Hailey Hicks, has offered to Thailand's worried expats almost 100 percent reassurance that they need not sweat. But it may be wiser to wait and see.
A new YouTube video posted by accomplished speaker Hailey Hicks, director of HH Premium Visa Consulting and based at San Diego State University in California, has offered to Thailand's worried expats almost 100 percent reassurance that they need not sweat. She also actively markets the Thailand Elite visa, whilst pointing out that this gives no special protection on the income tax front.
Under the heading "5 Myths about Tax in Thailand", she soothingly promises that the January 1 starting point won't apply to most expat tax residents, namely those living in Thailand for at least six months a year. They won't be taxed on money sent from one personal account abroad to one in Thailand as, we are told, that is simply moving money between accounts and is not "assessable" income. Thus they won't be taxed on cash sent to purchase Thai property. Nor will overseas pre-taxed pensions be taxed in Thailand, possibly because of double taxation treaties (which are very briefly mentioned).
The video argues that the new regulations are designed to catch rich Thais and a handful of foreigners who have been exploiting tax loopholes in the past. But is the soothing message actually true? We all hope so. But it has to be conceded that there is no verifiable documentation provided, simply a screenshot of the bald Thai Revenue announcement last September. And that won't get you very far.
Significantly, Thailand Privilege (which owns Elite) stated in November 2023, via advisors Hawryluk Legal, that "currently there is no distinction between earnings and savings for tax purposes," which suggests a very different interpretation from that in the San Diego video is possible. Perhaps Hailey knows something the rest of us don't. But it may be wiser to wait and see.
The Thai taxation changes are upon us, but we are none the wiser.
The tweak in the Thai Revenue rules, affecting both Thai and foreign tax residents, means that income derived from assessable foreign sources is to be taxable from new year's day 2024. The exact impact and scope remain fog-bound, but it is no exaggeration to say that the move has put the cat firmly amongst the expat pigeons who spend six months or more in the kingdom in a calendar year. The fiscal move may indeed be aimed at wealthy Thais with offshore bank accounts or profits from overseas businesses, but the typical expat risks being trapped in the crossfire.
The Thai tax authority is still mulling the detail. Officers know that whatever tax is due on cash transferred to Thailand during 2024 won't appear on an individual's tax return until 2025. So no hurry in their eyes. Most expats, of course, have barely heard of a Thai tin (tax identification number), let alone filled one in. And that's part of the problem. Many older expats hate the idea of being ensnared in Thai financial bureaucracy and, potentially, needing to hire a tax lawyer. Or, of course, leave the country for pastures new.
It may not come to that. For example, the Revenue has not issued a ruling on whether foreign income (such as pensions) are taxable under the enforcement decree. It may come down to the detail in double taxation agreements which Thailand has made with scores of countries. But they are all different in scope and most readers will require an expert to decipher the meaning of some of the clauses. Many Bangkok-based accountancy and legal firms are already anticipating a huge rise in the number of troubled clients.
What is at stake, of course, is Thailand's future as a retirement base. Over the years, Thailand has built up a reputation as a safe and attractive home for expats. Many have bought condominium units or set up a company to purchase a house. In future, there is no guarantee that foreigners sending money for these purposes won't be taxed on the lump sum. If so, the prospects for the Thai property market might well take a downward swing without precedent. Whether the Thai government has thought out all the consequences of the Revenue decree seems unlikely.
The Thai Board of Investment has suggested that the solution is for foreigners to apply for the 10 year golden visa, Long Term Residence, as this permits most overseas income to be brought into Thailand without any taxes together, as well as granting other financial and immigration perks. But the LTR isn't available for retirees unless their annual income is at least US$80,000 a year or they are prepared to invest mega-cash in Thai banks or securities. There is no shield from the Revenue in Elite visas or one year extensions of stay based on retirement, marriage etc.
Although no formal government statistics are issued, there are believed to be 400,000 to 500,000 longstay foreigners in Thailand who could be affected by the latest Revenue move. Some of these hold authorized work permits and already have a tax identification number for their local salary. Others are freelancers conducting online activities and earning from international clients. But most are older expats, retirees existing mainly or solely on pre-taxed pension and social security payments. The challenge for Thailand now is how to maintain competiveness in the global market.
