Australia flag carrier Qantas Airways announced a new partnership with Bangkok Airways today which will allow its frequent flyers to book classic flight reward seats to more than 20 destinations across Thailand and South East Asia.
Bangkok Airways climbs onboard the Qantas Frequent Flyer programme with another 45 partner airlines, which will allow members to use their points to travel to more than 1,200 destinations across the globe.
Travelers can access Bangkok Airways flights from Australia via Bangkok, Phuket and Singapore. Qantas operates more than 50 return flights each week between Australia and these popular destinations.
Bangkok Airways has regular flights each day out of the kingdom's capital to some of Thailand's most popular destinations, including Koh Samui and Chiang Mai, and Siem Reap in Cambodia.
The partnership expands on a codeshare agreement that was introduced in 2014 allowing Qantas customers to book commercial seats on Bangkok Airways flights.
Qantas Loyalty CEO Olivia Wirth said Qantas Frequent Flyer welcomed Bangkok Airways to the program.
"We want our members to be able to use their Qantas points on reward seats to as many destinations as possible and our portfolio of partner airlines means they can choose from hundreds of locations across the globe.
"Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for our frequent flyers and this partnership will make it easier for them to explore more of the region using their points.
"The option to book reward seats on Bangkok Airways' expansive network across Thailand and Southeast Asia will also open up thousands of new redemption opportunities.
"Reward seats continue to be great value and there are millions available for booking now across domestic and international routes for the next year on Qantas, Jetstar and our partner airlines."
The Bangkok Airways partnership follows recent initiatives from Qantas Frequent Flyer to expand opportunities for travelers to use their points on flights including 100,000 classic flight reward seats between Australia and Japan, and the extension of Qantas' commitment for 50% more reward seats until June 2023.
Qantas Frequent Flyers can also use their points on hotel stays across Thailand through Qantas Hotels.
Car manufacturing in September expanded by 25.9% year-on-year due to higher demand in pickup and diesel-powered car segments.
Thailand's Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) increased by 3.36% year-on-year to 97.9 points in September, thanks to bustling economic activities, especially in the tourism and export sectors.
Exports enjoyed growth while tourism continued to recover, said Warawan Chitaroon, permanent secretary for industry and acting director-general of the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE).
"The tourism industry played an important role in boosting the economy, following the reopening of the country late last year," she said.
As a result, manufacturers saw more demand for goods related to tourism, including beer, clothing, bags, shoes and jewellery.
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking said earlier that the tourism sector could boost people's purchasing power, eventually helping to drive the economy.
Industry analysts expect the number of tourist arrivals to reach 9-10 million this year.
"The state economic stimulus programmes also helped support business activities," Mrs Warawan said.
According to the OIE, the MPI in the third quarter also increased. From July to September, the index rose by 8.06% year-on-year to 97.75 points.
In the first nine months of this year, the MPI increased by 2.83% year-on-year to 99.63 points.
Car manufacturing in September expanded by 25.9% year-on-year due to higher demand in the pickup and diesel-powered car segments.
Motorcycle production in the same month also soared by 72.6% year-on-year, thanks to higher sales amid the recovering economy.
Cars and motorcycles were among the industries that drove the September MPI.
Petroleum production also rose by 21.6% year-on-year that month, following higher demand for jet oil and diesel after the government reopened the country.
The OIE expects to see the MPI continue to increase in October because the country's economy is forecast to stay on a recovery path, with tourism, stimulus packages and exports set to be key economic drivers.
However, the office is closely monitoring negative factors that may affect the economy. They include high energy prices and the US Federal Reserve's policy of hiking interest rates to deal with high inflation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has confirmed his attendance to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Bangkok next month, according to Thai government spokesperson Don Pramudwinai.
Don told the media today that President Xi Jinping had officially confirmed his attendance as a "special guest" at the summit as China is not an APEC member state. Other "special guests" who have confirmed their attendance include President of France Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister ofCambodia Hun Sen.
The spokesperson added that Thailand is expecting official confirmation from President of Russia Vladimir Putin. However, a "security source" already reported that Putin had officially confirmed his attendance earlier this month.
So far, only four of the world's 21 APEC member states are officially sending delegations to Bangkok, including Mexico, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The clock is ticking, with the meeting scheduled in less than three weeks on November 18-19.
