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  1. #1
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    Whats happened to all of the tourists who ususlly come to Phuket

    IN my 13 years of living in Phuket i have never seen it so quiet, only locals on the streets of Rawai
    The bars and restaurants that cater to tourists and expats are empty, and quite a few are up for sale or closing
    With all the reports of more tourists coming to Thailand every year where are they going, not Phuket that's for sure
    I know that Australians are going to Bali Where they get much better package deals and exchange rates but where are
    all the regular tourists from other countries going

  2. #2
    Excommunicated baldrick's Avatar
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    the chinese were the last phase of the mass tourism boom , I am sure thailand is not the only country seeing tourism downturns

    though bangkok is top of the list for mastercard in sept 2018

    Whats happened to all of the tourists who ususlly come to Phuket-gdci-map-jpg

    Whats happened to all of the tourists who ususlly come to Phuket-153788512087444858485752_ded8b6ed50_b-720x410-jpg



    and now with the rise of the fascist govts in the west with their " fear johnny foreigner " rhetoric , I would guess most are staying within their own borders where they feel safer and do not have exchange rate issues
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Whats happened to all of the tourists who ususlly come to Phuket-gdci-map-jpg   Whats happened to all of the tourists who ususlly come to Phuket-153788512087444858485752_ded8b6ed50_b-720x410-jpg  

  3. #3
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    Its the exchange rate that's causing the lack of tourists in my opinion
    Aussie dollar was always around 30 baht to the dollar, the best rate i have got was 32.4 when the recession hit
    Last time i checked it was 21.4
    Plus all the bars and other businesses increased their prices every year
    last time i went to Cheers bar they had reduced their price to 55 baht, it was 70 baht
    The bar still has very few customers

  4. #4
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  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by baldrick View Post
    the chinese were the last phase of the mass tourism boom , I am sure thailand is not the only country seeing tourism downturns

    though bangkok is top of the list for mastercard in sept 2018

    The Bangkok international airport is the main arrival point for not only Thailand but the surrounding countries and people traveling on to other destinations using Thai airlines as well,so to count all arrivals as people having their holidays in Thailand is unrealistic

    Whats happened to all of the tourists who ususlly come to Phuket-gdci-map-jpg

    Whats happened to all of the tourists who ususlly come to Phuket-153788512087444858485752_ded8b6ed50_b-720x410-jpg



    and now with the rise of the fascist govts in the west with their " fear johnny foreigner " rhetoric , I would guess most are staying within their own borders where they feel safer and do not have exchange rate issues
    The Bangkok international airport is not only the main arrivals airport for Thailand but the surrounding countries and other countries serviced by Thai airlines as well
    To claim the arrivals their are people holidaying in Thailand is unrealistic
    There are very few tourists in Phuket which is claimed to be the top holiday destination in Thailand

  6. #6
    On a walkabout Loy Toy's Avatar
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    Pattaya, apart from a few bar and restaurant establishments who have something different it is the quietest I have ever seen it.

    Most bar owners I speak too are losing money monthly with a few breaking even.

    The exchange rate is killing this countries tourist industry.

  7. #7
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    I watched a blogger on U tube he posted a video about the Chang Mai tourist areas showing no tourists, just bored Thai people sitting around with no customers
    The tourists must enjoy the smell of car exhaust fumes and are stopping in Bangkok

  8. #8
    Excommunicated baldrick's Avatar
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    the tourism boom for thai is over

    most countries whose people were likely to take holidays are now conserving their pennies - just look at retail figures in western countries

  9. #9
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    I used to regularly spend a chunk of change in issan. But since they only allow 2 land crossings per year for the last 3 or 4 years ive stopped going. Fuck em. They brought it on themselves by being coonts. Keep the 2 land crossings up my sleave in case of medical emergency. The thais might fuck that up and kill my arse but the Lao,s will definately fuck it up.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by beerlaodrinker View Post
    I used to regularly spend a chunk of change in issan. But since they only allow 2 land crossings per year for the last 3 or 4 years ive stopped going. Fuck em.
    Well said, sir. Well said.

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    No real prescience on my part, but I'm glad I got out when I did. Exchange rates aside, the combination of poor government and intransigent, reactive immigration, really killed it for me as a long term destination.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by beerlaodrinker View Post
    I used to regularly spend a chunk of change in issan. But since they only allow 2 land crossings per year for the last 3 or 4 years ive stopped going. Fuck em. They brought it on themselves by being coonts. Keep the 2 land crossings up my sleave in case of medical emergency. The thais might fuck that up and kill my arse but the Lao,s will definately fuck it up.
    Still living the dream in Laos then BLD?

