Thailand forum

I think it largely comes down to the fact that the Thai government largely runs as a series of fiefdoms run by the bureaucrats, there isn't a government in power for more than two years so the departments run themselves more or less and make decisions that contradict other departments. Hence changes to the visa rules every four months while simultaneously trying to market tourism. But then thailand has said in the past it would prefer "high class tourists" I think in ideal world the thai government would just prefer it if you mailed your wallet and never came but perhaps I'm being cynical.

Posted from within Vietnam.

"Only now with a world recession is there a (tourism) reduction..." ?

What about the tens of thousands of protesters storming the streets of Bangkok, torching busses and such last month, and tens of thousands of other protesters occupying the Bangkok airports last year, stranding tourists and using them as political pawns? I'm guessing those things had something to do with the reduction too...

On the bright side, my visa to Thailand in April was free, and I think they're giving away free visas until the end of this month.

Hello

When in Chiang Mai in April (last), the 4 and 5 star hotels were almost empty (in fact, one had closed its doors and referring its customers to another hotel).

I've the feeling that the 'spur of the moment' traveller has decided to avoid Thailand, and the current travellers in Thailand reflect those that have set their minds to being there, and started the planning much earlier. Increasingly, I got the view that many (under 4 star) travellers doing the preparatory work from late 2008 to early 2009 would have decided to avoid Thailand 'in case'.

So, the reduction in tourist numbers may yet to become fully apparent.

I wrote on the background of the subject on:

http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/thailand/6035_what-the-hell-is-happening-in-thailand-

(the last post, as of today).

These articles do show a different story on the background than that appearing in the daily media.

Cheers

Heard on the ABC[Aus] news this morning that gunmen had stormed a Mosque in one of the Southern Provinces and murdered 11 people.In Australia you hear very little about the trouble in the Southern Provinces and the only way I know about it is by reading the Bangkok Post.As this has made the news and,no doubt,the papers a lot of people are going to hear about it, causing the average tourist to do some hard thinking about a Thai holiday.The government has got plenty of problems at the moment what with all the other happenings over the past year or so.

Posted from within Vietnam.

Copy and paste this little nugget into your browser.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Danish-Embassy-Warns-King-Power-Du-t281997.html#entry2883435

and discuss........

I agree Madmac. But the Thai's do seem to shoot theirselves in the foot a lot of times. I figure that's why they call it "Amazing Thailand". As for the problems in the south, I don't recall a tourist ever being targeted. I think they did have a hotel bombing at some point last year. Yet as Bruce, says the "spur of the moment" traveler will just read the headlines and stay away. I myself do not see a reconciliation between the reds, yellow and now blue shirts anytime soon.

"But in general Thailand is not a dangerous destination and abuse at the hands of the police is not likely. Smile, be nice... and don't do anything really stupid and you should be OK."


Seconded.

Posted from within Vietnam.

Glad the post created some reaction.

At no point did I say I was worried about this type of incident, but certainly something to be aware of. I posted it to follow up from Jon_Mak_Mak's origonal posting, as it seams to me like another string in this particular bow (refering to the thread title). Thus this kind of coverage can only futher damage the already waning tourist numbers.

I'd like to think I have an understanding of and respect for each place I visit. I'm not the clown type, although I can juggle.

Take it easy.