Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports has extended its free insurance campaign for international visitors until the end of December. Originally slated to expire on August 31st, the program has been in place since January 1st and offers critical coverage for accidents, emergencies, and deaths ASEAN NOW

 

Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports has extended its free insurance campaign for international visitors until the end of December. Originally slated to expire on August 31st, the program has been in place since January 1st and offers critical coverage for accidents, emergencies, and deaths.

 

The extended insurance program provides substantial coverage: up to 1 million baht for cases of death, 300,000 baht for incidents resulting in permanent disabilities or organ loss, and up to 500,000 baht for medical expenses due to accidents. This initiative aims to bolster tourists' confidence by ensuring they have financial protection during their stay.

 

Sermsak Pongpanit, Tourism and Sports Minister, emphasized the program's importance in assisting foreign visitors during emergencies, including accidents, crimes, and natural disasters. This move is expected to make Thailand an even more attractive destination for international tourists, fostering a sense of security and commitment to visitor well-being.

 

However, coverage is not provided if tourists have insurance from their travel providers or if the place of accommodation or tourist attraction offers independent insurance. The scheme intends to fill gaps left by tourists' current insurance plans, giving them peace of mind without incurring additional costs.

 

This year-long extension continues to support Thailand's tourism sector, which has faced significant challenges due to global economic uncertainties and the lingering effects of the pandemic. By maintaining this insurance coverage, Thailand aims to reassure potential visitors and stimulate its recovering tourism industry.

 

With this initiative, the government hopes that tourists can enjoy their travel experience without worrying about unexpected financial burdens due to unforeseen circumstances, boosting overall visitor numbers and extending stays.

 

The combination of natural beauty, rich culture, and now, enhanced safety measures, makes Thailand an increasingly appealing destination for global travellers.

 

TOP: Sermsak Pongpanich, Minister of Tourism and Sports. File photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

-- 2024-06-24

Thailand recorded 16 million foreign tourists from January 1st to June 16th of this year, according to the figures released by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. - The Pattaya News

Thailand Welcomes 16 Million Tourists in 2024, Sees Surge in Middle Eastern Visitors

Aim TanakornSunday, 23 June 2024, 23:53

National —

Thailand recorded 16 million foreign tourists from January 1st to June 16th of this year, according to the figures released by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

The ministry on June 19th reported that the Eid al-Adha Islamic holiday led to a significant 97.82% increase in tourists from the Middle East. There were also increases in tourists from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore by 32.99%, 37.70%, and 17.94% respectively.

Last week, Thailand welcomed 657,362 foreign tourists, an increase of 65,024 or 10.98% from the previous week, averaging 93,909 foreign tourists per day.

Overall, as of January 1st to June 16th, 2024, Thailand has welcomed a total of 16,200,706 tourists, who contributed an estimated 765.584 billion baht in spending to the Thai economy. The top five countries of origin for tourists are China (3,179,539), Malaysia (2,253,397), India (952,470), Russia (888,203), and South Korea (874,903).



SRI RACHA, Thailand – Residents of Surasak Sub-District in Sri Racha were alarmed when a large python was found coiled in the bushes near the Panja Arena Football Field, prompting fears of potential danger to pets and children in the nearby community. On June 21, firefighters from Surasak Municipality discovered the python, measuring approximately 4.11 meters in length and weighing 40 kilograms, hidden among the bushes. Capturing the snake posed a significant challenge due to its size and resistance.- Pattaya Mail

Large python captured near community football field; 21 eggs uncovered

Pattaya MailJune 23, 2024

Firefighters from Surasak Municipality carefully captured a large python near Panja Arena Football Field in Sri Racha. A clutch of 21 python eggs was also found nearby.

SRI RACHA, Thailand – Residents of Surasak Sub-District in Sri Racha were alarmed when a large python was found coiled in the bushes near the Panja Arena Football Field, prompting fears of potential danger to pets and children in the nearby community. Concerned residents immediately alerted municipality rescue workers asking for assistance.

On June 21, firefighters from Surasak Municipality discovered the python, measuring approximately 4.11 meters in length and weighing 40 kilograms, hidden among the bushes. Capturing the snake posed a significant challenge due to its size and resistance. Using specialized snake-catching tools, the team carefully extracted the python and secured it in a sack for safe relocation to a forested area far from residential zones. In addition to the python, the rescue team uncovered a clutch of 21 python eggs nearby, underscoring the presence of a breeding ground potentially close to human habitation.

