Move Forward Party to Submit 45 Bills for Amendments and New Laws
BANGKOK (NNT) - The Move Forward Party has announced its intention to submit 45 bills for either amendments or new laws once Parliament reconvenes, according to a party executive.
Bencha Saengchantra, an MP representing the Move Forward party list, shared the party's plans in an online post on May 17. The proposed bills cover various areas, including bureaucratic reform and the abolishment of mandatory conscription.
In her post, Bencha categorized the 45 bills into eight groups, outlining their objectives as follows:
1. Political Laws: Move Forward aims to amend relevant laws to allow the establishment of a new charter-drafting assembly, with the goal of crafting a new people-centric constitution. The party also intends to amend the Military Service Act, replacing forced conscription with a voluntary system. Additionally, Move Forward plans to propose a political amnesty bill to address political conflicts since 2006 and work towards bridging Thailand's deep political divide.
2. Laws on Rights and Liberty: The party's core manifesto includes the amendment of laws such as Articles 112 and 116 of the Criminal Code and the Computer Crimes Act. Move Forward will also push for the consideration and enactment of gay marriage legislation within the first 100 days of the new House's term, along with a bill supporting sexual diversity.
3. Bureaucratic Reform Laws: To promote transparency and prevent corruption, Move Forward will introduce a law requiring government agencies to disclose all information and establish an effective anti-corruption system. The party also plans to propose laws that streamline the process of obtaining permissions and licenses from the state, decentralize administrative power and budget, and introduce the election of provincial governors.
4. Land Reform Laws: Move Forward seeks to resolve land disputes between individuals and the state, granting farmers the right to cultivate their land, among other measures.
5. Public Service Laws: The party aims to enhance public services, including water facilities and public transportation.
6. Labor Laws: Relevant laws will be amended to strengthen workers' rights.
7. Economic Laws: Move Forward will push for the enactment of the progressive liquor act, bills to collect taxes on large plots of land and from the wealthy, and an amendment to the Fishery Act to support the livelihoods of local fishermen.
8. Environment Laws: The party plans to enact a climate change bill that sets carbon emission limits, striving for Thailand to achieve a net zero goal by 2050. They also intend to amend laws regarding the transportation of toxic substances.
The party said its proposed bills reflect its commitment to promoting reform and addressing key issues in Thailand. By presenting these bills, the group aims to contribute to the country's development and meet the expectations of its supporters.
Move Forward announces a coalition government with 8 parties and 313 MP seats, nominating Pita as their PM candidate
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Move Forward's leader Pita Limjaroenrat announced on Thursday that his party would work with seven other parties in forming the government coalition, who together have a strength of 313 seats in the 500-seat House of Representatives.
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The eight-party coalition comprises Move Forward, Pheu Thai, Thai Sang Thai, Thai Liberal, Prachachart, Fair, Plung Sungkom Mai, and Peu Thai Ruamphalang parties.
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Pita said during the press conference that all parties are required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with its details set to be released by Monday.
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He added that he would form a committee to efficiently carry on the jobs of the previous government.
Weekly COVID-19 Situation in Thailand 7-13 May 2023.
Number of confirmed infected cases admitted to hospitals 2,356 (336 per day on average),
Number of fatalities 22 (2 per day on average),
Cumulative infected cases (since 1 January 2023) 12,437,
Cumulative number of fatalities (since 1 January 2023) 320.
source: Department of Disease Control
Sunday's election victory by the Move Forward Party marks a historic shift in Thai politics as the electorate voted for principle and a more progressive approach to politics and government over short-term inducements and the political battles that had dominated and fragmented the kingdom over the last twenty years. Indeed, the election result, if respected in the medium to longer term, has the real potential to see Thailand emerge as a beacon of democracy in Southeast Asia in contrast to a regional shift to authoritarianism. This was the hope expressed by the people behind yesterday's vote. However, opposition is already rising in the Senate, appointed by the former junta, with two senators already declaring they will not support Mr Pita as prime minister with one raising the prospect of his disqualification following an Election Commission probe into his affairs.
On Monday, the leader of the Move Forward Party took the initiative to consolidate his party's election victory by announcing a potential new coalition with Pheu Thai and four other parties with the start of talks to prepare a programme for government. Pita Limjaroenrat said he was ready to become prime minister and was confident that the will of the people would prevail over any attempt to try to elect a minority government by using the short-term power of the Senate. He also asked people not to be concerned about an Election Commission probe that has been opened into allegations that he improperly held shares in a media company in the course of the last parliament. On Monday, two senators said they would refuse to support Mr Pita while reports suggest that there are already moves afoot to thwart the proposed new government before it is even born.
