Thailand authorities attempting to woo Chinese tourists - Too little, too late
Thailand is seeing a rather massive drop in tourism and has been for many years. I worked in the tourism sector in this country for nearly 15 years and I have seen this coming for a long time. Thailand has had a certain level of "tourism arrogance" as the Kingdom was seen for a very long period of time as being one of the top destinations in the world for people of all classes. It was popular among backpackers and gap-year people, middle class families and also for truly top-tier 5-star luxury - this country really had it all. Well, it still does, but fewer and fewer people are coming each year in the past 5 years or so and the Chinese are the ones whose numbers are dropping most rapidly.
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The reason why the Thai authorities have focused so much on China in the past and also now is because, well, these 2 billion people are literally next door and Thailand has a good trade relationship with the nation.
When i was managing a "middle class" resort where the 3 bedroom villas with swimming pool were around $200 a night we were able to get our hands on some mainland Chinese customers once Wechat created a brilliant translation tool that actually works.
When i would speak to these customers they let me know something i was unaware of... Regardless of what kind of visa a Chinese person was arriving on, each Chinese citizen was charged 1000 Baht per person (even babies) for each passport processed. This is not a visa fee, this is just theft as the visa on arrivals are free for all countries that qualify. I have no idea what this money was used for but upon arriving at the airport their flights would be sent to a different area where everyone was forced to hand over 1000 Baht each in order to enter the country. If you don't like it, you can go back to China (while this was never publicly stated, it was kind of the attitude.)
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When this racket was exposed by Chinese visitors with hidden cameras, the immigration officials acted stunned and then printed up these signs as a solution.... problem solved! Unfortunately this had been going on for years and as recently as last year when my connecting flight traveled from USA through China to Bangkok, I ended up in this line also. I was not charged the 1000B but the people around me who were 95% Chinese already had their money prepared... they have become accustomed to the corruption.
Another sequence of events happened to damage the Thai tourism image in the minds of the Chinese. A tour boat advertised to primarily Chinese tourists sank off the coast of Phuket
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47 people died in this wreck, and none of them were the crew (including the captain.) These things happen and it is tragic when it does happen, but the Thai response was simply adding fuel to the fire. Rather insensitive things were said that appeared to be blaming the victims for not knowing how to swim or not knowing safety information. Basically a "we didn't do it!" response. Later a rather small amount of money (up to $30,000 per casualty) was given to families of the deceased. I don't know if they were expecting to be praised for this handout and "sorry bout dat" payments are quite common in this country, but this number is too small for them to expect any sort of congratulations for their generosity.
Later a viral video would emerge of Don Muang Airport security beating a 50-something Chinese tourist for refusing to go to a "private room" to provide proof of accommodation in Bangkok. This idea of needing to know exactly where a visitor is staying on their arrival has always seemed dumb to me since there is no method of actually verifying it, but apparently, if you refuse to comply, they beat you.
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In response to this and other things that aren't documented as well such as Chinese tourists getting charged dramatically more than other nationalities for basic things and also being "definitely fined at all police checkpoints" has lead Chinese tourists to look elsewhere.
Furthermore, one of the hotspots for Chinese tourism in Thailand is the city I live in, Chiang Mai. This is due to the cultural significance and high level of Buddhist temples in the area (it probably has something to do with the shopping also, i dunno) but my city's reputation has been tainted also since the "burning season" from February to April results in an air quality index that is the WORST IN THE WORLD. When your air quality makes urban areas in China seem clean, you've done something terribly wrong. In response the government points fingers at Burma and what not but doesn't actually do anything to solve the problem. They actually hand out free filtration masks at the airport.... That'll fix it!
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welcome to lovely scenic Chiang Mai!
All these things combined with the fact that the Baht is actually a very strong currency at the moment (for some reason) have resulted in dramatic downturns in overall tourism, but the 12% drop in Chinese tourists, who constitute more than a quarter of all visitors to this country, is going to result in heavy losses.
Normally, a tourism hotspot has targets of higher numbers than previous years, because there are more people in the world from year to year. Never would they have expected a drop in numbers. Well, I did and so did other people who have worked in this industry for many years.
You can't mistreat your visitors over and over again and expect them to say thank you for it and return next year. This has been going on for a decade and the steps that Thailand is taking to rectify the situation by doing things such as "eliminating the graft" at Immigration is "too little too late." This should have never been happening in the first place. They claim ignorance, but if you know anything about this country the reason why the corruption exists at all in the first place is because the people in charge mandated it.
The latest wave of attempting to charm the Chinese into continuing to visit the Land of Smiles? Chinese only immigration booths. Awesome... that'll fix it.
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I've seen this happen 2 times before: When they chased the "excessive Russian tourists" and the "excessive Korean tourists" out of the country years ago... they spent years and millions of dollars trying to rectify that situation, mostly in vain. If they manage to chase away the Chinese, a segment they have basically banked on for as long as I have been an adult, harsh days will follow for a country whose GDP is 20% based on tourism
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Good review, thanks
Blimey, will we brits have issues getting in soon? Will they demand any BAHT from us?
