Thailand tourism situation

[buksida]

I can imagine they're queuing up for this ...

THAILAND HOTEL LAUNCHES MILLION BAHT PACKAGE THAT LETS GUESTS STAY FOR A YEAR
Since the pandemic struck, hotels around the globe have been getting creative when it comes to attracting guests amid harsh travel restrictions.

The latest innovator is a property in Thailand, which is offering a package that allows guests to stay for an entire year.

Launched by the Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit, the One Million Baht Club includes housekeeping, breakfasts, light snacks, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, plus complimentary parking and club lounge meeting room use – all for one million Thai baht (£25,000).

There are a number of other perks for year-long residents too.

The hotel will host a rooftop party for up to 20 people on guests’ birthdays, with two hours of free drinks thrown in.

They’ll also get 10 complimentary massages at the neighbouring spa; 10 limo trips within Bangkok; a Viz Black Card membership, which gives discounts and exclusive perks at Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Icon Siam and Siam Discovery; and an “executive” medical check-up at Bumrungrad International Hospital.

On top of all that, 20 per cent of the package price gets given back to guests in the form of credit for use in the hotel’s restaurants and bars – around £5,000, or £415 a month.

And for those who get tired of the city, 10 nights at Hyatt’s properties in Hua Hin, Phuket and Samui are also included in the package.

At present, Thailand is on both the UK’s list of travel corridors, meaning arrivals from there don’t have to quarantine for two weeks, and the Foreign Office’s list of low-risk countries.

However, the entire country is almost entirely off limits to international tourists until further notice.

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/ne ... 67872.html

Bargain, it's still over 2,700 a night. Where do I book?

[buksida]

Domestic trips decrease over Covid jitters
A resurgence of local Covid-19 cases has affected travel sentiment for the upcoming long weekend as Thai tourists are expected to take fewer trips than during holidays last month, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Local tourists are estimated to make 3.1 million trips nationwide between Dec 10-13, generating 12.6 billion baht, but the growth is slower compared with vacations in November, said TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn.

"Even though people will continue with their plans, some of them hesitated about the situation, which saw Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai heavily affected by cancellations and postponements," he said.

The most sensitive groups are families, senior travellers, meetings and incentives. Some of those decided to shift their destinations to nearby provinces instead, resulting in the highest occupancy of 61% in the Central region, while the nationwide average is 40%.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/20 ... id-jitters

[Dannie Boy]

I can imagine they're queuing up for this ...

THAILAND HOTEL LAUNCHES MILLION BAHT PACKAGE THAT LETS GUESTS STAY FOR A YEAR
Since the pandemic struck, hotels around the globe have been getting creative when it comes to attracting guests amid harsh travel restrictions.

The latest innovator is a property in Thailand, which is offering a package that allows guests to stay for an entire year.

Launched by the Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit, the One Million Baht Club includes housekeeping, breakfasts, light snacks, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, plus complimentary parking and club lounge meeting room use – all for one million Thai baht (£25,000).

There are a number of other perks for year-long residents too.

The hotel will host a rooftop party for up to 20 people on guests’ birthdays, with two hours of free drinks thrown in.

They’ll also get 10 complimentary massages at the neighbouring spa; 10 limo trips within Bangkok; a Viz Black Card membership, which gives discounts and exclusive perks at Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Icon Siam and Siam Discovery; and an “executive” medical check-up at Bumrungrad International Hospital.

On top of all that, 20 per cent of the package price gets given back to guests in the form of credit for use in the hotel’s restaurants and bars – around £5,000, or £415 a month.

And for those who get tired of the city, 10 nights at Hyatt’s properties in Hua Hin, Phuket and Samui are also included in the package.

At present, Thailand is on both the UK’s list of travel corridors, meaning arrivals from there don’t have to quarantine for two weeks, and the Foreign Office’s list of low-risk countries.

However, the entire country is almost entirely off limits to international tourists until further notice.

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/ne ... 67872.html

Bargain, it's still over 2,700 a night. Where do I book?