    Came here on a flying visit. First time I have been asked why I didn't have a visa, as I normally come in 3 month stints. Told passport control only here for 30 days for VOA. My mate flew over to see the Biennial HVACR show in Bangkok. We've been to the last 3. He told me this would be the last one as it has got too expensive.
    I shall look at commuting from Philippines if my initial reconnoitering bears fruit. Seems a good compromise between Oz and Bangkok. 7 hours to Oz and 3 hours to Bangkok. Probably not Manila though at this stage. Something a bit quieter near the sea but not too far from an international airport would suit.
    Last edited by Hugh Cow; 02-10-2019 at 09:31 AM.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by petercallen View Post
    Its the exchange rate that's causing the lack of tourists in my opinion
    Aussie dollar was always around 30 baht to the dollar, the best rate i have got was 32.4 when the recession hit
    Last time i checked it was 21.4
    Plus all the bars and other businesses increased their prices every year
    last time i went to Cheers bar they had reduced their price to 55 baht, it was 70 baht
    The bar still has very few customers
    When I came to Thailand in 2002 it was 22Baht to $1.00AUD

  14. #14
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    When I came to Thailand in 1990 Phuket was pretty much bereft of tourists every year at this time of year.

    Life goes on, eh?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Hugh Cow View Post
    Still living the dream in Laos then BLD?

    .
    well. Actually no. Just living in Laos the dream and my rose tinted glasses came of a while ago, moving the family to australia in january, thats a done deal. Kids are at the age where they need a western education and im at yhe age where i need to pump up my super . I,ll be back for yearly holidays and not selling chez BLD just gonna rent it out. After 14 years in Lao and about the same in other parts of the region the novelty has finally worn out. I observe the thais under prayuth being a bunch of farang hating racists and suspect the Lao will follow there lead to. Its been fun but time to go.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ratchaburi View Post
    When I came to Thailand in 2002 it was 22Baht to $1.00AUD
    And now its about 20. And things are way more expensive.

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by cyrille View Post
    When I came to Thailand in 1990 Phuket was pretty much bereft of tourists every year at this time of year.

    Life goes on, eh?
    Times have changed mate, up to this year plenty of tourists all year round with the peak around Christmas
    Its as quiet here now or even quieter than after the tusmani in 2004

  18. #18
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    Sounds great!

    I might even head back there sometime if it stays like that for a few years and can recover to a degree.

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by petercallen View Post
    Times have changed mate, up to this year plenty of tourists all year round with the peak around Christmas
    Its as quiet here now or even quieter than after the tusmani in 2004
    I spent a few months around Patong beach back in 2005.

    Couldn't imagine the resort any busier than what it was like then.

    Seemed to be the right ratio of tourists from a tourists perspective.

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chittychangchang View Post
    I spent a few months around Patong beach back in 2005.

    Couldn't imagine the resort any busier than what it was like then.

    Seemed to be the right ratio of tourists from a tourists perspective.
    That was right after the tusmani, Aussie TV stations were advising people to start holidaying in Phuket again because there were no tourists in phuket and the local people were not able to make a living or even buy food for their family's
    It must have been very quiet here

  21. #21
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    I spent a few months around Patong beach back in 2005.
    Couldn't imagine the resort any busier than what it was like then.
    HUH???
    Its as quiet here now or even quieter than after the tusmani in 2004
    double HUH???

    2005 was the LOWEST YEAR I have ever seen Phuket since I moved here in 1985>
    Patong each seems busy on my weekly visits to JC for sunday lunch. Kamala busier now than past month>
    its still the low season>

    Every few years people cry and moan..But the numbers increase ...
    "I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol or insanity, but they've always worked for me" HST

    View my pics

  22. #22
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    @hugh cow - check out Cebu City. Might suit your needs - near airport & beach. Lots of hotels, condos & Airbnb units.

  23. #23
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    Just returned from Bang Saphan tourist beach area, only saw about 20 foreign tourists on the day we spent there and all the resorts had very few or no guests

  24. #24
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    Be sure to keep us updated on everything that isn't happening with a count of the tourists not there to see it not happening.

    Everyone needs a hobby.

  25. #25
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    Last time I went to Phuket was a few years ago with the family. Vowed pretty much never to return, tbh. Aggressive beach vendors, taxi drivers, 10% service charges in every bar, cafe, restaurant, etc; (ensuring indifferent / crap service because of no tips to the staff). The main beaches Patong, Kata just felt like unfriendly tourist-traps, and I was happy to cut the visit short and travel to Krabi.
    I'm obviously not alone in thinking this.

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