On Monday, the Thai Election Commission confirmed that the Move Forward Party won this Sunday's General Election, returning 151 MPs to the new House of Representatives which it is expected to meet in July.
The leader of the Move Forward Party has already confirmed a six-party coalition which will now set about constructing a programme for government.
The new coalition wil command 309 seats in the House of Representatives giving it a clear majority.
Core of the proposed coalition government is the Move Forward and Pheu Thai parties which plan to form a government sometime in August
At the core of the coalition are the Pheu Thai and Move Forward parties with 292 seats between them. They will be joined by the Thai Sang Thai Party, the Southern Prachachart Party and the Seri Ruam Thai Party along with the Fair Party which returned one seat.
On Monday, the Election Commission said that it believes that the election was honest and fair but final confirmation of the returns will not take place until sometime in early to mid-July or before the next parliament meets.
By law, the election must be certified and finalised by July 13th next.
August will see a new government formed but that is still a long way off with many potential developments possible between now and then.
It is expected to be early August before a new prime minister and the government is sworn in with Mr Pita Limjaroenrat emerging as the main contender to take over for General Prayut Chan ocha who will remain in office in the interim period.
Pita says he is not concerned about the Election Commission probe but it is already deployed by conservatives to undermine him as the new PM
Asked on Monday if he was concerned about the probe by the Election Commission into his alleged shareholding in a media firm while serving as Bangkok MP, a revelation made last week which led to calls from some political opponents to have not just Mr Pita but the whole Move Forward Party taken out of politics, Mr Pita said he was sanguine about the threat.
He asked the public not to worry about it.
However, there are growing concerns that there will be opposition from pro-government or conservative forces against the Move Forward Party leading the next administration with both General Prayut Chan ocha and General Prawit Wongsuwan remaining tight-lipped in response to its electoral success on Sunday after the results rolled in.
It should also be noted that the pro-government parties did far better in the election than polls had suggested particularly the Bhumjaithai Party and the Palang Pracharat Party although the ability of Pheu Thai and Move Forward parties to secure a coalition with over 300 MPs is also an achievement but not a definitive one given the power remaining until June 2024 under Section 272 of the 2017 Constitution allowing the Senate a say on electing the next prime minister.
Negotiators to forge a new programme for government being selected as parties get down to business quickly to fill a very dangerous vacuum
For now, the parties to the new coalition are selecting negotiators to discuss its programme. In the manifesto of the Move Forward Party, there is a plan to hold a vote on amending the 2017 Constitution via a referendum.
The Move Forward Party leader rightly deduces that the political vacuum must be filled quickly before opposition to the election results mounts from the right.
The Pheu Thai Party is also indicating the need for urgency and open cooperation with its potential political partner in government.
Mr Pita, a technology executive before entering politics as an MP for Bangkok, is also reported to be commencing a series of talks and meetings with representatives of the business community in Thailand and key government officials as he prepares to put together his new administration.
'We would form the government as soon as possible so that there would not be a political and economic vacuum. Please be assured that Move Forward will be fast and meticulous,' Mr Pita said.
Pita warns about forces going against the will of the people who he says have been given his party a mandate to govern after Sunday's election result
Asked about the technical possibility that the outgoing government coalition with 173 seats coming together with the Senate to elect an alternative prime minister and minority government, the Move Forward Party leader said that she was not worried about this as it would be going against the explicit will of the people in the General Election.
He confirmed that he was ready to take on the mantle of prime minister but also suggested that he would also oversee a ministry in the government.
At the same time, he indicated that he was not wedded to the prospect of becoming government leader and was ready to make way for someone who may be more suitable for the position.
Currently, Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha, the interim Prime Minister, also serves as Minister of Defence.
Lèse-majesté will be a crucial issue for any proposed new government and one which will be used by ultra-conservatives to oppose and ultimately defeat it
A key issue that may provide some initial difficulty for either the formation of the new government and its tenure in office is the proposal by the Move Forward Party to amend Article 112 of the Criminal Code on lèse-majesté.
This was always bound to be a lightning rod for Move Forward's political enemies which will soon mobilise to oppose a Move Forward-led government being formed and taking power.
On Monday, Mr Pita said this has not yet been discussed between the parties to the emerging negotiations.
He said what concerned him more was the plight of individuals who have already been charged before the courts and their prospects of receiving a royal pardon.
