Deadsville, Bangsaphan

[Mike Parker]

That's a pretty depressing picture for local businesses on the beach.Not sure if anyone has identified exactly why some locals have decided to leave.In Chiang Mai this year we had the worst pollution ever recorded. Toxic air due to burning forests to promote mushroom growth and Rice and Corn stubble .PM levels went to 600. 50 is considered ok.During the school holidays forums on fb and Thai Visa were full of singles and families seeking an escape to the coast and asking for recommendations.I did of course recommend Bangsaphan but the feed back was, too far,too hard to get to.I'm not talking about a few people it was probably well into the hundreds,you just couldn't walk outside without a mask and room air purifiers had record sales.The majority went to Phuket,Krabi through direct flights from CNX and Pattaya /Jomtien . Not sure why none of the airlines have taken up the failed Khan Air route, CNX to Hua Hin, that would be a popular leg as we are going to go through the same 4 months scenario again.Many have left CM permanently, local business friends have lost money the last 2 years mainly due to the pollution which received world wild coverage and political situation, Immigration issues

[bsb]

Mike, I think you are right about the world knowing about CM and surrounding areas. Things here are no where near as bad as buksida states as a whole, however he is much younger than the rest of us and his age group come and go yearly to return to work in their own country.For us on legal retirement Visas the number of people here seems to be rising a small amount, however there is talk of some illegals leaving for cheaper pastures. As I am sure you are aware of the older we get the less time we spend in bars and in off season it magnifies the slowdown. With the new double track railroad underway as well as Chumphon airport now flying to BKK, I think the permanent numbers will start to rise. The price of land is so much cheaper than Hua- Hin with nicer beaches it is only a matter of time. Just the other day I saw on Bang Saphan Property website a 1/2 rai of land 50 meters from the beach for a little over 2 million, I have not been to Hua-Hin lately but I would bet that piece of land there would be 5 times higher.

[Mike Parker]

Lots of issues to consider retiring in Bangsaphan or any other part of Thailand now another one is health insurance.Over 70 its virtually impossible to get insurance ( I'm closing in on 77).Going back to my home country,Australia, for a health issue disappeared a long time ago ,you have to become a permanent resident once again.I'm paying cash for my problems and the Oz dollar has decreased 30% over the last 3-4 years,its hurting and obviously I'm not alone. The Chinese tourists are keeping CM alive but they will never find their way to your area.Only adavantage HH has is better infrastructure, hospitals ,supermarkets etc but as a permanent place to live does nothing for us.cheers

[bsb]

"The Chinese tourists are keeping CM alive but they will never find their way to your area."
trying to figure is that a blessing or a curse? I have read much about how damage to places seems to follow them.

[Mike Parker]

The younger Chinese tourists tend to just wander around the old city,take a zillion photos ,feed the pigeons at Thepae Gate which is now illegal.High percenatge are well dressed intelligent young ladies.The older ones tend to come in groups,ferried around in buses and vans, and their itinerary is well planned by the guides going to Chinese owned restaurants ,shopping ,ironically buying goods made in their home country.A large number of Chinese are buying up land ,building houses maybe 50 new ones in our gated village alone and investing in businesses.Koreans and Japanese are also here in numbers many living here on a permanent basis and they do love their golf. I doubt they wander southwards. A multide of charter and regular air lines flights means China is only a couple of hours away.Most shops have signage in Chinese.CM has lost its appeal for many other nationalities, many were always repeat visitors or using CM as a stop off for Vietnam ,Cambodia and Laos

[buksida]

Looks like the "high season" has come and gone already, we blinked and missed it.

Most beach resorts running at around 30% occupancy at a guess from my reccy yesterday. Rental properties near the beach are standing empty. The only two bars open are only frequented by the dwindling number of expats here and the only place busy appears to be the only restaurant still surviving, Cuisine.

We've essentially had a two year low season. There is hope that the busiest month of the year traditionally, February, will be better for those businesses struggling to stay afloat.

[cjsiam]

All that being said---I just finished a great visit to BS...enjoy iTalay, Cusine (filled right up!), and Montri's and Why Not.... it was still a bit crowded on some nights at the restaurants, but most places did seem quiet.

Was delighted to see so many people I've met before, and others I met this trip!

[Mike Parker]

The annual pollution especially in Bangkok and the north of Thailand combined with the now renamed Covid-19 virus has been the perfect storm for Thai tourism both domestic and international.In the city of Chiang Mai this morning it was as quiet as I've ever seen it even in the depths of a low season. As last year those expats that can have escaped the pollution to Pattaya,Jomtien or Phuket as they are accessible than your area.Friend tells me that he has never seen Phuket as quite as it is now and with the tragic boat incident there goes Korean visitors

Where to from here? Here in the north so many businesses just closing their doors.You guys in BS usually get a lift around February hope that transpires.

Now that the Gov might just have seen the mess it created with stricter rules on visas ,the unrealistic value of the baht,continuing pollution they might even consider taking their boots of our necks but don't hold your breath,they will probably just blame the virus,easier target.

We had hoped to get down for a few days, its been a while but while the Baht v Aus $ continues at it current rate, we like many fellow Aussies, are house bound.

Good luck to all, hope things improve for your little part of paradise

[buksida]

Yeah I hear CM has been hit really hard as it is so reliant on the Chinese. We dont get them here in BS so no impact seen.

Things have picked up a fair bit and February is living up to its tradition as the busiest month of the year.

[Mike Parker]

Been confirmed today 300 Chinese coming in at CM International Airport a day compared with 2-3,000 a day last year in February
Previously mostly charter flights.They buy tickets at home for flights and accom. Moved around by Thai/Chinese owned buses to favoured and mostly Thai/Chinese owned restaurants. I did ask one very well educated Chinese girl why she shopped at Airport Plaza for clothes, which are mostly made in China,its apparently a status symbol that you can afford to travel

[buksida]

Never really understood the Chinese, they don't 'do' beaches, waterfalls, mountains and nature and largely come here for the shopping which is mostly shite that is made in China anyway. Surely Thailand can't be cheaper to buy crap than it is where they come from?