Phuket

PosK · #1 01-07-2006, 08:48

Looks like claim for Thailand is between the Sex Tourist and the Backpacker. When will the inevitable battle for LOS commence? and more importantly, who will win?

LivinLOS · #2 01-07-2006, 08:54

Erm hardly..

Mongers are not exactly flooding to Koh Tao and backpackers dont tend to hang out on walking street..

There is a whole country after all..

jimholio · #3 01-07-2006, 08:54

what battle? for the girls?

There are lots of backpacking sex tourists in Thailand too

JayBee · #4 01-07-2006, 11:39

More of a competetion between the familys' business and the mongers' business, IMHO. The backpackers have got their niche, but it is quite small. Families spend the big $ with monger's close behind. Backpackers spend diddly!

LivinLOS · #5 01-07-2006, 11:48

But one thing you notice if you look closely at spending patterns is families spend a lot on thier chain hotels and package holidays which benefits the very few super rich hotel owners who employ everyone at min wage type salaries.

Mongers stay in local guesthouse / mid range hotels, frequent bars and small businesses, benefit the entreprenuer and middle biz class, get more money into the local economy IMHO.

JayBee · #6 01-07-2006, 12:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

But one thing you notice if you look closely at spending patterns is families spend a lot on thier chain hotels and package holidays which benefits the very few super rich hotel owners who employ everyone at min wage type salaries.

Mongers stay in local guesthouse / mid range hotels, frequent bars and small businesses, benefit the entreprenuer and middle biz class, get more money into the local economy IMHO.

In general, I agree. But families also spend a lot on pricey restaurants, souvenirs, daytrips, fishing, diving, golf, and other entertainment like Fantasea, ride elephants, etc.

Where the mongers really contribute a lot to the economy besides hotels, restaurants, and drink, is in the money that goes directly into the girls pockets, because there isn't any rich guy taking his cut out of that. They, in turn, feed the economy at the basic level of food, shelter, shops, laundrys, cosmetics, and incidentals, as well as helping out the economy in Isaan, and to a lesser extent towns and villages all over the rest of LOS. WE put food on people's tables, gas in their motabikes/pickups, and have help expand the housing supply a fair bit, as well.

Patriot · #7 01-07-2006, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayBee

. They, in turn, feed the economy at the basic level of food, shelter, shops, laundrys, cosmetics, and incidentals, as well as helping out the economy in Isaan, and to a lesser extent towns and villages all over the rest of LOS. WE put food on people's tables, gas in their motabikes/pickups, and have help expand the housing supply a fair bit, as well.

Took the words right out of my mouth

Paddy · #8 01-07-2006, 17:28

The surliest Thais I've ever come across are undoubtedly in Chaweng, Koh Samui, aka Backpacker Central. The fact that these kids walk around with a look of suspicion and mistrust on their faces, ask how much everything is and look pained when they hear the answer, shout if they can't make themselves understood and will sit all night in bar watching the free movies while they drink one glass of coke and sneak biscuits out of the packet from under the table is probably something to do with it.

It's the arrogance that gets me. I never thought I'd end up talking like my dad but he was dead right when he said the little buggers don't know they're born.

Paddy · #9 01-07-2006, 17:33

Your average monger, on the other hand, can't believe his luck on making it to LOS after the general gloom and marital misery he's left behind in farangland and demonstrates his gratitude by enjoying what's offered, expressing his enjoyment fully and paying for it accordingly.

Backpackers v mongers? No contest.

georgelondon · #10 01-07-2006, 17:39

oh dear guys...we not rising to the bait???

Rex7777 · #11 01-07-2006, 18:03

Whatever you might think about backpackers, you almost have to admit they have the right idea. Bumming around the world, going where they want, when they want.

Actually, it was a backpacker that inspired me to plan for an early retirement. One time, shortly before my vacation was over and I had to return to work, I was sitting in some restaurant on the beach road, having lunch and a Heineken and watching all the cute waitresses. Anyway, this backpacker strolls in to talk to one of the girls. It was obvious he didn't have to be anywhere anytime soon. Right then it dawned on me that I should drop out of the rat race and relax. The backpacker had the right idea. Work sucks.

Rex

cybernator_uk · #12 01-07-2006, 18:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rex7777

Whatever you might think about backpackers, you almost have to admit they have the right idea. Bumming around the world, going where they want, when they want.

Actually, it was a backpacker that inspired me to plan for an early retirement. One time, shortly before my vacation was over and I had to return to work, I was sitting in some restaurant on the beach road, having lunch and a Heineken and watching all the cute waitresses. Anyway, this backpacker strolls in to talk to one of the girls. It was obvious he didn't have to be anywhere anytime soon. Right then it dawned on me that I should drop out of the rat race and relax. The backpacker had the right idea. Work sucks.

