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Bangkok Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Bangkok Post
More tourism stimulus possible
The Finance Ministry may consider implementing tax measures to stimulate tourism during the low season, says Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. He said the Finance Ministry held discussions with the Tourism and Sports Ministry on whether additional tourism stimulus measures are required, with the latter expressing interest in implementing further measures beyond the current "Tiew Thai Khon La Khrueng" (half-half) co-payment scheme. The government may want to rev up tourism stimulus to increase consumer spending, said Mr Julapun. "While the tourism industry is expected to perform well in the lead-up to the high season at year-end, the low season requires additional support and incentives," he said. Mr Julapun expressed confidence that the recent cabinet reshuffle would improve the tourism sector, especially in terms of tourist safety, which remains a major concern affecting confidence in Thailand as a travel destination. As for the co-payment scheme, the Tourism and Sports Ministry reported allocation of 500,000 entitlements as of July 11, with more than 400,000 of these entitlements still available. The Revenue Department previously issued tax incentives to support domestic tourism, particularly for travel to secondary cities during the low season. For individuals, personal income tax incentives ran from May 1 to Nov 30, 2024. The incentive applied to travel within 55 designated secondary tourist provinces. Individuals could deduct actual expenses for tour packages, hotel accommodation, resorts or homestays, up to a maximum of 15,000 baht. Only electronic tax invoices (e-tax invoices or e-receipts) were accepted for tax deduction purposes. For legal entities, corporate income tax incentives covered the same period in 2024. Companies could treat expenses incurred for organising domestic seminars, such as seminar room rental, accommodation, transport or related tour services, as deductible business expenses. The deduction could be twice the actual amount if the seminar was held in a secondary tourism province or another designated tourism area announced by the Revenue Department. A deduction of 1.5 times the actual expenses applied if the seminar was held in other provinces or if the location was not clearly classified. Documentation was required to be full-format e-tax invoices and e-receipts.
Bangkok Post
13-07-2025
- Bangkok Post
Fewer Malaysian visitors to Hat Yai hiring guides
SONGKHLA - Visitors from Malaysia are changing a pattern by increasingly favouring travel to southern Thailand in private vehicles, causing concern to tour guides who fear losing their livelihoods. Arriving by van or bus, most Malaysians have in the past arrived in Hat Yai city in groups that need a Thai guide once they enter Thai territory. Songchai Mungprasitthichai, president of the Songkhla Tourism Promotion Association, said their preferences were changing. More are crossing the border in Songkhla province as independent visitors in private vehicles that do not require a guide. This group now comprises up to 40% of all visitors to the southern province, he said, without giving details on the issue. Under Thai law, the need for a tour guide is exempted for tourists in a private vehicle with a capacity of no more than seven passengers. "Tour operators and guides have to adjust to the change," he said. Witthaya Lim, a guide and former co-founder of the Songkhla Guide Association, acknowledged the trend and called it "a serious problem" as they did not need the services of a guide during their stay in the country. Amnart Pruekphikul, another guide, said one reason for the change is reducing costs amid economic uncertainty. Malaysians led foreign arrivals to Thailand this year, with 2.29 million visiting the kingdom during the first half of the year – edging out tourists from China, who came second with 2.26 million, according to data from the Tourism and Sports Ministry. Most travellers from the neighbouring country cross the Thai border by land in Sadao district of Songkhla.
Bangkok Post
07-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Malaysia now No.1 source of tourists in Thailand
Malaysia has surpassed China as the largest inbound tourism market for Thailand in the first half of this year, as the latter plunged by 34.1%, while tourism operators say they have little hope that Asian markets will rise in the low season. In the first six months, Thailand welcomed 16.6 million foreign arrivals, dipping 4.6% year-on-year, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry. Only four source markets tallied more than 1 million tourists for the period: Malaysia, China, India and Russia. Malaysia posted 2.29 million arrivals and China 2.26 million, registering declines of 5.59% and 34.1% respectively, followed by the Indian market at 1.18 million arrivals, up 13.8%, and Russia at 1.03 million, a gain of 12.3%. Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, president of the Association of Chonburi Tourism Federation, said the outlook in the third quarter would remain unchanged as the Chinese market might not significantly improve. As the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta) prepares to organise a roadshow to three Chinese cities this month — Chongqing, Lanzhou and Hangzhou — Mr Thanet said it would only stimulate the market for the short term via chartered flights, which are eligible for subsidies from the government's stimulus campaign. In the long run, he said Thailand still faces challenges based on its declining reputation among Chinese travellers, especially the perception that it no longer offers good value for money. 'There are growing complaints about expensive and unpleasant food in the Banthat Thong area and unhygienic street food in Yaowarat," said Mr Thanet. "More price-conscious travellers have shifted to Vietnam, which is more competitive in terms of price.' With European arrivals to Thailand surging by 16.6% to 4.3 million in the first half of the year, tourism operators in Pattaya are more optimistic about the upcoming high season, which is typically the peak period for long-haul markets. He said the Asia-Pacific market would continue to struggle, after declining by 12% to 11.2 million visitors in the first six months, with no positive factors yet to drive a recovery. According to Atta, its three-city roadshow this month is expected to connect 60 Thai tourism operators with 1,000 Chinese tour agents. The association plans to support the Tourism Authority of Thailand with promotion of its chartered flight subsidy scheme, which offers up to 350,000 baht per flight for operators that achieve a load factor of more than 80%.
Bangkok Post
01-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Thailand foreign visitors down 4.6%
Thailand's foreign tourist arrivals from January 1 to June 29 fell 4.56% from the same period a year earlier, the Tourism and Sports Ministry said on Tuesday. There were about 16.61 million foreign visitors during the period, the ministry said in a statement. Malaysia was the largest source country with 2.29 million visitors, followed by China with 2.25 million. Last week, the Bank of Thailand (BoT) cut its forecast for foreign tourist arrivals this year to 35 million from 37.5 million. The country's economy in May also softened following a slowdown in the tourism sector and a decline in manufacturing production, which offset the surge in exports, according to the central bank. The kingdom welcomed a record of nearly 40 million visitors in 2019, before the coronavirus (Covid) pandemic.
New Straits Times
27-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Thai PM orders heightened vigilance after bomb scare in Southern provinces
BANGKOK: Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has placed all government agencies on high alert and urged heightened vigilance following recent bomb threats in the southern tourist provinces of Phuket and Phang Nga. She said reports from relevant agencies suggest that the incidents were attempts to create unrest in the region. The prime minister convened a meeting with the national police chief, the commander of the tourist police, and the permanent secretary of the Tourism and Sports Ministry to assess the situation and ensure close monitoring. "I have consistently urged all sectors to investigate and closely monitor the situation. "Every precautionary measure has been implemented to ensure public safety and prevent harm. "However, the government remains vigilant. "The National Security Council will continue to oversee and intensify operations," she posted on X on Friday. Earlier this week, Thai media reported that a car travelling from Songkhla to Phuket was stopped in Phang Nga, where police found a homemade time bomb and arrested two suspects. Suspicious devices were later found and neutralised in Phuket and Krabi, including near the airport. Though the devices caused no injuries and lacked destructive capability, they raised security concerns in the region. Police bomb squads confirmed that the objects were designed to resemble explosive devices, likely intended to instil fear and disrupt normal activities. Paetongtarn also assured the public that all agencies are committed to resolving the matter with the highest level of diligence. "I extend my gratitude to all officials for their dedication, sacrifice, and resilience in maintaining public confidence and enabling residents to live peacefully. "To tourists planning to visit, I assure you it is safe to travel and enjoy your visit without concern," she added. – Bernama