Kanthanat Em-im, 30, who raised the alarm, recounted that the previous day, during a football match at Panja Arena, a young person spotted the python in the bushes and alerted him. Although he attempted to locate the snake, it had already slithered away. The following day, upon discovering fresh snake tracks, Kanthanat contacted the Surasak Municipality Fire Department for assistance. Firefighters found the python coiled under a tree and made the discovery of the eggs during their operation.

The swift action taken by the rescue team ensured the safety of the football field users and local children from the potential threat posed by the python. The reptile was relocated to a suitable habitat away from residential areas, ensuring the well-being of both the community and the snake itself.



Visa differences impede progress towards a Schengen-style south east Asia. The Thai prime minister’s campaign to introduce a Schengen-style visa program for travel across the region has become stuck in bureaucracy. Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos each has different travel regulations which are proving hard to disentangle. - Pattaya Mail

Visa differences impede progress towards a Schengen-style south east Asia

Pattaya MailJune 22, 2024

Unified visas are making much more progress in the Middle East and in Africa than in south east Asia.

The Thai prime minister's campaign to introduce a Schengen-style visa program for travel across the region has become stuck in bureaucracy. Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos each has different travel regulations which are proving hard to disentangle. For example, Thailand now allows no-cost visa exemptions for tourist traffic from 93 countries, about half the number agreed by Vietnam. Cambodia charges almost all visitors US$30 on arrival or via e-visa application, while troubled Myanmar insists on a pre-purchased visa which can take up to two weeks to issue.

Chief executive of VietSense Travel, Nguyen Van Tai, said that the ASEAN block should not rush into a common visa as political and security issues had not yet been resolved. The Cambodian immigration service last week reported there were no plans to lift the US$30 tourist fee. Marisa Sukosol Nunbakdi, a past president of the Thai Hotels Association, said any common visa would need to be 90 days, not 30 or 60, to reach its international potential. Thitian Pongsudhirak, a professor at Chulalongkorn University, stressed that standardized immigration procedures throughout the region were very rare.

Another ongoing complication arises from bilateral (two-country) agreements. For example, the Russian private lender Tinkoff has now started making Thai baht transfers through the Swift messaging system which may explain to some degree why Russians love Thailand. The Russian bank in fact sends funds to around 30 countries including China and Turkey. But some of Thailand's regional partners are unlikely to agree to link up with Tinkoff without lengthy discussion.

Meanwhile, Schengen-style agreements are doing better elsewhere. The Gulf Cooperation Council – comprising the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait – currently requires separate e-visas. But a Grand Tours visa is expected to be available by the end of 2024 and travel companies are expected to launch packages covering several mi-east countries once implemented. A similar common-visa initiative covering five southern African countries, spreading across massive nature reserves, is expected to popularize tourist attractions such as exotic wildlife and spectacular waterfalls.

Schengen-style, visa-free travel in practice means seamless travel through the signatory countries without the burden of undue passport inspection. The concept creates a much more welcoming environment for tourists by simplifying the multi-entry process by air, sea and land. Given the hesitancy of ASEAN in agreeing any major policy changes and its history of non-intervention in the domestic affairs of member states, a joint visa plan by Thailand and her neighbors remains a worthy dream under discussion since 2010. ASEAN will sleep on it.



The Thai Cabinet has tasked the Interior Ministry with amending the Condominium Act to increase the foreign ownership limit in condominium projects from 49% to 75%. Additionally, they have been directed to modify the Land Act to allow foreigners to lease land for 99 years, up from the current 50 years. ASEAN NOW



Picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

The Thai Cabinet has tasked the Interior Ministry with amending the Condominium Act to increase the foreign ownership limit in condominium projects from 49% to 75%. Additionally, they have been directed to modify the Land Act to allow foreigners to lease land for 99 years, up from the current 50 years.

 

 

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul indicated on Friday that the Land Act requires minimal changes. The existing law already permits a 50-year lease with an option to extend for another 50 years. The amendment aims to ensure foreign investors can secure land for up to 99 years in a single lease contract, enhancing investment confidence and viability.