I haven't really checked out what the deal is yet, but it's coming ever closer. I know there is no VISA required.
Apologies if you have told me this already, my brain is getting old.
https://travelhappy.info/thailand/new-proof-of-cash-requirement-for-all-tourists-entering-thailand/
Out of date?
No pictures of happy Steemians drinking beer or we go to jail? Fucking hell.., this info is from the UK's Gov website.
I didn't mean to scaremonger buddy. It isn't like that. These threats of clothes and booze and what not are very unlikely to be enforced. It was only in the news a couple of times when a couple of people were intentionally acting lewd at holy places such as a temple or near a shrine honoring the Royal Family.
The proof of cash thing is a silly one but i have been in and out of this country much more frequently than most non-Thai people in the world (probably more than most Thai people also) and I have never been asked to produce a massive stack of cash.
The nation is becoming more authoritarian, but aside from those high profile cases of IG influencers trying to gain some more fame by acting totally inappropriately in public, i have never heard of anyone getting in trouble for posting a boozy picture... if that were the case i would have been locked up multiple times by now.
Good to hear. I can't wait to leave the shitty weather and have some sun. Don't tell me the monsoons are in season in 2 weeks!
Thanks for the info. Always good to hear it from a local.
you are arriving during the best time of year to be here. However, since it is a tropical country, rain can always happen. Of course, unless it is a proper tropical storm, in November, it is extremely unlikely to happen and if it does, it should only be for an hour or so which is actually kind of nice..... cools it off a bit.
Perhaps they have to learn it the hard way! Civil servants are never good at running the country!
back when i first traveled here in the early 2000's... immigration was easy, and they didn't really care how long you stayed as long as you didn't cause any trouble. Is it any wonder that tourism numbers were also at record highs during that time?
You know what they say: "If it isn't broken, the government will fix it until it is!"
That is too bad that they are doing that. It seems pretty counterproductive to me. That would be like us treating people from Ohio horrible when they are probably some of the people that frequent our state the most. I guess as long as they don't wear their crappy Ohio State gear, we don't mind them that much. The term excessive tourists kind of seems like an oxymoron when you are considering that is the main draw and cash source for your country. Beggars can't be choosers!
well i should have clarified but the article was already too long. When Koreans and Russians were a very high portion of the tourist mix, a lot of Korean and Russian nationals were working as tour guides, many of them doing so without a work permit. The reasoning behind this was simple: Work permits are prohibitively expensive and difficult to acquire and the workers will filling a void that the Thais are incapable or unwilling to fill. I mean in achieving absolute fluency in either of these incredibly difficult languages.
My ex worked for one of these companies and they employed 2 Thai girls who had Masters Degrees in Korean..... these two girls could barely have a basic conversation in Korean and they were seen as the "best at it" by their respective universities.
I'm not saying the Korean workers could speak Thai fluently, because they damn sure couldn't, but they spoke English. The rich Koreans and Russians that were participating in these tour groups were paying top dollar to have a completely "hassle free" vacation and part of this is interacting with someone that understands everything they are saying, effortlessly.
However, a "they took our jerbs!" movement began and these industries were cracked down on. In the absence of these workers, the customers, the high-end tourists from these nations, also stopped coming.
Everyone knew they were working illegally, but they were providing thousands of dollars a day in revenue for businesses that are paying tax. Know, i know it is technically against the law, but some laws dont make sense. Each of these companies (just the two that I am familiar with) also employed dozens of Thai people.
When the government cracked down all the agencies shut up shop and when they did, likely thousands of Thais were out of work and millions of dollars a year in tourism revenue ... poof! disappeared in one season.
Long reply, but i know you are one of the only people out there that is likely to read such a novella.
Ah, okay, that makes a lot of sense. It is actually funny that you mention that because a while ago (actually a long time ago) I took a trip to Mackinaw Island which is one of the tourist highlights of our state. I did one of the carriage ride tours and it is funny the number of Russian and Foreign nationals that come over and become tour guides. It actually makes a lot of sense now based on what you are saying. I didn't think about it at the time. I just noticed that pretty much every tour guide had a thick European or Eastern European accent. I was a bit shocked at the long reply,but it was totally warranted now that I read it :)
LOL. I read it :)
I wonder why the Thai government didn't just do the maths and create a special work permit program for this industry - legalising them and keeping the income.
i think it is probably because government rarely does anything that is based on reason and math... they just reacted and are now paying the price :(
It's true - everything is changing and not for the better.
I find the small print at the end of the article the best part!
This totally defines so much of what I write and how I write it in my blog. Like you, I've got eyes to see, and ears to hear. After traveling for so many years you see the good, the bad, and ugly of so many things. Including how a country treats it's visitors.
For the first time in visiting Thailand in 15 years, last year I was partially harassed by an immigration officer upon leaving. I couldn't believe it!
It's so unfair to the Thai People who rely on foreign dollars to survive. In so many places all over the country all you see are travelers spending money. 20% of their GDP is that! Now they are shooting themselves in the foot.
