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Is Thailand facing an economic crisis due to foreign influence and content creation?
Thailand economyexpat challengesforeign influencevisa impactscontent creatorsThai cultureprice inflationcost of livingDTV visalocal rights
TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation revolves around concerns that foreign content creators and influencers are negatively impacting Thailand's economy and culture, particularly with the recent introduction of a new digital nomad visa (DTV). Various commenters express frustration over sensationalized content that distorts the reality of living costs, labor wages, and local experiences, while some argue that changes will ultimately benefit the Thai economy through potential salary increases and better living standards. The dialogue highlights the tension between expatriate narratives and local perspectives, particularly regarding foreign expectations and contributions to the Thai market.
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Pelle Erikssonā
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Luca G.ā
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I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
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Roman ****
It is not Thailand that is cheap, it is your country that is expensive
Jason ***********
@Roman ***
100%. Why should there be 1000% markup on a coconut when we have coconuts in the USReply to
Jason ***********
Reply
Tod *********
Hmmm, looks a LOT like click bait to me š
Philip *****
Thai people want to earn more and get rich also, this is an opportunity for them instead of ending. Countries allow so many refugees would be a worst case instead. At least those DTV holder are all able to take good care of themselves.
Ned *******
This is most likely and indirectly/covert ad that some content creators are experimenting with. Ask someone you know to post on an expat group in hopes of increasing clout. The reality is YouTubers in Thailand who talk about the ā Thailand economyā and āwhatās good for Thailandā but have only been here less than a few months all have a major blind spot. They come across as delusional. Trying to set yourself up as an expert on Thai economics, political, and social matters when you have no real skin in the Thai statehood beyond your $300 visa is nothing short of comical. Offering consultations for $150 (then following up with āIām just a YouTuberā) doesnāt absolve you from the fact that your a foreign toxic market actor attempting to exert influence by exploiting legal vulnerabilities. A colonizer for a lack of better term. Offering up your half baked opinions on Thailand as facts while youāre dressed like that is just sad. Either set up a legal entity (incorporate), get a business visa, and Thai work permit, do market research before talking about thin gas you CLEARLY dont understand and set up real business - or do us all a favor and go review $1 soups in some night market. Save us all the pain of having to glance at your contention with reality.
Ned *******
imagine the situation reversed. Thais showing up to your hometown posing as experts when they don't even know the half of it
Paul *******
@Ned ******
Not to mention they can't speak a lick of Thai. I don't take foreigners who can't speak Thai seriously as by definition, they can't know anything about Thailand if they don't know the language and thus, the culture.Ned *******
@Daniel ********
Writing up all that doesnāt break a sweat for me šHe might have been coming here for 50 years ā¦ but On tourist visas. I circle back to my point from previous posts. Carrying a camera around and yapping does not convince serious and credible people that you have a vested interest in a country. Youāre not Thai, you never will be, you donāt have a family here, you did not grow up here, you donāt have a business hereā¦ even if you worked here before, you simply donāt have deep analytics/data that you would if you were a functional market actor/business ownerā¦ in other words, even if heās been flip flopping back here for 20 years and sometimes picks up a job or two, doesnāt make him an expert on Thai markets/economy/ or whatās good for Thais. To think otherwise is simply copium on top of white night syndrome.
Cheers.
Daniel *********
@Ned ******
Perhaps before writing all up that you could spend 2 minutes to see who the YT dude is.. he's been here for over 3 years coming up to 4 years šNed *******
@Hanson *****
a random account with 5 friends promoting a specific YouTubers video,... š¤š¤š¤Reply to
Ned *******
Reply
Laura **********
I'm not going to disagree and say that prices have not gone up consistently and significantly since covid however I've been in Thailand for well before covid and rent was more expensive pre-covid then during covid prices were very cheap because there was nobody here and then post covid prices went back up they've gone up past the original price however so has Global inflation and prices of things in general also it has been five six years since pre-covid so the prices should have increased by now anyway. Do I think there's probably going to be some gentrification as foreign money comes in and this will potentially end inevitably affect locals yes I do leave as prices go up so will salaries though therefore improving the economy, the infrastructure, standard of living of Thai people. We can all just hope for the best and do our best to help encourage it to go that way. Therefore eating at places that treat their employees fairly supporting businesses that support their staff. But yeah comparing prices to covid times to not cover times is not reasonable and if your first time here was during covid I could see why maybe you would be confused by increase in prices. A lot of restaurants try to do the right thing and make food even more affordable for people during covid because it was such a hard time so prices dropped at that time and went back up to normal and then continue to grow as inflation grew.
