Chinese tourists boost Thai economy but stir outrage

中国游客促进泰国经济发展却引起公愤
Marion Thibaut AFP

Accused of urinating in public, spitting on the street, or kicking a sacred temple bell -- free-spending Chinese tourists are receiving a mixed welcome as their soaring numbers help the kingdom's creaking economy.[CN]

中国游客人数众多，挥霍无度。在促进泰国经济蓬勃发展同时，中国游客在公共场合大小便，街上随地吐痰，乱撞神圣庙钟等，使得泰国忧喜参半。

Growing outrage over the perceived disrespect of visitors from the Asian giant saw authorities print thousands of Chinese-language etiquette manuals earlier this year in a bid to keep their tourists in check.[CN]

迫于亚洲巨人（指中国）游客的无礼行为越发引起公愤，泰国当局今年早些时候印刷了上万册中文版的礼仪手册，旨在规范中国游客行为。

Last month it was a photo of a young girl peeing in the grounds of Bangkok's Grand Palace that triggered the latest round of enraged, and sometimes racist, comments as Thai social media users claimed she was Chinese.[CN]

上月，一名小女孩在曼谷大皇宫随地小便的照片曝光，引发了新一轮的公愤和种族主义言论，泰国社会媒体称这名女孩是中国人。

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Last year around 4.6 million Chinese nationals visited Thailand, with the average tourist spending 5,500 baht ($160) per day -- more than the average European visitor (AFP Photo/Christophe Archambault)[CN]

去年约有460万中国居民到泰国旅游，人均每天花费5500铢（折合160美元）- 比欧洲游客还多。（图片来自克里斯多夫·阿尔尚博）

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In March a Thai model's video of tourists from China jumping the queue at an airport was viewed more than two million times and saw a similarly angry rant against Thailand's largest group of foreign holidaymakers.

At the gleaming Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple, in northern Chiang Rai province, owner Chalermchai Kositpipat complained about the state of the toilets after a recent visit by a Chinese group.

"We had problems with some Chinese who defecated anywhere, so I asked the guides to explain to them that rules must be respected in Thailand," Chalermchai told AFP, having earlier threatened to refuse the nationals entry.

But he stopped short of issuing a ban, and like Thai authorities is loath to cut out the Chinese at a time when they are bucking the trend of dipping visitor figures in the kingdom, where tourism accounts for 8.5 percent of gross domestic product.

Last year around 4.6 million Chinese nationals visited Thailand, with the average tourist spending 5,500 baht ($160) per day -- more than the average European visitor.

Their collective contribution, expected to reach $5.6 billion this year, is not one the ruling junta can afford to lose as it struggles to revive a sclerotic economy -- one of its key promises after seizing power from an elected government in May 2014 that was paralysed by months of protests in Bangkok.

- 'Cultural misunderstandings' -

At the White Temple, Thai tour guide Pin Su says her job has become an art in diplomacy due to the growing number of Chinese visitors.

"They do not always pay attention, they spit, talk loudly, sometimes they leave the toilet in a catastrophic state," she said in between ferrying tourists around the building.

"But I cannot remind them every day that we must be careful to be clean. I do not want to offend them. And all these tourists, it is for Thailand!"

Bangkok's ruling generals have been busy courting Beijing as they build new diplomatic allies after last year's coup was widely condemned by Western nations, including longtime friend the United States.

Late last year the two Asian nations forged new agricultural ties, and Beijing was also granted a major railway contract to construct two new lines criss-crossing Thailand.

With the recent easing of visa rules between the kingdom and China, where the growing ranks of the middle-classes are increasingly holidaying abroad, even more Chinese tourists are expected to arrive in Thailand this year.

Unsurprisingly, Thai authorities appear keen to downplay any incidents of strife.

"Chinese tourists do not create problems for us. They are nice tourists," said Srisuda Wanapinyosak, an executive director at the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

"But sometimes there might be cultural misunderstandings as we have different cultures," she admitted before running through the tips laid out for the Chinese in the new manuals.