In the meantime, the internet is awash with wrong information such as a fabricated claim that retirees have to prove to immigration that their 800,000 cash lump sum has already been taxed in the home country or that all visa holders over 50 must have a tax identification number when renewing their annual permit. Optimistic bloggers say that the whole Revenue business is a chimera and that nothing will happen in practice, whilst pessimists predict that any foreign cash will have 35 percent automatically deducted on arrival. None of that is true, but continued silence about the government's intentions can only boost falsehoods, innuendos and gossip. That's no way to run a taxation system or to market a country to the outside world.
Bangsaen Beach is gearing up for an extraordinary New Year's event – the Bangsaen Space Countdown 2024. Scheduled for December 30th-31st, 2023, this cosmic extravaganza promises a stellar experience at Laan Laem Taen on Bangsaen Beach.
The Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization is collaborating with Saensuk Municipality to make the event possible. The Bangsaen Space Countdown 2024 will transform the Bangsaen beachside into a celestial wonderland, with lights, colors, and sounds creating an atmosphere that feels like a journey into space.
One of the highlights of this celestial celebration is the diverse array of delectable street food offerings. A fleet of food trucks will be serving up a tantalizing selection, ensuring that all attendees are full while exploring the event.
The Bangsaen Space Countdown 2024 will also feature a marketplace with a myriad of shops offering an extensive range of products. As the night unfolds on December 31st, the countdown event will reach its pinnacle with an electrifying concert featuring renowned Thai superstars including Hopeful, Moving and Cut, Bedroom Audio, and Slot Machine.
Starting at 5:00 PM and lasting until the clock strikes midnight between December 30th to 31st, the Bangsaen Space Countdown 2024 is more than just a New Year's party; it's a cosmic adventure, a chance to celebrate life under the glittering sky, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Experts flag doubts over road-safety masterplan as Thailand braces for 'Seven Dangerous Days'
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Thailand enters the annual "seven dangerous days" today (Dec 28) with sirens already sounding over efforts to meet its 2027 goal of cutting the appalling death toll from traffic accidents.
Road traffic fatalities currently stand at 25 for every 100,000 people – more than double the 12 per 100,000 targeted within the next four years. Also worth noting is that these figures do not reflect the thousands of accident victims left disabled for life.
The seven dangerous days occur over the New Year holidays when Thais hit the road in their millions for holidays or visits to their hometowns.
Last year, the seven days from December 29 to January 4 produced 2,440 accidents, killing 317 people and injuring 2,437 others. The most common causes of accidents were speeding (37.5%), drunk driving (25.49%), and swerving between traffic lanes (18.69%). Alarmingly, tests showed that over 50% of road accident victims had alcohol in their blood.
Annual road safety campaigns designed to reduce the deadly toll are being cranked up as the seven dangerous days approach.
However, experts say these efforts are being hampered by rules that allow vehicles to speed at 120 kilometers per hour on motorways, nighttime entertainment venues to stay open until 4am, and motorbike owners to postpone the installation of anti-lock braking systems. They also point to lax law enforcement and punishment, including relatively small fines for most traffic offenses.
Obstacles and recommendations
Dr Wittaya Chartbanchachai, a specialist on a World Health Organization panel on injury prevention, pinpoints government policies he claims are hindering efforts to meet goals in Thailand's Road Safety Masterplan (2022-2027).
"An estimated 17,000 people will die in road accidents over the coming 'seven dangerous days', a toll that matches the previous year. Based on this, it is difficult to see how our country can fulfil the masterplan's goal," he said.
The masterplan calls for a cut in road fatalities to 12 for every 100,000 people by the end of 2027, or about 8,474 deaths per year.
"If we were on track, we would have already cut road fatalities by 3,000 this year," Wittaya said.
He urged the government to establish a single command to monitor road safety operations and consider using other measures instead of just fines to combat traffic violations.
He also called for more traffic CCTV cameras, automatic issuance of traffic penalties, improved road conditions, and mandatory anti-lock braking for motorcycles.
Prevention better than cure
This year's Global Status Report on Road Safety recorded 1.19 million deaths in road accidents, with the highest fatality rate in low and middle-income countries. Southeast Asia accounts for 28% of global road fatalities.
In Thailand, only 52% of motorcyclists and 21% of their passengers wear crash helmets, compared with 80% and 70% worldwide, according to Dr Sirirat Suwanrit, director of the Disease Control Department's Injury Prevention Division.
"The use of safety belts in Thailand is also around 35.7% – far lower than the world average," she said. Even more worrying are statistics showing that safety-belt usage in Thailand has been on the decline in recent years.
Sirirat said efforts to increase helmet and belt-wearing are major challenges in curbing road casualties.
