Thailand has had enough of foreign tourists behaving badly
At a zoo a short drive south of Bangkok, Charoon Youngprapakorn has spent a lifetime taking the pulse of Thailand’s tourism industry from an unlikely vantage point: the open jaws of crocodiles. Handlers at his Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm & Zoo have long thrilled onlookers by coaxing tips from the audience and carefully placing the money into the mouths of animals capable of taking off an entire…
Thailand is growing increasingly frustrated with the behavior of foreign tourists. Once a popular destination, the country's tourism industry has seen a decline in visitors due to various factors. While the number of international tourists visiting Thailand has dropped from 40 million in 2019 to 32.9 million in the previous year, the reasons behind this decline go beyond just numbers.
While the tourism industry remains a significant contributor to Thailand's economy, recent years have seen tourists behaving poorly in the country. From public sex acts to assaults on locals and vandalism of landmarks, the list of misbehaviors is long and growing. These incidents have been widely shared on social media, causing a shift in public opinion towards foreigners.
Thailand's robust economy and strong baht have traditionally drawn many budget-conscious tourists from countries like Vietnam and Malaysia. However, geopolitical tensions, including ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, have led to rising airfares, making Southeast Asia less appealing. Additionally, the strong Thai baht has made Thailand relatively more expensive for foreign visitors.
Recently, Thailand has taken steps to address the issue. The country has ended its 60-day visa-free policy for tourists, and Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has stated that the issue of misbehaving foreigners has "gone too far." Thailand now aims to attract a more selective group of wealthy tourists for longer stays. A proposal to charge a flat fee of 450 baht (approximately US$13.50) from all foreign visitors is also being considered to fund tourism infrastructure.
However, the country's soul-searching over the type of tourists it wishes to welcome comes at a time when hotel bookings have not been encouraging, and travelers seem to be waiting for the best deals during the crucial high season.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