Back at the White Temple, Cai Zheng Hua and his wife from Fujian, a province in southeast China, are enjoying their long-awaited honeymoon.

He says that while some of his compatriots may "not have enough education to know how to behave", they are very much in a "small minority".

For most visitors Thailand is a "dream" and "very fashionable", said the holidaymaker, raving about the architecture at the site.

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QVC

The 19th century was a difficult century for Chinese when foreign countries "occupied" parts of China at will and was placed a sign outside of Shanghai Park stating , "No Chinese and dog allowed inside." It's a great insult but if the sign was posted by a mean spirited person then the shame is on the person who post it but if the park just wanted a clean place to spend some time then it is actually a reflection on the dirtiness of Chinese and the sign is a grave embarrassment for the Chinese. All these years later, the Chinese has not made much of an improvement in the eyes of the international community.[CN]

19世纪的中国多灾多难。列强随意瓜分中国，在上海公园摆出一块牌子，上面写着：华人与狗不得入内。这是巨大的耻辱。但如果是品行低劣之人摆出来的，可耻的是摆出牌子的人。但如果是人们想营造干净的公园来消遣时间的话，恰恰体现了中国人当时的肮脏。这个标语就给中国人莫大的难堪。这么多年过去了，从国际社区的角度看，中国这方面还是没有太多的改进。

Please don't tell me your long history of your civilization because Egypt and Greece has longer histories as do many other around the world. Please be mindful of International Chinese pride.[CN]

不要再强调你们的文明历史悠久，因为埃及希腊历史更长，放眼世界更不在少数。请把中国国际尊严铭记于心。

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truthlyfair

Every Countries economy when slow down always crying and begging for tourist. When they got so many tourist coming and over crowding their countries now they're braking the tourist problem. If you got the money to travel abroad for a Vacation. would you explore and enjoy unconditional?? Hell yet! I do! So don't Complain, otherwise, you will stave to dead without foods to feeds your poor family. Every Countries is needs tourist for their income.[CN]

经济下滑时每个国家恨不得游客都到国家来。当游客过剩，国家拥挤不堪他们又开始挑剔游客带来的问题。如果你有钱到国外旅游度假，你是否想无限制的探索，玩的开心呢？那是当然的啦！所以别抱怨了，否则你们会饿死，没有食物喂饱贫困的家庭。每个国家都需要需要游客来增加收入。

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Analog_User

Was standing in line at Versailles about a year ago waiting for it to open. My wife and I got there early and where less than 3 dozen people from the entry when three Chinese ladies came up, walking past us and tried to get in line in front of us. I extended my arm in front of them and said "not going to happen". They got #$%$ off jabbering something in Chinese but they did turn around and head back to the end of the line.[CN]

一年前在凡尔赛宫前排队等候开门。我和妻子去得早，门口前已有将近36人。此时3个中国女人从我们身旁走过，在我们前面插队。我把手张开，说了句“插队是不允许的。”她们火了，口里碎碎念地说着中文，但她们的确转过身来走到了队伍的末尾。

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THOMASReply toAnalog_User

Had the same thing happen while in line at a Chinese airport. Guy kept inching his way up from the back until he got to me and I stuck my arm out to stop him. He had a surprised look on his face, but he did go to back again and everyone else smiled at me for having the courage to stop him.[CN]

在中国机场排队也遇过这样的事。有个人拼命往前挤，挤到我的位置时，我伸出手臂阻止了他。他面露惊讶，但也回到了队伍末尾。每个人都报以微笑，佩服我敢于阻止他。

Would add the Chinese are not the only ones who act like this. Several times I've seen people from the Middle East do this as well as Indians and Pakistani's.[CN]

