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[nealinthailand]

Let me just start this off by saying that the current situation is not the fault of the average thai person and that for the most part, they are still pretty friendly and quasi helpful. That being said, It has become obvious through a series of government actions and statements made from top officials that backpackers are not the clientele that thailand is looking for when it comes to their tourism industry. it has been deemed that we do not spend enough money and dont contribute enough to the thai economy. Yes, i will admit that a family staying in an upscale hotel for a week holiday will spend more money then i do in that week but what the thai government fails to see (short sightedness is a fatal affliction suffered by many thais) is that these people only stay for a week or two and spend a couple of thousand dollars where in comparison, i stay for 8-9 months and spend $20,000. Apparantly my $20,000 is not important to them and they obviously dont want it so i am going to take it elsewhere. yes there are still loop holes i can jump through to get around the new visa regulations but i doubt i will start jumping. if these people want to treat me as a second class tourist then i will go to indonesia or nepal or india. i do not feel the need to be appreciated by these cultures and countries but i do expect to be shown a little common courtesy and respect and thailand no longer offers either of these to the backpacker. i know this post alone wont change peoples minds but my advice is not to travel to thailand. the government does not respect you, wont help you and in essence doesnt give a rats ass about you. its a lovely country and the people are very nice but sometimes you are forced to move on in life or to move to other locations just out of self respect. the tourism industry is expected to lose 40% due to the airport and political melt down and then the next day they make it HARDER for tourists to spend money in their country.....not the brightest bulbs on the tree are they? well as far as im concerned, im taking my $20,000 and adding it to the 40%....thailand can kiss my ass

[archpop]

Yeah. Don't come to Thailand. You will easily fall in love with Thai

[jackjohnson]

Yeah. Don't come to Thailand. You will easily fall in love with Thai

Latest update for Thailand.
It is safe now . They just got a new Pm a oxford graduate guy.
THings should be alright. Thailand is the best and cheapest and Branded place to travel too.
So dont miss this opportunity.
Cheers

[nealinthailand]

i never said that traveling in thailand was unsafe. the protests and demonstratoins have no effect on the farang other then the airort shut down. what I WAS SAYING is that the governement institutions are acting in a discrimatory manner towards backpackers. that being said, i would rather spend my money in a country that at least shows me common courtesy and doesnt treat me like a nuisance.

as for the new pm. he seems like a nice enough guy but how does studying at oxford prepare you to lead thailand? seems slightly ludicrous that an education at a western university will better prepare you to lead an east asian country. then again everything in the west is better and we are far superior in every way, especially education right? (for those of you who are dense....im beng sarcastic)