President of the USA Joe Biden will not be attending but is sending Vice President Kamala Harris to Bangkok in lieu. Biden will attend the annual US-ASEAN summit in Cambodia on November 12-13 and fly onwards to Indonesia to take part in the East Asia summit.
The UK and India were both invited to the summit despite not being APEC members due to their strong trade ties with Thailand. However, both countries cannot make it.
Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered the National Security Council to step up safety measures in preparation for the APECsummit…
"It is considered an important step for Thailand to be accepted by foreign countries which will further allow the nation to benefit from investments and tourism among others."
"I implore everyone to keep our country safe and prevent any incidents from affecting the event as it will hamper the progress of our country."
Attendees of a meeting chaired by General Prayut agreed to closely monitor political activists and "violent groups" that "may use the event to negatively impact the country's image."
Thai police are cracking down on foreign fugitives in the kingdom prior to the event to ensure the safety of the world leaders in attendance.
PHOTO: Russian direct flights to Phuket have resumed. (via Nation)
Tourism in Phuket got another boost from Russian tourists as the first direct flights from Moscow to Phuket International Airport resumed. The airport expects to see an average of 30,000 arrivals per day in November. Ikar Airlines was the first to arrive from Moscow yesterday afternoon, with a flight from Russian national airline Aeroflot landing later at 9.10pm.
Ikar is a charter airline that operates under Pegas Fly. They usually run flights from Moscow to Phuket, Krabi, and U-Tapao Airport serving Pattaya. Their plane landed at 1.23pm yesterday at Phuket Airport and was met with a special reception from airport staff.
Some 449 Russian travellers were aboard the flight. They were met by the staff administrative officer for Phuket as well as airport staff who gathered to mark the return of direct flights from Russia to Phuket.
Going into the winter High Season, when many Russian tourists flee to warm locations like Phuket, Koh Samui, and other tropical Southeast Asian destinations, three Russian airlines will shuffle passengers from around Russia to Phuket.
Ikar Airlines which arrived first will have a regular schedule running flights from Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow to Phuket on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday each week. The schedule is confirmed until March 25. Aeroflot will fly between the same two airports, but twice as often as Ikar. It will fly daily from now until the season change on March 25.
Finally, Siberia Airlines will transport Russians from three major cities to Phuket. Their November to March high season schedule will run three flights a week – two on Monday and one on Thursday. The Thursday flight will bring people to Phuket from Irkutsk in Siberia. On Mondays, the airline will operate flights to Phuket from the far-east port city of Vladivostock. They will also fly from Novosibirsk, Russia's third-largest city every Monday through the end of March.
Operators Promises Safe Halloween Festival on Khao San Road
31 October 2022 10:59
BANGKOK, Oct 31 (TNA) – Business operators on Khao San Road promised that their Halloween festival would be safe and there would not be any situation like the one on a street in Itaewon because Khao San Road is wider.
Sa-nga Ruangwatanakul, president of the Khao San Road Business Association, said that business operators on Khao San Road prepared safety measures and there would never be any situation like the one in Itaewon.
He said that Khao San Road was as wide as 12 meters and was flat, not slope. Moreover, there were as many as seven exits. In any event of emergency, visitors could leave the road without delay.
To ensure public safety, local business operators planned to install reflective exit signs in Thai, Chinese and English languages at the seven exits, Mr Sa-nga said.
He expected about 20,000 visitors to Khao San Road during its Halloween festival on Oct 31. The expected amount of people was lower than the number of visitors there in Song Kran and New Year festivals when the 400-meter-long road welcomed 50,000 people, Mr Sa-nga said.
The Khao San Road Business Association worked out safety measures with the Phra Nakhon district office, the police, the National Institute for Emergency Medicine and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. The measures included the deployment of ambulances at all entrances and exits of Khao San Road, Mr Sa-nga said. (TNA)
The majority of voting participants has voted Anutin Charnvirakul to be a suitable political leader who was above social conflicts, according to the Super Poll's result on Sunday, October 30th.
Of 2,016 selected voters, 35.8 percent chose Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, to be the political leader most above social conflicts. One of the reasons indicated in the survey was that Anutin had no history of conflict with anyone, speaks little, and did not blame those who scolded at him.
