Domestic / cross cultural issues - Thai / Foreigner concerns

The Value of a Tourist.

By Sean Moran, Created on: 18/01/2009, Last updated on: 15/12/2010

» What are some of the most common positive and negative results of foreign tourists from overseas visiting Thailand? Thai opinions welcome, kap.

• Jay commented : I see tourists complaining about being ripped off by taxi drivers and other Thais, and I guess I just don't understand this. I have traveled to Thailand dozens of times, usually for a month or more at a time, and only once has a taxi driver ever tried to take advantage of me. And, when he did, he backed off as soon as I called him on it. Rarely have any other Thai service workers tried to cheat me; once in a while in a karaoke club, or in Fortune Mall, but not often. I find that, compared to most other places to which I travel - like Hong Kong, the Philippines, or even most places in the U.S., Thailand is safer and more friendly, and I don't have to be as vigilant protecting myself. Tourists bring a lot more to Thailand, in my opinion, than just the money they spend. Yes, it's true that you have thousands of middle aged men, often with not a lot of money, coming to Thailand to visit the go-go clubs and beer bars. Except for providing work for thousands of girls from the provinces, they don't help the economy all that much. But most tourists are not in that category. Most tourists who come to Thailand discover a subtle and interesting new (for them) culture, and leave this country with a new understanding. That translates, more often than you think, into business activity later on. If you look at all the international businesses that have been established in Thailand (excluding the retail businesses), you will be surprised to find that probably half of them had their start with a business executive vacationing in Thailand, and having their eyes opened to the potential of this great country. Sure, not every tourist starts a factory later. But if one in a thousand does, that translates into many thousands of new manufacturing jobs in Thailand every year.

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