需要说明的一点是，不止中国人如此。有几次我看到来自中东的人也感这事，甚至印度人，巴基斯坦人也不例外。

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LudahaiReply toAnalog_User

I was in like with my wife and children at a hotel breakfast buffet in Taiwan when a Chinese family cut in front of us. The problem for them was that there was a line of hungry triathletes waiting to eat. After having a half-dozen of very fit-looking endurance athletes stare them down, they went to the back of the line.[CN]

在台湾，我和老婆孩子在酒店排队拿自助早餐，有个中国家庭突然插在我们前面。问题是有一群铁人三项运动员嗷嗷待吃，在短时间的忍耐之后，运动员们开始盯着这一家子看，一家人最后回到了队尾排队。

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Chan Gade

I am laughing as I read this, because every time i go to my apt inBKK my Thai friends have a new group of farangs to complain about. Russians, Arabs, Iranians and now, Chinese.[CN]

看到这，我笑了.每次我去泰国曼谷时，我的泰国朋友都有新的吐槽人群。俄国人，阿拉伯人，伊朗人，现在，到中国人了。

As for the Chinese, yes, they can be slobs and a certain amount of this is based in arrogance.[CN]

说起中国人，是的，他们很多是粗俗汉，相当一部分是由于他们的傲慢。

If you want a good look into dealing with this sort of problem, search for Charlie Rose interviews with Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew and how much trouble he had in 'civilizing" his natives to make the country attractive to tourists and investors.[CN]

如果你想深究如何解决这类问题，搜索“查理·罗斯访谈新加坡李光耀”，看看他在教化他的民众营造游客和投资者喜爱的国度时，有多困难。

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gman

If China business models are given free reign in Asia outside China they will take terrible advantage and destroy the remaining natural ecosystems. the Chinese are throwing money around buying the rights to destroy the countries they are dealing with. right now the Chinese are building a Vegas style Gambling resort smack in the middle of a virgin National Park in Cambodia clearing dozens of acres of protected Jungle. yeah the folks who are gambling their nations future away to China should be held accountable.[CN]

如果中国商业模式在亚洲放行，他们会利用可怕的优势，毁坏剩下的自然生态环境。中国人正四下花钱买来权利，去毁掉他们正在对付的国家。现如今，中国在柬埔寨新建的国家公园中央建设一个维加斯风格的赌彩旅游胜地。此举摧毁了几百英亩的受保护丛林。是的，把国家未来赌在中国身上的人们是该追究责任的。

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aaron

I have been to Thailand 3 times, and married to one for 7 years. I went to Thailand last March and their were tons of Chinese and European/Russian tourist. My wife told me that Chinese were dirty at Thai Temples and were banned from some. I had no problems with the Chinese tourist only that there were so many; but, only at the high tourist areas. When I was leaving Thailand, that was when the middle eastern and India people were coming in. Thailand is great and where my wife lives is not a tourist area but have some here and there maybe. I do miss the fruit there along with the good cheap food and relax atmosphere; but, I will be back again.

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JamesHanxReply toaaron

On numerous trips to Thailand, I have seen incredibly rude Chinese just about every time - especially during the Lunar New Year, when they travel in droves.

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gwats1957Reply toaaron

I've been there 12 times myself...Can't do the tourist areas for more than 5 days, then I have to move away from there to enjoy the place..

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Jack

45 years ago it was the "Ugly American," where the insensitivity and crudeness of some of my countrymen was an embarrassment to us all. Does anyone remember the Marlon Brando movie by this name made with the future prime minister of Thailand Kukrit Pramoj ironically playing the role of a prime minister? I remember, as a serviceman in Thailand, seeing some of my compatriots with a little to much Singha in their bellies yelling "Ow Pooying" in a mom and pop grocery store, like they were in some cheap bar. Their excuse might be since they only saw the Thai low lifes in the bars they thought they represented the whole country, like some tourists visiting the U.S. seeing San Francisco's Tender Loin district assuming all Americans were like this. But the Chinese seem to be something different, just arrogance. Maybe it's the Marxist mindset, that explains all human relationships and interactions in terms of money and class. So now, since we got the money, all of you are just the help. Shut up and clean my mess.