Daniel *********
Whilst some of the video is clickbait he does have a point about all these āinfluencersā arriving and doing some crappy version of MTV Cribs whilst telling everyone theyāre paying too much on rent whilst themselves paying over market price for a Bangkok Condo.
This impacts everyone long after they have gone including locals.
This impacts everyone long after they have gone including locals.
Ned *******
@Daniel ********
yeah, but you see, "all these āinfluencersā arriving and doing some crappy version of MTV Cribs whilst telling everyone theyāre paying too much on rent." are the villains in his story that he scapegoated to absolve himself of talking about things he doesn't understand.Daniel *********
@Ned ******
what things doesnāt he understand? Having been in and around Thailand since the early 2000s and including having worked at Thai companies I myself didnāt see anything in the video that suggested he was talking about things he didnāt understand.William ********
@Daniel ********
For starters, Bangkok alone has 210,000 unsold condo units which Thais cannot buy to begin with because of extremely high household debt (nearly 91% of GDP), coupled with extremely strict lending criteria from banks. Talks of a property bubble have been going on in Thailand for years. The fact that people are so debt-saddled has had serious effects on other things like vehicle sales.There are real structural issues with Thailandās economy. But youāre not going to learn what they are by listening to a guy walk around with a camera and extrapolate about how a few months old visa made his Pad Thai more expensive.
Daniel *********
@William *******
Indeed it does but not all those 210,000 unsold condos are in the same place. They're also unsold which means they aren't owned so can't be rented out, so really has no impact on this discussion at all.You seem to have completely missed the point as we're not talking about buying condos.
William ********
@Daniel ********
I was only using unsold condos as a metric. There are also hundreds of thousands of vacant condo units that have gone unrented for years. And I very much believe the structure of Thailandās economy, and how the DTV is being used as a stopgap, is very much relevant to the discussion.Reply to
William ********
Reply
Jeff ******
I donāt think anyone actually watched this video. His points are all valid and true. Mainly that with this new visa, Thailand is going to get gentrified and push local Thai people out. How is this a good thing long term?
Paul *******
@Jeff *****
What nonsense. Thailand has been gentrified long before the DTV came along. Fortunately, Thais don't think like you do. I've literally never heard of a Thai who hates tourism and wants the country to shut its doors to tourism or who complain about foreigners making it more expensive especially when we're talking about a country where dual pricing is legal and widespread.If foreigners increased prices, Thais would simply charge foreigners more than Thais, simple.
Not only is it simple but it's uncontroversial.
Give the farang a menu that is 50% more expensive for the same item as a Thai.
Charge the farang more for his apartment rental (this already happens in some places).
Some hotels charge farang more than Thais.
Martino *******
@Jeff *****
Thailand is a big country, why you all think that Thailand is only Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai?Personally, i think Thailand is NOT for everyone: many DTV holders after some months will reconsider living only in Thailand all year...and many already just wanted to stay 3 to 6 months a year to avoid the summer and to pay taxes
Marc *********
@Jeff *****
exactly, just another bunch of expats screaming they know better š I know Keis personally great guy. Also havenāt watched the video but without even watching, I am a member of a few DTV groups, here, insta, etc. Thereās definitely abuse already and i can tell this is going to get canned just like when they abused the student onesPaul *******
@Marc ********
Farang continue to abuse the visa waiver. There will always be abuse, sadly.Jeff ******
@Marc ********
hey bro, yeah I recognize you. Youāve been in a few of his videos, right? Adam is genuine, heās not trying to make clickbait videos. His points about the DTV visa are all valid. With these people bringing in their foreign money, the prices of things will obviously go up. And the local Thai people wonāt be able to afford things on their Thai salaries. Heās absolutely right.Reply to
Jeff ******
Reply
Jim ***********
Paddy Doyle only YouTuber worth watching.
