Popular Thai Beaches Pricier Than European Resorts

[buksida]

It’s easy to blame the baht as the butt of the problem for a decline in European arrivals to Thailand. The issues are wider and deeper than just currency appreciation.

The cost of a holiday in popular beach resorts in Thailand is now on par with or higher than those in Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and Egypt, which are closer to home for Europeans.

The cost of a five-star resort in Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Samed has reached around $500 per room per night including American breakfast. This is similar to the cost of a five-star beach resort in Greece, Italy and Spain, and dearer than a comparable property in Turkey or Egypt, which costs $350 a night, according to Diethelm Travel Group.

It is even pricier than a mountain resort in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, which is $450 a room in the summer July/August high season for Europeans.

Diethelm, one of Thailand’s oldest and largest inbound specialists, does regular price benchmarking and shares the latest figures with Skift.

Prices for four-star Thai beach hotels also show a similar pattern: They cost around $350, as do counterparts in Greece/Italy/Spain, and are higher than the $200 in Turkey/Egypt and $300 in Germany/Austria/Switzerland.

A Thai holiday pricing has increased by about 30 percent in U.S. dollar terms and 40 percent euros over the last five years due to the appreciation of the baht and inflation, Diethelm’s Group CEO Stephan Roemer pointed out.

“This is definitely too much,” said Roemer, who also owns Switzerland’s tour operating company Tourasia, which specializes in Asia holidays.

“Hotels at the well-known resort areas in Thailand are more expensive than comparable resorts in Europe. I fear a negative impact in the medium to longer term [six to 18 months) particularly for the leisure market to Thailand,” he said.

The baht has kept on strengthening since January, due to the country’s current account surplus with $1 fetching only 30 baht now compared to 36 baht before, and the industry fearing it’ll get worse.

Source: https://skift.com/2019/11/13/popular-th ... gher-baht/


Its not just beaches, prices have surged everywhere in Thailand.

[benmo]

But the weather in thai winter must be a big plus compared to Europe

[Big Boy]

I agree, even imported goods are rapidly increasing in price, which should be the reverse with the strong ฿.

I've often wondered who actually stays in these top end hotels. I can understand people coming on a one-off holiday of a lifetime, but I guess those people are declining rapidly, and there will always be people with more money than sense, but surely the clientele of these places must be in sharp decline. Or are the Chinese and Indians paying top $ for accomodation? You don't see them spending money on anything else, so maybe.

[stretch]

Its not just the hotel prices at the high end.Even the mediocre hotels and bars in hua hin and the rest of thailand are over priced 80 baht for a small beer.

[PeteC]

I think by their nature it's quite clear that if you are not Thai they will get as much from you as they can. Nothing new, it's been that way here forever.

Long ago it wasn't a big deal as the starting point was very low. Now however it is becoming OTT very rapidly, with a good chance their greed is going to come back and bite them.

All will be revealed eventually, most likely by a huge drop in tourist numbers followed by huge discounts on everything. Reactive instead of proactive as usual.

[europtimiste]

Its not just the hotel prices at the high end.Even the mediocre hotels and bars in hua hin and the rest of thailand are over priced 80 baht for a small beer.

In Europe in a bar you pay a small beer more than 150 Baht. Here in a farang restaurant you will pay a small beer 90 or 100 Baht. Be smart go to Thai restaurant it will be about 50 or 60 Baht.

[stretch]

Todays exchange rates a small beer which would be say half a pint in the uk averages at50 baht unless your at the savoy in london.

[europtimiste]

Todays exchange rates a small beer which would be say half a pint in the uk averages at50 baht unless your at the savoy in london.

I am happy for you, fly immediately back to UK.

[STEVE G]

I've just looked on a travel website and a room in a major Hua Hin five star resort hotel for next week can be had for less than eighty pounds which is comparable with what you could pay for two people in a B & B in the UK.

[stretch]

Always one muppet with a smart arse answer.

[stretch]

Always one muppet with a smart arse answer.
Im staying.]

[europtimiste]

Always one muppet with a smart arse answer.
Im staying.]

Cheap beer at Ban Khun Por only 40 Baht, no need to fly back to UK.

[laphanphon]

I've just looked on a travel website and a room in a major Hua Hin five star resort hotel for next week can be had for less than eighty pounds which is comparable with what you could pay for two people in a B & B in the UK.

Is that one of them self rated 5* hotels that wouldn't get 3* in the real world.

Just peeked at Booking.com, 23 listed, cheapest $89 USD, and not close to a 5*. Having 1 restaurant, open 7am to 10pm.

Next (by least price) one starts at $117 (Dusit , though isolated, nearer to Cha Am)
and 3rd listing, doesn't even have a restaurant....5*...don't think so

4th listing....1 restaurant....again, not 5*

Stopped looking there, 3 out of 4, one passing for 5*

Another down the list, was a villa, no restaurant.... In Thailand, you get what you're paying for....sometimes.

Not complaining, just an observation, as I did like the inexpensive beach holidays, though Thai waters leave something to be desired. Most good for looking at, from a distance, not swimming in.

[STEVE G]

I've just looked on a travel website and a room in a major Hua Hin five star resort hotel for next week can be had for less than eighty pounds which is comparable with what you could pay for two people in a B & B in the UK.

Is that one of them self rated 5* hotels that wouldn't get 3* in the real world.

I was quoted from 76 pounds to 140 for a night in a resort hotel, that was the major names, Hilton, Marriott, etc. The B & B in my Mother's village in Notts charges up to 40 a night, per person and is basically a large 1970's house with zero resort facilities and is run by miseries who glare at you every time you go to the pub. I wouldn't advise it for anyone trying to enjoy themselves!