Salaries seen rising 2.2% in real terms in 2023, above global average
A woman buys food at Bang Kapi market, Bangkok. (File photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)
Salaries in Thailand are expected to rise an inflation-adjusted 2.2% next year, the eighth highest in the world, a survey shows.
Soaring inflation is set to put a major dent in salary increases for the second year running in 2023, according to a new survey that sees just 37% of countries globally expecting to report real-term wage hikes.
The worst-hit region is likely to be Europe, where real salaries — nominal wage growth minus the rate of inflation — are seen being driven down an average 1.5%, according to workforce consultancy ECA International.
UK employees suffered their biggest hit this year, since the survey kicked off in 2000. Despite a 3.5% average nominal pay increase, salaries in real terms fell 5.6%, due to 9.1% average inflation. They are set to tumble another 4% in 2023.
In the US a real-terms drop of 4.5% this year is expected to be reversed by falling inflation next year, translating into a 1% real-terms salary hike.
Asian nations make up eight of the top 10 countries forecast to see real salaries rise, led by India, up 4.6%, Vietnam rising 4.0% and China up 3.8%.
Brazil's 3.4% increase and Saudi Arabia's 2.3% bump round out the top five.
ECA International's Regional Director for Asia, Lee Quane, said: "Our survey indicates another tough year for workers globally in 2023. Only around a third of the countries surveyed are forecast to see real-terms salary increase, though this is better than the 22% that experienced increases this year." Average salaries fell 3.8% in 2022, according to ECA.
ECA's Salary Trends Survey is based on information collected from over 360 multinational companies in 68 countries and cities.
These are the top 10 countries and their predicted real-terms salary increases in 2023:
India (4.6%)
Vietnam (4.0%)
China (3.8%)
Brazil (3.4%)
Saudi Arabia (2.3%)
Malaysia (2.2%)
Cambodia (2.2%)
Thailand (2.2%)
Oman (2.0%)
Russia (1.9%)
And the bottom five, with their expected decreases:
One of 35 signs warning motorists of wild elephants crossing the road, posted along a 15km section of Highway 1399 in Muang district, Kanchanaburi. (Photo: Piyarat Chongcharoen)
Motorists using a highway also favoured by wild elephants in Muang district have been warned they face up to 10 years' imprisonment and a million baht fine if they hit and injure one of the giant animals, and wildlife authorities will strictly enforce the penalties.
The warning follows a number of recent collisions resulting in the severe injury or death of wild elephants.
Paitoon Inthabut, chief of Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary, said on Thursday that 35 signs warning of wild elephants crossing the road had been posted along the 15-kilometre section of Highway 1399 between tambon Wang Dong and tambon Chong Sadao.
Elephants regularly crossed the road when moving from one feeding area to another.
The warning signs also set a speed limit of 60 kilometres per hour and warned of imprisonment and fines on motorists who hit a wild elephant.
With so many warnings posted, motorists could not make the excuse they were unaware of the presence of wild elephants along that section of highway or the legal penalties for hitting one, Mr Paitoon said.
Even so, there were several cases of vehicles crashing into wild elephants.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment had ordered the wildlife sanctuary office to intensify measures to protect wildlife, he said.
"If motorists break the speed limit and hit a wild elephant, they will be prosecuted," Mr Paitoon said.
He said the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act provided for a prison term of up to 10 years and/or fine of one million baht if a wild elephant was killed or injured by a motor vehicle, whether intentionally or not
Under the same act, the offending motorist would also have to pay hundreds of thousands of baht in compensation for each harmed elephant.
In the case of a hit-and-run, a driver who failed to assist an injured wild elephant was liable to a prison term of up to three months and/or fine of 2,000-10,000 baht under the Land Traffic Act, Mr Paitoon said.
The law would be strictly enforced.
Recently, on Jan 9a pickup truck hit a wild elephant on the highway in tambon Wang Dong. The man driving the vehicle was unscathed, but his two women passengers were hurt. The elephant, a mature bull aged about 30 years, was very seriously injured and was found dead in the jungle two days later.
And on Feb 1 another elephant was hit by a van on the same highway, also in Wang Dong.
Officials found the tracks of an elephant showing an injured left hind leg leaving the area and were still looking to find and treat it.
This wild bull elephant, aged about 30 years, was found dead in the jungle on Jan 11, about two kilometres from where it was hit by a pickup truck on Highway 1399 in Muang district, Kanchanaburi, two days earlier. (Photo: Piyarat Chongcharoen)
Is mass tourism a thing of the past in Thailand as the streets of the most popular tourist destinations are still unnervingly quiet.
