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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    Asia travel hotspots quiet as Chinese tourists stay away

    CHIANG MAI, Thailand (AP) — Just a handful of Chinese visitors were posing for photos and basking in the sun this week in the market and plazas near Chiang Mai’s ancient Tha Phae Gate, one of many tourist hotspots still waiting for millions of Chinese travelers to return.


    The beaches and temples of destinations like Bali and Chiang Mai are the busiest they have been since the pandemic struck three years ago, but they’re still relatively quiet.


    Still, Chanatip Pansomboon, a soft drinks seller in the Chinatown district of Chiang Mai, a scenic riverside city in northern Thailand, was upbeat. He trusts that with the number of flights from China steadily increasing, it's only a matter of time.


    “If a lot of them can return, it will be great as they have buying power,” Chanatip said.


    The expected resumption of group tours from China is likely to bring far more visitors. For now, it's only individual travelers who can afford to pay, with flights costing more than triple what they normally do, who are venturing abroad.


    This includes people like Chen Jiao Jiao, a doctor who was posing for pictures with her children in front of Tha Phae Gate's red brick wall, escaping the damp chill of Shanghai to enjoy Chiang Mai's warm sun and cool breezes on her first overseas vacation since the virus surfaced in China in early 2020.


    “After three years of pandemic and a severe winter, now it’s opening up," Chen said. “For we Chinese, the first choice is to visit Chiang Mai because the weather is warm and the people here are very warmhearted.”


    In 2019, 1.2 million Chinese tourists visited Chiang Mai, generating 15 billion baht ($450 million) of tourism-related income, money sorely missed across the region as countries shut their borders to most travel.


    Group tours are due to resume from Feb. 6, but the number of tourists who will come will depends on how many flights are operating, said Suladda Sarutilawan, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Chiang Mai office. She said the hope is for about 500,000-600,000 visitors from China this year.


    Of course more Chinese would like to visit, said Li Wei, a businessman from Shanghai, as he visited the ancient wall with his extended family of seven.


    “Since visas and flights are not back to normal yet, maybe tourists will come in the next three months,” Li said.


    Far to the south, on the tropical Indonesian resort island of Bali, the shops and restaurants — some decorated with festive red lanterns and red and gold envelopes used for Lunar New Year cash presents — were still relatively empty.


    Bali’s first post-pandemic direct flight from China arrived on Sunday, bringing 210 tourists from the southern city of Shenzhen who were greeted with garlands of marigolds and dance performances.


    “Before COVID, we worked with travel agents who handled Chinese tourists who brought us guests from China everyday, but since they closed down there are far fewer guests," said Made Sutarma, a seafood restaurant owner in Bali's Jimbaran area.


    After three long years of almost no customers, Nyoman Wisana, the general manager of a Chinese restaurant, said he was “very happy” to see Chinese tourists return.


    Fewer than 23,000 Chinese tourists visited Bali from January-November of last year and only a quarter of the island's 80 tour operators who mostly handle Chinese clients are operating, said Putu Winastra, chairman of the Bali Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies.


    “Actually, we're very concerned about this," he said.


    Indonesia is developing programs to attract more Chinese tourists, including exploring starting direct flights from major cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, he said.


    Those who did visit this week seemed elated after enduring many months of strict pandemic controls that put international travel beyond the reach of almost all Chinese.


    “I’m feeling fantastic since I haven’t gone abroad and haven’t come to Southeast Asia to spend my holidays for the last three years," said Li Zhaolong, a tourist enjoying a day at the beach. “Bali is a very beautiful place so I’m very happy coming here.”


    Closer to home, casinos in the gambling enclave of Macao and popular tourist spots in Hong Kong, a former British colony, drew bigger crowds than usual but were still empty compared to the days before COVID-19. Normally, places like Hong Kong's scenic Ocean Park and Wong Tai Sin temple, with its Nine-Dragon Wall, would be packed with visitors from the Chinese mainland.


    Leo Guo, who works in the travel industry, brought his wife, daughter, sister and parents for a week filled with visits to Hong Kong Disneyland, Victoria Peak and the skyline-studded harbor, and of course, shopping.


    “For mainland Chinese, Hong Kong is a special city different from other Chinese cities," said Lee. “It's a top destination for us."


    Further afield in Australia, Sydney-based travel agent Eric Wang said the high cost of travel still appears to be keeping Chinese away even as Chinese airlines increase flights.


    Chinese accounted for nearly a third of all tourism spending in Australia before the pandemic, with more than 1.4 million visiting in 2019. Australia, like Japan, the U.S. and some other countries, is requiring visitors coming from China to take COVID-19 tests before departure. But Wang, who works for CBT Holidays, a company specializing in travel to and from China, said he didn't view that as a serious obstacle.


    “It's more about the airlines, because flights are not back to normal frequency yet so air fares are like five times more expensive," he said.


