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Thailand faces a decline in British tourists and Expats: Causes and Consequences File photo BANGKOK – Thailand, a country that has long held a special place in the hearts of British travelers and expats, is witnessing a significant drop in the number of visitors from the United Kingdom. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325446-thailand-faces-a-decline-in-british-tourists-and-expats-causes-and-consequences/

File photo BANGKOK – Thailand, a country that has long held a special place in the hearts of British travelers and expats, is witnessing a significant drop in the number of visitors from the United Kingdom. A detailed analysis by the Pattaya Mail, along with insights from industry experts, highlights a complex set of factors driving this shift. This trend raises concerns for Thailand's tourism-dependent economy, its expat community, and its future appeal to British travelers. From Staple Destination to Shifting Tides For decades, British tourists have flocked to Thailand's sun-drenched beaches, vibrant cities, and affordable cost of living. Expats have enjoyed the tropical climate, entrepreneurial opportunities, and the Thai hospitality that made the country a popular choice for establishing a life abroad. However, a combination of economic, bureaucratic, and competitive pressures is eroding Thailand's traditional appeal for British travelers. The Cost Factor: Rising Expenses and Neighboring Options The rising cost of international airfare, fueled by global inflation and fluctuating fuel prices, is taking a toll on British travel budgets. Simultaneously, other Southeast Asian destinations like Vietnam, Indonesia, and Cambodia are becoming increasingly popular. These destinations offer similar cultural experiences and exotic allure, often at a lower price point. This increased competition puts pressure on Thailand to offer a uniquely compelling value proposition to attract cost-conscious tourists. Expat Challenges: Bureaucracy and Diminishing Opportunities British expats in Thailand report navigating increasingly complex immigration procedures, including stricter visa requirements and work permit regulations. This bureaucratic maze is discouraging potential expats, while those already established may feel a waning sense of security. "Thailand used to be welcoming to foreign entrepreneurs and skilled workers," remarked a British expat running a business in Bangkok. "Now, it feels like they're putting up roadblocks, which makes you think twice about the long-term viability of staying here." Furthermore, a perception is growing among British expats that high-quality job opportunities, particularly in sought-after sectors like education and technology, are dwindling. This creates uncertainty for those planning a move and disincentivizes existing expats who may be considering other locations in the region. The "X-Factor": Thailand's Evolving Image Beyond tangible costs and regulations, a subtler shift in Thailand's perceived image may be at play. Some British tourists mention concerns about overdevelopment in certain areas, diminishing authenticity, and occasional reports of scams or incidents targeting foreigners. While these issues might not be widespread, they can contribute to an overall impression that influences a traveler's decision-making process. Consequences for Thailand The decline in British tourism and the shrinking expat community could have far-reaching consequences for Thailand. British visitors have been a consistent source of revenue, particularly for businesses catering to Western tastes and preferences. A decrease in spending power from this demographic could strain local economies dependent on tourism. Additionally, the expat community plays a vital role in Thailand's workforce. British expats often possess skills and expertise that contribute to sectors like education, hospitality, and entrepreneurship. Their diminishing numbers could create gaps in the labor market and stifle innovation driven by foreign business ventures. Potential Strategies: Rekindling the Connection The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is acutely aware of these trends and the need to adapt. Targeted marketing campaigns highlighting Thailand's unique offerings, such as its rich cultural heritage, diverse natural landscapes, and world-renowned cuisine, could help re-ignite British interest. Additionally, the government may need to reassess policies affecting expats. Streamlining visa and work permit processes, and fostering a welcoming environment for foreign businesses, could reverse the perception of increasing barriers. Conclusion Whether this decline represents a temporary dip or a long-term change in British travel preferences remains to be seen. Thailand has an opportunity to address the underlying causes and revitalize its connection with British tourists and expats. Success will depend on navigating economic realities, easing bureaucratic hurdles, and preserving the qualities that made Thailand a beloved destination in the first place. -- ASEAN NOW 2024-04-20 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Teen’s airsoft gun rampage sparks chaos at Songkran in Pattaya by Top Photo courtesy of Pattaya Mail Chaos erupted during the Songkran festivities as a teenager brandishing airsoft guns incited fear and panic in Soi 7, Central Pattaya, sending shockwaves through the crowd of over a thousand tourists on April 15. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325442-teen’s-airsoft-gun-rampage-sparks-chaos-at-songkran-in-pattaya/