 

Despite the boost in foreign ownership percentage, control over the developments will remain in Thai hands. Foreigners purchasing up to 75% of condominium units will not gain additional voting rights in the management of these properties, ensuring Thais retain control, Anutin clarified, reported Thai PBS.

 

The push to revise the Condominium Act comes as Thailand faces an oversupply of low and moderately-priced units. The Interior Minister expressed optimism that increasing foreign ownership limits will stimulate this sluggish market segment. This shift, he argues, will benefit both Thailand and its people by promoting economic activity and encouraging foreign investment.

 

The proposed changes mark a significant shift in Thailand's property market policies, designed to encourage more foreign capital flow into the country. By extending the lease period and increasing allowable foreign ownership, the government aims to make Thailand a more attractive destination for international investors.

 

These amendments, once implemented, could transform the dynamics of Thailand's real estate market, offering longer-term stability for foreign investors and opening up a wealth of opportunities within the country's property sector. This development underscores Thailand's commitment to economic growth and integration into the global market.

 

-- 2024-06-22

Cannabis entrepreneurs rally in Pattaya against government's narcotic reclassification. Rangsi Jangsombat, President of the Chonburi Cannabis Entrepreneurs for Medical and Economic Purposes Association, spearheaded a coalition of cannabis business operators and affiliates in a staunch opposition to the Thai government’s proposed reclassification of cannabis as a narcotic.- Pattaya Mail

Cannabis entrepreneurs rally in Pattaya against government's narcotic reclassification

Pattaya MailJune 20, 2024

Rangsi Jangsombat said that cannabis business leaders vehemently oppose the government's move to reclassify cannabis until scientific evidence on its benefits and risks is duly considered.

PATTAYA, Thailand – Rangsi Jangsombat, President of the Chonburi Cannabis Entrepreneurs for Medical and Economic Purposes Association, spearheaded a coalition of cannabis business operators and affiliates in a staunch opposition to the Thai government's proposed reclassification of cannabis as a narcotic.

The gathering on June 17, at the Grand Jomtien Palace Hotel was attended by both Thai and foreign cannabis industry stakeholders, marked a unified stand against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's directive to amend the Ministry of Public Health's regulations. The proposed changes would categorize cannabis as a Category 5 narcotic, limiting its use strictly to medical and health-related purposes.

During the meeting, Rangsi emphasized the association's objectives, outlining a multifaceted approach:
1. Acting as the voice for its members, the association pledged to submit opposition letters and pursue legal avenues, including seeking compensation, should cannabis be reclassified.
2. Committing to provide accurate information on medical cannabis use to youth, children, and the public.
3. Serving as a liaison to interpret and communicate government regulations affecting cannabis businesses.
4. Keeping members informed about evolving cannabis laws and inviting expert insights.
5. Engaging in community-based initiatives across Thailand.

Rangsi underscored the group's stance, stating, "We vehemently oppose the government's move to reclassify cannabis until scientific evidence on its benefits and risks is duly considered. We advocate for its regulation akin to alcohol and tobacco. Should the government proceed, we will pursue legal recourse in the Administrative Court to safeguard the interests of our community enterprises, entrepreneurs, and cultivators facing potential economic losses."

The coalition plans to present their demands, including a draft of the People's Cannabis Act, and submit opposition signatures to the Mayor of Pattaya on June 26. Leveraging Pattaya's special administrative status, they seek to secure an extension for cannabis businesses to continue operations, intending to present their case directly to the Minister of Public Health.



Tourism plan for second half of 2024 unveiled. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) on Wednesday unveiled its tourism promotion policy for the second half of the year, saying it would focus on attracting customers from long-distance markets to help the agency meet the government’s target of 3.5 trillion baht in tourism revenue this year. The Nation

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2024

Tourism plan for second half of 2024 unveiled

TAT highlights 11 'star countries' as it sets out to rake in 200-billion-baht revenue from long-haul tourists

Ny tåglinje Bangkok-Beijing på gång. Travel News

Ny tåglinje Bangkok-Beijing på gång

I juli testkörs tågsträckan Bangkok-Vientiane – den första länken i en ny tåglinje som bättre ska förbinda Thailand och Kina.