Along Chaweng's Beach Road, a usually raucous party area, shuttered shops stretch into the distance.
Before the coronavirus debacle, it was buzzing with traffic. Now, taxi drivers sit on the roadside, with little hope of finding customers.
Where bikini-clad sunseekers once browsed souvenir shops and drank at neon-lit bars, a lone street dog stretches on the pavement.
Elsewhere, swathes of Samui's idyllic, sandy white beaches are almost entirely free of people.
About 40 million tourists flocked to Thailand in 2019, drawn by its spectacular coastlines, ornate temples and famous cuisine.
In 2022, the country will struggle to attract even a quarter of that number, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Tourism ground to a halt in April 2021, when Thailand imposed a ban on all incoming passenger flights. The country – which has so far managed to contain Covid-19, recording 3,255 cases and 58 deaths – is discussing travel bubbles with low-risk neighbouring countries, but no one knows when these might be established. Borders remain shut to almost all foreign tourists.
The travel sector has survived devastating crises before, including the 2004 tsunami, bird flu and Sars outbreaks.
But the impact of the coronavirus pandemic is beyond comparison, says Tanes Petsuwan, deputy governor for marketing communication at the TAT.
During previous crises, revenue dropped by around a fifth, he said. This year, the coronavirus pandemic is expected to cause a 80% fall in revenues. "It's a huge impact," he said.
To make matters worse, Thailand's economy has become even more reliant on tourism, accounting for almost 20% of GDP, according to Tanes. About 4.4 million people are employed across the industry – in transport, travel agencies, restaurants and hotels.
In Samui, many have gone for months without work. Before coronavirus, Jarunee Kasorn, who works in a local massage parlour in Chaweng, says her colleagues would welcome up to 90 clients a day.
They're one of the few businesses to reopen on Beach Road, but a whole day can go by without a single customer. "If there are no tourists, then there's no business," she said.
Most of the shop's 20 staff have left the island altogether, and returned to their family homes elsewhere in Thailand.
Though modest social assistance payments were offered to workers during lockdown, this is no longer available.
"Many people say we won't die from Covid, but we will die because we are not able to eat," says Ta Sasiwinom, who has just reopened her stall at an outdoor market in Fishermen's Village, known as the walking street. The past few months have been a struggle for her and her two daughters. "We cook more cheaply – eating egg and rice, rice and egg," she says.
Parts of the market, and the nearby beach, have begun to return to life. There are groups of visitors and locals peering at the discounted stalls, but it is still nowhere near as busy as it would usually be.
Among those shopping are tourists stuck abroad, foreign residents living in Thailand, and Thais – who the government has encouraged to travel domestically through a stimulus package that offers subsidised hotel bookings.
The scheme, and a looming long weekend, has provided a welcome boost, says Lloyd Maraville, general manager of Nora Buri resort and spa.
Of the hotel's 144 rooms, about 100 are empty, though this will fall to 85 over the holiday.
Government measures, he adds, "might sustain hotels for a while but it will not be a long-term [solution]." Rooms have been booked at far below the usual rates. "Profit is out of the question at this moment, we just want to maintain the resort," he says.
Tanes believes that when tourism is able to begin again, the industry will be altered completely.
He hopes for positive change. "I think this is a good time for Thailand to upskill the human resources of the industry to move Thailand [away] from [being an] overcrowded tourist destination," he says. Mass tourism, and the dependence on large tour groups, he argues, will be a thing of the past.
In Samui, businesses are focused on survival for now. Just last month it was announced that nearly 100 local hotel owners had been forced to sell. Many more remain shut indefinitely.
"I've lived here for 20 years and I'm shocked, I never thought it could be like this," says Rattanaporn Chadakarn, who runs a stall at the walking street.
No one knows if the Great Panic will continue. For now, she adds, everyone is just waiting for the skies to reopen.
Bangkok hospitals report surge in medical tourists as Covid recedes
Three private hospitals in Bangkok have reported a surge of foreign patients since Thailand lifted Covid-19 travel controls in June.
Panacee Hospital director Dr Perapat Tangjai said the performance of Thai private hospitals has dramatically improved in the fourth quarter as foreigners return to the country for treatment.
The uptick is being driven by patients from Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Vietnam who have high purchasing power and are seeking the advanced medical technologies that Thailand has to offer, he said.
