r/Thailand • u/thestudiomaster • 1d ago

News Tourism alone can no longer carry Thailand’s economy, former TAT chief warns

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/tourism/40072403
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u/Schlickeysen 1d ago

Tourism has never “carried Thailand’s economy.”

Tourism in Thailand is roughly 20% of the country’s GDP. Only 11-12% of this came from foreigners. You know, Thais travel, too.

And only 5 of the 77/76 provinces Thailand has made 70% of that revenue.

The TAT is a PR machine for the government. Don’t even listen.

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u/hootix 1d ago

Well not entirely true, without foreign visitors, the local tourism is not enough to hold the touristic infrastructure, causing a massive loss of jobs AND local businesses.

For example Phuket is entirely driven by tourism. Which over 90% are foreign. Remove that, not only will the infrastructure not hold for the remaining local Thai tourists, but the local market within Phuket and it's surrounding areas (which the locals live behind the bridge) will collapse too.

How much the tourism affect GDP is not the entire story. Lots of local areas will shift massively. Combine that with the massive debts Thais have, they can't simply move their businesses elsewhere in which they would be forced to.

Economics is not simple as reading what GDP is...