Maila reporter

2024-06-18 20:24

"Tågresenärer får räkna med en hel dags färd för att nå slutmål"

Enligt Thailands motsvarighet till SJ, State Railway of Thailand, kommer man om en knapp månad, den 13–14 juli, testköra tåg mellan Bangkok och Vientiane, Laos huvudstad. 

När den nya rutten är lanserad kommer den att nydana transporten mellan Thailand, Laos och Kina säger Ekarat Sriarayanphong, talesperson från State Railway of Thailand, i ett meddelande. 

Från Vientiane är planen att tåget senare ska fortsätta rulla till den kinesiska staden Kunming varifrån det går snabbtåg till Beijing. 

Bangkok

Det är nära nog 300 mil mellan Bangkok och Beijing; avståndet med tåg blir ännu större på grund av de försvårande villkor som regionens bergiga områden innebär. Tågresenärer får räkna med en hel dags färd för att nå slutmål, att jämföra med cirka fem timmar med direktflyg. 

Tåglinjen ses som en del i en bredare satsning på förbättrade relationer mellan Thailand och Kina. Som ett sätt att knyta än närmre band inom turismsektorn kan besökare från Kina numera stanna i Thailand upp till 60 dagar. Besökare från Thailand kan stanna i Kina upp till 30 dagar. 

Parallellt pågår även etableringen av en höghastighetslinje som även den ska länka Thailand med Kina via Laos. Enligt plan ska den vara färdig 2028. 

MED REFERENS TILL DET MAIL JAG SKICKADE IGÅR ANGÅENDE COVID-19. Thai PM takes sick leave to recover from COVID-19 infection - Thai PBS World

Thai PM takes sick leave to recover from COVID-19 infection

1 min ago

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is taking a sick leave after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

Government Spokesman Chai Wacharonke said the prime minister fell ill, has felt tired since last Friday and went to see a doctor, who diagnosed a COVID infection. He was advised him to take a rest for a few days to avoid infecting others.

He said he expects the prime minister to be able to return to work as normal on Wednesday.

The prime minister wrote an "X" post today, apologising to those who had been in close contact with him since last Friday and promising to return to work as soon as possible.



MYCKET TJAT I MEDIA OM DET HÄR NU DEN SENASTE TIDEN - Thailand's new Covid-19 strain, KP.2, spreads faster than JN.1. Thailand is set to see the KP.2 strain of Covid-19 become the dominant variant, with increased transmissibility and challenges for vaccine efficacy. | Thaiger

Thailand's new Covid-19 strain, KP.2, spreads faster than JN.1

Bright ChoomaneePublished: 12:58, 16 June 2024

Om vi har tur så kanske vi får lite regn igen. 👍👍👍 Länge sedan nu !!!! Thai govt warns of monsoon mayhem, brace for floods, heavy rain | Thaiger

Thai govt warns of monsoon mayhem, brace for floods, heavy rain

Ryan TurnerPublished: 09:19, 14 June 2024

Foreigners are frantic about Thai income tax blurs. A recent informal survey of retirees in Pattaya suggested that over 90 percent were in a state of utter confusion. What is assessable income? Does it include pensions already taxed in the home country? How to make sense of double taxation treaties which are undecipherable to most folk? Will visa renewal be dependent on having a Thai tax identification number? Pattaya Mail

Foreigners are frantic about Thai income tax blurs

Pattaya MailJune 13, 2024

Many retiree expats think income tax clarifications are already overdue.

EDITORIAL

The Thai government expects its Revenue arm to collect 100 billion baht more to help fund the digital wallet give-away scheme. This surely explains why, from January 1 2024, assessable foreign income transmitted to Thailand by tax residents (Thais or foreigners here for six months plus in a calendar year) will be subject to personal income tax via Revenue tax forms. Those have to be completed no later than the end of March next year.

A recent informal survey of retirees in Pattaya suggested that over 90 percent were in a state of utter confusion. What is assessable income? Does it include pensions already taxed in the home country? What about sending your cash to your wife as a gift? How to make sense of double taxation treaties which are undecipherable to most folk? Will visa renewal be dependent on having a Thai tax identification number? What will it cost to hire accountants?