Election result in Thailand acclaimed worldwide
Around the world, yesterday's election is being hailed as a victory for democracy in Thailand and a chance to put the country on a more progressive and less authoritarian path.
It comes at the same time as Thailand's press rankings over the past few years have also improved making it something of an outlier in Southeast Asia.
The election result, if respected, could see Thailand transformed into a democracy in Southeast Asia which could have implications in the medium to longer terms of inward investment.
The result, clearly, was a rejection of the post-coup government of 2014 and a clear signal that the people want to see a more modern and successful Thailand and a move away from past political struggles.
The vote took many by surprise in that it demonstrated a growing maturity on behalf of the electorate who prioritised reform over cash giveaways and short-term welfare inducements offered by parties on all sides when they jettisoned the Move Forward Party into poll position.
Efforts to defeat Move Forward's ascent to power begin as senators come out to say they will refuse to support Mr Pita Limjaroenrat as Prime Minister
This election also clearly spelt an end to the old political divide caused twenty years ago when former PM Thaksin Shinawatra became the dominant force in Thai politics.
There has been a historic shift in Thailand but it is already facing opposition.
Two senators on Monday including Senator Jadet Insawang questioned plans to amend the lèse-majesté law as simply unacceptable.
He told reporters that he viewed the Move Forward Party's attitude to the monarchy as questionable and could not in good conscience uphold his oath of office by supporting its rise to the government of the kingdom.
The Move Forward Party led by Pita Limjaroenrat appears to have won the most seats in yesterday's general elections. Thai politicians will now enter a period of intense lobbying and speculation as to who will be able to form a coalition government to run the country.
On the face of it, the voting was clear enough. About two thirds of the voting public cast their support for the Shinawatra-backed Pheu Thai Party and the youth-led Move Forward Party who are semi-allies. According to unofficial results, they will together take around 285 seats of the 500 seat House of Representatives, calculated by a mixture of direct constituency elections and a quaint Thai version of proportional representation.
But the Move Forward Party appears to have won slightly more seats than Pheu Thai in a series of surprise constituency results which means that the Shinawatra-backed MPs will become only the second largest grouping, a huge disappointment for them. Some voters may have deserted Pheu Thai after the exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced his intention of now returning to Thailand, thus raising fears of political instability as he faces jail time for corruption on arrival.
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Both winning parties are non-military and have stated overnight that they can cooperate together. Both are populist, but Move Forward is far more radical with its policies of reforming the lese majeste treason laws and undermining military control by ending recruitment by conscription. There are bound to be significant arguments about who will be the new prime minister and the division of portfolios in the Cabinet. Pheu Thai has been non-committal on matters relating to the monarchy, but has said the matter can anyway be tabled in Parliament.
The outgoing military-backed parties, led by current prime minister general Prayut Chan-o-cha and deputy prime minister general Prawit Wongsuwan attracted less than 20 percent of the voting public. But, together with their erstwhile allies Bhumjaithai, the Democrats and others, they make up a sizeable minority in the new House of Representatives. Moreover, the unelected 250-member Senate, appointed by the current military-backed administration, can also vote in the election of the prime minister which means that the biggest party in the House is not necessarily able to commandeer the top post in government.
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Added to the mix of ambiguity is the fact that Constitution Court is able to disqualify individual MPs or whole parties for election corruption or fraud. There are already dozens of allegations before the Electoral Commission which has the power to pass them on to the Constitution Court. Both Pheu Thai and Move Forward were banned by judicial coups under their earlier names after general elections.
Thai politicians will now enter a period of intense lobbying and speculation. It's even possible that the largest party Move Forward could be shut out of power as Pheu Thai struggles to form a coalition of smaller parties which might be more acceptable to the block vote in the conservative Senate. There could also be attempts by the current administration to continue military-backed rule and form a minority government, relying on support from the Senate. There can be no doubt that the outstanding success of the anti-royalist and anti-Establishment Move Forward in the election – it has for example taken virtually all the seats in Bangkok – has thrown the cat amongst the pigeons.
Congratulations on your success in this election. You now carry with you the weight and expectation of your supporters and the burden of representing the whole country. Your success has been built upon ideals and believing in the democratic process. Long may this continue.
On that note, I would like to ask the MFP for just one thing. Patience.
There is going to be a lot of temptations to create, join, and manage various types of coalitions in the weeks ahead. But there is no pressure, literally none from your supporters, to join with the devil just to form a government that doesn't truly bring change.
The conservative establishment are going to try and cheat you. They are going to try to play with the rigged senate, talk about a minority government, tempt Pheu Thai into a Faustian bargain. Let them. Let them play around with all their various machinations because time and history are on your side.