Perapat also expects the number of Chinese medical tourists to increase once China reopens.
"Foreign tourists are also arriving for alternative hospital treatments such as traditional herbal remedies and natural therapy," he said.
He predicted fourth-quarter revenue of private Thai hospitals will double in the fourth quarter from the same period last year.
Academics in Thailand welcomed news yesterday that Chinese leader President Xi Jinping secured an historic third five-year term as general secretary of the ruling Chinese Communist Party.
President Xi's third term will be viewed as undemocratic and autocratic by the Western powers but Thailand's top boffins believe continuation is the key which will benefit the kingdom and ASEAN countries.
Thai academics reckon the nation needs to remain impartialto the West's belligerent war-like attitude toward the mainland and grow its economy with China.
Piti Srisangnam, director for academic affairs at Chulalongkorn University's ASEAN Studies Centre, told Bangkok Post that he believes most of the newly-elected senior members of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee favour reform, which is good news for Thailand.
"This is a signal that China is now ready to emerge as a global economic power that will focus on joining development initiatives with other countries.
"China has rivals on the global economic stage. Even though Thailand has close ties with China, it does not take sides in conflicts, and this should benefit the country if China eases travel curbs and allows its citizens to travel abroad.
"With small numbers of Covid-19 fatalities and infections as well as amicable ties with China, Thailand will always be among the top destinations."
A mass influx of Chinese tourists to Thailand is unlikely until next year, however.
The mainland still insists on seven days of quarantine for any traveller, Chinese or foreign, as it maintains its strict zero-Covid-19 policy. This largely puts off people from travelling.
Thailand is more likely to see more tourists around Chinese New Year next year in late January and thereafter.
An expert on China's economy at Thammasat University's faculty of economics, Aksornsri Phanishsarn, reckons there will be little change to Xi's previous two terms as Chinese president.
Aksornsri believes Xi will continue economic reform, strengthen growth from within, and continue its zero-Covid strategy. With that in mind, she believes Thailand needs to target a different consumer than previous visitors to the Land of Smiles.
"Chinese tourists cannot be expected to visit Thailand in large numbers in the upcoming high season as long as the quarantine requirement for arrivals into China remains in place.
"Before the pandemic, many Chinese tourists in Thailand were first-time travellers and budget travellers.
"We should turn our attention to upmarket tourists. They may not come in large numbers but they will include businessmen and investors.
Author: Richard Yarrow, Harvard University and ANU
Southeast Asia's second largest and once one of its most dynamic economies is struggling under the weight of an ageing population, a deteriorating education system and low yield rice farming. Thailand looks trapped as a middle-income country, unable to get rich, and stuck between a younger, dynamic Vietnam and larger Indonesia.
Getting out of its economic rut won't be easy, but investment in education and higher quality human capital and agricultural and governance reform should be priorities.
Thailand has the lowest fertility rate in Southeast Asia, bar Singapore. Its demographics are arguably more worrisome than those of South Korea, which has a fertility rate close to 0.8. Between 2000 and 2021, South Korea's population aged 20–24 declined by 15 per cent. In Thailand, that number fell by 20 per cent, moderately better than the 27 per cent decline in Japan. But Japan and South Korea generate over four times the per capita GDP of Thailand, and they have more resources to support ageing citizens and attract skilled immigrants to reinforce greying workforces.
As in many other countries, COVID-19 exacerbated Thailand's ageing. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of Thai infants declined by 8 per cent. Middle and working-class households, stressed by growing debt, inflation and poor employment prospects, are hardly eager to have more children. During the pandemic, Thai household debt soared to 90 per cent of GDP.
In the 2000s, Thailand outperformed its regional peers across many education metrics. Nearly all age-eligible children attended primary school and a high proportion of young people entered junior secondary school. Most Thai workers in 2006 had a primary school education at best. By 2019 most had some post-primary education.
These gains in education and skills can help ameliorate the effects of rapid ageing. But vital to human capital formation and breaking out of the middle-income trap is the uptake and quality of higher education. Over the past decade, declines in university enrolments have begun outpacing the demographic decline in the numbers of young people.
Thailand's gross tertiary enrolment ratio — the number enrolled in tertiary education over the main tertiary level age cohort — peaked at around 50 per cent in the early 2010s and then fell toward 40–45 per cent in recent years. Technical or vocationally oriented programs fared better, but most general university programs lost many students. Between 2015 and 2019, undergraduate degree enrolments fell by a sharp 18 per cent.