It's no wonder that many expats are muttering, or talking openly, about leaving Thailand or at least making sure they are in the country for fewer than 183 days to escape the tax residence trap. Typical retirees here live on already-taxed pensions. Getting involved with a second tax authority, accountants and tax specialists is just about the last thing they want. Not to mention the potential costs of this bureaucracy. Nonsense on social media, such as the claim that Thai banks are now deducting tax international cash arrivals, is rampant.

There's a well-known truism that Thai authorities don't take any notice of what foreigners think. The issue here is whether those same authorities are prepared to see the expat market, especially for retirees and global citizens, collapse under the pile-up of unanswered questions. What about the future of the Elite visa? What about the thousands of farang men married to Thais and with families to support? What about the property market, especially the purchase of condominiums? How can the understaffed Revenue suddenly deal expeditiously with hundreds of thousands of forms and accompanying documentation in a foreign language?

Maybe, official clarification is just around the corner. Maybe. Meanwhile, accountancy firms are busy enrolling frightened expats with the promise of updates whenever possible. What would help, of course, is a statement from official Thai authorities that income already taxed elsewhere will not be re-taxed here. Or that certain types of visa, for example annual extensions for retirement or marriage, are exempt from the tax regulations on the grounds they are not "residence" permits. Sometimes silence is the best policy. But not tax reform on this scale.



Ruskigt sommarväder bingo för researrangörerna - försäljningen 60 procent upp. Efterfrågan märks även på vinterns resor som under helgen ökade med 30 procent jämfört med vid samma tid i fjol. Thailand sticker ut och redan nu märks en ökning på 25 procent för inbokade resor. Allt tyder därför på att det blir en riktig Thailandsvinter i år.- Travel News

 Ruskigt sommarväder bingo för researrangörerna –  försäljningen 60 procent upp

Högsommartemperaturerna och solskenet som många svenskar vant sig vid under maj och början på juni ser nu att vara ett minne blott. Och i takt med att kvicksilvret dalat rejält de senaste dagarna med regn, åska och blåst som dragit in över landet kom reslusten som ett brev på posten. Hos researrangören Ving ökade försäljningen av resor med hela 60 procent jämfört med samma tid i fjol.

Maila reporter

Bangkok Post - Tourism authority seeks deals with 11 airlines. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is seeking partnerships with at least 11 international airlines in an effort to bolster rising and mature markets in the second half this year.

Tourism authority seeks deals with 11 airlines

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is seeking partnerships with at least 11 international airlines in an effort to bolster rising and mature markets in the second half this year.

With the long-haul market projected to generate at least 770 billion baht this year from 10.8 million foreign arrivals, Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, said the agency plans to reinforce potential markets by using airlines in those regions that operate flights to Thailand.

He said the agency's marketing in the second half of the year would focus on two potential groups: rising and mature markets.

Among the long-haul markets, the six rising markets that posted a significant increase in the first five months of 2024 were: Poland (65.2%), Italy (48%), Saudi Arabia (27.6%), Denmark (26%), Canada (23%) and Kazakhstan (17.6%).

The five mature markets that recorded gains during the same period that need to be maintained comprise: France (38.7%), Germany (32%), the UK (22.6%), Russia (14.8%) and the US (14.3%).

As of May 29, the summer flight slots for most markets already exceeded pre-pandemic capacity, led by the Middle East with a recovery rate of 141%, followed by Europe (103%) and Africa (81.3%).

Mr Siripakorn said better cooperation with airlines was needed as many countries still struggle with insufficient seat capacity and high airfares.

The agency plans to talk with airlines, encouraging them to combine airline seats with holiday packages or offer special prices for long-stay travellers aligning with Thailand's recent visa policy allowing longer stays of up to 60 days for citizens of 93 countries.

He said two airlines, one of which is Air Canada, agreed to launch long-stay airfares to entice tourists to spend longer in Thailand, as the airline plans to start direct flights between Vancouver and Bangkok from October 2024.

For the European winter, several carriers confirmed new direct flights to Thailand. Iberojet, a Spanish-Portuguese charter airline, is operating seven charter flights a week between Madrid and Bangkok. Condor, a German leisure airline, is flying four times weekly between Frankfurt-Bangkok as well as Frankfurt-Phuket.

British Airways plans to commence three direct flights per week from London Gatwick to Bangkok starting from October, while Finnair is flying direct from Helsinki to Bangkok and Phuket from November. Finnair plans to operate 19-20 flights per week combined on these two routes.