Linhof *********
I paid 45 baht for pad thai yesterday
Kimberly ********
@Linhof ********
did you tip them well?Paul *******
@Kimberly *******
Who tips a Street food vendor? That just creates the expectation that farang pay more. Thus, in future you'll see dual pricing at restaurants too, 70 Baht for farang, 45 for Thais. Do you want that?Linhof *********
@Kimberly *******
zero. Why would I tip?Reply to
Linhof *********
Reply
Andy ************
There has been increase in prices all around the world since covid, why would Thailand be any different?
Rob *********
Thai people deserve fair salaries, and this is not possible if you pay 80 thb for a beer and 100 for a meal, I am happy with that . I am tired of farangs who think that Thailand needs to be a land of slaves working for them with a smile also.
Paul *******
@Rob ********
How is that a foreigners problem? Thai employers are the ones paying the salaries Thais get. If Thais were paid the salaries we get in the west, the cost of living would be as high as back home.You can't have it both ways.
Martino *******
@Rob ********
now is a foreigner problem if thai people are not getting paid well?Baptiste *******
@Rob ********
Thank you šš»Koren ******
@Rob ********
Thai people pay 0 taxes in 80% of the businesses. In this way the country will never change. And btw , if everything will get more expensive people will just drink / eat in a cheaper options and then those small businesses will collapse.
Kimberly ********
@Joseph ********
itās a different opinion - why turn abusive?Reply to
Kimberly ********
Reply
Thomas ********
@Rob ********
āfairā salary isnāt a linear solution. Public perception of value has to change. If prices go up, people stop buying, unless what they are selling is perceived as more valuable. For example: so many of my Thai friends on Facebook post about how expensive restaurants are becoming ā almost always followed by āIām going to the cheaper places.ā Artificially increasing prices and āsalariesā doesnāt fix anything.Kent *********
@Rob ********
how about people that also worked like slaves, now decide to vacation or live on their slave wages at a higher standard than in their country of origin? Nothing wrong with that is thereā¦.Marco ********
@Rob ********
let's say that without foreigners Thailand would be dead already.Lucas ********
@Rob ********
if they rise the price nobody is going there anymore. This is the realityRob *********
@Lucas *******
Go to Sweden or the UK , sure cheaper than here , or to Laos, same quality of life than Thailand šReply to
Rob *********
Reply
Nick *******
@Rob ********
congrats on making the most ridiculous comment todayRob *********
@Nick ******
š,no comments, another "smart" farang to illuminate all of us, thanks for giving me a reason for laughing šNick *******
@Rob ********
you are welcome mate. I appreciate the effort you put in to be better than all the farangs you are tired off. Well doneReply to
Nick *******
Reply
Marcus ******
@Rob ********
it is possible as how do you think local bars and restaurants who cater to mainly Thais surviveā¦.Go country for a while and youāll see how much the prices differ š itās all about location location and where you choose to live and which venues you choose to frequent. Even in town prices differ substantially depending on where you eat and drinkā¦.
And ultimately a fair salary is all down to how much the boss wants to pay his employees š¤·āāļø
Martino *******
@Marcus *****
TRUE! Even in Bangkok there's a BIG difference of prices based on areas. There's many areas where you barely see a foreigner and the prices here are waaaaaay cheaper than the most touristic and affluent onesReply to
Martino *******
Reply
Moon ******
@Rob ********
Not slaves. But the people want to survive that's why they move to Thailand.Toni *******
@Rob ********
how much is a fair salary, in what part of thailand can you give an example?Reply to
Toni *******
Reply
Greg ********
I do not think DTV Holders are going to be in the Lower Suk to Thonglor rental market that much. In fact most DTV holders are not heading for Bangkok. I can see prices rising in chiang Mai though for the lower end places ie sub-10k.
Felix ******
The end of what?
Greg ********
Can you produce this content on a DTV? Is it not working in Thailand? š :-)
Ned *******
@Greg *******
making content on the DTV is a "grey area", it's what you say in that content that counts. For example, if he offers consultations, which he and several other YouTubers are doing in exchange for monetary compensation, they just broke 2 laws. Btw. There is a group of Thai lawyers building up cases against several YouTubers who are flaunting labor laws. Let's see what happens.Ned *******
The ones making the real money are doing something else (I donāt want to mention here and give them ideas).