There is no rush to form a government if it means siding with the devil.
If Pheu Thai chooses to play those games, then they will be done as a party. Don't go that route. If every other party chooses to play the political game and form a government to keep you in the opposition, then take pride in being that opposition.
Because it means when it comes time for the next election, you will win with an outright majority and govern with a full mandate.
This is not to rain on your parade. You should be proud of your accomplishments. We certainly are. But know also that the road to true change is long and it is not worth compromising your ideals just to take a short cut.
The public have until May 17 to register their opinions on whether a proposed departure tax should go ahead.
Under the proposal, 1,000 baht would be collected from each Thai and permanent foreign resident of Thailand who departs by air and 500 baht from those who depart by land or sea.
The tax would be collected when purchasing tickets for overseas trips. Those who fail to pay would pay double the amount plus a monthly interest of 1.5%. Penalties would also include up to six months in jail or a maximum fine of 3,000 baht.
Other countries that impose a tax on outward-bound travel include Australia, China, Japan, and Thailand's neighbors Malaysia, Cambodia, the Philippines and Vietnam. The departure tax in these countries is mainly incorporated in the price of travel fares.
The Thai government has been quick to reassure people that the proposal, which dates from a four-decade-old executive decree, will not necessarily be implemented.
The Revenue Department is now gathering opinions on the proposed tax via its website. Members of the public and organizations have been invited to share their viewpoints until May 17.
What is a departure tax?
A departure tax is effectively a charge levied on foreign travel. The goal is to curb excessive spending by locals when they travel abroad. The proposal's advocates say this would help protect Thailand's balance of payments – the money flowing into and out of the country.
The proposal dates back to a 1983 executive decree, which actually allows for a departure tax of up to 5,000 baht, according to the Revenue Department.
However, under the plan put to the public, the fee has been limited to a more realistic level of 500-1,000 baht. Exemptions would also be granted to certain groups, including monks and Muslims on pilgrimage, and the tax would be refunded within 180 days if travel plans were canceled.
Loud outcry
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) has condemned the proposal, saying the departure tax would restrict the public's freedom to travel and threaten the country's ties with other nations.
"Who will want to do business with us? While we are trying to attract foreigners to Thailand, our government wants to impose a tax that will discourage Thais from traveling overseas," ATTA secretary-general Adith Chairattananon said.
About 1.2 million Thais and foreign residents traveled overseas in 2019, pre-COVID, he said. That number of trips would generate only 1.2 billion baht in departure tax revenue while damaging Thailand's image and hurting locals' ability to travel abroad, expand their horizons, and more, he added.
"The 1.2 billion baht could be generated by just tightening the budget for government agencies' overseas trips," Adith said.
Critics of the proposal have pointed out that they already pay various taxes on overseas trips, including airport tax.
Research by Asia Plus Securities suggests that a departure tax would affect locals' decisions to travel overseas for a limited time only. After that, they will just go ahead with their plans, since the tax would represent only a tiny fraction of their travel budget. Locals spend an average of 30,000 baht on each overseas trip.
Responding to public outcry, the Revenue Department said it was merely doing its duty under the emergency decree by organizing a public poll and had no plans to implement the tax.
Separate 'tourist tax' from June
In addition to the proposed departure tax, a separate tourist tax has been approved by the Cabinet and will be collected from all foreign visitors starting June 1. Those who fly in will have to pay 300 baht each, while those who arriving by land or water will be charged 150 baht. Similar tourist taxes are collected by more than 40 countries worldwide.
Ministry estimates B2tn available for party pledges
The new government will have room to spend at least 2 trillion baht to fulfil its populist campaign pledges, according to a Finance Ministry source who requested anonymity.
It is estimated that more than 500 billion baht may be required to finance the 10,000-baht handouts via digital wallet promised to people aged 16 and older by Pheu Thai Party, which is a leading contender to form a new government.
LIMITATIONS
If the new government wants to borrow money to fund populist policies, it can do so by launching an emergency decree. But the decree issuance has to follow terms and conditions, such being necessary and urgent, with the government unable to secure other sources of funding other than borrowing, said the source.
The current government launched two emergency loan decrees in 2020 and 2021 to allow it to borrow a combined 1.5 trillion baht to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the country.
Any new loans requested by the government are limited by the state debt ceiling set by the Financial and Fiscal Policy Committee of 70% of GDP.
Thailand's public debt outstanding as of March was 10.8 trillion baht, accounting for 61.2% of GDP.