Public Health Ministry data shows that 45% of people injured in road accidents were not wearing helmets. The vast majority of road accidents in Thailand involve motorcycles. Statistics also show that up to 71% of victims sustained injuries from accidents related to drunk driving.
Often-ignored problems
Montri Pramnak was hit by a pick-up truck while driving his motorcycle in Suphan Buri's Song Phi Nong district in early 2021. Police said the pick-up driver was drunk.
The accident left Montri severely injured – bedridden, unable to speak and being fed through a tube. The court handed the pick-up truck driver a suspended sentence of two years and ordered him to pay 300,000 baht in compensation to the victim.
The victim's family says Montri has only received 50,000 baht of that payment so far.
More shocking still is that the same pick-up truck driver crashed into another victim on the same road just eight months after hitting Montri. The second accident shattered the leg bones of 27-year-old victim Kan-ornpat Chaosuwan, leaving her disabled for life. Despite receiving surgery, she has been in a wheelchair for more than two years now.
"He has never taken any responsibility," Kan-ornpat said of the driver.
The court sentenced the pick-up driver to two years in jail over the second accident and ordered him to pay one million baht in compensation. However, the victim's father says he has only received 10,000 baht to date and has heard that the perpetrator is free after being granted bail ahead of his appeal.
Are punishments too light?
Under Thai law, drunk driving causing the death of a person is punishable with a jail term of three to 10 years, and/or a fine of 60,000 to 200,000 baht, and loss of the driver's license.
A drunk driver who causes serious injury faces between two and six years in jail and/or a fine of 40,000 to 120,000, plus suspension or loss of their license.
Dr Pracha Kanyaprasit, a neurosurgeon at Chiangmai Ram Hospital, said alcohol consumption lowers a person's ability to make snap decisions while reducing mobility, sense awareness, memory and rational decision-making.
"So, the more you drink, the higher the risk of an accident," he said.
As such, many experts have expressed concern at the government's recent decision to allow entertainment venues to open until 4am. Statistics show that under midnight closing rules, drunk-driving accidents mainly occur in the hours before 3am. Experts warn that switching closing times to 4am risks extending the drunk-driving carnage to the 7am rush hour and placing students and workers in the firing line.
In a recent report by World of Statistics, Bangkok has been crowned the world's most visited city in 2023, welcoming a staggering 22.78 million visitors. Notably, Thailand boasts three cities in the top 20, with Phuket ranking 14th and Pattaya securing the 15th spot.
On December 27th, 2023, World of Statistics released its rankings, revealing the top 20 cities globally in terms of tourist arrivals for the year. Three of Thailand's cities—Bangkok, Phuket, and Pattaya—stand out in the prestigious list with Bangkok, the vibrant capital, securing the first position with 22.78 million visitors.
The rankings further unfold with Paris, France, securing the second spot with 19.10 million tourists, followed closely by London, England, at the third position with 19.09 million visitors. Dubai, United Arab Emirates, takes the fourth position with 15.93 million visitors, and Singapore claims the fifth spot with 14.67 million tourists.
Other notable cities in the top 20 include Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (6th), New York, USA (7th), Istanbul, Turkey (8th), Tokyo, Japan (9th), and Antalya, Turkey (10th). The list also features Seoul, South Korea (11th), Osaka, Japan (12th), Mecca, Saudi Arabia (13th), Phuket, Thailand (14th), Pattaya, Thailand (15th), Milan, Italy (16th), Barcelona, Spain (17th), Palma, Spain (18th), Bali, Indonesia (19th), and Hong Kong (20th).
Phuket has welcomed 9.89 million visitors while Pattaya has received 9.44 million, according to World of Statistics.
Tourist insurance future is still under consideration.
The tourism and sports minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol has diluted the prime minister's promise that all foreign tourists would be covered for injuries and death from the new year. The minister said that universal insurance was not strictly needed as the foreign tourists' compensation assistance fund is traditionally underspent. Instead the minister suggested a central government grant of 50 million baht to cover likely claims in 2024.
The foreign tourists' fund was set up several years ago to grant compensation on a discretionary basis where foreign visitors were injured or killed in accidents, such as a ferry sinking or a motorway pile up. It has also been used to calm nerves in sensational, well-publicized cases where overseas tourists were victims in shooting incidents or where Thai public services had been sub-standard. The scheme authorizes a maximum of 500,000 baht for medical treatment and 1 million baht for post-mortem compensation to relatives.