Some of the reasons stated by the voters reads: "He was a good-hearted person who had a contribution to many lives and potentially solved the Covid-19 crisis and improved the public health system. He was also kind to local residents, very skilled, wealthy, and liked rich people."
The second place, accountable for 29.7 percent, was Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O'Cha while the third, or about 13.1 percent, was Paetongtarn Shinawatra – the leader of Pheu Thai Party.
Additionally, when asking about the main reason for social conflict in Thailand, the majority, accountable for 66.1 percent, states that the movement of defamation against the country's highest institution is the main cause of conflict in Thai society, followed by 53.4 percent of political groups who received money from influential foreigners, 41.9 percent of the pro-democracy movement, 32.0 percent of the movement of institutional reform, 26.2% the 2014 military coup, and 23.7 percent the consolidation, monopoly on business, energy, food and communications.
Price hike looms: Passengers wait in a taxi queue at Suvarnabhumi airport on Thursday.
Taxi drivers at Suvarnabhumi airport are demanding the airport raise service fees and fares to lure back drivers to solve the problem of a taxi shortage.
President of the Thai Public Taxi Association Sadit Jaitiang said about 9,000 taxis were registered to serve passengers at Suvarnabhumi Airport before the Covid-19 pandemic.
At present, less than half of the number provide the service, as many drivers had financial problems. Many had their cars seized due to their inability to pay the rent, he said. Others had gone back to their hometowns and started new careers.
He said he was not optimistic the number of taxis available at the airport can return to the same levels as before the pandemic.
"I doubt Suvarnabhumi Airport can offer us some benefits that we have been asking for. We asked them to raise the starting price for fares from 35 baht to 40 baht.
"We also demand a charge of eight baht per kilometre for the first 10 kilometres instead of the present rate of 5.50 baht/km. We also raised the issue of a service charge of 50 baht, which we say should be increased to 80 baht," said Mr Sadit.
"These are minor adjustments based on the higher cost of living. Most people are affected by inflation, including us. The fare has been static for many years while fuel costs rise and the cost of living has grown higher," he said.
The problem of the taxi shortage at the airport came to light at the beginning of October during the long holiday. Many travellers posted pictures on social media of long lines at the airport taxi queue. Some passengers prefer taking the Airport Rail Link or hiring a Grab car. Others do not want to ride an airport taxi because they say the 50-baht service charge and another charge for large luggage, ranging from 20-100-baht, are too high.
Somsak, 26, told the Bangkok Post that he is a frequent flyer both domestically and internationally. He said the 50-baht service charge set by Suvarnabhumi Airport taxis is unnecessary, making the total service fare too expensive.
Passenger Somchai said he had stopped taking airport taxis and turned to the Grab app. Another passenger, Wiyada, 49, said she also preferred using the ride hailing app. She said the service was more convenient and the fee was fair. In addition, she did not have to waste time waiting in queues for an airport taxi.
Sawitri, 45, a security officer, said the taxi kiosk service is still working, but few Thais take airport taxis because of the expensive fare. She said she stopped taking airport taxis after Airport Railway began running its service. The train fare is much cheaper than the taxi fare, she added.
Suvarnabhumi airport authorities are aware of the taxi shortage problem. They intend asking taxi drivers to register as official airport transport. A source at the airport said about 100,000 foreign passengers take an airport taxi every day, which is still below levels before the Covid-19 pandemic when 180,000 foreign passengers per day arrived at the airport.
"We are now recruiting more airport taxis and aim to bring back drivers members who were with us before the pandemic," he said. He expects the problem will be solved before long.
Many foreigners own condominiums in Bangkok and other urban areas but some would prefer to acquire land on which to build a house. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)
The government has defended a bill to allow foreigners categorised under four specific groups to apply for permission to buy up to 1 rai of land on the condition they invest at least 40 million baht each for at least three years.
The bill is simply an amendment to the ministerial regulation that has been in existence since 2002, said government spokesman Anucha Buraphachaisri.
The amendment, if passed, will apply to four groups of foreigners who hold Long-Term Resident (LTR) visas under a recently introduced scheme to attract foreign investment, he said.
