Good for Thai Economy - Bad for most of US??

[firecat69]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-09/thailand-to-scrap-luxury-goods-tax-to-lure-travelers-from-china.html

 

 

The Chinese are dominating in some travel markets and most likely this will attract many more of them to Thailand and especially Bangkok.

 

Although good for the economy, I fear it will be bad for many of us who visit a few few times a year.

 

I can see better Hotels being able to raise their rates as occupancy increases.

 

Any thoughts?

[vinapu]

Probably you are right with effect on economy and hotel prices although Bangkok is well endowed with hotels so effect on rates may be minimal.

 

Certainly I do not see how it effects me personally as for me BBB Inn, Take a Nap and the likes is what I call better hotels. 

 

Not   sure ' most ' in  "bad for most of us" in you tittle applies as I don't know hotel spending habits of posters but quite a few mentioned that their preference is spending money on entertainment and boys rather than lodging we really do not spent much time

in.

 

Not that I consider spending money on luxurious accommodation on vacation waste as some may consider a little bit of indulgence on holidays well earned and deserved treat for themselves and their companions and for others it may be their preferred lifestyle.

 

Lowering tax on luxury items will certainly help as I'm under impression those goods are already priced competitively compare to Europe and North America. I may be wrong on this one though as I travel light and do not shop that much.

[Rogie]

Like Vinapu I don't shop much, but I would be wary buying anything that comes under the heading luxury goods because in some instances I don't think I could be sure it was an original made where the label said it was and the same product that would be available at a reputable store in New York, London or Paris. Whereas, to take one example, it would be difficult to fake a vintage French Bordeaux from a classified estate, a common question posted on boards such as this over the years is can the would-be buyer know the latest Apple product, or whatever, on sale in Thailand is genuine and not a fake?

 

On the subject of visitors to the Kingdom, it's interesting to note that Russians, who have been arriving in increasing numbers the past few years, and not always too fondly regarded, numbered approx 1.3m whereas to quote Bloomberg "the number of visitors from China surged by 62 percent to 2.8m". So many more Chinese visitors than Russians and a phenomenal rate of increase yesr on year. Make of that what you will.

[firecat69]

The truth is there are counterfeit goods all over the world. Yes you might get them on 5th ave in NYC.  

 

But if you buy from reputable stores in places such as Siam Paragon , you are probably just as safe. Fact is with the ridiculous taxes being added to these goods, many buyers would go elsewhere.

 

Now they can buy in Bangkok and since Bangkok offers way more value in regards to Hotel prices , transportation etc, I would guess there will be even more Chinese visiting?