There is no suggestion that the fund will be used for routine medical treatment, nor does it bypass the need for visitors to carry their own insurance which is legally compulsory only for some longstay visa holders. The fund can't be overspent since it is handled by the government on a discretionary basis. Mr Sudawan's suggestion also avoids disputes about hospital treatment created by a universal medical compensation which is bound to have ambiguous details if drawn up in haste in time for the new year.
Local police in Krabi confirm a national crackdown on overstaying tourists is underway. A heartbroken German, drowning his sorrows in beer, was arrested on Ko Lanta after being spurned in love. He is among the first to be detained. Immigration's festive blitz is underway targeting boisterous drinkers.
Immigration police have launched another national crackdown targeting visa overstayers and most especially foreign tourists overindulging in alcohol in the runup to Christmas and the New Year. On Monday, a 51-year-old German man drowned his sorrows after suffering rejection in love on the island of Ko Lanta. Later, he was nabbed after a tip-off to Krabi Police from locals.
It was a case of Murphy's law, for a 51-year-old German tourist on Monday. The European found himself amid a pre-Christmas nightmare on December 18th on Ko Lanta, the picturesque island in Southern Thailand, near Krabi.
Previously, the unlucky foreigner, whose visa expired five months ago, set off from the notorious resort city of Pattaya seeking love and reconciliation with his estranged Thai girlfriend in Krabi. He had high hopes.
German tourist was the subject of a tip-off to police by a concerned local on Ko Lanta because of his uproarious behaviour and was afterwards arrested
However, the ill-fated love story took a dark turn. Spurned by his former girlfriend, the German, identified only as Mr Manuel by Krabi police, drowned his sorrows in alcohol at local beer bars.
Little did he know that his inebriated state would attract the attention of vigilant Immigration officers.
In short, a concerned member of the public reported the foreigner to the police. Subsequently, the German drove his motorbike dangerously from beer bar to beer bar on Ko Lanta. He attracted public attention. The island, off the coast of Krabi, is one of Thailand's most beautiful.
Following this, the German engaged in uproarious behaviour, spooking local people.
Senior police in Krabi confirm a national crackdown has been ordered. Their campaign targets foreign tourists who drink heavily and behave boisterously
At this time, the Immigration Bureau in Krabi is in the midst of a crackdown on overstaying foreigners. Local police are paying particular attention to those consuming excess alcohol, a growing concern in the conservative province.
Officers swiftly took action. Subsequent events unfolded into a dramatic scene on Ko Lanta. Police Lieutenant Colonel Wi. Ratt Inyod, an Immigration Inspector from Krabi Province, led a team to investigate the matter.
They discovered the German tourist consuming alcoholic beverages in front of a bar in Village No. 3, Saladan Subdistrict. Sensing the threat, the tourist jumped up and fled on foot but the alert officers apprehended him swiftly.
Afterwards, police revealed that Mr Manuel had entered Thailand through the Ban Laem permanent checkpoint in Chanthaburi on August 2, 2023. He was on a 30-day tourist visa. Significantly, he was residing illegally in the country for the last five months after the expiration of his visa period.
Officers not persuaded to be lenient after hearing about the German's journey of love to Ko Lanta
Arresting officers listened to his account of a journey from Pattaya to Ko Lanta in pursuit of love. However, Krabi police were inclined not to be lenient.
At length, the German's drunken encounter with the law saw him detained. Basically, he now faces the prospect of Christmas behind bars and deportation. Indeed, he will also be blacklisted from Thailand.
First, he faces criminal charges for being an alien staying in the Kingdom with an expired visa. At this time, Immigration Bureau police are detaining the foreigner.
Police focus is on maintaining societal peace
Additionally, Police Major General Songprod Sirisuka, Commander of Immigration Region 6, highlighted the crackdown policy now in place. Ordered by Royal Thai Police headquarters and the Immigration Bureau, it comes from the top.
Aligned with the directives of Police Lieutenant General Sitthiphon Ittisanronnachai, Commander-in-Chief of the Immigration Bureau, the operation aims to reduce criminal elements and disruption before the 2024 New Year's holiday.
Lastly, he explained the intensified inspections will target foreigners committing offences under the Immigration Act 1979 in addition to other violations. Boisterous foreign tourists overindulging in alcohol are a key target of the end-of-year campaign.
The focus of the campaign is on maintaining societal peace, citizen safety, and the well-being of tourists.
Thailand next year is hoping to welcome double the number of 2023 Indian arrivals.