By the end of fiscal 2023, which is the end of September, the Public Debt Management Office forecasts government debt will rise to 61.7% of GDP, leaving room to borrow 8-9% of GDP, worth around 1.5 trillion baht.
REVENUE OPTION
In addition, the new government can use revenue collection to fund campaign proposals in fiscal 2023, as collection is predicted to exceed the state target this year.
In the first six months of fiscal 2023, the government's revenue collection exceeded the target by almost 100 billion baht.
The source said the same result is highly likely in the second half of the year, generating 200 billion baht above the state target for the fiscal year. This revenue could be used to fund new government schemes.
An additional 160 billion baht was allocated by the existing government as expenditure for new projects in the fiscal 2024 budget.
Moreover, Section 28 of the State Financial and Fiscal Discipline Act of 2018 allows a new government to order state-owned financial institutions such as the Government Savings Bank or the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives to fund its projects in advance, with the government reimbursing them later.
The Financial and Fiscal Policy Committee set the ceiling rate for these state banks to fund state projects under Section 28 at 35% of the government's annual total expenditure. This means the banks can fund state projects in fiscal 2023 worth 150 billion baht.
However, the government needs to take into account the stability of its financial institutions if it chooses to pursue this funding channel, the source said.
In fiscal 2022, the government had outstanding debt under Section 28 of 1.04 trillion baht, representing 33.6% of the fiscal budget.
In fiscal 2023, the government set a debt repayment budget under Section 28 worth 1.04 billion baht, representing 3.28% of the expenditure budget.
EXPENDITURES
Government expenditure, particularly the welfare budget for health insurance, social security and pensions, continues to increase. In fiscal 2023, the government allocated 754 billion baht for these items, representing 23.7% of the expenditure budget.
In the past five years, the growth rate of the welfare budget grew 4% per year on average.
Increased government expenditure poses a huge burden on debt repayment, said the source. The medium-term fiscal plan indicates the government's debt repayment budget continues to increase.
In fiscal 2023 and 2024, this budget accounts for 9.63% and 11.5% respectively of the expenditure budget, and is expected to reach 16.2% in fiscal 2028.
In addition, the principal and interest payment budget also increases proportionally with the government's debt. The principal payment budget is 3.14% of annual expenditure in fiscal 2023, then is forecast to remain at 4% through fiscal 2028.
The source said in terms of principal payment, the government may be able to manage using various tools such as rollovers or refinance.
However, the interest payment is required to be paid in full each year.
The interest payment budget also increases annually, comprising 6.49% of the expenditure budget in fiscal 2023, 7.99% in fiscal 2024, then surging to 12.2% in fiscal 2028.
The source said the increasing public debt might not affect government credit as long as budget spending contributes to economic growth.
THE MOVE FORWARD has scored a huge surprise victory in yesterday's (May 14) general election with party leader Pita Limjaroenrat confirming he is ready to run the country as prime minister and put his party's campaign promises to work.
According to unofficial 83% results of the nationwide election reported by the Election Commission, the Move Forward have won 151 MP seats, upsetting the Pheu Thai which had earlier anticipated a landslide victory but eventually secured 141 MP seats.
Out of a total of 500 MPs, consisting of 400 in constituency-based mode and 100 in party-listed mode, the 151 Move Forward MPs include 113 constituency-based MPs and 38 party-listed MPs whilst the 141 Pheu Thai MPs include 111 constituency-based MPs and 30 party-listed MPs.
Pita's party has won all 33 Bangkok constituencies and swept all constituencies of several provinces in all regions of the country including the capital city's neighbouring ones.
The Bhumjaithai under de facto party boss Newin Chidchob has secured 68 MP seats whilst the Palang Pracharath, headed by Prawit Wongsuwan, has won 42 MP seats, and the Ruam Thai Sang Chart under de facto party boss/caretaker prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has gained 37 MP seats.
Pita reconfirmed last night the Move Forward will definitely not join ranks with either the Palang Pracharath or Ruam Thai Sang Chart the leadership of which the Move Forward has invariably viewed as military-installed ones.
"With the uncles, without us. And with us without the uncles," Pita said, citing one of the Move Forward electoral campaign slogans. The uncles referred to Prayut also known as Uncle Tu and Prawit also known as Uncle Pom.
The Move Forward are largely expected to join hands with the Pheu Thai, among other anti-Prayut camps, to set up a coalition government with Pita's party performing as their core.