Chaos erupted during the Songkran festivities as a teenager brandishing airsoft guns incited fear and panic in Soi 7, Central Pattaya, sending shockwaves through the crowd of over a thousand tourists on April 15. Pattaya police swiftly apprehended the 17 year old juvenile responsible for the terrorizing act, taking him to the police station for questioning. Police Lieutenant Colonel Thananon Athipansi, Deputy Superintendent of Pattaya police, explained that the confrontation ensued when the juvenile and his friends encountered another group participating in the water-splashing festivities. “Verbal exchanges escalated into physical violence, with the opposing group assaulting the juvenile’s younger sibling and provoking them.” In retaliation, the juvenile retrieved the airsoft guns, wielding them menacingly to intimidate the other group before both parties dispersed. Further investigations uncovered a history of disputes between the two groups, with previous clashes, including physical assaults and the use of airsoft guns, reported at Bali Hai Pier, reported Pattaya Mail. Months earlier, they were involved in a shooting incident at the beachfront near Mae Sriruen restaurant in Pattaya, resulting in injuries. In related news, a joyous Songkran celebration took a tragic turn in Sattahip, Chon Buri when four young individuals were caught in a hail of gunfire on April 16. The incident has left one person dead and has the police on a manhunt for the suspected gunman. The incident took place during the Songkran festivities taking place on Soi Bon Kai in Sattahip district. Sattahip police were notified about the incident and arrived on the scene to find three young men and a 13 year old girl with gunshot wounds to their torsos. In other news, the lively Thaweewong Road, on Patong Beach in Phuket, bore witness to a heated dispute between two foreign visitors at a Songkran event. This incident, occurring around 4.20pm on April 13, was sparked by a minor altercation involving a water gun. by Top Photo courtesy of Pattaya Mail Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-20 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Expert from Thai Revenue Department to speak about rules on foreign income at Hua Hin event By Online Reporter Following the news that regulations requiring tax residents to pay personal income tax on income brought into Thailand from overseas may soon start being enforced, an event due to be held in Hua Hin in May aims to provide up to date information on the situation. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325437-expert-from-thai-revenue-department-to-speak-about-rules-on-foreign-income-at-hua-hin-event/

Following the news that regulations requiring tax residents to pay personal income tax on income brought into Thailand from overseas may soon start being enforced, an event due to be held in Hua Hin in May aims to provide up to date information on the situation. The event will feature industry leading experts and notably, and expert from Thailand’s Revenue Department, who will aim to provide some clarity on the latest tax implications, in particular with regards to personal income tax for people residing in Thailand. The event is free to attend and should not be missed by anyone who is potentially affected by the issue. By Online Reporter Full story: HUA HIN TODAY 2024-04-20 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai Tourist Assaulted at Songkran Festival in Sattahip Reportedly for Just Dancing By Aim Tanakorn PHOTO: Naewna Sattahip, Chonburi —A Thai tourist from Chiang Mai was smacked in the head with the blunt end of a pistol at the Nong Chap Tao Temple in Sattahip, Chonburi, Thursday night reportedly for just dancing and enjoying himself. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325436-thai-tourist-assaulted-at-songkran-festival-in-sattahip-reportedly-for-just-dancing/

