Key Points:
- Prime Minister Settha Thavisin is preparing for the first Cabinet meeting on September 13, 2023, preparing to propose strong measures “Visa-Free” (visa exemption) to travel to Thailand without having to apply for a visa. Attracting Chinese-Kazakhstan tourists Temporarily starting on 25 September 2023 for 5 months until February 2024, covering “Golden Week” or two important long holidays for the Chinese market, namely China’s National Day (1 Oct.) and the Chinese New Year festival in February next year
- When the “tourism sector” is the first key to stimulating the Thai economy in a quick win, Prime Minister Settha goes on the offensive. Order all agencies to prepare to receive tourists, about to flood Thailand.
- The private tourism sector is enthusiastic. “Atta” points out that Chinese tourists are likely to be active from October 2023, urging the new government to quickly restore confidence. Correcting misunderstandings and negative rumors regarding “Captain Putthipong” of Big Bangkok Airways. Look at tourism as an “Instant Win” for the Thai economy.
Mr.Settha Thaweesin The Prime Minister has scheduled his first official Cabinet (Cabinet) meeting today (Sept. 13), where the government’s urgent agenda to take care of the people will be considered. Including consideration of rehabilitation measures.travel which will have measures “Visa-free” (Visa-Free) to support tourism duringHigh season By givingChinese touristsAnd Kazakhstan does not require a visa to facilitate more tourism in Thailand. It will begin in September 2023 and end in February 2024 at the earliest.
Mr. Settha chaired a meeting with the Minister of Tourism and Sports. along with relevant agencies to prepare to receive tourists By ordering security agencies to work proactively to increase confidence among foreign tourists, including Thai people, to support the management of the tourism situation as expected after the temporary permission for Chinese nationals to enter Thailand on a temporary basis. No need to apply for a visa, no need to pay fees, this will stimulate Thai tourism in the Chinese market until there are many Chinese tourists traveling to Thailand.
The Prime Minister reiterated that he asked all agencies to support the government’s economic stimulus policies, which are important to the people’s suffering in order to create a flow of money, develop the country’s economy, and distribute income.
D-Day ‘Visa-Free’ China-Kazakhstan market starts 25 Sep. to end of Feb. 2024.
Mr. Sittiwat Chivarattanaporn, President of the Thai Tourism Business Association (ATA), told “Krungthep Turakij” that yesterday (Sept. 12) Mr. Settha, the Prime Minister, had a meeting with senior executives from the region. Government and private tourism, such as Ms. Sudawan Wang Suphakit Koson Minister of Tourism and Sports and Miss Thapanee Kiatpaiboon Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), including Atta, regarding the visa-free measures. temporarily to two target countries: China and Kazakhstan
The government is preparing to announce the said measures. Effective from 25 September 2023 onwards for a period of 5 months until the end of February 2024, which will coverGolden Weekor the two important long holidays for Chinese people, including the long holidaychina national day (Oct. 1) and festivalsChinese New Yearnext year, the Chinese tourist market used to have as many as 11 million people traveling to Thailand, the number 1 highest in 2019 before the COVID-19 outbreak.
As for Kazakhstan tourists It is another market with potential. Even though the number of tourists per year is at the level of tens of thousands of people But nowadays there is increased demand for traveling to Phuket, especially traveling by charter flights. (Charter Flight)
“It is very good news that Prime Minister Settha will begin announcing visa-free measures for tourists from China and Kazakhstan. Effective from 25 September, which is faster than the original timeline set by the Prime Minister. It was previously stated that it should start on October 1st.”
It is expected that at least 4 million people will visit Thailand in 2023.
When the government prepares to announce such measures Atta expects that it will help focus attention and speed up the decision of Chinese tourists to travel to Thailand more actively starting in October because this is a strong measure. Just hold one passport and travel to Thailand. No need to apply for a visa.
However, there are still challenges that require the government to quickly correct Chinese people’s misunderstandings about Thailand. After negative rumors were spread on social media, especially TikTok that it is an unsafe country Kidnapped and taken for ransom and sell their organs
“The government must urgently restore the confidence of Chinese tourists. that traveling in Thailand is convenient and safe Because if you have confidence Even if you have money or not, people will still come. But if you don’t have confidence. Anyway, it’s not coming.”
As for the trend of Chinese tourists traveling to Thailand throughout 2023, Atta estimates that there may be 4 – 4.5 million people, which is considered satisfactory. Even if the goal of 5 million people is not reached, because from the statistics of Chinese tourists traveling to Thailand in the first 8 months (Jan.-Aug.) of this year, there is only a cumulative number of 2.2 million people. If in the last 4 months they can Driving the total to more than 2 million people, or an average of 7 hundred thousand people per month. It’s considered good. Because at present there are still restrictions on the volume of flights on the Thai-China route.
Airlines emphasizes strong medicine ‘Visa-Free’ is most effective.
Mr. Putthipong Prasatthong-Osot, Managing Director of the Company Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited or BA, the carrier of Bangkok Airways. and the president of the Thai Airways Association revealed that visa measures that the tourism private sector wants and are likely to see the most positive results is a visa-free measure (Visa exemption) because tourists can travel to Thailand comfortably. There is no visa application process. It also helps tourists save money on visa fees.
“Just like Japan issued a visa exemption policy to attract Thai tourists many years ago. Can travel to Japan without applying for a visa. This has caused the number of Thai tourists to Japan to grow leaps and bounds from the level of 100,000 people per year to the level of 4-5 hundred thousand people per year. In 2019, before the COVID-19 outbreak, there were more than 1.3 million Thai tourists to Japan.”