    Asia travel hotspots quiet as Chinese tourists stay away

  2. #2
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    Oh dear.

    How sad.

    Never mind.

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    I was up in Doi Pui and Khun Chang Kian today. Certainly no evidence of hordes of rampaging chinkies.

    Which was nice.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by misskit View Post
    For now, it's only individual travelers who can afford to pay, with flights costing more than triple what they normally do, who are venturing abroad.
    I'd have thought it would take time for the tours to ramp up, particularly getting the flights and the tour buses. However, a friend in Phuket this morning followed a convoy of 3 buses full of Chinese tourists driving slowly along the beach road before pulling in to a big gold shop.

  5. #5
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    Flight costs are much higher, looking out this year they seem to be c30% more than pre pandemic

  6. #6
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    In truth, I could never understand just why they came to Thailand. I suspect it was simply because international travel was a novelty for the demographic that came here, the lumpen dross of Wuhan etc rather than what passes for higher commie chink classes who tour Italy, France and UK.
    The Pattaya Chinks were mostly shuttled about in coaches to Koh Larn and the Chinese funded sex shows, and when they were not doing that they were buying prawns from tanks and guzzling them in seafood restaurants that sprang up around Second Road. Bizarrely, they’d go to shopping malls to buy shit made in China or, even worse, buy crap made here.
    Most of them cannot swim and no Chink will sunbathe on a beach - beaches are for families to sit on to eat chicken feet and drink whisky. In terms of scenery Thailand pales into significance when compared to China.
    I suspect the Chink market may well have shot its bolt, but that could well be wishful thinking on my part.

  7. #7
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    ^^Well that's certainly a prediction no experts would make.

    When that train line to Singapore is complete and the virus has all but completely blown over, I predict that even you will be able to sell your condo for more than you paid for it, with so many Chinese buying.

    The Chinese will be #1 nationality of tourists by 2040 imo.



    OK, so maybe just the wingman's family might benefit.

  8. #8
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    Typically you miss the point of Commie Chink foreign property acquisition but then, you are very much the dilettante.

    Chinks were buying up here in Pattaya and in my condo from seven years ago until it all stopped, not because of Covid, but simply because Xi put the block on any transfer of funds out of China over a level sufficient to sustain a reasonable holiday’s expenses.

    When he thinks the economy can sustain outflows again he will reconsider.

    Fucking train to Singapore!? You twat.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Seekingasylum View Post
    no Chink will sunbathe on a beach
    I'd agree with much of what you say, not this bit - although it might apply to those tour groups we get from rural China. The idea that Chinese don't do beaches was true when I first went to HK in the 70s, these days the HK beaches can be packed. The same change is happening in China, this is Sanya beach in Hainan, pre-Covid.

    Asia travel hotspots quiet as Chinese tourists stay away-th-2337586444-jpg

  10. #10
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Seekingasylum View Post
    Fucking train to Singapore!? You twat.
    A robust counterargument, as ever.


  11. #11
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    I'm not sure combining chinky virus incubators with Pattaya's swirling mass of bobbing turds and used condoms is a wise idea...

  12. #12
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    Thankfully Hua Hin is relatively chink free, there are very few of them about. Most foreigners here seem to be higher end euros and septics.


    A benefit of the pandemic cull is that there are considerably fewer euro dross family groups here than in pre covid times, e.g. the angry dad with his slag wife and a few bewildered kids in tow, i guess the euro/uk benefit systems, generous as they are, are not sufficient enough to cover both the airfares and the winter heating bills these days.


    In all, its rather quiet but certainly very pleasant here. Cafes and restaurants busy enough but not crowded, parking is easy and prices of most things apart from bread are not suffering exhorbitant increases.

  13. #13
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    Can i just say how truly awful it is to see you all using chink, chinks and chinky all over the shop, despicable

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by taxexile View Post
    guess the euro/uk benefit systems, generous as they are, are not sufficient enough to cover both the airfares
    do some checks on the UK Thai flight costs on skyscanner and see how much higher they are this year.

  15. #15
    Thailand Expat armstrong's Avatar
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    My brother in law claims there's loads of them in Amphawa. He says they're very loud which is a bit rich considering the family he belongs to..!

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by taxexile View Post
    Thankfully Hua Hin is relatively chink free, there are very few of them about. Most foreigners here seem to be higher end euros and septics.


    A benefit of the pandemic cull is that there are considerably fewer euro dross family groups here than in pre covid times, e.g. the angry dad with his slag wife and a few bewildered kids in tow, i guess the euro/uk benefit systems, generous as they are, are not sufficient enough to cover both the airfares and the winter heating bills these days.


