Thailand golden visa
'It will drive GDP growth, reduce public debt, spur domestic consumption,' Thaksin was quoted as saying at the 'Unlocking Thailand's Future' conference in Bangkok. 'It's new, fresh money, and so worth pursuing.' The golden visa would allow eligible foreigners to reside in Thailand long-term and purchase property, boosting the real estate sector. Thaksin said the funds collected could be allocated to improve the education system for Thai citizens. He also urged Airports of Thailand Pcl (AOT) to raise its passenger service charge by up to 300 baht ($9.22) per traveller—a 40% increase from the current rate. According to him, the move could generate an additional 40 billion baht annually to support infrastructure improvements and establish Thailand as a regional aviation hub. 'AOT should be an economic driver in terms of being an aviation hub, cargo center, and aircraft maintenance center, which can drive the economy much further,' he said. Thailand's economy has struggled with slow growth, expanding less than 2% on average over the past decade. Projections for 2025 range between 1.3% and 2.3%, amid high household debt and lower-than-expected tourist arrivals. The country also faces the possibility of US tariffs up to 36% on its exports. The Tourism Authority of Thailand recently revised its foreign arrivals forecast for 2025 to 35 million from 40 million. Chinese tourists, in particular, have declined—2.3 million visited in the first half of 2025, compared to 3.4 million a year earlier. Thaksin linked the decline to safety concerns following reports of a Chinese actor kidnapped to Myanmar via Thailand. 'I will insure any Chinese travelers to Thailand,' he said, suggesting a personal guarantee to restore trust. Thaksin, who remains influential in Thai politics through the ruling Pheu Thai Party led by his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, also faces legal proceedings in a decade-old royal defamation case. A ruling is expected next month. 'I am confident I will be found innocent,' he told the audience.
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Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
How to start a gym business and make it succeed: Here's a 6-step guide
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills Challenges on the floor Talent management How to start a gym business Fifteen years ago, when Saif Malik joined Anytime Fitness as general manager, he had no designated seat and zero access to the owner. 'I saw how things worked and, more importantly, how they didn't,' says Malik, who had grown up observing his older brother run a gym . Since then, he had dreamt of owning one himself. 'I knew the gaps that needed to be plugged: poor amenities, angry members walking out, staff with no voice,' he says. So, when he opened his own gym, Component Fitness, in 2021, he set out to fix these drawbacks. The gym was launched along with a friend with an investment of Rs.1 biggest expenses were for the equipment and rent, which comprised Rs 7 lakh annually and accounted for 60% of the total capital. Another 30% went into space design, and the remaining 10% on marketing and advertising. 'We didn't cut corners on quality,' he a year, Malik had expanded the gym from 3,000 to 7,000 sq ft to accommodate the surge in footfall. The reason for this rapid growth, he says, was his 'consumer -first approach'. He offered premium amenities at affordable prices and supported members through personal challenges, waiving fees for accident victims and pregnant women. Empathy guided his decisions. After the Pahalgam attack, he extended free memberships to all army tried various marketing channels—pamphlets, newspaper ads, billboards and online campaigns. At the outset, he spent Rs.20,000-25,000 a month on Instagram, which proved very effective. His priority was brand awareness over profits. 'I was okay about breaking even as long as people knew about us,' he gym now offers three-, six-, and 12-month plans priced at Rs.10,000, Rs.15,000, and Rs.24,000, respectively. The monthly revenue ranges from Rs.20-25 lakh, with profits of Rs.10-12 faced teething troubles. 'The biggest challenge for gym owners is underinvesting in amenities due to tight budgets,' he says. Most people also overlook the opportunity cost. 'If you could earn Rs.20, but settle for Rs.10 by selling at Rs.12, that's not profit; it's an unseen Rs.8 loss,' he explains. His industry experience helped him avoid such the right location was also a challenge. 'If your rent is too high or you open a premium gym in a low-income area, you're setting yourself up for failure,' he says. Success depends on research, knowing the local demographic, and pricing to match purchasing discovered that the largest operational expense wasn't marketing, but salaries. With a team of over 30, people management has been both fulfilling and demanding. 'Finding well-educated, professional trainers remains a challenge, and lack of formal education often reflects in their conduct,' he notes. To address this, Malik places a strong emphasis on training his staff in etiquette and professionalism, particularly to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for keep his team engaged and motivated, his company offers generous appraisals, subsidised meals, and regular team outings Malik has also implemented an Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) to ensure the gym's equipment is of the ongoing challenges for him is the demanding nature of work. He cautions against viewing the gym business as a passive income stream. 'This isn't a side hustle. You have to give it your all,' he says. In the early days, Malik clocked up to 20 hours a day; even now, he puts in 14-15 hours ahead, he is focused on scaling the business through franchise partnerships. His model is straightforward: 50:50 investment, with the brand contributing half the capital. 