The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has extended a free insurance scheme for international visitors until December 31, 2024. The scheme, which offers cash compensation to foreign visitors for mishaps, emergencies, and fatalities, was originally due to expire on August 31—the last day it had been in place from January 1 this year. It has…
Thailand is losing attractiveness to foreign investment and facing increasing competition and challenges to tourism recovery. Thailand’s declining attractiveness in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), an uneven tourism recovery and the currency outlook are putting pressure on the country’s current account surplus, which is still below pre-pandemic levels, BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, said. Once…
Despite the ban on e-cigarettes, Thailand has seen a rise in the number of young vapers, raising serious concerns among experts and the general public. Targeted advertising is to blame for the rise in young e-cigarette users. Vapes look harmless, are cutely painted in bright cartoon colours and come in enticing flavours and fragrances. However,…
Thailand has turned its attention to elite visa holders after discovering that criminals are using the programme to conduct illegal activities in Thailand. The Central Bureau of Investigation has launched a probe into foreign nationals residing in the country on elite visas and engaging in illegal business activities after it emerged that a Chinese national…
Thailand is officially entering the rainy season. Tropical cyclones accompanied by heavy downpours are expected in August and September. The Thai Meteorological Department announced the end of the summer season on 20 May and the official start of the rainy season. Heavy rains are expected in Thailand in August and September, coinciding with the predicted…
The number of foreign tourists visiting Thailand in the first quarter exceeded expectations, topping 9 million. Thirty-six million tourists are expected for the year The Tourism Authority of Thailand aims to attract more than 36 million foreign tourists in 2024, focusing on online marketing to reach an international audience and predicting that tourism revenue for…
The Thai authorities have announced new limits, rules, and criteria for VAT refunds for tourists starting 1 January. The Thai government has unveiled updated rules on VAT refunds for tourists. The new rules, effective from 1 January, expand the conditions for refunds and increase the maximum refund amount, The Nation reported. The rules concern the…
Thailand is opening its doors to tourists worldwide by easing visa regulations and offering new options for long-term stays. Thailand’s Cabinet has approved new visa policies to attract more tourists, including visa-free and visa-on-arrival regimes, longer student stays, and reduced mandatory health insurance for pensioners. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has proposed these measures to…
Thailand’s new VAT regulations on imported goods, implemented to ensure fair trade and protect local producers, are a significant development for the country’s economy. Thailand’s Customs Department is set to implement a new policy, starting from May 2024, that will charge value-added tax (VAT) on all imported goods sent through postal services, regardless of their value. According…
According to the Commerce Ministry’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office, Thailand’s consolidated exports in May 2024 reached 26.219 billion US dollars, marking a 7.2% rise. To date, this has grown to 2.6%. The growth of agricultural and agro-industrial products was a significant 19.4%, a promising sign for the industry. Key contributors to this growth were…