Sattahip, Chonburi —A Thai tourist from Chiang Mai was smacked in the head with the blunt end of a pistol at the Nong Chap Tao Temple in Sattahip, Chonburi, Thursday night reportedly for just dancing and enjoying himself. The incident was reported to Sattahip police in the middle of the night on April 18th, 2024. The victim, identified only as Mr. Nakorn, suffered a head injury and was taken to Wat Yan Hospital for treatment. According to Mr. Nakorn, he had traveled from Chiang Mai to attend the Songkran festival at the temple in Sattahip. He was dancing to music at the main stage when he was attacked. By Aim Tanakorn PHOTO: Naewna Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-04-20 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Pattaya Police Reunite Lost 4-Year-Old Girl with Parents During Songkran Festival By Aim Tanakorn Pattaya —Pattaya police reunited a lost 4-year-old girl with her parents during the Songkran festival in Na Klua on Thursday, April 18th, 2024. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325435-pattaya-police-reunite-lost-4-year-old-girl-with-parents-during-songkran-festival/

Pattaya —Pattaya police reunited a lost 4-year-old girl with her parents during the Songkran festival in Na Klua on Thursday, April 18th, 2024. The incident unfolded when the young girl, identified as Nong A, became separated from her parents near Pattaya-Naklua Road on Thursday night. Volunteer staff from the Thappraya 2310 team brought Nong A to the Banglamung Police Station. There, she met with Pol. Lt. Col. Wuthipong Kasa, the station’s investigation officer, who helped reunite her with the parents. By Aim Tanakorn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-04-20 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai Pickpocket Arrested in Pattaya After Stealing from Foreign Tourists By Aim Tanakorn Pattaya —Pattaya Tourist Police arrested a Thai female pickpocket who stole from foreign tourists during the Songkran festival celebrations on Walking Street. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325434-thai-pickpocket-arrested-in-pattaya-after-stealing-from-foreign-tourists/

Pattaya —Pattaya Tourist Police arrested a Thai female pickpocket who stole from foreign tourists during the Songkran festival celebrations on Walking Street. At 2:46 AM on April 19th, 2024, Pattaya Tourist Police officers apprehended Ms. Sumalee Kima-rae, a 59-year-old woman from Phetchaboon province, on Walking Street in South Pattaya. The arrest was made based on the positive identification of the suspect by a Chinese tourist couple. According to Pol Lt Col Piyapong Ensan, Pattaya Tourist Police Inspector, the suspect was caught by the Chinese couple attempting to slash their backpack from behind to steal the items inside. The tourists were enjoying the Songkran festivities; however, they felt a tug on their backpack. Subsequently, the couple discovered that their bag had been slashed and their belongings stolen. They immediately caught the suspect, who they had been cautiously observing, and brought her to the nearby Tourist Police stationed on Walking Street. During the interrogation, Ms. Sumalee reportedly confessed to the crime and even demonstrated her pickpocketing techniques to the officers. She revealed that she was part of a four-person gang that carried out such acts, each member playing a specific role. By Aim Tanakorn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-04-20 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Couple Of F-16 Jets Join 4 Others In Patrolling Thai-Myanmar Border By Thai Newsroom Reporters Thai air force F-16 Fighting Falcon jets. Photo: Thai Rath A COUPLE OF THE THAI AIR FORCE’S F-16 Fighting Falcon jets today (Apr. 19) joined four others of the same type in conducting regular air patrols over Thai territory across the border from the war-torn Myanmar. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325432-couple-of-f-16-jets-join-4-others-in-patrolling-thai-myanmar-border/

A COUPLE OF THE THAI AIR FORCE’S F-16 Fighting Falcon jets today (Apr. 19) joined four others of the same type in conducting regular air patrols over Thai territory across the border from the war-torn Myanmar. Both General Dynamics F-16A/B fighter jets from Wing 1 in Nakhon Ratchasima are operating as a fresh addition to the four F-16A/Bs from Wing 4 in Takhli with air patrol missions in Thai air space over Mae Sarieng district of Mae Hong Son and Mae Sot district of Tak, opposite Hpapun and Myawaddy townships in Kayin state of Myanmar respectively, according to an air force source. The six F-16A/Bs are practically rotating to fly in their shared mission for the day/night air patrols along the Thai-Myanmar border whilst the air force pilots have been instructed to literally see to it that no foreign combat aircraft “stray” from inside Myanmar into Thai air space, either purposely or inadvertently, over those border areas which could otherwise adversely affect Thai villagers, the source said. By Thai Newsroom Reporters Thai air force F-16 Fighting Falcon jets. Photo: Thai Rath Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-04-20 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