The experiment to cancel visas for Indian nationals is bearing more fruit than the similar relaxation for Chinese citizens. Whereas the Chinese seem concerned by media reports that Thailand is unsafe, Indians are flocking here even though airfare costs can be almost double those of the pre-covid era. Rajesh Magow, founder of MakeMyTrip, said the traveller bonus from Indian visa relaxation was at least 30 percent.
Air India has already announced flights from Delhi to Phuket which will be daily from the new year. Charter flights from several Indian cities, such as Mumbai and Hyderabad, to U-tapao airport, near Pattaya, are also under discussion with IndiGo the low-cost airline. The tourist authority of Thailand expects to see 1.6 million Indian tourists in 2023 with around double that number in 2024.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) welcomed Indian travelers from New Delhi on December 10. Indian passport holders were granted a temporary visa exemption for a 30-day stay.
A limiting factor is that Indian airlines are short of aircraft to deploy on new routes to Thailand. Airlines may be unhappy to add too much capacity lest visa-free travel is not renewed on expiry in May 2024 which could exclude the peak summer holiday period. Moreover, Thailand in 2024 will have to compete with Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, all of which have beaches as well as different attractions.
Thailand's tourism industry faces a 40% decline in revenues this year compared to 2019, prompting a reevaluation. A disappointing response from Chinese tourists and a lack of Western enthusiasm have necessitated a focus on domestic travel and second-tier cities.
With foreign tourism visitor and income projections for 2023 being revised downwards and projected to be nearly 40% off 2019 revenue figures with fewer visitors, off by 30% and lower spenders because of an absence of Western tourists, Thailand's newly appointed tourism agency chief is signalling a move towards more domestic tourism as she plots a course to 2027 when she hopes 40% of the country's tourism income will be generated at home while the tourist sector itself will grow to a whopping 27% of GDP.
Facing a 40% decline overall in revenues from 2019, rejection from Chinese tourists and lack of former enthusiasm from Western travellers, Thailand's tourism industry seeks a new direction.
With a projected income of ฿1.2 trillion this year, 39.39% less than 2019, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) now eyes 28 million arrivals this year but many Bangkok-based analysts suggest this would be a positive outcome for the year given the pronounced decline in trends.
Downturn since September sees many economic analysts now forecasting 27.5 million arrivals by the end of December with revenue generated at ฿1.2 trillion
Since September, a pronounced downturn in foreign tourism has left Thailand's economic planners and tourism executives concerned.
Independent analysts predict 27.5 million arrivals in 2023, emphasising shorter-halt tourists from Asia. The anticipated income of ฿1.2 trillion falls significantly below the 2019 record of ฿1.98 trillion.
Thailand's cautious approach to reopening after the COVID-19 lockdown when it prioritised public health over the economy, leading to a delayed full reopening only earlier this year, is a key reason for the downturn as it damaged confidence within segments of the worldwide travel industry and saw a loss of goodwill that existed towards the country.
Other factors include the rising cost of living in Western markets and a significant and under-reported downturn in the Chinese economy as well as a more cautious approach by international airlines seeking higher load factors.
Tourism boss blames economic problems in key markets for the disappointing outcome this year and refocuses on domestic tourism and second-tier cities
TAT's governor, Thapanee Kiatpaiboon, last week, set a renewed target of 28 million visitors with ฿1.2 trillion in income for 2023.
She attributed the disappointing results to global economic challenges and the underperformance of the Chinese market, which was heavily relied upon. Ms Thapanee highlighted the need to boost domestic tourism and focus on second-tier cities in Thailand for local tourists.
These cities are generally outside the foreign tourist hotspots where foreign tourists tend to congregate such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and Ko Samui.
'Foreign tourism will become 27% of Thailand's GDP by 2027, and the country must move to become less dependent on foreign tourism from now on,' emphasised Ms Thapanee, hinting at a shift in the nation's tourism strategy.
China's policy of facilitating its own domestic tourism market has cost Thailand its hoped-for shot in the arm from the troubled Communist country
Global economic issues, unresolved flight problems, and disappointment in the Chinese market have contributed to this downturn. The Chinese economy's troubles and a focus on promoting domestic tourism by the Chinese government have impacted the anticipated 4-4.04 million Chinese arrivals, with only 3.4-3.5 million now expected.
The reduced cost of domestic air tickets in China further indicates a preference for domestic travel.
On the contrary, Thai people's travel within the country has exceeded the set target for the year. With 228 million trips recorded from January to November, the year-end total is expected to reach 240 million, generating ฿800 billion in income. The government's stimulus has encouraged more frequent travel among Thai citizens.