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RonReply toJack

Well stated and quite accurate I think..

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JohnboyReply toJack

Amen brother! Been in Thailand for 45 years!!!

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BillReply toJack

I disagree they are not arrogant, most have never been outside their country and its their custom. So they will never change, as you say either accept it and their monies are ban them. I do not see this happening. Thai's are greedy and will accept monies over crudness.

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JackReply toJack

Thais are greedy? Well, certainly many of the bar owners and tourist trap operators are. But you'll find that segment in any society. But the overwhelming majority of Thais I've ever met are friendly, kind, and tolerant. That last characteristic maybe a reflection of their Buddhist idea of not letting emotions control you, you know,"My pen lye," which generally works until someone or some tourists go just too far.

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Juni

Any idea of polite manners and etc. went into the trash can with Mao Zedong and the commies. They destroyed nearly 5,000 years of culture, history and achievements with their brainwashing - make the people dumb enough that that there are no more critical thinkers to challenge their rule.

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siamesetwin

Some Thais I know recently went to Hua Hin (a beach resort a few hours drive South from Bangkok) for a few days relaxation. They returned to Bangkok the next day as the place was flooded with Chinese and they found their manners and behavior unacceptable. As for the claimed spending of 5,500 Baht per day, I believe this is a figure from the Tourist Authority of Thailand who are well known for distorting numbers to make themselves look good.

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ByteMeReply tosiamesetwin

I, too, doubt the claimed spending of 5,500 Baht per day. I've become accustomed to Chinese tourists who would rather bowl you over rather than step aside to make way when walking by -- as if they owned the country and everyone else are peons.

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Khun SomchaiReply tosiamesetwin

I also seriously doubt they spend that much, unless you're counting the hotel room and "set dinners" that are paid directly to the tour company. I did some work at the airport for the Customs Department in Maldives, where the Chinese also love to go. The Customs Agent I worked with was telling me that most of the Chinese tourists bring a weeks worth of food with them, including their rice cookers, so the resorts hated them.

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true justiceReply tosiamesetwin

5.500 including hotel is reasonable figure.

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spam yReply tosiamesetwin

I just ask my relatives over there about the chines and they confirm whats said here is true.

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54MachiavellianReply tosiamesetwin

Problem with Chinese tourists is they just can't acclimate to foreign food. I've met several who would be looking for things like rice porridge and tofu varieties in countries where those things just aren't on the menu. I wonder why they even bother traveling outside China at all. Adjust and enjoy the scenery AND the food, ijuts! It's all part of the cultural experience.

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GSDReply tosiamesetwin

I guess that is why Americans go to McDonald's and KFC while visiting China. They are also hitting the vending machines for Oreos and a Coke.

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Creighton

Basic rules about excreting in toilets, waiting your turn, respecting others are not new, and they are much the same inside China as elsewhere. Where does this leave us?

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Mr. Johnson

I have lived in China almost 20 years and the behavior describe here is quite normal and acceptable on the mainland. The problem is that the typical Chinese are NOT taught courtesy and manors by their parents or by government example or rule. They live in a system that does NOT respect rules and by the time rules are made, they have already found a "work around". Take for example seatbelt laws. Smart people know that they save lives but the Chinese absolutely refuse to wear them. New cameras now detect if belts are worn so drivers, including taxi drivers, will fashion a black trash bag to look like a seat betl and pin it to their shirt. They also sell (and wear) tee shirts with the image of a seat belt running diagonally across their chest to fool the cameras.. This is the mentality the government s working with. Rules are meant to be broken here and there is nothing going on in the government to get serious. Things have not gotten worse over the last 20 years but they also have NOT IMPROVED! People cover their license plates blatantly to hide from cameras to avoid tickets, and it is tolerated. The highway is a toilet with out one day going by where you do not see guys pulled over with people hanging out their privates publically ... absolutely everywhere. You will see people leaving their cars in a traffic lane in heavy traffic to have a pee. They start the kids at a young age but carrying them around bare butted so they can stop and drop at a moments notice. Even in modern airports with toilets everywhere, you will see parents dropping their kids drawers over an ashtray to relieve themselves. This is ALL NORMAL in China and the government is doing little to nothing to instill training. At the pace things are going, another 20 years will be gone with no improvement with this stuff. Glad to see that other courtiers are less tolerant of these acts and that they are trying to expose the issues that may draw government attention. It is absolutely as bad as people are posting here!