Rex

Hahahah yeah i do agree with that point of view... But backpacking doesnt last for ever.... They eventually all have to join the "rat race" sooner or later... I think again this is another discusion where you cant compare a backpacker to a mongerer to a family holiday... Thailand caters to all of them People there for mongering can go to places like Cowboy, nana etc.... Backpackers will head to typical backpacker places and family holidayers will head to there own family resorts and Thailand does cater for everyone.... Cant see any problems there.....

LivinLOS · #13 01-07-2006, 18:54

Nothing wrong with travel or dropping out.. Though 'backpacker' has now taken on the kind of 'great unwashed' stereotype instead of explorer idea..

PosK · #14 01-07-2006, 21:05

Oh, how can I forget the Asian (korean/Japanese) Tour Groups from the battle. They are a formidable hybrid as they inject money into general tourism in addition to the the bar scene.

Petter · #15 01-07-2006, 21:56

Quote:

Oh, how can I forget the Asian (korean/Japanese) Tour Groups from the battle. They are a formidable hybrid as they inject money into general tourism in addition to the the bar scene.

I still getting suprised some times how little you now about the rest of the world.

Battle ? jeeze Thailand have been number one and the main destination for package/family tourism for years in Europa,and more and more is comming.

Maybee you should take a tour and see somthing outside your country

Benjy · #16 02-07-2006, 01:57

Koh Tao's nickname is "leper isle"

M & M · #17 02-07-2006, 04:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayBee

In general, I agree. But families also spend a lot on pricey restaurants, souvenirs, daytrips, fishing, diving, golf, and other entertainment like Fantasea, ride elephants, etc.

Where the mongers really contribute a lot to the economy besides hotels, restaurants, and drink, is in the money that goes directly into the girls pockets, because there isn't any rich guy taking his cut out of that. They, in turn, feed the economy at the basic level of food, shelter, shops, laundrys, cosmetics, and incidentals, as well as helping out the economy in Isaan, and to a lesser extent towns and villages all over the rest of LOS. WE put food on people's tables, gas in their motabikes/pickups, and have help expand the housing supply a fair bit, as well.

I agree with both you and LiL, JayBee.

I'm a bit off thread here but the first few years Mike and I travelled with and without the kids and booked out holidays in packages staying at family oriented hotels...it wasn't till last year that we decided that we were paying way too much for our accommodation and our trips were becoming a tad expensive to keep having each year...so last year Mike booked our accommodation through the net with Surasak at Patong Villa...June/July 2005

Now I don't know if Mike had been reading the forum back that far (early 2005) but I know I didn't know anything about GF hotels and it wasn't till I started to read the froum (and we subsequently joined early this year) that I realized that Patong Villa was a GF hotel and that there are a mile-long list of others. Some of these GF hotels run by expats as well.

It's just that a lot of them are really nice and are a lot cheaper than the family hotels...and our money will be going to one of the GF hotels next time...but next time we'll be coming to stay so it will ST in GF hotel for us before we find permanent accommodation...5555555555

Back on thread sorry

As I said I agree with JayBee and LiL...there is a niche for all walks in life and each injects money by visiting the country and the mongers' money really does to me seem to go a long way on a very basic need level for the girls and their families...

Sorry for that ramble...but I really have learned a lot from this forum...thanks guys!!

marc26 · #18 03-07-2006, 04:03

as a hybrid of sorts(or a mutt, take your choice!!)

i frequent local places but stya in luxury hotels
i eat at food stalls and 5 star restaurants

like marica said, theres rooms for everyone

and a little off the thread, theres 4 or 5 hostels right by my place in vancouver and from what i can see of these backpackers, may be a different kind, always well-behaved

fishead · #19 05-07-2006, 09:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimholio

what battle? for the girls?

There are lots of backpacking sex tourists in Thailand too

Actually my first time in L.O.S. I could be loosly labeled as a Backpacker Sex Tourist. I was virtually computer illeterate I didn't know about any of these sites.

I stayed on Khoe San road. Most of the Khoe San road Tuk Tuks are pimping soapies. Also went to Nana plaza and used the girls apartment since my hotel was not guest friendly. There are also quite a few freelances working on and around Khoe San road.

nelsonone · #20 05-07-2006, 09:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishead

There are also quite a few freelances working on and around Khoe San road.

Do they wear backpacks so they can be identified by their "market"

TremenDoh Ro · #21 06-07-2006, 04:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimholio

what battle? for the girls?

There are lots of backpacking sex tourists in Thailand too

You are GodDamn Right

fishead · #22 06-07-2006, 06:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by TremenDoh Ro

You are GodDamn Right

I want to enjoy my holiday without having to conform to any trendy subculture. I can slum it if I need to I can also find the hole in the wall guesthouse that still lets me have an overnight guest.

There's nothing like the self rightious monger who pisses on someone who's just trying to save a little money. The more money I save on accomidation the more I can spend on the ladies.