High wealth individuals; well-to-do pensioners; work-from-Thailand professionals and highly skilled professionals or specialists, are the specific groups being courted, he said.
The cabinet agreed with the proposal at its weekly meeting on Tuesday, and the bill is now being reviewed by the Council of State, the government's legal arm, he said.
In practice, these potential foreign investors will have to first meet the minimum 40-million-baht investment requirement before they can apply for permission to buy land of at most 1 rai (1,600m²) for residential purposes in Bangkok, Pattaya City, as well as other municipalities and zones specified as residential areas under the target city's planning laws, he said.
They can choose to invest in bonds issued by the government, real estate or infrastructure funds, or real estate investment trusts. The scheme will be in effect for five years after publication in the Royal Gazette.
Such land ownership can still always be revoked in case the land owner breaks the conditions of the ministerial regulation concerned, he said.
Since the ministerial regulation took effect in 2002, only eight foreigners have been granted permission to own land in Thailand, he said, citing information provided by the Department of Lands.
The Pheu Thai Party, meanwhile, says it opposes the plan to allow eligible foreigners to own land, saying it would not truly benefit the economy or Thais.
The regulation would have adverse effects on many Thais who still do not own houses or land, and future generations may not be able to afford to purchase land because of the higher prices, the opposition coalition said yesterday.
The 2002 government led by the Thai Rak Thai Party, an earlier incarnation of the Pheu Thai party, passed the regulation on foreign land ownership in 2002 because it had to meet the International Monetary Fund's debt repayment terms following the 1997 financial meltdown.
However, the proposed scheme of the current government was a result of its failure to address the economic problems, the parties said.
Hasadin Suwatanapongched, secretary-general of the northeastern federation of industries, called for an urgent revision of the bill, saying it could provide a legal loophole for dishonest foreigners to operate grey businesses.
Suphan Mongkolsuthee, chairman of the board of directors of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), who now serves as a deputy leader of Thai Sang Thai Party, said he supports this idea, albeit with the funds investment required altered to reflect the value of the land.
Up to 400 billion baht will be earned instantly if 10,000 such foreigners buy land in Thailand, he said.
Former Palang Pracharath MP Pareena Kraikupt, who is banned for life for using a 665-rai forest reserve as a poultry farm, posted on Facebook yesterday saying Thais do not want foreigners to own land.
She said she wants land in the country to be reserved for Thais so they don't have to pay foreigners rent in the future.
The White House has confirmed that the Vice President of the United States of America will attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders meeting in Bangkok in Thailand next month.
Yesterday (October 28th) the White House Spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre announced that the Vice President of the United States of America Kamala Harris will travel to Bangkok in Thailand to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting from November 18th to November 19th, 2022.
The Vice President participation will place emphasis on economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and U.S. goals for the host of APEC in 2023.
During the Vice Presidents visit to Thailand, she will engage with Thai leaders and representatives from civil society to reaffirm and strengthen between the United State and Thailand their relationships as well as to discuss about other cooperation.
Pheu Thai Party opposes land ownership by foreigners
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The opposition Pheu Thai Party voiced its strong opposition today (Saturday) to the government's plan to allow certain foreigners to buy up to 0.16 hectares (one rai) of land for residential purposes, hoping that the scheme will boost foreign investment and spur the economy.
In its statement, the Pheu Thai Party warned that the foreign ownership of land will have extensive implications for the Thai people, at a time when many do not have a house or a piece of land of their own.
In the future, the party said that Thai people will have to pay more to buy land, because this policy of allowing foreigners to buy land in Thailand will lead to speculation.
On Tuesday, the cabinet approved an edict from the Interior Ministry, allowing certain qualified foreigners to buy up to 0.16 hectares in Bangkok, Pattaya and other municipalities and areas specified by law. The edict will be reviewed in five years.
Citing a similar edict issued in 2003, during the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of the Thai Rak Thai Party, predecessor of Pheu Thai Party, the party said that the two edicts were issued in contexts.
In the case of the Thaksin government, the opposition party explained that the administration was bound by several conditions imposed on Thailand by the International Monetary Fund, after the country accepted help from the IMF following the so called "Tom Yum Kung" financial crisis.