Pita said an MoU will be signed between the leaderships of all partners of a Move Forward-led coalition which, he said, may as well include the Thai Liberal and Prachachart in days to come.
Pita said the planned MoU is primarily designed to keep all coalition partners committed to implementing their campaign platforms in the course of the people's interests.
Pheu Thai partisan candidates for prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of the de facto party boss/deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and Settha Taweesin admitted that the party which has won most of the MP seats in yesterday's election be given the privilege of naming their own partisan candidate for prime minister and becoming core of government.
It remains to be seen whether the Bhumjaithai might possibly join the Move Forward-led coalition though Pita earlier advised that Newin's camp be no longer given the transport and public health portfolios, the major ones which they had enjoyed over the last four years.
Meanwhile, Pita said the setting up of a minority government either with Prawit's or Prayut's camp acting as core would be very unlikely due to a relatively low number of their MPs.
The Palang Pracharath and Ruam Thai Sang Chart bosses are known more or less to exert influence over 250 senators, all of whom had been handpicked by the both of them following the 2014 coup.
Under the coup junta-designed constitution, a partisan contestant for prime minister is obliged to secure yea votes from more than half the total of MPs and senators combined or from at least 376 votes to be successfully named one.
Pheu Thai's Paetongtarn says party with most votes will lead next govt
Pheu Thai Party's prime ministerial candidates Paetongtarn Shinawatra (left) and Srettha Thavisin monitor vote counting at Pheu Thai's head office in Bangkok on Sunday. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)
The daughter of Thailand's former premier Thaksin Shinawatra said the biggest vote-winner in Sunday's election will get to lead the next government, after her Pheu Thai Party took a big lead alongside the progressive opposition Move Forward Party.
Speaking after 50% of eligible votes had been counted, Paetongtarn "Ung Ing" Shinawatra, a prime ministerial candidate for Pheu Thai, also said she was happy for Move Forward.
"The voice of the people is most important," she told reporters.
Ms Paetongtarn urged supporters to be patient, expressing "very high confidence in our victory."
Srettha Thavisin, another nominee for premier, said Pheu Thai "will prioritise talks with pro-democratic parties." His group has yet to speak with Move Forward, Mr Srettha said.
Pro-democracy parties widened their lead in Sunday's general election, withthe preliminary count showing them on course to wrest power from a military-backed government that has ruled for almost a decade.
THAI, Bangkok Airways earnings surge as tourists flock back
In this file photo taken on April 8, 2016 a Thai Airways Boeing 747 plane prepares to land at Changi International Airport in Singapore. (AFP)
Thai Airways International Plc and Bangkok Airways Plc reported a surge in first-quarter earnings as tourists flocked back to the nation.
Thai Air posted net income of 12.51 billion baht in the three months through March, rebounding from a net loss of 3.25 billion baht a year earlier. Bangkok Airways' net income was 875 million baht versus a net loss of 1.02 billion baht in the same quarter last year.
With visitors returning to Thailand's beaches and temples, the Finance Ministry expects international arrivals to reach almost 30 million in 2023, up from last year's tally of 11.2 million.
Thai Air's first-quarter total operating revenue more than tripled to 41.5 billion baht from 11.2 billion baht a year earlier, when borders were closed to control Covid-19. Bangkok Airways' total revenue jumped 238% to 5.74 billion baht.
Thai Air plans to exit court-supervised debt restructuring in late 2024. The airline filed for bankruptcy protection in 2020 before most creditors agreed to extend terms as part of a $5.3 billion rehabilitation plan.
The government expects the return of Chinese travellers to further spur the tourism boom. Monthly arrivals from China are on course to hit 1 million from October, a level not seen since the pandemic began, the Tourism Authority of Thailand said this week.
Thailand er hastigt på vej til normalisering af den vigtige turiststrøm fra udlandet. Sidste år var der 11,5 millioner udenlandske turister – i år håber man på 25 millioner. SAS genåbner på Bangkok.
Før pandemien havde Thailand omkring 40 millioner udenlandske turister og andre tilrejsende. Tallet er på vej op igen, sidste år blev det til 11,5 millioner udenlandske ankomster – en massiv vækst fra de blot 428.000 i 2021, hvor pandemien hærgede og også Thailand var delvist lukket som følge af rejserestriktioner.
Nyhedsbureauet Reuters skriver på baggrund af tal fra Thailands turistministerium, at landet sidste år havde 11,5 millioner ankomster af udlændinge, hvilket var over forventning.
