@NotADayAlone
I think a major issue also is that Thailand makes it hard with visa situations and keeps changing the rules, while neighbouring countrys keep making it easier with visas and welcoming expats. Most countrys in South east Asia has better options for long stays and less problems
@rotty66
They've been targeting the wrong markets, a lot of people from 2 or 3 nationalities are pissing the traditional visitors off
@UndisclosedUser2025
I lived in Thailand from 2008 to 2018, from age 22 to 32.5. A lot of what you're saying in this video is spot-on. Thailand isn’t what it used to be. It’s become completely oversaturated with content creators and influencers. It feels overcrowded, overdone, and honestly, kind of hollow now. I'm beyond grateful I got to experience it before the whole YouTube/IG wave took over. If you're thinking about going, go when you're young — in your 20s — when you can really soak it in and bounce around. But don’t lock yourself into Thailand. It's close to other countries that might offer a more raw, less-commercial experience. Thailand has changed drastically, even though it happened slowly. You don’t notice it until one day everything feels different. I remember renting a room for 3,500 baht. That same room is now going for 15,500. The vibe, the energy, the prices — all of it’s changed. I'm still thankful for my time there. It had its highs and lows, but I grew a lot in those years. That said — if you do go, especially while you’re still relatively young, don’t lose sight of two major things: having a steady income, and keeping your long-term career in focus. Southeast Asia is not the place you want to be broke or dealing with money stress. I taught English for a little over half the time I lived there, and while it paid the bills, I completely lost track of building a career that would support me long-term. When I came back to the U.S., I realized I was about 10 years behind my peers and close friends in terms of career and financial stability. That’s the reality. Travel, experience, grow — but don’t check out on your future while you’re at it. That balance is key. This video reminded me how much everything has changed — and why it's important to really think through where you go next.
@jamesbuckley8917
Been to Thailand many times. Air pollution, trash everywhere, and the relentless heat/humidity have stopped my trips.
@jmr007
I lived in Thailand for 7 months back in 2017… came back for a month in November 2024 and it’s soooo much more focused on s6x, weed, and “price-maxing” in tourist areas than i ever expected. Been chilling in Vietnam since August 2024 and its amazing financially, healthier food, less brutally hot, not scammy/ very safe - but can’t talk to the viet locals as well due to language barrier
@vktravellog1242
I am so glad nobody is taking the taxis. They did it to themselves. I always use grab or walk instead. I rather walk 5 miles than take a taxi that is how much I hate them! Also the kidnappings probably are scaring people away. Last year I was visiting a company in malaysia and they told me all these stories of kidnappings in thailand
@peternt2008
We went to Thailand in 2024. And we found in Tourist areas or tourist restaurants that the prices were pretty close to those of Australia. And a $12 transaction fee when you use an ATM.
@jmartin4364
I went to Pattaya and found I had a choice between Indian food and Indian food. I thought to myself, did I get on the plane to New Delhi by accident or am I in Thailand? Weird.
@ElliotMann-v4l
We're in Thailand right now on vacation. Yes, it seems that there are fewer tourists here, but then again it is the low season. I've been traveling here almost every year since 1999. Prices do seem a little higher, but drastically lower than USA. Yes, less tourists from China, since they are having severe financial problems right now. Less from Russia. More from India. Less westerners walking around. We'll just enjoy the time we're here and not worry about tomorrow.
@omniadoc
Its a whole load of factors like you mentioned: 1) Price: Thailand is not the "cheap" destination anymore. Vietnam (and pretty much everywhere else in S.E.Asia) is making Thailand not ideal anymore. 2) Tourist traps: these are everywhere in the world, but they are so much more apparent here (just look at the taxi issue, and I dont know anywhere else in the world where even Grab drivers try to scam the customers except Thailand) 3) Overtourism nuked tourism in Thailand: Thailand putting all their eggs into tourism killed off tourism. People come to visit thailand to see thai people and culture. More often than not the tourist areas are filled with non-thais. (Yes you can go to the non-tourist areas, but thats a different topic altogether) 4) Red tape: The whole beauracracy and red tape in Thailand is ABSOLUTELY frustrating. This doesnt really apply to tourist, but for long term people considering it does. Even if you've lived in Thailand legally for 10 years doing all your paperwork, you still need to do your 90 immigration visit, in this day in age? Its so unacceptable. And with the visa rules just constantly changing, its so difficult to keep up. Great video as always. I really do hope Thailand can pick up its feet and rethink its strategy.
@HoppyHoppy-tq1ji
The 7usd charge everytime to use an ATM is just plain robbery.