The current edict has, however, been issued by the government to address economic problems caused by the failures of the government itself, according to the statement.
Under the edict, foreigners who want to buy and own 0.16 hectares of land in Thailand must invest at least 40 million baht for three years in securities, real estate, infrastructure funds or trusts.
The Pheu Thai Party said that such investments will not help to create more jobs or generate more income for the Thai people, but will benefit the capital markets in the short term because, after three years, they will withdraw their investments.
Foreigners who will be able to buy the 0.16 hectares include wealthy global citizens, wealthy pensioners, highly skilled professionals and those who want to work from Thailand.
"Every Thai has the duty to protect the land for their children in the future, but this government has done the opposite," said the party in its statement.
Other more nationalistic critics accuse the government of selling off the country.
In the USA, UK and the EU, among other places, there is no citizenship requirement for the purchase of land.
Thailand welcomes over 7 million foreign tourists from 1 January to 26 October 2022
Heading into the traditional high season of October to March, the full year target for 2022 is 7-10 million visitor arrivals.
TAT Newsroom
Bangkok (file photo)
Bangkok, 28 October, 2022 – Thailand welcomed over 7 million tourists between 1 January and 26 October, 2022, with the full year target for 2022 being between seven and 10 million visitor arrivals.
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said "With the difficult times of recent now behind us, Thailand is seeing its efforts across the board – from ongoing tourism marketing and promotion, to the Amazing Thailand SHA health and safety standards put in place – paying off, with more than 7 million foreign tourists having already returned to our shores so far in 2022."
The total number of visitor arrivals for the 1 January-26 October, 2022, period was 7,349,843. The top five source markets were Malaysia with 1,246,242 arrivals, India with 661,751 arrivals, Lao PDR. with 538,789 arrivals, Cambodia with 373,811 arrivals, and Singapore with 365,593 arrivals. Tabulated by the TAT Intelligence Centre based on data from the Immigration Bureau, these totals do not include migrants, United Nations officials, and non-nationalities.
The top five points of entry to Thailand were Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok (3,891,196 arrivals), Phuket International Airport (958,027 arrivals), Don Mueang International Airport (564,008 arrivals), Sadao Border Checkpoint (451,578 arrivals), and Nong Khai Border Checkpoint (225,859 arrivals).
Now having fully reopened to international tourism, Thailand no longer requires tourists to show proof of vaccination or ATK test results, and a longer length of stay is being offered. Effective from 1 October, 2022 to 31 March, 2023, the period of stay is extended to 45 days (from 30 days) for tourists from countries/territories entitled for visa exemption, and to 30 days (from 15 days) for those eligible for a visa on arrival (VOA).
Major international and regional airlines are resuming flights to Thailand from countries around the world, while Thai Airways International (THAI) in its recently announced 2022-2023 winter schedule (30 October, 2022 – 25 March, 2023) is operating flights on 34 European, Australian, and Asian routes with increased frequencies on selected routes.
More international events and local festivals are again being held throughout Thailand, including the popular Loi Krathong annual festival in locations nationwide in the first part of November, and the Bangkok Art Biennale (BAB 2022) which is taking place through until 23 February, 2023, at various locations across Bangkok featuring works by 73 local and international artists.
Also, as the host of APEC 2022, a number of APEC meetings are taking place in Thailand, most recently the APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting (FMM) from 19-21 October, 2022. Next, the high-profile APEC Economic Leaders' Week (AELW) is to take place from 14-19 November, 2022.
Mr. Yuthasak said, "Looking ahead, TAT is actively working to ensure Thailand remains a top-of-mind destination for tourists from around the world, such as with the 'Visit Thailand Year 2022-2023: Amazing New Chapters' campaign."
Complementing the campaign, the 'Write Your New Chapter' TVC was launched to communicate the Amazing New Chapters message and to engage tourists around the world through a cinematic perspective to show them Thailand has a multitude of holiday possibilities in which there is something for all. The aim is to inspire tourists to explore Thailand and create their own chapters, which they can then share with their friends and family and encourage them to also visit.