They’re obviously not catering for the average 2-3 week holiday tourist, but when you take into account the extras they are offering, the equivalent price comes down to less than 2,200 a night - not cheap, but not ridiculously expensive for what they are offering. Ok so you’re not likely to get killed in the stampede but I believe it’s positive action in the right direction.

[Big Boy]

I might be imagining it, but I am seeing a trickle of 'new' tourists around town. 'New' tourists stand out like a sore thumb with their very pale, or bright red skin. I've only seen males in the 35 to 55 y.o. range. Only a trickle, and definitely not enough to make even the slightest dent in the tourist slump, but some are arriving.

I do have friends in the UK who initially baulked at the idea of quarantine, but after many months of Covid, 14 nights 5* incarceration ahead of a few months in Covid safe Thailand is starting to sound quite attractive.

[sateeb]

Where I live there are about 25 regular snowbirds. By December most of them are already in residence. To date 1 couple(German) have arrived.

[Dannie Boy]

We have friends who normally live in Cha Am who have been stuck in Australia since April. They were initially adamant that they wouldn’t contemplate spending 2 weeks in quarantine and all the other requirements, but are now looking into how they can get back - living in Thailand can’t be so bad after all.

[buksida]

For comparison, we have not seen any of the regular snowbirds return this year. They usually spend at least three months in the area.

[Big Boy]

Yes, as I said a small trickle. However, after the crap we see going on in the UK - lockdown, tier systems, etc. If they can afford it, and have the time, 2 weeks 5* quarantine, followed by a few months winter sun must be sounding like dreamland.

[handdrummer]

Does this mean that they are given a 1 yr. visa?

Even at 2200 bht a night, you need a lot of loot to live here for a year without working or would they come and go over a period of a year? In that case they'd need even more money for transportation back and forth. Visa runs every 90 days? It doesn't seem workable.

[Big Boy]

There are various visas available. My friends would be looking at a 3 month visa with an extension. It isn't an option I could afford personally, but would be small change to some of my friends. Don't forget, the 2200/night is whilst in quarantine. You can go budget after that.

Those who were trapped here recently seemed to manage OK, and I didn't see many rushing to go home.

[handdrummer]

There are various visas available. My friends would be looking at a 3 month visa with an extension. It isn't an option I could afford personally, but would be small change to some of my friends. Don't forget, the 2200/night is whilst in quarantine. You can go budget after that.

Those who were trapped here recently seemed to manage OK, and I didn't see many rushing to go home.

I don't see the connection with what you said and the 1 mill. bht for a year scheme.

[caller]

Can't remember where we were posting about Hua Hin, but just to add to the reports of the demise of Naresdamri Road, and bearing in mind it was my first wander down there since, erm, the last time, which seems a few weeks ago now! Well from Buff Bills (empty) to pizza corner (still going), it's amost like desolation row. So many more places are shuttered or have been cleaned out, that in totality, it must be getting to the stage where there are more closed places than open. I'll remember to take my camera next time!

[Big Boy]

I don't see the connection with what you said and the 1 mill. bht for a year scheme.

Neither do I - there are 2 separate strings to this thread. I hadn't actually seen the ฿1M string.

[handdrummer]

I don't see the connection with what you said and the 1 mill. bht for a year scheme.

Neither do I - there are 2 separate strings to this thread. I hadn't actually seen the ฿1M string.

I hope your not stringing me along.

[STEVE G]

Can't remember where we were posting about Hua Hin, but just to add to the reports of the demise of Naresdamri Road, and bearing in mind it was my first wander down there since, erm, the last time, which seems a few weeks ago now! Well from Buff Bills (empty) to pizza corner (still going), it's amost like desolation row. So many more places are shuttered or have been cleaned out, that in totality, it must be getting to the stage where there are more closed places than open. I'll remember to take my camera next time!

Welcome to Covid world, where I am absolutely everything is closed until 15 January at the earliest.