The ones pushing similar bars like you mentioned are getting hustled by the bars. Itās a smart tactic for the business owners but in the long run unsustainable for foreign Thailand YouTubers.
The ROI is a fleeting ego boost they never felt back home š¤·š»āāļø
The ones pushing similar bars like you mentioned are getting hustled by the bars. Itās a smart tactic for the business owners but in the long run unsustainable for foreign Thailand YouTubers.
The ROI is a fleeting ego boost they never felt back home š¤·š»āāļø
Ned *******
@Greg *******
indeed. itās a new form of desperation and folly.Greg ********
@Ned ******
I am sure some of them must make a living but there are so many of them there is no differentiation. I have seen 2 or 3 of them pushing the same restaurants and bars. Now if all they are getting is a free meal and a drink then OK. The people they are reaching do not seem to be the crowd that spend 400 to 600 THB a cocktail or 3k ++ a head on food. It is just another channel for marketing and the spend should justify a ROI.Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
Greg ********
@Ned ******
Will be interesting to see how it all pans out. I try to avoid them but they all seem ti have exactly the same content and are not exactly Captains of Charisma.Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
ė§ė¦¬ģ¤ ***
@Greg *******
if they are on a DTV producing content for monetization in Thailand itās technically illegal.Greg ********
@ė§ė¦¬ģ¤ **
My point but I chose the "Socratic Approach" :-)Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
Phill **********
Foreigner turns up to Thailand 3 years ago and makes out like heās Christopher Columbus and these ānewā farang are ruining Thailand - please
Rene ********
@Phill *********
my pleasureWayne ********
@Phill *********
my thought exactly, I like Keis and Iām subscribed to him on YouTube but I donāt like the making out that it can be a bad thing that more people will be allowed to do exactly what he is doing.Greg ********
@Phill *********
Talks like he is some Bangkok "Old hand" - hilarious.Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
Jean-Maurice ********
canāt believe these foreign creators are making such damaging content just for clickbait. how do you profit from trying to dismantle a visa thatās only been available 4 months š
Jeff ******
@Jean-Maurice *******
did you watch the video? This new visa is going to inevitably bring more wealthier foreigners into Thailand which will push local Thai people out and bring the prices of things up. How is this a good thing, specifically for the local Thai people?Paul *******
@Jeff *****
DTV holders aren't particularly wealthy. Secondly, Thailand is of course targeting wealthy travelers. The last thing the country needs is refugees or welfare cases, which could become a security risk, potentially igniting racial tensions with Thais.Already now, there are plenty of Thais worried about the large numbers of Burmese and Cambodians here, many of them becoming increasingly demanding and wanting equal rights with Thais, taking their jobs and so forth.
All of this presents a far greater risk to Thais and their well-being, than a few thousand DTV holders, who work remotely and spend money here.
Jeff ******
@Paul ******
go to his YouTube page and say all the same things in the comments, heās usually good about replying to peopleās comments.Paul *******
@Jeff *****
I've already made some comments there.Jeff ******
@Paul ******
ah ok, good. šJeff ******
@Paul ******
I guess explain all this to Adam (the guy in this YouTube video) then. Because Iām just repeating what I got out of his video. Otherwise, I agree with you.Reply to
Jeff ******
Reply
Martino *******
@Jeff *****
these wealthy foreigners didn't need the DTV. They live in "rich" areas. They don't go in the "average thai" area. Try to go in Bangkok in many "suburban" areas and you will rarely see a foreigner.Paul *******
@Jeff *****
If that was the case, maybe all foreigners should be forced to hit the road including you right? You can't have it both ways.Greg ********
@Jeff *****
I think the opposite. I do not think it is bringing in wealthier foreigners. You are correct though it is the Thais that will hurt at the lower end though. The majority of DTV visa hplders will be renting and buying at their end. Not talking about the min wage Thais. Those on a rung or two above them.Jean-Maurice ********
@Jeff *****
hm. while concerns about rising costs are valid, the thai government can address most of those concerns through policies that ensure locals benefit:- improving public services with increased tax revenue
- investing in affordable housing
- ensuring the owning class doesnāt spike prices unethically (savage capitalism behavior)
- creating safety net policies that can help thais increase their wages without turning kicking all costs to consumers.