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johnReply toMr. Johnson

And you live there?

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RobertReply toMr. Johnson

its not a very nice place to live

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jayReply toMr. Johnson

so darn cunning ...a lot of IQ but no EQ

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Joseph

Was there 2 years ago. Me and my best friend packed a large backpack got on a plane and spent 4 weeks "backpacking" and touring the country. Including nice hotels with wifi, food, bus/rail expenses and some "temple passes" never spent more than 100$ a day. Seen and heard of what they call "The Chinese explosion" But i've also talked to the good respectful ones too. Europeans over there seem kinda trashy though. I dunno. Or was it just me? Can't dance in a club that's for sure. Thai chicks know how to dance. HA!

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Ricky SpanishReply toJoseph

I live in Chiang Mai, I can tell you, the Thai people don't like backpackers. They just get in the way of the Thai trying to make a living off of the real tourist. Back packers always try to get by on next to nothing, never spend money, and always traveling as cheap as possible. Plus they stay in hostiles to save money, which are usually nasty cheep places to sleep, and some times have bed bugs. And yes living like that, includes not showering, not getting your cloths washed. Europeans are famous for back packing and they do appear kinda trashy.

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spam yReply toJoseph

@Joseph,I ask a european once about the crime there and he laugh,saying america is the place with the crime .I had to agree and wonder what was I thinking.

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budhy

Unfortunately, tourists from every country can and do behave like insensitive idiots. It isn't just the Chinese. When traveling, we should all be aware that we are ambassadors for our countries. You might be the only person from your homeland that a person meets. The way you behave, especially if you behave like a jerk, will represent everyone from your country. That representation might leave a favorable impression or a negative one. Better to leave a favorable impression and make new friends.

However, as for the spitting thing, it is disgusting and spreads disease. Stop it !

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NReply tobudhy

Sorry, Chinese are the worst

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gapsReply tobudhy

Totally agree. I saw some people spitted in the park ( at Sacramento, CA the most diverse city in the US) while we waited for firework show and they weren't Chinese; they might be Latino, White, and African American; I think it depends on the person and there is nothing to do with their race.

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SteveReply tobudhy

You obviously have never been around mainland chinese and these acts are not by a small minority but the vase public majority. Its cultural yes. Its engraved in their heads. They have not any standards of civility. I lived in china, taiwan, japan and even thailand recently and the chinese are an amazing specimen or spitters, public urination, shovers, cheats and speak at a volume that is staggeringly LOUD. i feel for thailand as i witnessed all this and more frequently with every chinese tour group encountered.

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NReply tobudhy

Well Gaps, go to china and you will see. No need to defend something that is true. Chinese does it more. I am Chinese so I know.

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Burk

Old Chinese etiquette (un-educated) with sudden wealth. Don't really know how to act in public.

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JohnboyReply toBurk

Just like the ruskies!!

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Robert

I see a lot of negative posting about Thailand - which like all countries has its problems but is a dream to live in compared to China. China for one is an ongoing ecological disaster - comparisons with Bangkok klongs having litter are ridiculous, air polution in Beijing alone will make you physically sick. Second Chinese have very little culture - Mao destroyed it all, and zero manners - just ask anyone from HK what they think about mainlanders. There may be a lot of fake smiles in Thailand but at least they try - being a tourist in China was one of the coldest, most unfriendly experiences of my life.