Thai universities' problems relate to quality, jobs and household finances. With fewer enrolments, universities have fewer resources and incentives to invest in improving quality in the way that Chinese or Singaporean universities have done. In turn, graduate employment prospects have weakened. The wage premium of Thai tertiary education has fallen since the early 2010s, with many graduates underprepared for the workforce.
During the pandemic, the number of unemployed college-educated workers more than doubled. For debt-laden households, the extra years of university education might no longer seem worthwhile. Many Thai universities are faced with eliminating programs or closing altogether.
Agriculture, still a major pillar of the Thai economy, is another worry. The sector contributes around one tenth of Thailand's GDP but employs around one third of the labour force. While the sector has diversified toward fruit and animal husbandry, rice remains a core crop — Thai farms account for 14 per cent of international rice trade. Yet, Thailand's rice farms are not very productive or efficient. Thailand's average yields are now lower than those of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. The average Thai rice farm is too small and farmers too poor or elderly for investments in the equipment or infrastructure to improve productivity.
These challenges have prompted policymakers to pivot to relying on new industrial technology to resuscitate economic growth. For instance, political leaders dream of a shift to electric vehicle manufacturing, and, in May 2022, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed hope that Thailand would become the world's largest electric vehicle production hub. But a purely national strategy focussed on electric vehicles would be a costly gamble, in a region where few consumers can afford the technology in the first place.
Thailand, and its auto industry in particular, benefits from large investments from Japan and China. Thailand's exports have performed well since 2020, with rising vehicle sales to Japan and agricultural exports to China. Foreign investment-driven trade has given a strong economic boost and opens opportunities for structural change. But foreign investment is discouraged by an uncertain legal and political environment, corruption, powerful domestic oligopolies and restrictions on foreign ownership. The Eastern Economic Corridor and the special economic zones created under recent governments have yet to broaden or deepen investments into Thailand.
Rejuvenation of higher education requires reform of higher education financing, the consolidation and internationalisation its universities.
Alleviating stagnation in agriculture requires a pivot from agricultural price supports toward mechanisation, investment in irrigation and farm consolidation.
The challenges of Thailand's demography, education and agriculture seem symptomatic of an unequal economy with concentration of resources and power around large conglomerates and the wealthy. Such an economic structure restrains middle class demand and increases capital outflows to nearby countries like Vietnam, even while Thailand has too little domestic private investment. Likewise, there are too few incentives for students or farmers to upgrade capabilities and few supports for families to have children.
Changing direction is at heart a governance and political problem. Many Thailand 4.0 proposals — for example, for regionally-balanced investment and joint partnerships to direct resources into higher education — show there's no shortage of good ideas from Thai civil servants and scholars about what is needed. But implementing them is another question.
Richard Yarrow is Fellow at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center at the Harvard Kennedy School, Visiting Research Fellow at the East Asian Bureau of Economic Research at the ANU, and Visiting Research Fellow at the East Asian Institute at NUS. He recently published the monograph Thailand's Economic Dilemmas in Post-Pandemic Asia.
Thailand Business Climate Survey (English below)
Swedish company 🇸🇪 How do you see the business atmosphere in Thailand 🇹🇭?
At the beginning of the year, Swedish companies in Thailand responded to a survey on the business environment. Although profitable, Swedish companies view the business environment in Thailand moderate to negative compared to surveys conducted with other neighboring countries in the region (Indonesia, Malaysia) Singapore and Vietnam) may explain the reason for the weak Thai economy. While other countries' economies seem to be more positive. One challenge from the survey is the complex customs process. The main reason why the company is profitable is the fur market. Thailand's big deal. Worth the cost and great customer satisfaction.
Business Sweden Thai-Sweden Chamber of Commerce, including the Swedish Embassy, have jointly conducted a survey for the third time. This time, the survey was conducted to Swedish companies with almost 100 representatives in Thailand, with 70 percent of the companies responding. Business🤓🇹🇭
---------------------------------------------
Swedish 🇸🇪 companies' perception of the business climate in Thailand 🇹🇭?
Earlier this year, a business climate survey was made among Swedish companies in Thailand. Despite their profits, the companies have a relatively neutral to negative outlook on the business climate, comparing to surveys made with regional neighbours (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam). This could be explained by the stagnating Thai economy and an increasing optimism in the other countries. One of the biggest challenges expressed in the survey are the complicated customs procedures. Thailand's sizable market, cost efficiency and high customer satisfaction are main reasons for the companies' profitability.