On the other hand, I hope this is just a business cycle where we are on the crappy end of it right now, and things change for the better. I would love to suddenly be allowed 3 month entry visa free like so many other countries around the world, and maybe that will be a result in a down turn in tourism....would you agree?
But yes, that is really crappy how they have abused the Chinese Tourist to the point of souring them to visit all together.
Almost remind me in my time in Bali last year, I felt like nothing but a walking dollar bill there. I got shaken down by the police, and immigration twice! To stay another month is a huge expensive hassle that so so many foreigners do.
I recall you are planning on leaving, closer to a decision yet?
Anyway, hope you are well. I'm leaving Lima Peru this Sunday. Stopping in Florida to see family then to Bangkok for Steemfest! Regardless of the topic, I still love Thailand in a big way and can't wait to be back!
yeah, i am pretty much all set on leaving here in Jan or Feb of next year. Not sure exactly where yet, I should probably get cracking on figuring that out.
Multiple times since i have lived here the country has offered free visas for extended periods of time.... we called them "ooopsie!" visas because they were basically offering them as an apology for prolonged periods of being dicks. Then they almost immediately revert to being dicks. I don't understand what is going on there with the mentality of being as abusive of their power as possible.
Immigration can have rules, that is fine, but there is no reason to be such jerks about it. I know multiple long-term residents who still qualify for visas over here but got fed up with being treated like a child and / or criminal every time they go to get / renew a visa.
Keep it professional and have easy to understand, concrete rules and then enforce them, equally. It really isn't that difficult but there seems to be this animosity in most immigration workers as well - almost like they despise foreigners... good thing you don't have to interact with them all day long as part of your chosen profession!
Exactly. Good thing you do not have to interact with the immigration workers all day!
I met a guy who has lived on the island of Koh Phagnan for the past 15 years. He's pretty wealthy and he went with the retirees visa and plunked down about a quarter million dollars into their banking system to maintain his visa. He's now having issues with getting his money out and changing how he stays in the country or leaves. I forgot the details, he isn't going to get robbed, but he was explaining this huge ordeal with a bunch of his money tied up.
However, Thailand is worth the BS. I love it! The food, culture, people, weather, beaches, and overall lifestyle. They know many people around the world do too, that is probably partially the reason why they can be such dicks and get away with it.
And I'll be leaving....Countdown! T Minus 8 days to Bangkok! haha
It will be interesting where you decide to move to from Chiang Mai. What comfortable place to be. I'm sure your new place with bring lots of excitement into your life and it will be great!
I meet people that fall into the category of your Koh Phangan friend on a regular basis. People with substantial amounts of money and as you might expect, these powerful people don't take very kindly to being treated like children by government officials. Many of them have already moved over to the Elite VIsa, which as you may have heard is basically a "pay to play" system.
I think that this was the government's intention all along: To frustrate the rich folks into paying a fee to be left alone.
"I think that this was the government's intention all along: To frustrate the rich folks into paying a fee to be left alone."
Exactly! I wish Thailand was like Ecuador in that manner. Ecuador has a large expat community too but they are way friendlier. In fact I actually got my permanent resident visa there and it's very rewarding to do so as well. You just have to put at least 25k in the country and you get about 9% interest on it!... and Ecuador uses the US dollar too.
Burning season looks like a real bummer.
yeah it is to say the least. You can't see the sun or sky for like 2 and half months.
There's no change that can be predicted. Its somehow bad and somehow good anyway!
Absolutely!
I feel like the generally accepted theft turned into greed because it was so excepted by the victims, even though they really didn't have a choice. Well, they could of turned around and headed back to China.. But we all know that is harder and not worth the headache. Just pay the 1000B it's easier. I see this in the many places we have traveled over the years. Maybe not this blatant or costly, but definitely present and acting as a sort of side hustle for someone. Heck, it even happens in restaurants in my opinion.. After I order the (whatever) and it comes.. I ask for a sauce and bam.. that'll be $1.00. What am I going to do? send my (whatever) back now that my mouth is watering and its sitting right here in front of me.. Nope.. I'll pay the 1000% marked up cost for the stupid sauce or whatever. Heck, sometimes I don't realize it till after the bill comes. We have also been put in this position when we are outside of the "Main" tourist areas. We pay a fee for lets say security (Hey I'll watch your car or golf cart for this much so no one steals it) What am I going to say? NO? No way.. I pay it otherwise this guy is going to hustle it out of me one way or another. As long as the benefit out weighs the corruption, people will pay. When they don't, then obviously something else has gone wrong. They need to find out what, fix it, then those tourists will return. Most likely "smile" as they reach into their wallets. hahaha.. Really though.. I don't think it's ever too late, it will just take too dang long to get them back (and obviously they would have to spend some of that stolen Baht to get them back).
You know what I always say @gooddream.. Don't get greedy, and most certainly don't get violent. Just smile, put your hand out and take what they give you.
hehe.. Bjork was right about Human Behavior...
what an amazing reply. well done pal... i agree with pretty much everything you wrote there especially the lyrics from pretty much the only Bjork song that i think is bearable to the ears.
Haha. Only song I really know of hers. She has a weird voice for sure.