Thailand: The Preferred Destination for "Working-Class" Travelers (page 4 of 10)

we either have to put up with it or go under a Tuareg tent in the middle of the Sahara... Peace and quiet guaranteed

Not so sure!

A bit more than just Thailand, according to some...😎

Nooo, not the Crocs!!! But still, +1.

"The day pigs fly, you’ll be squadron leader"—and I see a bright future for you... I can see you ending your career with a cap with 4 or 5 stars...

Unless you’re just a TROLL!!!

My turn! One day in Bangkok, I saw in a shopping mall one of those Western tourists who could be straight out of our neighborhood—bald at fifty to hide his receding hairline, wearing a checkered shirt that looked like a kitchen towel, baggy shorts, dusty Crocs, and a big camera slung over his shoulder... The classic *beauf*, you know? Red-faced, with dark circles under his eyes and exhausted features, he looked like he’d just stepped off the plane, and despite the air conditioning, he was sweating buckets. He was walking alongside a Thai woman who was clearly much younger than him, quite pretty, well-dressed, and looking fresh. They exchanged a few words in some kind of Franglais mixed with Thai, then walked into a KFC. That’s when I glanced at a mirror in the room and realized that this *mimile* about to eat hormone-laden chicken with his girlfriend was... me.

Brilliant😄😄😄

My turn! One day in Bangkok, I saw in a shopping mall one of those typical Western tourists from back home—balding at fifty to hide his receding hairline, wearing a checkered shirt that looked like a kitchen towel, baggy shorts, dusty Crocs, and a big camera slung over his shoulder... The classic "beauf," as we say. Red-faced, with dark circles under his eyes and exhausted features, he looked like he’d just stepped off the plane, and despite the air conditioning, he was sweating buckets. He was walking alongside a Thai woman who was clearly much younger, quite pretty, well-dressed, and looking fresh. They exchanged a few words in some kind of Franglais mixed with Thai before heading into a KFC. That’s when I glanced at a mirror in the room and realized that this guy—about to eat hormone-laden chicken with his companion—was me.



Thanks for giving me a laugh.....

You’ll find "mimiles" like that everywhere—and sometimes, you *are* one for others.

Staying humble... a rare and valuable quality.

We really need to stop putting ourselves down—we’re on a completely different level compared to so many millions of tourists in Thailand. I’ve got a long list of people I can’t stand: Chinese tour groups, pretentious wealthy retirees who’ve taken over Koh Samui and driven up prices, guys from the 93 department acting rowdy with their knockoff brands, dreadlocked tattooed backpackers in "adventure mode" like they’re on *Koh-Lanta* (the French *Survivor*), the vulgarity of many Russians and new-money Eastern Europeans, and plenty of others.

I actually don’t mind French tour groups or young Chinese families traveling independently—they explore Thailand with such wonder.

Luckily, I know exactly where to go to avoid all that most of the time. There’s still space, and honestly, I’m surrounded by way more idiots back in France. Yeah, I’ve got to earn a living, and I feel bad for the Thais who have to work with these awful groups.

It’s true—I miss the 70s and 80s, when you had the backpackers on one side and the party crowd on the other, with just a few connections between them, and when Thais hadn’t yet figured out all the tricks of tourism.

Hello

It's even worse if it were just working-class travelers... Thailand is the favorite destination of both the rough crowd from the projects AND men greedy for sex.

I’d rather go to Malaysia a thousand times over. Cleaner country and more respectable.

I’d go to Malaysia a thousand times over. Cleaner country and more respectable.

Joke of the month?😎

Hello

It’s even worse if it were just the proles... Thailand is the favorite destination for both the scumbags from the projects AND men greedy for sex.

and

I’ve got plenty more under my belt that I can’t stand—like the groups of Chinese tourists, the pretentious rich retirees who’ve invaded Koh Samui and driven up prices, the guys from the 93 (Seine-Saint-Denis) showing off with their knockoff brands, the tattooed dreadlocked types in "adventure mode" like they’re on Koh-Lanta (TF1), the vulgarity of many Russians and the nouveau riche from Eastern Europe, and so many others.

Between the two of you, you’ve named 90% of the tourists in Thailand. LOL

Okay... I don’t quite get it...

You go to Thailand, which is in the top 10 global tourist destinations, and then you complain about some of the downsides... It’s a bit like wanting to spend two weeks in Saint-Tropez, heading to Pampelonne Beach, and hoping that the first tourist you see will be thirty meters away from your towel... A little utopian, don’t you think?

Back in the 80s or 90s, the only info we could get about a destination came from travel agents or friends who’d been there, or maybe from articles in the press. But here we are in the 21st century... GOOGLE is your friend... 😉 A quick search would’ve pointed you to all kinds of websites— and probably this forum too (though it’s not the only one). And then—MIRACLE—you’d have had an almost endless source of tips, personal experiences, and honest opinions, good or bad. Travel journals filled with amazing photos and videos. And if you still wanted more, you could’ve checked out YouTube, Dailymotion, or Vimeo to get a better idea of the country. As for your hotel, same thing—just take a look at TRIPADVISOR or other booking sites to read reviews from travelers who’ve stayed there. And for those who don’t speak English, there are online translators, complete with photos from other tourists. You can’t say that some of Thailand’s beach resorts haven’t been shown inside and out for their excesses and "folklore" on TF1 and M6. You must’ve seen at least one of the many reports on those channels!! So, you were warned... But despite all that, you still go... It’s almost like masochism at this point.

