the troubadour

According to Thai government figures foreign tourist numbers are down by 6.6%. Still 24.7 million are coming to The Land of Smiles are fairly big number.

Earnings are 1.3 trillion baht a fall of 5.8%. I expect the political disturbances impacted on numbers last year. Wonder if the country is becoming just a little jaded as well?

nonthaburi

Crackdowns on visa rules might play a part as well. If a person entering Thailand is counted as a tourist, many people doing border runs count towards the total. Make this harder to do and the numbers drop. Add the ruble going down the pan, bad economic climate in Europe etc.

Doesn't seem to bother the Chinese though. They were everywhere when I visited last summer.

jb46

Numbers mean nothing,Thailand built by the west,destroyed by the east

nonthaburi

do you want to explain that, it's a bit cryptic for me. Or I'm just stupid!

jb46

The post of yours no 2 says all. Thailand tourist industry was built by western countries,now Asian prevails. Bus loads of them ,bumper to bumper Chinese,Koreans. Cameras come out snapping anyone western looking drinking at bars.

Never spending ,just following guide around with a flag on a stick. For the western falang Thailand is finished,other places are better,and as for retirement visa falang ,they are leaving in droves