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Jlr JlrReply toRobert

I agree, I worked in Shanghai and the pollution burned my lungs on a daily basis. Other than Chang Mai Thailand is a breath of fresh air.

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RobertReply toRobert

Sadly I don't travel business or first class but find the Thais at Suvarnabhum most helpful especially when you have little kids like I do. A much better experience than Heathrow where I am from. As to your comments on Germany - I am sure there is pollution there too, but no-where on earth has the environment been devastated in such a short space in time as what has happened in the last few decades in China.

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WilliamReply toRobert

Thai Airways sucks.

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brixton

I have found the Chinese from the mainland to be totally unaware of their obnoxious behavior,screeching,shouting pushing and in many cases,shoplifting. I have a small shop in Thailand and after a group of Chinese left the shop itwithout buying anything,an IPhone and some old woven baskets went with them. The Tourist Authority of Thailand claim that they spend 5,500baht per day is not true. The situation has become so bad that tourists from other countries don't want to come here because of the growing presence of the Chinese.

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k yReply tobrixton

One can put a lipstick on a pig and it still goes "oink oink"!

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Weasel

The way their economy is going, no Chinese will have money to travel. This becomes a nonissue

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G

After reading many of the comments here, I don't agree that defecating in the streets can possibly be labelled a 'cultural misunderstanding', unless one was raised by wolves.

I've been on the other end of the stick though, so I can see some of it. I lived in Japan for a year, and as a Canadian I believed I had already attained the height of manners and politeness and could not possibly do anything wrong. I wouldn't know where to start; I had an itch in my ear one day and shockingly stuck my little finger into it on a crowded train, to the polite terror of the family seated across from me. On my first attempt in a public bath I tried to enter the final hot tub portion of the ritual with what the Japanese colleague who accompanied me shockingly referred to as 'remnants of soap still on my back', explaining why one of the patrons let in horror from the tub. I managed to find a western toilet occasionally, and this one in Tokyo had controls like the bridge of the Enterprise and I accidentally pushed the 'water' button, which I misread as 'flush' and made a bit of a mess. I slunk out of the stall only to find a lineup of Japanese in suits waiting for me to finish. The head of the line reported to the rest of them with a phrase that was later translated by a fellow grad student as "Goddam filthy foreigners!". It went downhill from there for a time, but after a few weeks I eventually learned to blend, or at least not offend.

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johnReply toG

Wow, an intelligent, nuanced comment on the Yahoo boards... not what I'd expect. (And thanks for the insight, G).

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WilliamReply toG

That's what happens when you adopt the typical mannerisms of a smug Canadian. Glad to see your eyes were opened. I recall a time in Thailand when I made plans to split the cost of renting a boat with a woman from one of the Scandinavian countries. She tried to rent one the day before but opted out after the boat arrived late. I can understand being disappointed to a point, but she just kept on and on complaining about it in front of the Thai hotel staff. I finally said rather directly why are you even in Thailand? Why don't you just go back to Europe where all the trains and buses run on a predictable schedule and save yourself all the headaches? She shut up after that. I see that attitude quite frequently from Europeans over the smallest problems in hotels and restaurants and I find it extremely dense and arrogant.

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PatrickReply toG

Japanese civil standards should be the benchmark for the world to follow!

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Wolfer OneReply toG

Why would you insult wolves like this.

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nagging n whining my way to successReply toG

Patrick - you don't REALLY want Japanese manners to be world standard. Try living there for a few years, then see if you feel the same. It's NOT what you see that counts - that's just an illusion.

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JamesReply toG

Japanese men grope girls on the trains.