But if Thailand is a destination for "working-class" travelers, "posers," or "country bumpkins on a spree," why not choose other equally exotic and beautiful destinations? Like some of the Caribbean islands, the Seychelles, Zanzibar, Rodrigues, New Caledonia, or French Polynesia... and I’m sure I’m forgetting plenty. But WARNING—we’re not talking about the same budget here. In Thailand, you can get a package for around 1500 to 2500 € for 12-15 days, including flights, transfers, and a hotel with breakfast. For these other destinations, you’ll need to budget *a lot* more... Cut back on restaurants or movies, dip into your savings plan, seriously slim down your "squirrel fund," or sell a Bitcoin or two 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️... And then, *sure*, you’ll only meet the *best* tourists—the crème de la crème... the absolute *nec plus ultra* of travelers 😎😎😎😎... And if you still have complaints then, you’ve got a real problem and should probably see a doctor before your next trip . Or just head to the middle of nowhere in Lozère... peace and quiet, but say goodbye to the sea and the hustle and bustle...

Now, I can’t help but wonder—aren’t *you* a bit of a BEAUF too? Just a different kind from the ones you were ripping into earlier...

PS: For those complaining that some Thai 5-star hotels are only as good as European 3-stars:

There are no global standards in the hotel industry, so each country sets its own criteria for earning stars.

Alright, we can stash this message away and reuse it copy-paste style the next time the same question comes up. 😉

Besides, isn’t the question kind of missing the point of what we’re really after—having a great vacation and making good memories? All the later analysis of different considerations and the sometimes heated discussions they spark don’t really add much to that, in the end.

Well... I don’t quite get it...

You’re heading to Thailand, which is in the top 10 global tourist destinations, and you’re complaining about certain inconveniences... It’s a bit like wanting to spend two weeks in Saint-Tropez, going for a swim at Pampelonne Beach, and hoping the first tourist will only be thirty meters away from your towel... 😇 A little utopian, don’t you think?

Back in the 80s-90s, the only info we could get about a destination came from travel agents or friends who’d been there, or through press articles. But here we are in the 21st century... GOOGLE is your friend... 😉 A quick search would’ve redirected you to all sorts of sites—😏 and probably to this forum (which isn’t the only one, by the way). And then, MIRACLE... you’d have had an almost endless source of info, experiences, and good or bad impressions. Travel journals with amazing photos or videos. And if you still wanted to see more about your destination, you had YouTube, Dailymotion, or Vimeo to help you get a better idea of the country. As for your hotel, same thing... a quick look at TRIP ADVISOR or other booking sites to read reviews from travelers who’d stayed there. And for those who don’t speak English, there are online translators, complete with photos from those same tourists. You can’t say that certain Thai beach resorts haven’t been shown inside and out for their excesses and "folklore" on TF1 and M6. You must’ve seen at least one of the many reports that aired on those channels!! So, you were warned... But despite that, you still go... It’d almost be "masochistic" if it didn’t surprise me.

But if Thailand is a destination for "budget travelers," "middle-class tourists," or "country bumpkins on a spree," why not choose other equally exotic and beautiful destinations? Like some Caribbean islands, the Seychelles, Zanzibar, Rodrigues, New Caledonia, or French Polynesia... and I’m sure I’m forgetting plenty. But WARNING, we’re no longer in the same budget range—Thailand in economy mode averages 1500 to 2500 € for 12-15 days, including flights, transfers, and a hotel with breakfast. Nope, you’ll have to budget more... a lot more... cut back on restaurants or movies, dip into your savings plan, put your "squirrel fund" on a serious diet, or sell one or two bitcoins 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️... And then, for sure, you’ll only meet top-tier tourists... the crème de la crème... the "nec plus ultra" of tourists 😎😎😎😎... And if you still have complaints then, you’ve really got a problem and should see a doctor before traveling again 🤪. Or go to the middle of nowhere in Lozère... quiet, but say goodbye to the sea and the sun...

And now, I’m starting to wonder if you’re not a bit of a "BEAUF" yourself? Sure, different from the ones you DESTROYED earlier... 🤪🤪🤪🤪

PS: For those who complained that some Thai 5-star hotels are only worth a European 3-star:

There are no global standards in hospitality, so each country sets its own criteria for star ratings.

Small correction, my friend—I’m not going on vacation to Thailand; I’ve lived here for over 20 years, which is why I can observe the change in tourists 😏. Google isn’t my friend, and TripAdvisor is the ultimate site for manipulating "middle-class tourists," so I skip it when I travel. And as you explained, Thailand’s appeal for those tourists is mostly about cost. But in French Polynesia or the Caribbean, the "Tuches" (as Fabric would say) aren’t in short supply either 😏. A Thai 5-star hotel for 100 € a night? You’d really have to be a "middle-class tourist" to believe that 😏😏.