Thailand is moving towards more sustainable, more responsible and more inclusive tourism in line with the Thai government's Bio-Circular-Green or BCG Economy Model. The kingdom will continue to be promoted as a world-class destination with existing and new tourism experiences waiting to be discovered by the world's tourists. This will be showcased alongside NFT products including Nature to keep, Food to explore, and Thainess to discover – which are the main highlighted products in the "Amazing New Chapters" campaign.
A child is vaccinated against Covid-19 at Central Westgate in Nonthaburi province on Aug 4, 2022. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
At least 47 privately owned hospitals in major cities will provide the Covid-19 vaccine to children aged six months to four years old for free.
The campaign aims to encourage parents to bring their children to get the jab and to help government efforts to administer two million doses to small children by the end of this year.
Dr Chalermkul Apibunyopas, speaking on behalf of the executive committee of the Private Hospital Association said that the private hospitals would like to support the government's policy to vaccinate the toddler group.
To encourage parents, its hospital members have agreed to provide the vaccine for free including 36 hospitals in the Bangkok Metropolitan area and 11 hospitals in Chiang Mai, Saraburi, Chon Buri, and Rayong.
"Any child can receive the vaccine for free even if they have never been patients of the hospitals. The service is available seven days a week," he said, adding that they can check the names of hospitals providing shots via the Department of Disease Control's hotline 1422.
The Ministry of Public Health on Oct 12 launched its campaign to give the Covid-19 vaccine to toddlers aged six months to four years to cover at least two million of them by the end of this year.
It is because toddlers are considered a risk group as the rate of infections is 1.5 times higher than in other child groups while the number of fatalities is triple when compared to other groups, he said.
Dr Somsak Lohlekha, president of the Royal College Paediatricians of Thailand (RCPT), assured the vaccine was safe, saying that parents should not be reluctant to take their young children to get vaccinated.
Meanwhile, Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong, acting chief of the Department of Disease Control, said that the department has not received any report of side effects, even flu symptoms from vaccinated toddlers.
He said that the department would like to have cooperation from local health volunteers to persuade parents to take their children to get the vaccine as fast as possible.
A new book published by Gallup reveals confidence is falling and stress and anxiety are rising among the people of Thailand.
The book, Blind Spot, highlighted the percentage of Thai people who said they were worried for much of the previous day doubled between 2012 (18%) and 2019 (36%). It then surged again after the COVID-19 pandemic, to 50% in 2020 and 46% in 2021. Similarly, the percentage who reported a lot of stress the previous day rose from 17% in 2012 to 44% in 2021.
The Gallup World Poll revealed the percentage of people across the world who experienced worry for much of the previous day rose from 32% in 2012 to 42% in 2021. But the 28% rise in Thailand was one of the highest around the globe putting the kingdom in fifth place behind Afghanistan, Mali, Bangladesh, and Venezuela.
The US-based analytics and advisory company believes the increase in stress and anxiety is because of increasing economic inequality throughout the kingdom. Thai household incomes have plummeted among the people at the bottom of the nation's income distribution.
Gallup's poll brought to light that worry levels were higher among Thailand's poor between 2012 and 2021 (17% to 55%) than among those living in a more comfortable level of existence (23% to 38%).
According to Gallup, Thai people have little to no confidence in the kingdom's national institutions, government, judicial system, and local police, which hit record lows in 2021.
Gallup added tragedies such as the daycare centre massacre and similar catastrophes exacerbate a crisis of confidence in the country's democratic processes and rule of law.
Gallup's 2021 data show that confidence in the country's governing institutions is particularly low among younger people. Among Thais aged 15 to 49, only 39% say they have confidence in the military compared to 50% among those aged 50 and older.
Likewise, 81% of Thai people aged 15 to 49 have no confidence in the national government, versus 66% of those aged 50 and older.
The prospects for growth in 2023 will be driven primarily by foreign tourism with over 21 million tourists expected to arrive. The real problem that the kingdom faces next year is a labour shortage in the sector.
Key leaders of the Thai economy this week including Deputy Prime Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow, the Secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) Danucha Pichayanan and the Bank of Thailand governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput have come out to emphasise that it is on a growth course going into 2023 with GDP expected to rise by 3.8%. Indeed, the Bank of Thailand boss has predicted that the economic headwinds in 2023 are far more likely to buffet larger, developed economies such as the United Kingdom and Japan rather than Thailand and other, more adaptable, emerging economies.