@danielbanyard6091
I know it’s effecting the Thai economy but personally I prefer it being less busy I find it a much more enjoyable experience 😎
@felicitycooke3610
Your content is awesome and so helpful for anyone wanting to travel not only to Thailand 🇹🇭 but anyone 👍 thanks Adam 😂😊
@IanCugley-ps9sw
I was in Thailand in March and April. The biggest issue is the cost of accommodation. Second, the air pollution. Third seems everyone wants to rip you off. Then the taxi issue. But the big issue is the rising costs of accommodation and entertainment prices. A beer in Nana and Cowboy will generally set you back around 250 baht. That is ridiculous. Agressive lady boys and African hookers in Pattaya and on Sukhumvit does not help matters. The strong Thai baht does not help either. In February 2024, I was getting 23 baht to the Aussie, but in March and April 2025, it was more like 21 if I was lucky, though I do remember back in the 80s and 90s it was more like 18. Thailand is pricing itself out of the tourist market, so it had better become more competitive with the rising stars of the region: Vietnam and Cambodia.
@jackdoe3889
To experience the worst Taxi mafia in TH, you need to go to Phuket. BKK is child play in comparison.
@mar4948
Stop ripping farngs off , everywhere you go thai think we loaded with cash scam after scam then we just move on
@ollienilson1644
Flytickets up 20-40%. Baht, to strong, beer to expensive. Hotell increase 30%, food increase 10-25%. Many tourists complain about the new visa on the internet. They say goodbye to Thailand and go to Vietnam
@traveltopia1
Having just spent the last 6 weeks in Vietnam, I can agree that is where more and more people are going. However that my good friends in also a problem... Let me tell you about Vietnam now... Na Trang - Now known as Little Russia (So to is Mui Ne). In both locations you are greeted by restaurants not in English, but in Russia.. There are that many Russia tourists in those locations I forgot i was in south east Asia. Da Lat - A truly beautiful place to visit, If you like going to South Korean.. See the Koreans own the "international" airport here (paid and built it at least) and for one purpose... The Amazing Golf Club and resorts.. While we were there we saw bus load after bus load of Korean tourists everywhere we went.. Da Nang - A Mixture of both Russia and Chinese tourists (Chinese in Droves). Hotels are the killer here with decent ones costing a fair bit more. Also the level of development due to tourists is next level.. Highrise hotels under construction everywhere you look.. I don't just mean 4 or 5.. I mean 10s and 20s... I saw at lease 3 new resorts being built between Da Nang and Hoi An, with each of them having 2 or 3 towers of up to 20+ floors and hundreds of rooms (each resort) and that's just in a tiny stretch of coastline.. This place is on the verge of over tourism in a couple years.. Hoi An - Holly shit this place was almost unbearable.. A sea of people (Chinese) where you had zero chance of walking anywhere freely (without crowds)... Constant harassment by restaurants to "eat here" or street hawkers wanting you to buy trinkets and souvenir crap at over inflated prices... And this is probably the first place to start seeing the affects of mass inflation due to tourists... I was that put off by the crowds I wont bother going back to Hoi An.. ever.. Nimh Binh has a different kind of problem.. European backpackers have inundated this hot spot and they can be quiet rude (a lot).. Its not to the same level as the other locations mentioned but it is going in the same direction. Hanoi - Not much has change here in 15 years.. its still a over populated shit hole of rubbish, sewerage stench, everyone that even remotely pays you any attention wants your money.. the only saving grace here is the hotel staff were some (15 years ago) and still are, the most friendliest I've ever encountered.. Our trip was cut short and we didn't get to Cat Ba (next to Ha Long bay which im told is not worth visiting any more due to the pollution in the water and the hundreds of boats clogging the bays. Nor did we get to Sapa which is maybe to far north to be over touristed just yet. We are now in Bangkok for the next 7 weeks so will so how that stacks up but after being here for a few days already i can say I agree with everything that has been said.. the cost of staying in Thailand has sored.. I cringe at the thought of going to Phuket to visit friends after what I've read above.. We are also taking a week to go to Samui and am told thats over run also with Russia's and Europeans. Will see. After that long rant.. I can tell you where isn't over touristed, is still the cheapest country (only minutely compared to Vietnam) we have visited in the 5 months on the road and has stunning locations, Beautiful beaches, old quarters, Nature... Thats Malaysia.. KL is Cleaner, easier to walk around, friendlier and cheaper than its often compared to counterpart of Bangkok.. Langkawi is a duty free island and cheap as chips to visit.. than there is Borneo which we have not visited yet but looks stunning.. with some island locations to rival Bora Bora.. Long story short, Say goodbye to Vietnam in the next couple years also as they too are swamped with everyone NOT coming to Thailand.
@ieatcrayons59
Just came back from my trip a month ago and struggling with the idea of returning because of a few factors: 1. Strength in the Thai Baht. 2. Prices, especially for hotels, has gotten absolutely ridiculous. (On top of the strengthened TBH) 3. Airfares, which isn't entirely their fault is more of a blanket issue travelling. 4. Certain tourist groups, whom I won't name, making the experience significantly worse and treating locals poorly. In short, the charm is disappearing and a big fat price tag is taking its place. Makes me sad to think the majority of Thai's that will be negatively impacted by this don't see the benefit of a stronger TBH and only suffer from higher hotel costs and poor behavior from certain tourists.
@johngerard3218