Indians rate Thailand top of their overseas travel preferenc

[lonelywombat]

This article in Times of India shows not only Bangkok but Pattaya and Phuket feature in the top 10 locations for Indian tourists.

To be frank I cannot recall seeing Indian tourists in any numbers.

The higher proportion of English newspapers in India compared to other countries, make me wonder if any gay info are shown in Indian gay listings.

Surely these would be a new source, that I had never considered.
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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city ... 189263.cms

Indian vacationers hot on Southeast Asia: Survey
Chinmayi Shalya, TNN | May 22, 2013, 05.32 AM IST


MUMBAI: When it comes to holidays abroad, Indians prefer the East to the West. And Southeast Asia seems to be high on the list of travel destinations.

Bangkok, Pattaya and Singapore in Southeast Asia and even Dubai in West Asia are right up there on the list of top-ten destinations for the Indian traveller, says a survey conducted over the last year.

London, New York and Las Vegas are the only three places in the West to have made it to the list.

Travel gurus said proximity and lower costs make Southeast Asian destinations a perennial favourite with Indian vacationers.

Bangkok was voted the most popular destination, followed by Singapore. Dubai was third on the list, Pattaya in Thailand fourth and Hong Kong fifth. Kuala Lumpur was voted ninth most popular.

London, New York and Las Vegas stood sixth, eighth and tenth, respectively.

Thailand is not only cheaper than many Indian holiday destinations but also has a cluster of various tourist islands. An on-arrival visa is another draw.

"Many people visit Phuket and then go to other islands repeatedly. The same is true of Bangkok," said Rajesh Rateria, managing director, Cirrus Travels.

Europe is more expensive and needs quite a bit of planning, while Southeast Asian destinations are ideal for short holidays.

"One can plan a quick trip over a long weekend," said a Fort-based travel agent. "For a longer holiday, people club Singapore, Thailand and Bangkok together."

Hong Kong, though a bit expensive, also emerged as a popular holiday haunt.

The survey report prepared by Hotels.com stated that the "great value" rates make these places attractive for Indians.

An increase in the number of flights, particularly low-cost ones, over the last year has also fuelled the holiday trend.

When it comes to visitors to India from abroad, Delhi is the favourite, followed by Mumbai and Goa. Agra, Jaipur and Thiruvananthpuram are the three Tier II cities which feature on the top-ten list.

"This is mostly because international travellers fly to main metro cities and then branch out to other places," said an agent. "Cities like Agra are also on the international traveller's itinerary because of high heritage attractions."

The 2012 trend

Top overseas destinations for Indians

1. Bangkok

2. Singapore

3. Dubai

4. Pattaya

5. Hong Kong

6. London

7. Phuket

8. New York

9. Kuala Lumpur

10. Las Vegas

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[pong]

Thailand is about the only country they can go to without having to bother about visa beforehand and get very closely scrutinised. Even Malaysia know checks them first.

[martin911]

But once they actually get here they wouldnt seem to be at the top of any list as regards "preferences to meet "by any of the thai guys ive heard chatting about indian customers

most guys wont have anything to do with that particular nationality!!!

[scottish-guy]

.....To be frank I cannot recall seeing Indian tourists in any numbers....

You need to get yourself to the Beverly Plaza hotel in Pattaya. You'll see plenty there.

.....To be frank I cannot recall seeing Indian tourists in any numbers....

You need to get yourself to the Beverly Plaza hotel in Pattaya. You'll see plenty there.

Another hotel to avoid then, thanks for the tip.

{the missing "funny" comments are now split into the Global Forum = Iran - jinks}

[witchhunt]

scottishguy reference to Beverly Plaza hotel, I think refers to Indian ex pats rather than Indian visitors

Not sure if that area is all Indian , but probably includes more Pakistanis than Indian.

But I have no recall of any Indian or Pakistani in the gay bars in Sunee or Boyztown, even on the beach.

However my Cambodian friend says most Asians do not like the beach, as it darkens their skin colour Same same for sub continent people.

[scottish-guy]

No, Witchunt - I'm referring to tourists.

If you haven't had the misfortune of staying there I can understand why you wouldn't know that the mix is like.

Why would Indian/Pakistani "ex-pats" be staying in a hotel anyway? Surely long-term ex-pats would be someplace more permanent and lower cost?

Like you I have not seen any of them in the Gay bars or at the Beach but if you have a boy with you at the hotel swimming pool they can be quite predatory - 2 or 3 at a time - in the likes of the Welcome Plaza hotel. They seem to like "Plaza" in the hotel name!! LOL

Of course I am not tarring all Indian/Pakistani visitors with the same brush - but the limited interactions I have had have not been positive.

[colmx]

But I have no recall of any Indian or Pakistani in the gay bars in Sunee or Boyztown, even on the beach.

I have seen them being turned away from both Mic My and Nice boys...
First they were asked for ID... if they had had none... they were turned away
If they had ID... they were told that it was a private party and they had to come back another day...

[Tierman]

My personal experience is that Thais do not like Indians. They say that Indians smell bad.

My personal experience is that Thais do not like Indians. They say that Indians smell bad.

The word most used is "stingy". Not that Thais are racist, of course.