Deputy Prime Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow put his best foot forward at a Bangkok Post-sponsored seminar in Bangkok on Thursday themed 'Accelerating Thailand' as he confidently predicted that the country's economy will buck the trend next year with a slowdown in world trade and GDP growth predicted by both the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
Three of Thailand's key economic officials including (left) Danucha Pichayanan, the Secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), (centre) Economic Czar and Deputy Prime Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow and Bank of Thailand Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput (right), have this week emphasised that the kingdom's economy will continue to grow into 2023 despite a predicted downturn in the world GDP growth.
Mr Supattanapong pointed to robust domestic consumption and plans by the government to boost infrastructural development next year with a population which is becoming increasingly computer literate, as signs of hope.
Infrastructure plans first mooted in 2015 coming on stream says Deputy PM Supattanapong Punmeechaow
In his speech, which made much of the government's nascent policy to develop a newer green economy, he said that infrastructural projects begun in 2015 in Thailand will soon be coming to fruition.
Mr Supattanapong pointed to a 250% increase in electric vehicles powered solely by battery this year on Thai roads with 13,000 registered in the kingdom from January to September as evidence of the progress that is being made.
Supporting this development, the minister pointed to 869 charging stations now in operation within the country with over three thousand charging points
Last week, the Deputy Prime Minister unveiled a $5 billion or ฿200 billion investment in Thailand to construct data centres by US firm AWS Computing in Thailand, which will see ฿20 billion alone invested in the first year while, this week, Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha revealed that inward investment commitments for the opening nine months of 2022, approved by the Board of Investment (BOI), came to over ฿400 billion.
Thailand must attract big firms moving out of China and Taiwan as fear of geopolitical conflict rises
The conference also heard from Danucha Pichayanan, the Secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), the kingdom's key economic advisory body.
Mr Danucha said that Thailand was working on improving its position regarding access to computer chip technology and the development of a manufacturing base for electronic chips as a key requirement to the emergence of its electric vehicle industry in the years ahead as a world player.
He also pointed out the need to attract foreign firms which are currently relocating to Southeast Asia to protect their supply chains from a rising possibility of geopolitical conflict, to Thailand.
Taiwanese firms are also moving off the island
This is currently something that is underway with over 25% of Taiwanese firms in mainland China having already shifted production out of the country with only 31% of the island's firms still there stating that they had no plans, as yet, to move.
This information came in a survey earlier this month conducted by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CCIS) which has already highlighted that a majority of US firms, most recently Apple, have begun the process of relocating manufacturing capacity out of the communist country.
There is also a movement of Taiwanese firms from Taiwan itself fearing military conflict with 13% having already moved while 20.8% were actively considering the matter.
Healthy economic fundamentals, prudent public debt level leaves Thailand in a strong growth position
Mr Danucha also drew attention to Thailand's falling inflation number with the rate for September coming in at 8.2% compared to 8.3% in August.
He said that it was expected that the rate by the second half of 2023 would be within the Bank of Thailand's targeted rate of 1% to 3%.
Mr Danucha highlighted the kingdom's strong foreign currency reserves which he quoted at $220 billion saying it was three times higher than short-term foreign debt.
In this regard, he pointed out that only 1.8% of the kingdom's public debt was in instruments held by foreign parties or not denominated in baht while the country's public debt level, at 60% of GDP, was quite prudent by international standards.
The top economist pointed to growing employment with Thailand's unemployment rate falling to 1.35% from 2% during the pandemic.
So much so, he declared, that the problem Thailand now faces is a labour shortage, particularly in the foreign tourism sector.
Tourism remains a growth engine with over 21 million visitors expected in 2023 and a labour shortage
The foreign tourism sector was now powering back to life.
Mr Danucha said that the industry accounted for 17% of Thailand's GDP and predicted that the target for 10 million visitors this year would be achieved or surpassed.
The latest figure from the government, just released, to October 25th, shows 7.7 million visitors have already arrived with every indication that Thailand may ultimately welcome between 11 and 12 million visitors.
On Friday, the Ministry of Finance, however, trimmed back its GDP growth projections for 2022 to 3.4% from 3.5% but projected only 10.3 million foreign tourists this year.
