I'm noticing fewer and fewer new posts these days on the Thailand branch. This branch used to be the most visited one not too long ago. I checked the 'Branches' post numbers and Thailand ranks far below Africa, South America, India and NE Asia. SEA Islands and Mainland branches have fewer posts but not by many. I wonder how much the political unrest, negative publicity from other travellers, situation in the south, tsunami and quake fears and the ever increasing prices for global transportation have affected peoples decision to visit or retire in the Kingdom? Or is the decline a sign that falangs may have had enough of dual pricing, being ripped off, etc and are now seeking out other destinations in the region and the world? Seems like there are more construction sites and fewer tourists. I wonder if Philippines numbers are up?
You are definitely right about fewer posts. This is the least I've seen in over 10 years - even the SARS scare and post-tsunami period saw way more people posting.
I reckon all the factors you attribute are playing a part, minus the tsunami - post levels recovered from that tragedy long ago. But the recent political unrest is probably the major factor - those other things have been contributing for some time.
And yeah, as a browser/poster the the SE Asian Islands and Peninsula branch I gotta say there are a lot more questions on the Philippines and Indo. For some reason Malaysia doesn't seem to have increased greatly.
Thailand is now such a "discovered" destination that there is very little mystery about it. Most of what people need to know can easily be found on a zillion easy-to-find websites (Travelfish etc.), not to mention the search function on TT with its huge back-catalogue of answers to almost every possible question. Perhaps it is because so many questions have been asked on this branch in the past, that so few questions need to be asked now.
For a look at how it might continue to evolve, take a look at the New Zealand branch .... there are only a tiny handful of questions posted each day (and some days none at all), despite it being a very popular tourist destination. NZ is one of those places that is so easy to travel in, with so much information available in books and on the internet, that people don't need to come to forums like this to ask their questions anymore.
Philippines, Indonesia (and Africa etc. as BL mentions) are off-the-beaten-track destinations compared to Thailand, with less in the way of information available about them hence why questions still need to be asked for those places.
Thailand ranks far below Africa, South America, India and NE Asia
You also have to bear in mind that these branches cover areas that are HUGE compared to Thailand, so I would expect that more questions will be asked about them!
Its not Thailand that's declined in popularity, its just this branch of the TT! Thailand still welcomes millions of visitors every year and despite negative publicity etc is still a hugely popular destination. This branch used to be fun: lots of old Asia hands had fun 'trolled'each other and were generally irreverent. The puritans who sit in a Lonely Planet office censoring any post that went beyond asking for the dates of the next full moon party, have ruined this branch.
As for rip offs, dual pricing etc hmmm... i can see what you mean, so unlike India, Africa or south America where the citizenry wouldn't dream of over pricing a tourist!!!!
"No one likes us, we still dont care!"
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"NZ is one of those places that is so easy to travel in, with so much information available in books and on the internet, that people don't need to come to forums like this to ask their questions anymore."
plus the fact that it's English speaking and for travellers who have never been there, they can sort it out upon arrival. they don't have to worry about not knowing how to use public transport, find a hotel etc etc as in more 'foreign' destinations.
"As for rip offs, dual pricing etc hmmm... i can see what you mean, so unlike India, Africa or south America where the citizenry wouldn't dream of over pricing a tourist!!!!"
I hear you there but while travelling in those other countries I have never been charged 10 times the fee of a local like in 20 baht for locals and 200 baht for foreigner even if he or she is married to a local, speaks Thai and has lived in the Kingdom for ten years. It surely happens elsewhere but it seems Thailand is the champion of them all. It's a frequent bitch and there isn't much you can do about the situation except boycott the places that do charge extortion prices, like the national park system for one.
I hang around the South Pacific Islands branch alot and it also has become very quiet... It used to be alot of fun, but so many of the familiar posters got bored and just dropped off.
Another "Used to be fun" branch is "Get Stuffed"... It used to be so much campy fun... Bantering, trolls, silly crossposts, interesting characters...Deadsville now.
I think the declining number of posters on here are for all of the reasons listed above... As well as the fact that the latest edition of TT has turned alot of folks off.
G'day Beerlao! its been a long time since I trod these boards!
I live in LoS now and rarely have any trouble getting local prices with my Thai driving licence and work permit.
The point about the old flamers was that many either lived here or came here regularly and amongst all the ribaldry peoples questions and problems got sorted out. Now there's hardly anyone answering queries.
Censorship never works. I notice that Jo Cummmmings name is still censored! You can't discuss the work of the author of LP Thailand!
How sad. Thailand is one of my favourite places in the world. I'm only back home since March, but I would let the political climate stop me from returning.
Of course if I had small children, I would probably not go at this time. It's been a favourite family holiday spot for the Aussies since the Bali bombings, after which tourism dwindled. People are gradually returning to Bali, so they will to Thailand too.
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