15 million tourists and counting… But expats say: “It doesn’t feel like a boom on the ground.” PATTAYA, Thailand – Thailand has welcomed over 15 million foreign tourists between January 1 and June 8, 2025, according to new data released on Tuesday by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. But while officials highlight the figures as a sign of sustained recovery, many long-time residents and business owners paint a very different picture of tourism on the ground. The Official Numbers Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong announced that Thailand recorded 15,016,878 international arrivals, generating an estimated 699.3 billion baht in tourism revenue during the first five months of the year — a slight 2.87% decrease compared to the same period last year. The top five source countries for inbound tourists are: Malaysia – 2,041,002 China – 2,029,481 India – 1,035,864 Russia – 981,011 South Korea – 702,267 In the most recent weekly report (June 2–8), arrivals averaged 80,826 tourists per day, with Malaysia again leading the chart at 114,018 visitors for the week, followed by China and India. Officials expect a further uptick in June due to factors like the easing of visa rules, upcoming promotional campaigns under the Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025, and improved flight connectivity. Thailand welcomes over 15 million tourists in first five months of 2025, generating nearly 700 billion baht in revenue despite a slight 2.87% dip from last year — Minister Sorawong reports. But What Are People Saying? Despite the glowing government reports, skepticism is growing online. Comments from expats, digital nomads, and local business operators on social media reflect widespread doubt — and frustration. “This is what you call a BS report. Fake news,” one commenter wrote on Facebook. “I was there Jan, Feb, April, and May — tourism was down,” added another. “Understand high/low season… I’ve worked in Thailand for 30 years. Tourism is in bad shape.” Several pointed to anecdotal evidence like quiet beaches, struggling guesthouses, and shuttered nightlife venues in areas once booming with foot traffic. “Thailand has gotten expensive. I think I’ll go to Cambodia next time,” one foreigner posted, echoing concerns over rising prices, dual pricing, and the strong baht making Thailand less attractive to budget-conscious travelers. Another user suggested, “Bali is the best… Thailand isn’t what it used to be.” While some still express affection for the country — “I love Thailand,” one said — others questioned the credibility of the data. Malaysia, China, India lead the tourist surge, yet local businesses claim spending isn’t keeping up. A Case of Two Realities There appears to be a growing gap between macro-level statistics and micro-level sentiment. While the government highlights total arrivals and overall revenue, expats and small business owners focus more on spending per head, length of stay, and visible changes in traveler behavior. Some analysts suggest that short-haul arrivals from neighboring countries — particularly Malaysia — may be inflating the headline numbers without significantly boosting local economies. These travelers often come for brief stays, sometimes just day trips, with limited spending on accommodation or high-value services. Meanwhile, traditional long-haul markets like Europe or North America — which historically contribute more in terms of spending per tourist — remain relatively subdued. This divide raises a key question for Thailand’s tourism strategy: should the focus remain on quantity, or shift toward quality and sustainability? Tourism is back? Not everyone agrees — many long-timers call the numbers “misleading.” Big numbers, small impact? Thailand’s tourism tally hits 15M, but some say the real economy tells a different story.

Pattaya Warned: Sudden storms possible despite calm breezes, national rain alert issued. (Photo – Pattaya Beach in June) PATTAYA, Thailand – Visitors enjoying the cool sea breeze on Pattaya’s beaches are being warned not to be lulled into a false sense of security, as dark clouds continue to hover above the Eastern Seaboard. Sudden, intense rainstorms may strike at any moment — even when the skies appear deceptively calm. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a nationwide alert, warning of very heavy rainfall in parts of the North, Northeast, East, and western South of Thailand, urging residents and tourists to beware of flash floods and forest runoff, especially in foothill areas and lowlands. This includes Pattaya and surrounding areas in Chonburi province, where conditions remain unstable. According to the 24-hour forecast, eastern provinces such as Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat could see severe weather, with wind gusts and waves reaching 2–3 meters — and even higher during thunderstorms. Local authorities are also urging small boats in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea to stay ashore until at least June 13, as wave heights could exceed 3 meters in stormy areas. Meanwhile, a tropical depression in the upper South China Sea is expected to intensify into a tropical storm. While it will not directly impact Thailand, it is contributing to the current unstable conditions. Farmers across affected regions have been advised to take precautions to protect crops from flood-related damage. Even if the beach breeze feels pleasant, don’t leave your umbrella behind. Pattaya’s weather remains unpredictable — and a surprise downpour may be just minutes away.