GDP growth, this year, has been driven by a projected 8.1% rise in exports while the ministry projects a 2.5% rise in 2023, in the face of a world slowdown.
The export growth projection was ahead of a 1% growth rate quoted this week by the Bank of Thailand governor, Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput for 2023.
The kingdom is targeting 21.5 million foreign tourists in 2023 or 53.75% of what was seen in the record year of 2019 when 40 million foreigners were welcomed and generated over ฿2 trillion in income.
This should also contribute to 3.8% growth in 2023.
Bank of Thailand boss claims Thailand and emerging economies are more adaptable to headwinds
Bank of Thailand Governor Sethaput, speaking this week, at a digital conference, predicted that the kingdom was also on track to buck the trend in world economics and said that the headwinds are more likely to impact developed economies such as the United Kingdom and Japan, more than Thailand or even other emerging economies as such countries had economies that are more adaptable to external conditions.
'If the world economy is in recession, what will affect us first is the export sector. This year, we estimate that exports will grow by 8%, while next year we see only 1% export growth. The negative impact of the global recession is quite large. Therefore, from our previous projection that this year will grow at 3.2%, next year will expand by 3.8%, if there is a slight decrease, not much. The overall direction will continue to recover. In terms of domestic factors, the slowdown in the Thai economy can only occur when something affects the recovery of tourism. Because it is the main driving force, we see that the Thai economy will recover a lot, driven by tourism and that foreign tourists in the next year are likely to enter much higher than this year.'
The Laos-China bullet train runs many times daily 24/7 with passengers and freight on the move.
The opening of the China – Laos bullet train in December 2021 has transformed the future of regional vacations according to travel specialists. The train runs several times daily from the Chinese border to Vientiane, capital of Laos, which in turn is close to the Thailand with plentiful rail and road connections. The top rail speed is 160 km an hour with a distance of 422 km.
The Association of Thai Travel agents points out that the Chinese government still bans group tours abroad, but that the rules are already being slackened. For example, compulsory quarantine on return to China is being replaced by home isolation in some provinces. In the meantime, most Chinese visitors to Thailand are business people, Elite card holders and Chinese nationals with longstay visas in Taiwan, Laos and Cambodia who are avoiding Beijing's Covid travel restrictions by residing outside of China.
China's president Xi is unlikely to waive all Covid travel restrictions before a national congress meeting in March 2023, but some estimates suggest more than half a million Chinese nationals have already visited Thailand this year. Recent reports of police raids in Bangkok suggest that there are clubs and casinos run and patronized by Chinese citizens, often contrary to immigration rules.
The Thai government is currently considering cancelling the 2,000 baht fee which accompanies the 30 days visa on arrival for Chinese nationals, with the option of a further 15 days on application at Thai immigration. The idea would be to increase Chinese tourism massively, especially as the bullet train access is expected to attract many more economy visitors once Covid rules are rescinded by Beijing.
Although Thailand is numerically dependent on Chinese tourism – about one third of 40 million visitors in 2019 hailed from China – critics say that few Thai business people benefit greatly from the phenomenon. The Chinese tourists are mostly zero-sum, that is paid for in advance of travel with favored hotels, restaurants, entertainment and hotels booked beforehand. This applies equally to economy tourists and the wealthy hi-fliers.
More than 4,700 villages across the country remain flooded, with over 400,000 households affected, as floodwaters recede, according to the Department of Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
The provinces which are still flooded are Phitsanuloke, Nakhon Sawan, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Kalasin, Roi Et, Surin, Si Sa Ket, Ubon Ratchathani, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Lop Buri, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Nayok and Prachin Buri.
The department said, however, that more than 500,000 households in 59 provinces were inundated since September 28th and, so far, 12 people have died as a result of the flooding.
Provincial administrations have been instructed to provide relief to flood victims.
Home owners in flooded areas, whose houses are damaged by floodwater, are expected to pay more to repair their houses, estimated at an average of 100,000 baht per house, due to increases in the prices of construction materials, according to the Home Builder Association.
The flood situation across the country is improving as the rainy season ends. The Thai Meteorological Department is expected to announce the official end of the rainy season and Saturday's onset of the cold season.