In Kazakhstan, SCAT Airlines commenced services from Almaty to Surat Thani on May 30. Thai Airways plans to relaunch Bangkok-Milan and Bangkok-Oslo services on July 1.

Mr Siripakorn said Thai AirAsia X, a long-haul low-cost carrier, expects to offer flights to four cities in Europe during its winter season this year.

"Such negotiations with airlines were not possible the past few years when the aviation sector had very limited seats, forcing all carriers to sell expensive tickets," he said.

"However, with more aircraft deliveries globally, airlines are now looking for opportunities to expand their networks, which means it is the right time to partner with Thailand, which still has strong tourism demand."



Tourism industry demands action amid 300-baht fee controversy. Thailand’s private sector is urging the government to address the supply side of tourism after Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the suspension of a proposed 300-baht fee for foreign tourists. This fee was intended to establish a tourism development fund. | Thaiger

Tourism industry demands action amid 300-baht fee controversy

Puntid TantivangphaisalPublished: 15:12, 11 June 2024

Thailand's private sector is urging the government to address the supply side of tourism after Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the suspension of a proposed 300-baht fee for foreign tourists. This fee was intended to establish a tourism development fund.

Chamnan Srisawat, President of the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) stated that The government's performance over the past eight months would be rated 10 out of 10 for stimulating tourism demand, mainly attributed to visa policies.

"But for more critical problems related to Thai tourism, such as inferior supply development, we're not able to give them any score as nothing has been done to help resolve the problem."

At the opening of the northern tourism cluster in Chiang Mai, the 62 year old Thai PM said there is currently no plan to implement the tourism fee. Instead, the government aims to attract more tourists and encourage higher spending, believing the benefits from increased spending would surpass those from the fee.

Without the tourism tax, there is no dedicated financial resource for tourism development. PM Srettha said the government would allocate a budget to the Tourism and Sports Ministry for project proposals to boost tourism income. However, Chamnan expressed concerns about improving the overall tourist experience and spending without proper plans.

"It's regrettable to hear that the tourism fund won't be set up due to the postponement of the fee collection. We don't have any concerns with regard to volume, but poor tourism experiences and a lack of attractiveness are the key points."

Chamnan stressed that without a development fund, Thailand would struggle to enhance its tourism infrastructure or create new attractions, unlike countries such as China and Vietnam, which continually develop new tourism sites. He mentioned that revenue from tourism in the first five months of the year had only reached 830 billion baht, far short of the government's 3.5 trillion baht target for the end of 2024.

Chamnan proposed initiating five major man-made projects across five regions to generate tourism revenue, especially in second-tier provinces. He suggested that tour operators could integrate these new destinations into their packages, attracting more tourists in the future.

Federation of Thai Tourism Associations 

The Federation of Thai Tourism Associations (FETTA) also called for urgent tourism development in a forthcoming white paper. Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, highlighted the need for a balanced policy that prioritises supply development and demand stimulation.

FETTA urged the government to establish new key performance indicators (KPIs) focusing on supply improvement, including safety standards and environmental impacts. Sisdivachr also recommended a tourism carrier capacity blueprint to guide development.

Sisdivachr concluded that once the tourism fee is collected, 100 baht per tourist should be dedicated to sustainable tourism development and crisis management, addressing Thailand's low score on the Travel & Tourism Development Index compared to other Southeast Asian countries, reported Bangkok Post.

Politics NewsThailand NewsTourism 

A quick glance. Bangkok Post



The long-threatened Thai tourist tax finally bites the dust. Srettha Thavisin, the Thai prime minister, has finally announced that the proposed tax on tourist arrivals has been cancelled. The suggested imposition, 300 baht at airports (around US$9) and 150 baht by land or sea, had initially been suggested as the country emerged from the covid pandemic. It had been opposed by the travel industry on the grounds of ambiguity and confusion. Pattaya Mail

The long-threatened Thai tourist tax finally bites the dust

Pattaya MailJune 10, 2024

The longstanding aim to charge most visitors to Thailand with an entry tax has been abandoned.

Srettha Thavisin, the Thai prime minister, has finally announced that the proposed tax on tourist arrivals has been cancelled. The suggested imposition, 300 baht at airports (around US$9) and 150 baht by land or sea, had initially been suggested as the country emerged from the covid pandemic. It had been opposed by the travel industry on the grounds of ambiguity and confusion.

