anywhere that shows no prices they will have a go at you, and speaking Thai or the Thai ID card does not help you.
More or less the same system is followed in the other countries....

[STEVE G]

I see Japan is introducing duel pricing soon to combat overtourism:

Tourists to pay up to double for Japan’s attractions

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news ... cing-costs

Under a controversial dual-pricing system, tourists will be charges more than Japanese residents at theme parks, historic landmarks, and cultural sites starting this July – with some prices nearly doubling.

[buksida]

Yes, we know it happens across most of Asia, but this thread is about Thailand. Four of the countries mentioned above are way cheaper than Thailand for most things to begin with.

Also, the difference in Japan is that tourists will pay about 20% to 30% more than locals for places that want to impose dual pricing. In Thailand, tourists (and expats) are charged 300% more, the initiative is driven by government greed, and its not limited to tourist attractions (look at how farangs are treated in govt hospitals). Japan has seen massive over-tourism in already crowded places, so it has had to take measures. National parks are still free to enter there, even for us horrible aliens!

[Hahuahin]

In the “good old days” this was low season with weather that changed in a matter of minutes, floods, and winds that blew away roofs and it still is low season. Back then there were few, if any, tourists. The locals said you shouldn’t swim in any sea along the beaches of Thailand. Today the TAT and everyone involved in tourism knows this but still complain almost daily about too few tourists. Have we (they) become a little too dependent on tourist money? It seems that the dollar makes up a little more of the gross national product than the news would have us believe.
hahuahin