“Make Pattaya Great Again?” — But who’s supposed to do the heavy lifting: tourists, expats, or struggling local businesses? PATTAYA, Thailand – “Make Pattaya Great Again” sounds like a noble call, but it begs the question: who exactly is responsible for that mission? Should it be the foreign tourists coming back in droves, the long-term expats still clinging to their Beach Road nostalgia, or the local business owners trying to adapt to a tourism economy under stress? “Because as it stands, many argue Pattaya is doing a fine job pulling itself down — ‘No need help,’ one commenter quips.” The price of a beer is no longer a joke. From 60-baht beachside beers on Koh Samet to 80-baht soda water in Pattaya’s music bars, inflation is real, and so is the pain of a tourist dollar not stretching as far as it used to. As one tourist put it, “In 2013, short time was 500 baht. Now it’s 1500. That’s 40 euros.” And the exchange rate rubs salt in the wound. The British pound once fetched 85 baht — now it’s hovering under 44. The Australian dollar? It’s lucky to hit 21 baht, compared to 19 in the late ’80s. Tourists grumble: “Stay away then, Cheap Charlie.” Others shrug and say, “Pattaya can be expensive, but it can still be cheap — if you know where to look.” Like Chang beer at 39 baht. But let’s be honest — those bargains are buried beneath layers of inflation, higher alcohol taxes, and services now more focused on grabbing money than offering value. At the heart of the matter is not just money, but attitude. Some say Thai hospitality has become a “filthy hustle,” where “hungry for money” Thai vendors and service workers have lost the charm that once drew tourists in droves. Others draw comparisons to other destinations. “Go to the Philippines,” one commenter says. “They understand you. They know what hard-earned money means. Thai gals just plunder.” Some say it’s time to stop trying to make Pattaya ‘great’ — at least in the nostalgic sense. “Let them learn the hard way,” one expat laments. “Stop trying to justify anything here. Without a weak baht, there’s no reason to choose Thailand at all.” There’s a strong undercurrent of cynicism: Pattaya is too far gone, its golden era buried under currency fluctuations, diluted services, overpriced nightlife, and a loss of authenticity. But others remember differently. “The baht was stronger in the past, and people didn’t complain this much,” says a seasoned Bangkok veteran. Perhaps it’s not just Pattaya that changed — it’s the travelers, the expectations, and the world economy. Beer’s still cheap, but the vibe isn’t. Rising prices and falling patience leave long-timers wondering if the golden days are gone for good. So Who Should Do It? If “Make Pattaya Great Again” is to be more than a meme, who’s supposed to do the heavy lifting? Foreign tourists? Many are being priced out by expensive airfares and a tough exchange rate. Expats? A lot are disillusioned and disengaged — or just tired of being called “Cheap Charlies.” Local businesses? Some are trying — but many are just trying to survive. So maybe no one can make Pattaya great again — not the way it used to be. Maybe it’s about making it work now, in a different time, with different tools and expectations. Until then, you can still find a 39-baht Chang and a few sunsets that don’t cost a thing — but you’ll have to look a little harder than before.