The idea from the National Tourism Policy Committee was originally promoted as a way of funding the medical costs of foreign tourists involved in accidents or who sadly passed from the mortal coil. However, it quickly became apparent that only 10 percent of the fund would be devoted to insurance and would be highly discretionary.




The proposed fund was then marketed as an essential part of repairing and restoring tourist sites such as some temples and archaeological sites. Examples put forward were to install public lavatories at tourist attractions or to restore religious images to their former glory. It was argued that the huge increase in tourist numbers post-covid would require a subsidy from the visitors themselves to keep popular sites from decay.

The issue of how to collect the entry tax was never resolved. It did not apply to Thai citizens, diplomats, work permit holders and babies under two years. Holders of the Elite visa and one-year extensions of stay, based on retirement or marriage, grumbled that they were not "tourists" in any case. Airlines opposed the tax being included in tickets as they could not tell (without detailed inquiry) who should pay it and who should not.

The next suggestion was to install special booths at airports and land borders, an idea quickly discarded because the inevitable long queues could easily ruin Thailand's positive marketing initiatives. Pre-entry use of credit cards and QR codes was put forward, but was again abandoned as an easy solution. For example, some cards refused to accept transactions for small sums whilst processing can be a time-consuming process.

The issues arising from tourist insurance were addressed in February 2024 by the establishment of the Thailand Traveller Safety Website. This permits cash refunds of between one million and 300,000 baht for untimely deaths and injuries arising from accidents. However, the scheme applies only to those with a "tourist" visa and expires in August 2024. Pre-registration before a calamity is essential for claimants.

Mr Srettha, in his cancellation address, explained that the abandoned scheme wasn't really worth the effort. He placed his confidence in the growing number of overseas visitors which means more revenue to the national cash pot. But expats – especially those living on pre-taxed pensions and policies – would now appreciate frankness about the Thai Revenue policy on taxing overseas income, both remitted and worldwide. It's another hot potato.



New Automated Passport Control Enhances Suvarnabhumi Airport Experience. The new Automatic Channel for passport control at Suvarnabhumi Airport was personally tested by Wisanu Prasarttong-Osoth, chairman of Airports of Thailand (AOT), before its official launch yesterday. This state-of-the-art system aims to ease congestion at immigration checkpoints. ASEAN NOW

 

The new Automatic Channel for passport control at Suvarnabhumi Airport was personally tested by Wisanu Prasarttong-Osoth, chairman of Airports of Thailand (AOT), before its official launch yesterday. This state-of-the-art system aims to ease congestion at immigration checkpoints.

 

Wisanu took part in a real-world test of the advanced automatic passport control system before boarding flight TG415 to Malaysia. The new system is part of AOT's initiative to assist immigration officers at Suvarnabhumi Airport by addressing issues related to the old system, which had been operational for over 15 years and only served Thai nationals.

 

Outdated technology and a shortage of immigration staff have thrust passenger congestion into the spotlight, negatively impacting Thailand's tourism image. The government is keen to position Suvarnabhumi as a key gateway, welcoming tourists and international investors.

 

Picture courtesy: Khaosod

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently revealed plans to elevate Suvarnabhumi Airport to become the region's main aviation hub. AOT has thus allocated funds to implement the new Automatic Channel project. Initially, 56 new machines will be installed at international departures, replacing the existing 16 machines.

 

This increase aims to streamline passenger processing without compromising national security, akin to procedures at internationally recognised airports.

 

Wisanu highlighted that the new Automatic Channel system can process both Thai and foreign nationals at a rate of four people per minute. The process involves just two steps: scanning the passport and facial recognition. This continuous flow system eliminates the need for passengers to go through checks one at a time.

 

Currently in the testing phase, the system is expected to be fully operational by July. Plans are also underway to expand the installation to immigration checkpoints at international arrivals in Suvarnabhumi and other airports, including Don Mueang, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.

 

"The new Automatic Channel will significantly enhance our capability to manage passenger flow more efficiently. This system not only speeds up the process but also maintains the highest security standards," Wisanu concluded.

 

Picture courtesy: Siam Rath

 

-- 2024-06-10