Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing the notion of Thailand courting tourists from the Middle East. I thought of making this video after reading a recent article from the Pattaya Mail, that is pattayamail.com, the article is titled: Fewer Chinese expected in Thailand this year. Quoting directly: "Meanwhile, the Thai Tourist Authority is opening new offices abroad, particularly in the Middle East, to encourage newer markets and to make up for a Chinese shortfall. Some observers say that the importance of the Chinese market can be exaggerated as most Chinese come to Thailand in zero-sum tour groups where all expenses are paid in advance prior to departure. So the financial benefits are mostly limited to the tour organizers and their partners." Well, the same could be said for any type of tour setup. 

That being stated, as we discussed on this channel at the time that the zero-dollar tour, or the zero-dollar tour scheme if you will was being scrutinized and it was cracked down hard on by the Thai Immigration Authorities, and Tax Authorities for that matter, here in Thailand. Yeah it has not gone it is still around in a sense. Yes there are ways to mitigate taxes paid to Thailand by keeping things offshore but at the same time, I think Thai Authorities pretty well stamped a lot of the worst excesses of that out. I think at this point more folks here in Thailand, especially in the tourism industry, are more hopeful of just getting volume of number of tourists coming in to spend some money here rather than worry a real great deal about figuring out exactly where their money came from, is going to, where it's being taxed etc.

Meanwhile though, it seems like as noted in the article, Thailand is looking to court more tourists from the Middle East and that could change the demography here in Thailand of tourists generally and how they conduct themselves here in Thailand, what they like to see, what they like to do, and how they pay. They may have a different way of doing things compared to the Chinese and that may result in benefits, it may also result in drawbacks; things remain to be seen. We will certainly keep you updated on this channel as the situation evolves.