Visa Las Vegas: Cops bust illegal workers in Chon BuriLegacyA massive crackdown on illegal foreign workers has rocked Thailand’s party province of Chon Buri, with multiple raids, social media tip-offs, and a string of arrests hitting everything from restaurants to racy nightlife venues. A joint task force yesterday, June 11, stormed businesses in the Bang Lamung district, rounding up eight undocumented workers at a company in the Huay Yai subdistrict. Among the arrested were seven Myanmar nationals, five men and two women, along with a Cambodian woman, all accused of working without permits. Officials confirmed they were slapped with charges under Section 8 of the Alien Employment Act, with stiff penalties under Section 101. The company’s director also got nicked for hiring the workers illegally, a separate offence under Section 9, with penalties under Section 102. All suspects were carted off to Huay Yai Police Station for prosecution. And that was just the beginning. Pictures courtesy of Pattaya News In a second sweep, the same day, immigration officials hit three Chinese restaurants on Pattaya Second Road, after concerned TikTok users flagged dodgy dealings. Pattaya News reported that officers detained eight Myanmar nationals, two men and six women, for breaching labour laws. Five were charged with working without permits, while three others got hit with additional charges for failing to report their employment details to officials within the required 15-day window. The group was hauled to Pattaya City Police Station, and complaints have been filed against their employers too, who are also now facing legal heat. The operation is part of Thailand’s ongoing push to clean up illegal labour practices in key tourist and economic zones. And it follows a similar sting earlier this year when, in the early hours of March 28, cops swooped in on The Wild 69 nightclub in Central Pattaya. Acting on a tip-off, police stormed the Bang Lamung hotspot around 1am, uncovering six foreign women from Laos and Cambodia working as waitresses, all without legal documentation. None of them could produce permits, and they were arrested on the spot. Thai police say the raids will continue, with rogue employers and undocumented workers firmly in their sights. The story Visa Las Vegas: Cops bust illegal workers in Chon Buri as seen on Thaiger News.

Welshman on life support after vanishing on Thai booze-upLegacyA Welshman is on life support, clinging to life in a Pattaya hospital, after undergoing emergency brain surgery following a night out in Thailand. Ashton Jones disappeared without a trace while partying with pals in a Bangkok nightclub, only to be discovered hours later in a hospital bed 55 miles away from the Thai capital, hooked up to machines and fighting for his life. His devastated family now fear the worst and suspect the Welshman, who suffers from epilepsy, may have been attacked during the night out that turned into a nightmare. The 29 year old jetted off to the Thai capital “on a whim” with a mate, joining another friend for a week of sun-soaked antics. But the trip took a tragic turn when he failed to return from a club, sparking a desperate hunt by friends. They were left horrified when he was eventually found in Chon Buri Hospital, unconscious and undergoing emergency brain surgery. Picture of Ashton Jones courtesy of Wales News Service His 26 year old cousin, Sophie, said she’s heartbroken. “We’re shocked and going out of our minds because we don’t know what’s going on. No one speaks English there and they’re still struggling to get an English translator.” The family say Ashton, who lives with his nan in South Wales, didn’t take out travel insurance before flying out, and they’re now scrambling to raise £50,000 (2.2 million baht) to cover spiralling medical costs and fly him home. His grandmother, Beverly Walker, said she is deeply concerned. “Without immediate financial or diplomatic assistance, my grandson may not survive. The emotional toll on our family is immense. We are heartbroken and fearful, watching from afar while Ashton suffers without the care he urgently requires.” Doctors attempted to bring Ashton round on Monday, Walker said. “It was a success but he still has a long way to go. He’s bed-bound, suffering with fits, cannot talk, eat or drink and isn’t aware. We all as a family are worried sick with fear for Ashton and how we can bring him home.” Picture of Ashton Jones courtesy of Wales News Service The family say they’ve already spent their life savings to get relatives out to Thailand and to pay initial hospital fees but it’s not enough, added Walker. “The hospital in Thailand is asking for the cost of his treatment ongoing, it’s far beyond what our family can afford.” In the meantime, Ashton’s condition continues to deteriorate, and it feels as though we are being left helpless as time runs out.” A GoFundMe page has so far raised just over £3,500 (155,000 baht), a fraction of what’s needed to fly the Welshman home. A Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed, “We are supporting a British man who has been hospitalised in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities.” The story Welshman on life support after vanishing on Thai booze-up as seen on Thaiger News.

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