    In all, it’srather quiet but certainly very pleasant here. Cafes and restaurants busy enough but not crowded, parking is easy and prices of most things apart from bread are not suffering exhorbitant increases.
    I don’t think I can recall having ever seen any dross other than the swathes of Swedes that visit in the winter months. Mostly it is middle class Europeans or rich criminals and their scum lackeys, or naive western couples who think their retirement would be better in a tropical climate, playing golf and walking along a beach. Admittedly there were a few mongers taking a respite from Bkk or Pattaya but hey were usually transient and the rest were mostly Bkk residents having an airing.

    Personally, I found the place to be as dull as ditchwater without any variety and riddled with smug arseholes trying to construct a lifestyle in Thailand reminiscent of their home countries without any Thais.

    Nevertheless , I would have chosen it over Pattaya if it shared the same distance from Bangkok but it was too far away.

    Also the wingman didn’t take to it at all and refused to countenance a longterm billet there.

    Also, too many mosquitoes and the sea is very murky and the beach stinks of horse shit.

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by Seekingasylum View Post
    beach stinks of horse shit.
    who goes to the beach a HH, you'd go north to Khao Takiap

  18. #18
    Thailand Expat armstrong's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Seekingasylum View Post
    I don’t think I can recall having ever seen any dross other than the swathes of Swedes that visit in the winter months. Mostly it is middle class Europeans or rich criminals and their scum lackeys, or naive western couples who think their retirement would be better in a tropical climate, playing golf and walking along a beach. Admittedly there were a few mongers taking a respite from Bkk or Pattaya but hey were usually transient and the rest were mostly Bkk residents having an airing.

    Personally, I found the place to be as dull as ditchwater without any variety and riddled with smug arseholes trying to construct a lifestyle in Thailand reminiscent of their home countries without any Thais.

    Nevertheless , I would have chosen it over Pattaya if it shared the same distance from Bangkok but it was too far away.

    Also the wingman didn’t take to it at all and refused to countenance a longterm billet there.

    Also, too many mosquitoes and the sea is very murky and the beach stinks of horse shit.
    My parents retired there and love it. Yes, it's basically a farang retirement home but that's the point. They have an active social life playing bowls, pickleball whatever the fuck that is and a Sunday dinner group every week. They generally stay out of the main central town and inhabit beaches elsewhere while being close enough to have a variety of restaurants. Looks better than when my grandparents in Norwich used to sit and watch the front gate CCTV on the Tele.
    I'd like to see what morning looks like
    Don't wanna drink pint after pint
    I wanna wake up without feeling sick
    But I can't cuz I'm a drug-abusing alcoholic

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by malmomike77 View Post
    who goes to the beach a HH, you'd go north to Khao Takiap
    If you went north, you would be on Cha Am beach. Khao T. is south.

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by taxexile View Post
    . Khao T. is south.
    yep, sorry getting me ups and downs mixed up

  21. #21
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    I spent 10+ years in HH, and nearly died of boredom, but I could have been anywhere in this country and would have died of boredom.

    Now we spend 6 to 9 months in the UK and most of the rest here. HH is an excellent bolthole, the town is relatively small, its quiet, we are north of the palace and so away from the clutter of the town and the rapid development of both the Khao Takiep area and the condo, moobahn heavy hinterland. Food here is excellent and with the high speed railway nearing completion it will be only a couple of hours to BKK and the in laws. For a few months, especially Jan. to April, it is hard to beat.

    S.A.
    riddled with smug arseholes trying to construct a lifestyle in Thailand reminiscent of their home countries without any Thais.
    What was the name again of your favourite food shop in Pattaya that recently closed down thereby depriving you of home country food and causing you so much grief.

  22. #22
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    Not a shop. It was Yorkies brand of bacon sold in Big C xtra etc. made in Pattaya by Thai.

    I am well integrated and shall eat moo krapow tonight after my customary balcony drinks shortly to be consumed as I watch the setting sun paint its Titian sky over Wongamat Bay.

    Toodle pip.

    Slava Ukraini!

  23. #23
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by taxexile View Post
    we are north of the palace
    As was I 25 years ago. Cha Am was near 100% Thai back then. Had a small get away house just off beach road. Quite liked Cha Am but not everyones cup of tea.

  24. #24
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    who goes to the beach a HH, you'd go north to Khao Takiap
    Or south, to Prak Nam Pran. Never saw the appeal in HH, but I do like the Khao Kalok/ Pranburi River area.

  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by Norton View Post
    As was I 25 years ago. Cha Am was near 100% Thai back then. Had a small get away house just off beach road. Quite liked Cha Am but not everyones cup of tea.
    Cha Am has a terrific beach and a proper promenade, both sadly lacking in HH. They had plans to build a promenade, but the squatter owners of the overpriced seafood tourist traps on the piers objected and the plan was shelved. The beachfront area in the town resembles a bombsite. Its a disgrace. As sabang and others have said, there are also excellent beaches to the south.

    Not much of a beach person myself, but I do like a sea view and the sound of the waves.

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