Thailand rolls out patrols, crackdowns, and promises of fairness—but jaded long-stayers say deeper issues remain and real change is hard to believe. PATTAYA, Thailand – As Thailand rolls out sweeping new safety and service measures to reassure visitors, not everyone is convinced it’s enough—or even sincere. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports announced this week a multi-pronged campaign to restore tourist confidence across the country. Safety reinforcements include 24/7 patrols at tourist hotspots, improved airport support, the 1155 tourist police hotline, and a real-time assistance app. Officials were also quick to deny recent kidnapping rumors, calling them baseless and unrelated to tourism. To address common complaints around value-for-money, the ministry says it’s coordinating with airlines to increase flight frequency and reduce fuel taxes, while intensifying oversight of hotels, taxis, and tour operators for fair pricing and quality. Meanwhile, a nationwide crackdown on illegal tours and unlicensed guides is underway. The Joint Operations Centre for Combating Nominee Tourism Businesses (JOCN) has been tasked with targeting foreign-owned companies operating under Thai nominees. “Thailand must be a destination where tourists feel safe, receive quality service, and enjoy meaningful experiences,” said Permanent Secretary Natthriya Thaweewong. But on the streets of Pattaya, in online forums, and across long-stayer groups, skepticism runs deep. “Unfortunately, I think it’s too little too late. I live in Thailand part of the year and I see how expensive it’s become compared to Vietnam. That place is cheaper, the beaches are just as good, and it feels more exciting for younger travelers.” “Thailand is broke, so they’re trying to squeeze cash any way they can. Look at the taxes on flights—they’re often higher than the fare itself! Then there’s the TDAC and that silly 300-baht entry fee plan. And who do they think will pay the 2,000-baht helmet fines? Not the locals, that’s for sure.” “The corrupted police are worst. Couldn’t they at least pretend to be inclusive? Try waking one of the Indians sleeping on the beach in Pattaya to show they care about diversity.” “What about the taxi mafia on the islands? They still get away with charging whatever they want. ‘Fair pricing’ is a joke. They just doubled the entry fees for foreigners at historic sites—even for tax-paying residents. Thai nationals still pay next to nothing.” “Totally agree. It’s all a farce. It keeps getting worse. They say they’ll look into it—but really, they’re just looking into how to make us farangs pay more!” “What absolute drivel. Thailand is not ‘safe.’ It’s highly polluted. Every year it floods, and droughts hit the provinces. Traffic is deadly. Drug crime is on the rise. And scams are everywhere.” “Vietnam used to be like Thailand but has cleaned up its act. You don’t get the same nightlife brawls or taxi scams. Even tuition fees are fairer elsewhere—dual pricing for foreigners is normalized in Thailand.” While government officials are working to frame Thailand as a world-class, safe, and service-oriented destination, they may have underestimated the depth of resentment and fatigue among long-term visitors who feel the system is rigged against them. For many, it’s not just about price or policy—it’s about trust.