Business Sweden, Thai-Swedish Chamber of Commerce and the Embassy together conducted the survey for the third time. It was sent out to almost 100 Swedish companies represented in Thailand and the response rate was over 70%. 📗🤓🇹🇭
Worried you might be holding one of the counterfeit 1,000-baht notes in circulation? Police have advised people they can do a simple check to tell whether their banknotes are real or fake.
#รับสมัครParttime #พนักงานเสิร์ฟหญิง
#พนักงานเสิร์ฟชาย #ผู้ช่วยครัวชายหรือหญิง
#Posting work only on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
💸Total income per day of work 300++
💸Income per day, full day work 400++
**There is income+increase tips every day**
**JOB DETAILS**
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✅Female waitress (18-28 years old)
-Clearing up the shop during opening and closing the shop.
- Food & Drinks Will Be Served
-Can suggest food and drink menus
- Keep the glass clean without breaking it.
**Without experience, just a willingness, we will accept internships**
✅Kitchen Assistant. Male and Female (18-28 years old)
-Clearing up the shop during opening and closing the shop.
-have experience in front of bed and knife
-Can fry, fry, salad, grill.
**Without experience, just a willingness, we will accept internships**
👍Welfare👍
-There is food and drinks for every meal.
-Special tips for every position every day.
-Lots of work, lots of tips.
-Salary is paid every half month.
-festive feasts and bonuses
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Inquire, call. 086111546 or send work details via inbox to the shop.
Många har en hemförsäkring och använder dess resedel så länge den gäller. Därefter vid behov gör man en förlängning.
Det finns ett antal anledningar till att förlänga sin hemförsäkring (om man har en).
Tex för:
-Resan är längre en de ingående dagarna.
-Speciell försäkring vid visa ansökan.
-Ingen hemförsäkring.
-Vill ha en sammanhängande försäkring.
Då gäller ofta dessa två alternativ, Gouda och ERV. Båda bra försäkringar med bra innehåll.
Men de har blivit väldigt dyyyra!
Får dagligen förfrågningar om billigare alternativ framförallt för de lite äldre.
Det finns stora besparingar att göra här!
"Det gör mig extra varm om hjärtat när jag hör att vi hade inte haft råd att resa om vi inte fått hjälp med detta!!"
Ännu fler frågar om priserna och nu har jag äntligen hunnit med ett par exempel ni kan kika på nedan.
För alla bolag gäller att "pre existing conditions" dvs tidigare och nuvarande åkommor/sjukdomar inte omfattas (lite förenklat).
Lite olika bedömningar gäller mellan bolagen men kan inte säga att någon skulle vara bättre eller sämre på detta, bara att det kan skilja från fall till fall.
ACS och Coris har fastställda beloppsgränser.
Gouda och ERV har oftast inga beloppsgränser utan anger "skäliga kostnader".
Gouda och ERV har förutom det medicinska en hel del reseanpassade ersättningar, tex. försenat flyg, borttappat bagage, stöld, ansvarsförsäkring mm.
Gouda och ERV gäller World wide exkl USA.
ACS och Coris gäller World wide!
*ERV = Bas
**ACS Här Globe Partner som har en max ersättning på 150 000 €, så ganska väl tilltaget. De har även som Gouda och ERV reseersättningsdelar förutom det medicinska. Priset talar för sig själv och jag har hjälpt många med denna. Inga klagomål so far. I mina ögon en av de bästa internationella reseförsäkringarna.
OBS! Man måste kunna instämma i deras hälsopåstående!!
***Coris, Travel Health, en mkt omtyckt försäkring bland långliggare/Expats då de inte har ngn åldersbegränsning eller tidsbegränsning (även om man i nuläget bara kan teckna den för 120 dgar åt gången men inga problem med förlängning.
Här har man 3 pris nivåer 25 / 50 / 100 000€ priserna nesan för 25 000 och 100 000.
De försöker också lösa akuta sjukdomar på plats (även de lite kostsammare) innan man får åka hem för rehab/eftervård, om det skulle behövas. (Resan då betald men inte rehab/eftervård)
Dessa priser omfattar inga reserelaterade delar, förutom biljetter i vissa fall, men de har även ett sådant alternativ, vilket inte många har valt, (Multi Risk). Men bra om man skall resa utanför Thailand.