Malaysia, Indien og Singapore var sidste år Thailands tre største incomingmarkeder, oplyser turistministeriet, der i år forventer at tallet af udenlandske turister når op på 25 millioner; herunder mindst fem millioner fra Kina, der normalt er Thailands største leverandør af turister.
Den thailandske regering har afsat over 800 millioner kroner, 120 millioner dollars, til at styrke Thailands budget til markedsføring for at tiltrække flere turister. Turismen giver Thailand cirka 12 procent af landets bruttonationalprodukt, skriver Reuters.
700.000 turister fra Norden I 2019 var Thailand det mest besøgte udenlandske rejsemål for kinesiske turister. Der var 11 millioner kinesiske ankomster til Thailand – cirka hver fjerde udenlandske turist. Herefter fulgte Japan, Vietnam, Sydkorea og Singapore.
Tilbage i 2019, året før coronakrisen, havde Thailand omkring 700.000 ankomster fra Norden og Baltikum. De skandinaviske turisters største rejsemål i Thailand er Phuket, Bangkok, Pattaya, Krabi og Hua Hin – Cha Am, har Tourism Authority of Thailand, TAT, tidligere oplyst til Standby.dk fra TAT's nordiske kontor i Stockholm.
Mens Thai Airways flyver dagligt mellem København og Bangkok, genåbner SAS til oktober ruten fra København til den thailandske hovedstad med tre ugentlige fly.
Tal fra TAT viser også, at 80 procent flyver fra Norden til Thailand med rutefly fra navnlig Thai Airways, Finnair, Qatar Airways, Emirates og Singapore Airlines – resten kommer med charterfly fra Norden, oplyser TAT, der fra sit nordiske kontor i Stockholm også assisterer rejsebureauer i Norden og Baltikum. De nordiske og baltiske turister er i snit 18 dage i Thailand, viser de officielle tal fra Tourism Authority of Thailand.
In Cambodia, 90 percent or so of expats use authorized travel-cum-visa agents and never set foot in an immigration police office.
Expectations that rich or talented foreigners would rush to take advantage of 10 year permissions of stay have failed to gain traction. Neither the Thai nor the Cambodian authorities have published meaningful data on completed applications and little has been heard of either scheme since the launchings last year.
In Thailand, the long term residence scheme is run by the Board of Investment with options for rich retirees, global travelers and executives. Most enquirers have found the bureaucracy most complex with the principal advantage being tax concessions via a digital work permit on income earned in Thailand. The Cambodian variant is actually run by the Khmer Home Charity Association and requires cash investment in an approved property complex. Neither scheme promises a second passport although the Cambodian visa holds out the maybe "five years down the line"
Mr Keo Song, a Phnom Penh travel agent and visa specialist who works closely with Cambodian immigration, said he had heard next to nothing about the golden visa. "It is straightforward for foreigners to obtain a variety of annual visas and extensions (retirement, work, study and family) for about US$300, so there isn't a market for the 10 year idea." He added that it was open to anyone to apply for Cambodian citizenship by investing around US$300,000, a process taking three months. Thailand, too, has no shortage of annually renewable visas. Indeed, a 10 year O/X option was introduced (without success) as early as 2017. But the main competitor is the Elite visa which grants a multiple entry stay of five years for 600,000 baht (less than US$20,000) with various other options for up to 20 years. Although the Elite visa does not offer income tax concessions and does not carry a digital work permit, it has been far and away the best long-term seller in recent years.
Golden Investments, which specializes in residency and citizenship by investment, said "The most successful schemes, for example in some Caribbean countries, offer clear advantages – notably a second passport – in return for a cash sum." But neither the Thai nor the Cambodian 10-year visas attract specific markets and both are blurry round the edges." The spokesman suggested that Thailand should expand the right to a digital work permit for self-employment without having Thai partners, whilst Cambodia should clarify its half-promise of a second passport and increase the options for investment.
THE REVENUE Department today (May 7) denied it is going to start collecting 1,000 baht air departure tax from Thais and foreign residents with the current online public hearings on this issue only being held to comply with a key law, Matichon newspaper said.
Mr. Winit Visetsuvarnabhumi, the department's deputy director-general, said public hearings on a departure tax of 1,000 baht for air travel and 500 baht by land and sea taking place during May 3-17, 2023 had to be held to evaluate the effectiveness of an emergency decree on the departure levy, based on a law passed in 1983.
This is necessary to comply with the 2017 Constitution and the Act on Legislative Drafting and Evaluation of Law B.E.2562 (2019) as well as a Cabinet resolution passed on January 19, 2021.