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WhateverReply toG

If you travel to a foreign country, why cant people read up on the local cultural norms? Before my trips I read on mannerisms that is expected of tourists. I have gotten along well everywhere so far, even Egypt, knowing I am the visitor.

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GReply toG

@Whatever - Thing is, I did read up on what to expect, but the books missed so much. For example, not one of my three books even mentioned that you're supposed to get on the back of the city bus, take a ticket, and then watch a board with your number that shows the increasing fare at each stop, and then pay the correct amount when you leave. The whole procedure was reverse from North America. I asked a bus driver in what must have been to them tortuous Japanese whether his was the bus to Tsukuba, and he motioned to the back of the bus, I thought he meant the bus behind. The guy behind motioned to the bus ahead. This went back and forth three times before this 100-year old woman, who lost patience and just wanted to go, got out and grabbed me by the belt, led me to the back ticket door and sat me down, pointing at the front price board . I'm not sure what she said in Japanese but the intent sure sounded like "I'm not getting any younger".

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adam bReply toG

I don't think the bus usage procedure is a good comparison to the Chinese #$%$ everywhere.

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JustinReply toG

Great post. I know I've also unknowingly broken cultural norms in other countries, including China, where I spent 3 years. I always do a lot of reading up before I travel, but you can never learn EVERYTHING first.

I will say, however, as strange as it may seem, using the street as a toilet actually is a cultural issue. In China, it's completely normal for parents to take their little ones to the sidewalk to do their business. They don't wear diapers and instead have a hatch on the backside of their pants. In China, it seems like young children's waste isn't considered super dirty like it is other places. I remember sitting in a family's house and their 1 or 2-year old peed on the couch. The mother just grabbed something to wipe it up with as if it happens all the time.

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KevinReply toG

Bless you

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GReply toG

@Kevin - Is that what you say there when someone puups in the street?

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ProfileReply toG

Good post G!

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spam yReply toG

I kinda thought ti strange Thais cover their mouth to pick their teeth,but not so while picking boogers,they let em fly.The barber girl sat in her barber chair just picking and flitting away like she she was part of the crowd.

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spam yReply toG

flicking I mean

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54MachiavellianReply toG

Imagine what a horror it is when Chinese go visit Japan then ;-)

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Wayne

Having lived in Thailand for over 8 years, the people that have stirred the most outrage and downright hate are the Russians. It seemed like almost overnight there were hoards of Russians. They came, they stayed, and they kept primarily to themselves. Rather thrifty, they would buy a beer at a 7-11 and drink while walking on the streets instead of buying one in a bar. While the Russian economic crisis has reduced the number of Russians in Thailand, there are still many. I never heard any outrage to the Chinese, or saw any offenses mentioned in the article, except for the fact that they, too, bought little to help the local economy.

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RDSReply toWayne

@Wayne: I have lived in Phuket, Thailand, for about the same number of years as you have in the country, and I can attest to a very different POV. My local friends & those wait staff/shop assistants I became friendly with over the years have all complained about how badly they have been treated by Mainlanders.

I was especially friendly with the team of baristas in my local Starbucks - I mean, I was in there at least 3 times a day! I knew everyone by name, and pleasantries were always exchanged with authentic smiles & good feelings. One afternoon, I walked in; the staff looked tense & drained, and the energy of the place was somber. I asked if everything was okay ... "Bus load of Chinese tourists" came the reply. Hmmm ... Nuff said.

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Ricky SpanishReply toWayne

Wayne I agree with you on the Russians. They are mostly in Pattaya where I lived for a while. The Russian kids are unruly too. When ever you hear of an elephant hurting someone, its always a Russian kid. The Russian kids will kick the elephant and finally after enough, the elephant picks up the kid and slams him to the ground.