OBS! De är tuffa med att akut sjukdom inte är när man kan boka tid om någon dag eller så.
Detta då många som bor i Thailand har den och det är inte en sjukförsäkring! Men väldigt bra ändå!
Vill ni ha mer specifik info om ACS och Coris så maila mig på:
clas.007@hotmail.com
Med vänlig hälsning
Clas
Ps. Friskriver mig ev felaktigheter i priser eller text men vore tacksam om ni ville höra av er om ni upptäcker ngt fel så jag kan rätta!
OBS! I mitten av nästa månad kommer den årliga jämförelsen av de bästa sjukförsäkringarna. (Har blivit lite försenad pga flooding).
Entertainment venues and street shops on Khao San Road on Sept 23, 2022. (Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya)
The Tourism and Sports Ministry will ask the cabinet to consider allowing nightspots in certain tourism spots to stay open until 4am as the Covid-19 pandemic eases along with many virus curbs.
Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Saturday studies found that if nightspots are allowed to operate until 4am, their income would increase by 40%.
''However, a public referendum will have to be held to decide where nightlife outlets will be allowed to operate until that time,'' he said.
Mr Phiphat said that after the virus was downgraded from a dangerous communicable disease to a communicable disease under surveillance from Oct 1, the ministry is moving ahead with plans to develop tourist destinations in four clusters of provinces, by highlighting unique local cultures, traditions and histories to promote tourism.
For example, a study is being conducted to promote low-carbon tourism in Phangnga, part of the Andaman cluster.
As for Phuket, a plan will be devised to develop state land in tambon Mai Khao of Thalang district into a yacht club, a sports complex and a convention hall, which will be linked with a project to promote wellness tourism in the province, Mr Phiphat said, adding the private sector will be urged to invest.
Activities will be held seasonally to attract tourists and boost income for local people, the minister said.
In 2019 before the pandemic struck, over 39.8 million tourists came to Thailand, generating more than 3 trillion baht.
During the pandemic, tourism was one of the industries hardest hit and the ministry worked closely with various agencies to ease the impact by launching the Phuket Sandbox scheme in July last year, Mr Phiphat said.
He added the MotoGP 2022 World Championship was held in Buri Ram between Sept 30 and Oct 2, pulling in foreign visitors and spectators which gave the local economy a boost.
In the longer run, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is devising a campaign to woo international visitors to future MotoGP events.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Thailand has handed over a total of 100,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine for children aged 5-11 as well as vaccination equipment worth 50 million baht to Myanmar as part of public health cooperation in Asean.
Visitors wait to cross the Friendship Bridge, the main land crossing point between Thailand and Laos.
From this month, the Thai embassy in Vientiane in neighboring Laos has announced the latest regulations regarding the issue of 60 days, single tourist visas which, in most cases, can be extended for a further 30 days at Thai immigration. However, the procedure is more complicated than visiting the Cambodian border which issues 45 days visa exempt to most nationalities with the option of extending a further month in Thailand.
The Thai embassy in Laos has announced that applicants will need to show a Thai bank book with at least 25,000 baht (around US$650) available for spending in Thailand. Most nationalities can apply for the 60 days tourist visa, but those from 29 countries (including China and Bangladesh) may be subject to significant delays as further identity checks are made. Double or multiple entries to Thailand are awarded only to Laos citizens or to foreigners with long stay residence rights.
Entry to Laos may be made by road or air, although immigration officers will likely want to see proof of prior booking of accommodation in or near Vientiane. Appointments at the embassy must be booked in advance, via its website, and walk-ins are no longer allowed. The process usually takes 24 hours involving one night's stay in the capital. Several Thai tour companies offer visa runs to Laos either by minibus or by air, the former with an inclusive charge of around 15,000 baht and about double that amount by air.
Most foreigners wanting a longer holiday in Thailand are opting at the Cambodian border for a new 45 days visa exempt stamp with the option to extend for a further month. However, some nationalities (notably Indians and Chinese) cannot use this route as they are not categorized visa exempt, but rather visa on arrival which is different. Visa on arrival applies to around 20 countries and offers 30 days (plus 15) on payment of a fee of 2,000 baht on arrival in Thailand, unless waived. All foreigners are restricted to two border visa runs in a 12 months period.