If you live in Thailand, you should know you can live in a parallel world to tourism—very close but without ever encountering a tourist. For sites like TripAdvisor, Booking, etc., either you use them at face value and you're part of the basic tourist flow, or you use them intelligently with cross-checking, and they become a powerful tool. Five-star hotels do exist—you can check the rates at the Oriental, for example—but for less than 100 €, even around 80 € these days, you get a certain level of comfort, gadgets like a sauna, an infinity pool on a high floor, room service, and plenty of staff at your disposal for the price of an Ibis or Campanile. It’s always a headache to find a well-located hotel in Paris that fits a middle-class budget with decent amenities in every area.

Having worked in tourism or related fields for 40 years, I still find it fun and such a massive business these days—so much money circulating and evolving faster and faster. Models that were valid five years ago are no longer relevant.

When you really compare it to nearby countries with similar cultural offerings like India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, and now Myanmar, you understand Thailand’s appeal—and its flaws too.

I’ll respond point by point to your message:

- So if you’ve been living in Thailand for 20 years, I believe you when you say it’s changed and evolved... Normal, hasn’t Europe changed too? However, what I don’t understand about you is this persistence in staying in a nest full of BOZOS!!! I assume you’ve traveled the country far and wide, and despite that, you stay put... a bit like a limpet clinging to its rock. So, I can only conclude that if you’ve been here for 20 years and don’t want to change locations, you’re either a wealthy retiree or you’ve built your own business that allows you—and still allows you—to live comfortably in this country. And if that’s the case, the KARENS, BOZOS, etc., must have given—and continue to give—you their "dough," so to speak... So a little respect on your part for those people wouldn’t hurt.

- GOOGLE or other search engines aren’t your friends... surprising for a traveler like you, who’s been living here for 20 years . You’ll have to explain how you prepared for your trip to Polynesia, as you claim... TripAdvisor may manipulate travelers or not, but through posted photos, you can get an idea of the location and, above all, compare them with the hotel’s official photos. By the way, they’ve been fined for that.

- One example among many... Do you know Mustique Island in the Caribbean?? I assume you do, since you seem to be a HIGH-END traveler... you can’t seriously claim you find crowds of "low-cost" tourists there like in Siam. The same goes for Polynesia...

Stop trolling... And all things considered, if Siam no longer suits you... go back to Belgium to enjoy its climate, its turquoise-water beaches, its mussels-and-fries cones, and the sweet life in this wonderful Europe... 😉😉😉😉😉

Hey, Who’s talking about low-cost or high-end tourists here? We’re talking about the *mimiles*—it’s not the same thing at all. Trump, a billionaire, is a perfect example of a real *mimile* . Google isn’t my friend—it’s just a tool. My real friends have two arms and two legs . There was a time when I’d get excited when tourist season rolled around. I’d meet so many interesting people. Now, I barely meet anyone I actually want to connect with.

Hey Who’s talking about low-cost or high-end tourists? Here, we’re talking about the "mimiles"—it’s not the same thing at all. Trump, a billionaire, is a perfect example of a real "mimile" Google isn’t my friend; it’s a computer tool. My friends have two arms and two legs There was a time when I was happy when tourist season arrived—I’d meet lots of interesting people. Now, I barely meet anyone I feel like sharing anything with.

Two arms and two legs—that’s very Thai. I’d add a head to that.

Hardly anyone left I feel like sharing with anymore: same here, I’ve turned into a grumpy old man

The Oriental isn’t really part of what I’d call new establishments suited to the new wave of digital nomads! Plus, I don’t see any rooms for under 500 €.

Not really anyone left I feel like sharing with: same here, I’ve turned into a grumpy old man

I thought that too for a while 😏, but I still travel, and the Philippines, Myanmar, Indonesia (except Bali), India, and some other destinations still bring me great encounters 😏

Two arms, two legs—that’s great for Thai massages. I’d add a head to that

😄😄

We're talking 5-star, I'm thinking the Oriental. Otherwise, what do you think of the Lebua as a hotel?

For a few years now, it's become obvious that tourists in Thailand are increasingly "mimile"—I see it every day. The problem is that Thais know how to adapt and are offering more and more things that appeal to this kind of clientele. That’s why we’re seeing more and more pizzerias and burger joints... The hotel industry is also happily slapping 5-star ratings on places that barely deserve 3 by European standards, and this "prolo" crowd is over the moon, believing it! In short, travelers looking to discover other civilizations and cultures are likely to be nothing but disappointed.

Hi,

We often go to Chiang Khan, Loei—mostly for administrative reasons.

So, a small town that once wavered between becoming the Pattaya of the Mekong River (fun for Thais and gambling just a paddle away).

A different positioning was decided. It’ll be vintage: plywood 7/11s, Isaan scarves, for the hipster high-society crowd from Bangkok, and bicycles.

It’s a huge hit.

When we arrive in our smoky clothes from our *amphor*, we’re the Thai *mimiles*.

I like it. I sneak winks at the well-to-do girls in real Ray-Bans, here to snap a few selfies in the far northeast.