Points out that tourism is an ‘Instant Win’ of the Thai economy.
Mr. Puttipong said the new government probably recognizes the importance of the tourism sector. Otherwise, the Prime Minister Probably wouldn’t take the tourism sector as the first engine. that must be urgently pushed, like an Instant Win for Thailand because it makes the economy improve immediately Faster than other engines that must be invested first At the same time, the tourism sector can also quickly distribute money to communities.
It is also seen that the government can support airline operators in many ways, such as issuing cost assistance measures to operators. to reduce costs The Thailand Airlines Association will request a meeting with the Prime Minister. again to follow up on the request to reduce the fuel excise tax collection rate for jet aircraft on domestic routes. The government returned to collecting the rate of 4.726 baht per liter from the previous rate that had been reduced to 0.20 baht per liter after the association This matter was presented to the Prime Minister. Gone at the end of the month Last August and expect to see a win-win point together
Including improving regulations or procedures. to be more convenient, such as flexibility in bringing aircraft in and out of the fleet This is because airlines are businesses that have high value assets from aircraft. If an old airplane lasts too long It becomes a cost that affects the business. Or perhaps the airline sees an opportunity to expand its fleet. Want to put new aircraft into service but can’t do it in time, resulting in losing the opportunity to support demand that is recovering quickly.
I want the government to help increase market opportunities. Negotiating to increase flight rights in the Indian market which has demand from Indian tourists ready to travel to Thailand in large numbers Including accelerating promotion to attract foreign tourists. Especially in high quality and high spending markets.
‘THA’ urges the government to speed up cost reduction and correct negative rumours.
Mrs. Marisa Sukosol Nunpakdee, President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), said that the tourism policy that the Cabinet announced to Parliament It has a great impact on entrepreneurs in the tourism sector and related businesses. But the matters that require the most urgent action include reducing costs, fuel costs, electricity costs, as well as resolving debt problems for entrepreneurs. along with measures to assist in accessing financial resources Especially supporting assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In addition, the recovery of the aviation industry is still under pressure from the situation of increasing fuel costs and inflation.
Including accelerating the promotion of the distinctiveness of the tourism sector. By reaching the goals of the Thai tourism sector in every sector. Both the foreign market traveling to Thailand and the Thai market traveling to Thailand Upgrading the supply side of the tourism, hotel and connected business sectors There must be sustainability standards.
“Another important thing now is to create a good image for Thailand. Both correct negative rumors Accelerate building confidence in Thai tourism. that they can travel safely, with quality, and gain experience and happiness.”
AOT prepares new building ‘Suvarnabhumi’
Mr. Keerati Kitmanawat, Director General of Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited or AOT, revealed that AOT prepares to support flight and passenger volumes that will continue to recover. After the government has a policy to open visa-free for tourists. Suvarnabhumi Airport is in the process of building additional runways (runways) to accommodate more flights. which is expected to be completed at the end of this year. and can be opened for service in the middle of next year
In addition, Secondary Concourse No. 1 (Satellite) will be soft-opened on September 28, increasing the space to accommodate passengers by 216,000 square meters and providing services alongside the main terminal building. (Main Terminal Building) increases the capacity to accommodate an additional 15 million passengers per year. The total capacity of Suvarnabhumi Airport will be able to accommodate up to 60 million passengers per year from the current capacity of 45 million passengers per year.
In addition, Suvarnabhumi Airport will open the APM electric train service, which is a driverless rubber wheeled electric train system to pick up and drop off passengers. The duration of the ride, including the time that passengers wait to receive service at the station, is approximately 3 minutes and can accommodate passengers. Up to 210 people per train to make passenger travel within the airport more convenient.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs reveals 56 countries get visa-free
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) specifies the names of countries/territories. that are exempt from visas for tourism and can stay in Thailand for no more than 30 days
1.The Principality of Andorra 2.Commonwealth of Australia 3.Republic of Austria 4. Kingdom of Belgium 5. State of Bahrain 6. Federal Republic of Brazil 7.Brunei Darussalam 8.Canada 9.Czech Republic 10.Kingdom of Denmark 11.Republic of Estonia 12.Republic of Finland 13. French Republic
14.Federal Republic of Germany 15. Hellenic Republic 16. Republic of Hungary 17.Republic of Iceland 18. Republic of Indonesia 19. Ireland 20. State of Israel 21.Republic of Italy 22.Japan 23.State of Kuwait 24.Republic of Latvia 25.Republic of Liechtenstein 26. Republic of Lithuania 27. Malaysia 28. Grand Duchy of Luxembourg 29.Republic of Maldives 30.Republic of Mauritius 31. Principality of Monaco 32.Kingdom of the Netherlands 33.New Zealand 34.Kingdom of Norway 35. Sultanate of Oman 36.Republic of the Philippines 37.Republic of Poland
38. Portuguese Republic 39. State of Qatar 40. Republic of San Marino 41.Republic of Singapore 42.Slovak Republic 43.Republic of Slovenia 44.Kingdom of Spain 45.Republic of South Africa 46.Republic of Korea 47.Kingdom of Sweden 48.Swiss Confederation 49.Republic of Turkey 50.Ukraine 51.United Arab Emirates 52.United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 53.United States 54. Republic of Peru 55. Hong Kong and 56. Socialist Republic of Vietnam