What might hold Thailand's tourism back

September 12, 2024 | 04:42 pm PT

Tourists play with water as they celebrate during the Songkran holiday which marks the Thai New Year in Bangkok in April, 2023. Photo by Reuters

As Thailand officials urged tourism operators to brace for global economic downturn and fiercer competition, readers shared their problems with the country that is usually vouched as a tourism paradise in Asia.

"I just came from Chiang Mai, Thailand. Everything is dead there, no customers, few tourists, lots of shops closed. Everybody complains about business being really bad and having no money. I've been going to Thailand for 30 years, never seen it that bad."
carlosacao

"Just look at their airport, the queue at immigration is horrifying. The smoking area at waiting area is also gone."
seahfreddy

"Not to mention the tax regulation changes. I plan to go live there as my wife is Thai but we might go elsewhere."
turbotojo

"Im not going back to Thailand in a hurry. My last two trips there cost a fortune. Expensive flights with Thai Airways with poor service, shockingly expensive hotel accommodations and yes, things are rather quiet. The whole trip cost an absolute fortune. They are catching up with western prices, to charge AUD$850.00 (US$570) for 4 nights in Holiday Inn is expensive for Thailand."
mchlsmth185

"Having traveled to Thailand 20 plus times over the last 13 years, the only thing that hurts is the exchange rate, otherwise business as usual."
joansey

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