itās the wrong perspective to look at the local thai population as a monolith, or as 100% burdened by growth in foreign population. in fact, most thais welcome foreign dollars. the condos we rent, the bikes we drive, the food we eat, itās mostly going to thai landlords, thai restaurant owners, thai business owners. hopefully, increases in businessā prices results in an increase in thai wages.
but at the end of the day, most of this is out of the hands of foreigners and mostly regulated by capitalism and government policies and protections. content that paints foreigners are the problem is bad logic. the thai government has to ensure that not only the middle and upper class benefits from globalizations efforts.
the best thing foreigners can do is invest properly, be of generous spirit and respect your place in the ecosystem.
economics is a big convo. not to be summed up in one or two facebook posts or a click bate youtube video. donāt quote me but from my research it seems a large group of the new dtv holders are just people switching over from other visas at this time so there isnāt any influx of wealthy people. those ppl are here and have always had fluid visa options. but digital nomads are seasonal, usually younger and less financially independent but still meaningful contributors to the economy.
all in all, there much good in increased tourism. just look at thailands many programs to attract more chinese tourists investment; russian migration, etc etc. but moralizing capitalism which is inherently immoral is already dooming the convo. wrong perspective buddy
Paul *******
@Jean-Maurice *******
Dual pricing is another option. Totally uncontroversial among Thais, they could expand it to make more hotels charge foreigners more than Thais (some already do).Kimberly ********
@Jean-Maurice *******
written by Ai?Jean-Maurice ********
@Kimberly *******
haha actually no. I was surprised by how much I wrote tbh lolJeff ******
@Jean-Maurice *******
well Iām not going to argue any of your valid points here. All true, and Iāll be the first to admit Iām no expert in economics, but it doesnāt take a rocket scientist to know the local Thai people with their local Thai wages will eventually be priced out. I guess thatās capitalism for you. We can support the DTV visa, while also agreeing it might end up being detrimental to the Thai people.
Greg ********
@Jeff *****
Just after the DTV launch I had lunch with the Thai team from my old job. Professionals all earning over 75k THB basic a month. They were talking about the DTV. They thought there should be a minimum spend or taxable income per month. They also wanted a reciprocal agreement with countries so they could go and work temporarily there ie UK etc.Jean-Maurice ********
@Greg *******
those are some wild suggestions haha. minimum spend?! that sounds crazy. also the dtv is a non-working visa so why would an individual applicants country give thais a working visa in exchange?Greg ********
@Jean-Maurice *******
These were just a bunch of Thai middle class professionals talking. They do not mind tourists and higher end working professionals. They tend to dislike the Cheap Charlie end of the market :-)Jean-Maurice ********
also thailand just altered its tax law demanding taxes on global income after 160 days. thatās pretty intense already donāt they think?
Greg ********
@Jean-Maurice *******
Sorry wrong. Tax resident after 180 days. It is NOT on global income. Only on income/earnings remitted to Thailand and subject to allowances and DTA's.Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
Dan *******
@Jean-Maurice *******
they profit from views and comments, both are counted towards how much money they make per video. Best thing to do is report for scam or false infomation.
Bo **********
@Dan ******
šReply to
Bo **********
Reply
William ********
No, but ācontentā creators who donāt learn very much about the places they live but say a lot regardless just might.
Joseph *********
@William *******
100%Ned *******
@William *******
āpeople donāt tell you about you, they tell you about themselvesā is his excuse to block you now šWilliam ********
@Ned ******
The gent appears quite angry. Iām always surprised by the number of people who confuse their guesthouse for a home, getting angry every time a fellow traveler rings the bell on the desk.Reply to
William ********
Reply
Timothy ******
@William *******
what a load of š©. You take your American money to Thailand and they see you along with the millions of others with money coming in to live cheaply. They raise prices. Pretty simple. Just like all other nice places that get ruined by foreigners. Why take a 2 week cooking course? You can do that on a 30 day tourist stay. Total BS.Bryan *******
@William *******
Flawless Victory on the response.Patrick ********
@William *******
What a perfect response.. Spot OnReply to
Patrick ********
Reply
StƩphane *********
Bored of these videos
Da ****
No
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Da ****
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