Another issue with the Cambodian border is that only organized groups with a tour or visa company are permitted to do the run in a single day. Individuals without an escort arriving at Aranyaprathet or Pong Nam Ron immigration border checkpoints are being told that they must remain several days in Cambodia because their ID details were not sent for scrutiny in advance. The best advice right now is to organize a visa run via an agency which does regular runs and knows the ropes. Covid-free documentation is no longer required for entry to Cambodia, Laos or Thailand.
INN revealed that Thailand is now a signatory to the International Code for the Protection of Tourists (ICPT) that has been promoted by the World Tourism Council.
They have promised to work towards ensuring the safety of all tourists and building tourism confidence.
As Thailand enters High Season 2022-23 and pandemic angst begins to fade, a big seminar was arranged in Phuket called the Tourism Safety and Security Conference.
On behalf of the Thai Tourist Police Pol Maj-Gen Apichart Suribunya, deputy and spokesman, explained the various roles of the tourist police.
Picture: INN
As well as crucially how they differ from the mainstream force and other sections.
Apichart also explained how a swanky new online system operated by the tourist police will be unveiled for real time help to tourists from next year.
Picture: INN
The police had been invited by the British embassy to the conference that was also organized by the Australia embassy in Thailand.
A further promise was made to listen to the views of tourists to make their experience better next time.
INN's report was ideal for breakfast time - full of waffle and lacking in substance.
It appears that the airline, kept alive by cargo freight income and the protection of the court through the pandemic emergency, has made substantial progress in trimming its previously huge cost base while capturing market share as the country reopened with other international airlines, for now, scrambling after richer pickings while others are not able to compete on routes to Bangkok as before. However, Bangkok Bank, a key dissenting creditor in a submission to the Central Bankruptcy Court has expressed its doubts about the firm's high-flying plans to find further credit which includes an expressed intention to relaunch itself on the stock market by 2025.
As part of its revised business plan approved by the Central Bankruptcy Court in Bangkok on Thursday, Thai Airways will finally begin refunding ticket purchases made by customers before it filed for bankruptcy in May 2022. Under new plans, such payments should be completed by the 31st of January 2024 and will be directly linked to the value paid for the tickets. The airline which has had its operating performance boosted since the reopening of Thailand earlier this year is projected to fly 4.4 million passengers in 2022 with an average flight load of about 80%. However, there are still challenges with the airline still restricted from flying to certain countries or territories fearing action by key dissenting creditors and comments from Bangkok Bank, which opposes the plan, to the court since September questioning the airline's ability to access further credit to implement its business plan by the end of 2024, the cornerstone of which is a ฿25 billion rights issue with debts owed to creditor converted into capital before the airline is again refloated on the stock exchange.
The Chief Financial Officer of Thai Airways, Chai Eamsiri, submitted information to the Central Bankruptcy Court in September as it considered the firm's revised business plan and objections from dissenting creditors such as Bangkok Bank. The firm has succeeded in drastically reducing its costs and is performing very well in 2022. This has allowed it to bring forward and improve on many aspects of its business plan which it hopes will see it return to the stock exchange in 2025 as a leaner and more profitable concern.
The Central Bankruptcy Court in Bangkok, on Thursday, approved key elements of a revised business reorganisation plan as part of efforts to restructure the debts of the country's flag carrier Thai Airways.
A key part of the plan given the green light by the Central Bankruptcy Court which communicated its decision by digital means, was a plan to refund passenger prepayments made before the airline filed for bankruptcy in May 2020.
Refund payments paid through credit cards and other means, to be complete by the 31st of January 2024
Under revised provisions, agreed by the court on Thursday, these payments are expected to be paid, in many cases through the refund of credit card payments, to passengers by the end of January 2024.
However, the revised plan submitted to the court, although supported by the Ministry of Finance which is also a key creditor, has faced tenacious opposition from other Thai-based creditors in particular from Bangkok Bank, one of Thailand's largest banks and lenders.
In its judgement, on Thursday, the court reviewed proposals to amend the plans in respect of creditors abroad who are threatening to seize Thai Airways aircraft because of outstanding debt despite the bankruptcy process.
Management wanted to deal with creditors threatening to seize Thai Airways aircraft in key territories as a priority, it is a key problem
This, according to management, is proscribing the ability of those working to rehabilitate the airline's business to operate a fuller flight schedule in response to market conditions.
The amended plan was supported by a majority of the airline's creditors this September but still required approval of the court on Thursday after it vetted the proposal in considerable detail and listened to opposition from dissenting creditors.