But when I moved to Chiang Mai, the tourist buses filled with Chinese are a constant flow. I see thousands of Chinese every day, and from my experience I will tell you they are mostly well educated Chinese, but they have an arrogance about them. They clearly think they are the Superior race. They never make eye contact with you, so you will feel invisible around them. They will walk right into you expecting YOU to move out of the way. They will stand in the middle of a busy street and take photos stopping traffic, as if the world rotates around them. They are disrespectful to the customs in Thailand. The Thai people are treated badly by the Chinese and every Thai I talked to had nothing good to say about the Chinese. By the way Thai people in northern Thailand are some of the kindest and honest people I have ever met in my travels.

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iReply toWayne

These people came from oppressed, stab in the back society! I mean China & Russia, and it's no wonder they are mostly abusive to their surrounding.

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GamespeedReply toWayne

Definitely sounds like you lived in Pattaya. Been there once and it seriously felt like a tropical Russian outpost. They were indeed loud, aggressive, and boorish. This contributed to a rather miserable atmosphere there, and the city itself just didn't seem pleasant. I love Thailand, but I'll never step foot in Pattaya again.

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KevinReply toWayne

So that's when you knock them down

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GaryReply toWayne

WAYNE

THIS ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE,,,,,100 PER CENT NOT TRUE

MARION THIBAUT WHERE YOU GET YOUR INFORMATION?

NO WAY CHINESE SPEND THIS MONEY...THEY OWN THEIR OWN HOTELS/MOTELS AND LOOK AND BUT SPEND VERY LITTLE...WANT EVERYTHING FOR NOTHING...OR NO BUY....I BEEN HERE 15 YEARS AND KNOW THE CHINESE ALL TO WELL...YOU MISLEADING WITH THIS INFORMATION...

YOU DONT SEE CHINESE EATING OUT....EAT IN ROOM....TIGHTEST PEOPLE ON THIS EARTH...AND IF THEY DO EAT OUT ALOT OF THEM WILL JUST WALK AWAY WITHOUT PAYING...OR DEMAND A LOWER PRICE THAN WHAT SHOWS ON THE MENU...SAY THAI TAKING ADVANTAGE BECAUSE THEY FARANG....REFUSE TO PAY...SEE MANY TIMES..

CHINESE ARE THAI'S NIGHTMARE

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George BReply toWayne

Lived in Thailand just over 7 years (USAF at Korat AB, 2 US Embassy postings) and can't agree more. One of the problems I saw with Russians in Pattaya at the time (95-98) is that there was also organized crime, aka the Russian mafiya. During that time there were 2 killings of Russians involved in the sex trade. A very reliable Thai friend told me the hits were basically a "hostile takeover" of a couple of bars surreptiously owned by the Russians.

One day I was at the shooting range - the one under the transvestite theater - and a bunch of them came in drunk, proclaiming to all that they were Spetznaz, They kept getting drunker and eventually were spraying bullets wildly so I had to leave, for my own safety.

There were also A LOT of middle-easterners but they usually stuck to the area at the far end of the walking sttreet. When you did encounter them they were filthy, stank and were usually accompanied by young boys. You can figure that one out - PEDOPHILES!

Retired now, I won't be going back. Too expensive to get there, almost 24 hours on planes and I wouldn't be able to tolerate all the TSA bullchit. After 20yrs carrying a Diplomatic passport and enjoying the "benefits" of one, I just could'nt take it.

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ClaudiaReply toWayne

Ha, now that you have to travel like the rest of us peons, it's a pain. Good.

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RobertReply toWayne

what about them yankee tourists. fat. loud. obnoxious.

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Moo Kapow

Almost all 1.4 billion chinese are rude since they lost their culture, politeness and manner during the revolution over 70 years ago. The Thais need to impose stiff penalty on tourists who behave badly in the public. They should not be afraid to put some of these people in jail if they need to so they can learn from it. They pick their nose and wipe them on the wall. They talk loudly. They spit whereever they want. They throw trashes where they want.

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LudahaiReply toMoo Kapow

more like during the Cultural DEvolution about 50 years ago.

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