Although aforementioned law has not been enforced since July 1, 1991 (in keeping with the Ministerial Regulation on Outbound Travel Tax Exemption), the Act on Legislative Drafting and Evaluation of Law B.E.2562 (2019) requires that the Revenue Department assess the effectiveness of the law by listening to the opinions of those who are eligible to submit their views under Section 35 of this law, Winit said.
The department also has to hold public hearings on the effectiveness of two more laws, namely the Petroleum Income Tax Act and the Inheritance Tax Act, by next year.
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Top: An airplane flying away from Phuket after taking off from the island's airport. Photo: Phuket@photographer.net (CC BY 2.0)
Dangerous heat levels expected in five areas on Sunday
A construction worker endures scorching heat on the Bang Yai-Kanchanaburi motorway construction project in Nonthaburi province last month. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)
The Meteorological Department expected heat indices to reach dangerous levels in five areas of the country on Sunday.
The highest "real feel" apparent regional temperatures expected on Sunday were:
• 51.2°C in Phetchabun in the North; • 46°C in Kosum Phisai district, Maha Sarakham province, in the Northeast; • 52.7°C in Bangkok's Bang Na area in the Central area; • 53°C in Sattahip district, Chon Buri province, in the East; and • 51.1°C in Phuket, in the South.
The heat index, also known as the apparent temperature, is what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature.
Sunday's soaring temperatures caused 14 people, including voters and officials manning polling stations, to faint at Ramkhamhaeng University in Hua Mak area of Bang Kapi district, a polling station for advance voting in Bangkok.
Pairat Kasetsin, the Bang Kapi district chief, said many voters reportedly felt unwell and fainted when they turned up at their polling stations for advance voting around noon or in the afternoon because of the heat. They were provided with first-aid treatment in an area nearby.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration sent water trucks to the venue. Water was sprayed into the air to reduce the heat. More electric fans were installed around the area.
Elsewhere, three people were also reported to have lost consciousness because of the heat at Chan Kasem Rajabhat University, another polling station for advance voting in Bangkok.
Travellers crowd the departures hall at Suvarnabhumi airport during the Songkran festival in 2023. The proposed departure tax aims to generate revenue for the government.
Thai outbound travellers and foreign permanent residents in Thailand have been asked for their opinion on a government departure tax of 1,000 baht in an attempt to prevent locals from spending excessively abroad, with the Revenue Department announcing online public hearings this week.
The department posted the public hearing questionnaire on its website (www.rd.go.th/64115.html), saying it wants to listen to public opinion about an emergency decree on a departure levy, based on a law passed in 1983, in order to assess its impact.
The hearings have been scheduled for May 3-17.
According to the questionnaire, Thai citizens and foreign permanent residents would be required to pay a departure tax of 1,000 baht for air travel and 500 baht for land and sea travel.
The information attached to the poll said the tax aimed to generate revenue for the government and prevent Thais from excessive overseas spending, with a focus on reducing the trade deficit.
Charoen Wangananont, president of the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA), said the questionnaire came as a surprise when it was posted earlier this week, even though the public hearing process meant it was supposed to be shared as widely as possible to assess the impact on local residents and tour operators.
"The principle and the levy rate make no sense at all, as Thailand has never had a problem related to a trade deficit in tourism, with inbound income making up 70% of the total, compared with 30% outbound expenditure. In addition, 1,000 baht is too expensive amid current economic conditions," said Mr Charoen.
He said the levy collection should not happen and is unrealistic. If the government wanted to propose such a tax, it should carefully assess the consequences because it could have a major effect on tourism, exceeding whatever revenue the state estimates it could earn, said Mr Charoen.
"We thought this was fake news the first time we saw the poll because it is not the right time to do such a move. If the government really thinks it needs to collect a departure tax, it should have done so before the pandemic, when the tourism industry was on an upward trend. The levy rate should also be more appropriate," he said.
Chotechuang Soorangura, vice-president of TTAA, said a development plan should be included with any departure tax so the people who pay it are aware of how the government will spend the revenue.
He said while some countries apply a departure tax, such as Japan, the price is only ¥1,000 per person, or around 250 baht.
"In addition to being a very expensive tax rate, there is a lack of transparency as the government could not clarify how it will use that money, which would help prevent corruption. Another concern is the 300-baht tourist tax expected to be charged to foreigners in the near future," said Mr Chotechuang.
He said if this levy is implemented, the tourism industry would be affected as a number of outbound tourists would refrain from travel, resulting in imbalanced flows of people, causing difficulties for airlines planning flights to Thailand.