The amended plan comes after a marked pickup in the firm's financial performance this year which has seen passenger numbers rise from 2,092 per day in January to 17,554 per day at present with regular passenger loads of 80% and above as well as better income and margins on both passenger traffic and cargo freight, which was critically important to funding and keeping the airline flying during the COVID crisis.
Leaner Thai Airways with lower operating costs is filling seats on flights again this year from Europe
The airline, in the course of its rehabilitation, has seen a halving of its workforce from twenty-nine thousand personnel to fourteen thousand four hundred with a resultant monthly wage bill of ฿700 million, reduced from ฿3 billion per month previously.
The airline has reduced its aircraft fleet to 58 planes, in the process, selling off 45 aircraft while it is expected to have taken delivery of three new Boeing 777-330 ER aircraft in October with two of these planes already delivered on October 18th and 19th while the third is due on October 26th.
These aircraft are suitable for lucrative long-haul flights and come with room for 8 first-class passengers, 40 business-class passengers and 255 seats for those flying economy.
Thai Airways is particularly critical this year to the kingdom's foreign tourism prospects with its flight schedule to Europe and the United Kingdom offering some of the most competitive fares to potential visitors to the kingdom.
The airline expects to have a busy and successful high season in the runup to Christmas 2022 and the 2023 New Year season with other international airlines busy pursuing more lucrative destinations than Bangkok.
Drawn out process where the Bankruptcy Court keeps oversight over all key decisions regarding creditors
The revised business plan, approved on Thursday, was submitted on July 1stlast and came after a creditors meeting was held electronically on September 1st 2022.
Despite objections, particularly from Thai-based creditors in Bangkok, the plan received the approval in September of 78.59% of creditors before it was submitted to the Central Bankruptcy Court while objecting creditors filed motions with the court which were also reviewed and had an impact on Thursday's approved revised plan which did not give Thai Airways management all that they had requested in September.
The plan being pursued was put forward by top executives at the airline including Chief Financial Officer Chai Eamsiri who made a submission to the court in September.
If successfully implemented, it will see the state's shareholding in the flag carrier reduced to 33% in the runup to the firm being refloated on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), a development now expected sometime in 2025.
Cornerstone of rehabilitation plan is the conversion of debt to equity in a slimmed-down ฿25 billion rights issue before a new stock exchange return
Thai Airways is forecast to fly 4.4 million passengers in 2022 giving it an average cabin load of 80% to 82%.
The amended business plan still anticipates the capitalisation of ฿25 billion within the company between now and the end of 2024 through the sale of new shares and the conversion of existing debt-equity.
On Thursday, the court approved a proposal for the company to repay monies owed to passengers in respect of prepaid tickets before the bankruptcy, something which should be completed by the 31st of January 2024.
The amount to be refunded, under the revised plans approved by the court, will be linked to the value of the tickets paid for by the customer.
Risk of aircraft being seized still exists in some countries and territories, executives sought approval to deal with the problem but the court demurred
The court's pronouncement on Thursday on the revised plan was detailed and dealt with a proposal from Thai Airways to prioritise payments to key creditors such as ground service providers deemed as essential to the ongoing continuance of the business and the furtherance of its business plans.
The court noted that such a course of action did not disadvantage other creditors
However, it did not immediately approve proposals in the revised plan to deal expeditiously with creditors in countries or territories where there is a risk, according to the airline, of its aircraft being seized.
Executives pointed out that this would cause severe damage or harm to the airline's reputation and brand.
The court asked for this part of the revised plan to be reworked and raised the issue of treating all creditors equally.
Bangkok Bank has emerged as a key dissenting creditor against the plan and has expressed scepticism about the airline's ability to find further credit
Bangkok Bank has emerged as a key objector to the firm's revised business plan and on Thursday, the court noted its contention that the airline will have to generate large amounts of credit to make the plan, as currently finalised, a success before the cornerstone of the rehabilitation process being the conversion of debt to equity, can proceed.
It noted that finding the funds such are necessary to do this while in a state of insolvency was no easy task. It also expressed concern about the airline incurring further debt.
However, the airline's management pointed to its surging prospects this year with a cash flow of around ฿20 billion and argued before the court that it needed to make changes to continue to push the plan towards its fruition.
Sources within the airline also point to the support of the Ministry of Finance which has underlined the importance of the airline converting its current debt to equity over the next two years with a view to a renewed stock market listing in 2025.
A new financial advisor will now be employed by the airline to put together the ฿25 billion package which has been halved this year due to a better-than-expected operating performance.