The combined income from foreign tourists and Thais in 2023 is projected to be ฿2 trillion, falling short of the ฿2.4 trillion revenue target.
Less Western and European visitors means lower per capita income and overall revenue within the foreign tourism sector, explaining things so far in 2023
The reduced per capita income and loss of higher spenders, especially among Europeans with longer stays, contributed to a reduced overall income per visitor in 2023.
This was caused by more tourists from neighbouring countries with shorter stays visiting Thailand, explained the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) boss.
To stimulate tourism, the Thai government has implemented visa exemption measures and extended the stay period for Russian tourists.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is considering policies for tourists from neighbouring countries to stay longer, increasing spending in Thailand. There are plans to renew visa exemption measures for Chinese tourists and discussion of multiple entry visas with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Proposal floated for 90 day tourist visas for some European visitors to Thailand has not emerged since November as Russian tourists enjoy such a benefit
Strangely, there has been no further mention of a proposal put forward in November by Prommin Lertsuridejm, the Secretary-general to the Prime Minister, for a longer 90-day visa to be granted to tourists from some European countries to boost not only European arrivals but subsequently, foreign tourism income levels.
Such a visa is already on offer to Russian visitors, many of them escaping the war and the extremely cold temperatures at home at this time of the year.
Ms Thapanee acknowledged the challenges and emphasised Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's understanding of tourism issues in her recent statement.
The government has taken steps to manage Thai tourism's online image, stimulate tourism in secondary cities, and provide quick wins in respect of the foreign tourist market.
Domestic tourism figures and activities in secondary cities and locations offer some hope for the new Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) chief
In some rare good news from the tourism front, Ms Thapanee revealed that Thailand's tourism revenue in second-tier cities is expected to exceed 2019 levels by nearly 40%, contributing to total domestic travel revenue surpassing the ฿800 billion forecast by TAT.
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the newly appointed Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor, noted that Thai tourists have shown increased interest in exploring new places since the pandemic, leading to higher domestic spending per trip.
Revenue from second-tier cities during the first nine months of 2023 saw a 39% increase compared to 2019, reaching ฿170 billion.
The expected 40% growth by year-end contributes to the overall domestic revenue target of ฿800 billion.
The TAT's definition of second-tier cities, drawing around 4 million visitors per year, may be revised to fit the current situation. The agency will continue to promote 55 cities through year-round campaigns to support tourism.
TAT tourism agency plans to select top secondary cities to be upgraded to major tourist centres through marketing budgets and laying on increased flights
Looking ahead to 2024, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) forecasts a 10-15% revenue growth in second-tier cities, driven by marketing promotions and increased flights.
Collaborating with the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the TAT plans to select 10 potential secondary cities for investment in trade, tourism, and upgrades to major tourism centres.
The private sector will receive support for upskilling and reskilling programmes, aiming to contribute 25% of GDP by 2027.
These initiatives not only diversify the market but also reduce reliance on foreign tourists, with the TAT aiming to increase the portion of domestic tourism revenue to 40%, up from the 33% seen in 2019.
Recently appointed TAT boss faces an uphill challenge and a particularly difficult job with both political and economic drivers needing to be balanced
Amidst a turbulent period for the kingdom's tourism industry, Ms Thapanee, the new 49-year-old Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), faces a daunting task. She assumed office on September 1, 2023, succeeding Yuthasak Supasorn, bringing a wealth of experience to her new role.
Having joined TAT in 1999, Thapanee's journey within the organisation commenced as an International Relations Officer.
After graduating from Bangkok University and gaining a Master's Degree from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom, she steadily ascended the ranks, fulfilling roles such as Director of Tourism Product Production and Deputy Governor for Domestic Market.
Born on December 1, 1974, Thapanee, is affectionately known as 'Klang.'
She hails from a family with ties to public service, her father being the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce. However, her tenure as governor coincides with a challenging period for Thailand's vital tourism industry.
Controversial proposal for Chinese police patrols in November showcased the acute difficulties involved in the job of Tourism agency boss in Thailand
The scrutiny intensified for Thapanee, just months into the role in the middle of November when negotiations with the Chinese Embassy, particularly concerning a Chinese police patrol project aimed at bolstering confidence for Chinese visitors, was quickly scotch by Minister of Tourism and Sports Sudawan Wang-Suphakitkosol due to adverse political reaction.
Those efforts, while sparking criticism, underscore the formidable challenges confronting the new Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor in steering Thailand's tourism sector through troubled waters.