'It ensures that the partner knows we have skin in the game,' he every gym in your target area. Check the facilities they offer, how much they charge, and what their weak points are. Your goal should be to offer better services at the same or slightly higher price. That's how you create assume what customers want; observe and ask. Is your target area price-sensitive or driven by quality? Avoid launching a premium facility in a low-income neighbourhood or a basic gym in an upscale area. Your offering must align with the local people through the door is the hardest part. Use Instagram, flyers, newspaper ads, and word of mouth to create brand awareness. Even if your initial revenue just covers your marketing spend, it's worth it. Conversion happens once people is where many gym owners go wrong. Invest in annual maintenance contracts and fix broken machines. Poorly maintained equipment leads to cancellations and bad reviews. Customers expect trainers represent your brand. Look beyond certifications, check how they talk, behave, and treat people. Most trainers need to be trained in professionalism. Make sure female clients feel safe at all on building good reputation, not just revenue. Give discounts and help out members going through personal challenges. Such details go a long way and profits will automatically Malik, owner of Component Fitness
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
Government identifies key sectors to attract foreign investors
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Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Thai and Cambodian PMs to meet today after Trump steps in to broker peace deal
Thai and Cambodian leaders are expected to meet on Monday in a bid to end the most intense border violence between their countries in more than ten years. The talks come after President Donald Trump intervened by threatening trade tariffs to push for a ceasefire. Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet will hold the meeting in Kuala Lumpur at 3 p.m. local time, Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub said. The discussions will take place at the office of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is hosting the talks in his role as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The first talks since clashes began on July 24 come within 48 hours of Trump saying Thai and Cambodian leaders had agreed to 'quickly work out a ceasefire.' After separate calls with Phumtham and Hun Manet on Saturday, Trump had threatened that Washington will not do a trade deal with either country as long as the fighting continued. The threat set off a flurry of diplomatic activities on Sunday with Anwar eventually getting the two sides to agree to meet. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also spoke to the foreign ministers of Thailand and Cambodia and urged them to immediately de-escalate tensions while offering US help in future talks. Speaking to reporters just before meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday, Trump acknowledged the phone calls with the two leaders. 'I called the prime ministers of each and I said, 'We're not going to make a trade deal unless you settle the war.' A lot of people killed,' Trump said. 'And I think by the time I got off, I think they want to settle now.' With Trump's Aug. 1 tariff deadline looming, trade-reliant Thailand wants to avoid antagonizing the US president, especially as its officials have been holding talks to lower the steep 36% planned levy on its exports. Trump has claimed credit for helping halt border clashes earlier this year between India and Pakistan by leveraging trade measures, and is now applying similar pressure in Southeast Asia. 'When all is done, and Peace is at hand, I look forward to concluding our Trading Agreements with both!,' Trump said on Truth Social after speaking to Thai and Cambodian leaders Saturday. Thailand's trade talks with the US have included offering expanded access for American goods in an effort to narrow a $46 billion trade surplus with Washington. Neighboring Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam have already secured trade deals with the US in recent weeks. Thailand and Cambodia shouldn't have needed the pressure from Trump, and should have turned to Asean as a natural middle ground to mediate the conflict well before US intervention, said Fuadi Pitsuwan, a lecturer in international relations at Thammasat University in Bangkok. 'In the end, Trump will likely frame the situation as a win: he enforced a ceasefire while securing leverage' to impose punitive tariff rates, he said. Despite the economic stakes, Thailand has taken a firm stance ahead of Monday's talks. Officials say any ceasefire must be tied to bilateral resolution of the dispute, the withdrawal of troops, and a halt to the use of lethal weapons. Cambodia, by contrast, has said it is open to an unconditional cessation of hostilities. The talks are 'intended to listen to all proposals that could contribute to restoring peace,' spokesman Jirayu said. 'The Thai government remains committed to defending the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Every square inch of it.' The conflict, which escalated from months of simmering border tension, has killed more than 30 people and displaced over 150,000 civilians on both sides. Thailand has reported 22 fatalities, including eight soldiers, while Cambodia has confirmed 13 deaths, including five military personnel. Heavy artillery fire continued on Sunday across the countries' 800-kilometer (500-mile) shared border. Both sides accused each other of targeting civilian areas with rockets and artillery. Thailand has responded by deploying F-16s and Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets to strike Cambodian military positions. Thailand and Cambodia share a history of border disputes, though relations have remained largely stable since a deadly 2011 clash that left dozens dead. The last major flare-up centered on the Preah Vihear temple, a historic flashpoint rooted in colonial-era disagreements. Much of the current dispute stems from maps drawn on differing interpretations of early 20th-century Franco-Siamese treaties, which defined the border between Thailand and Cambodia, then part of French Indochina.