French Woman Arrested On Attempted Kidnap, Robbery Charges by TNR Staff A FRENCH woman was arrested at a hotel in Silom area on the charges of heading a gang that had hatched a plan to kidnap the daughter of a high-society family for 200 million baht ransom, Amarin TV said today (Apr. 19). At 10 p.m. last night Metropolitan Police arrested Ms.Sandra Christina Marie Diersten, 45, at a hotel in Silom Soi 3 under a warrant issued on April 5, 2024. Police said they took action after this well-known family, whose initial is Sor, had filed a complaint at Thong Lor police station that a gang of foreigners intended to kidnap their daughter and rob them of 200 million baht. However the plot collapsed after one of the gang members changed his mind and alerted the family. Upon being informed police conducted an investigation then obtained an arrest warrant for the suspect. Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-04-20 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai Police Capture French Mastermind Allegedly Involved in Kidnap and Ransom Scheme By Kittisak Phalaharn Bangkok—At 10:00 PM, on April 18th, 2024, Thai metropolitan investigative police captured a French mastermind who was allegedly involved in the kidnap and ransom scheme of a millionaire’s daughter at a hotel in Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok. Ms. Sandra Christina Marie Dierstein, a 45-year-old French national, was a prime suspect according to the criminal court’s arrest warrant. According to the police report, a millionaire’s family reported to Thonglor police that a group of foreigners schemed to rob and kidnap the daughter of the family for ransom of 200 million baht. However, the scheme was exposed by one of the accomplices to the victim’s family. The police investigated the case and requested arrest warrants from the criminal court for Sandra, the alleged French mastermind of the scheme. Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-04-20 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Pattaya Wanlai Day 2024 Draws Tens of Thousands of Tourists By Aim Tanakorn Pattaya —The Wan Lai Festival, also known as the Big Day of Songkran, kicked off yesterday, April 19th, transforming the city’s world-famous beachfront into a lively spectacle of water splashing. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325431-pattaya-wanlai-day-2024-draws-tens-of-thousands-of-tourists/

Pattaya —The Wan Lai Festival, also known as the Big Day of Songkran, kicked off yesterday, April 19th, transforming the city’s world-famous beachfront into a lively spectacle of water splashing. The atmosphere along Pattaya Beach Road, from Pattaya Klang Intersection to Walking Street in South Pattaya, was electric as thousands of Thai and international tourists immersed themselves in the last day of Songkran festivities. The 2-kilometer stretch was transformed into a water playground, with the city authorities setting up water spraying trucks and private businesses organizing various entertainment activities and traditional games. The city also set up a major music stage headlined by famous Thai rock act Retrospect. By Aim Tanakorn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-04-20 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Russian and Israeli Motorbike Riders Arrested for Drunk Driving in Patong By Goongnang Suksawat Patong – Russian and Israeli Motorbike riders were arrested in Patong for drunk driving. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325430-russian-and-israeli-motorbike-riders-arrested-for-drunk-driving-in-patong/

Patong – Russian and Israeli Motorbike riders were arrested in Patong for drunk driving. The Patong Police told the Phuket Express that earlier this week they had set up a police checkpoint on the Phra Metta Road in Patong after midnight until 2:30 A.M.. Two suspicious male foreign motorbike riders were stopped at the police checkpoint. They were both aged 28-years-old and were Russian and Israeli. By Goongnang Suksawat Full story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS 2024-04-20 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Egyptian Man Arrested in Patong for Overstay By Goongnang Suksawat Patong – An Egyptian man was arrested in Patong after he was found to have overstayed his legal visa. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325429-egyptian-man-arrested-in-patong-for-overstay/

Patong – An Egyptian man was arrested in Patong after he was found to have overstayed his legal visa. The Patong Police told the Phuket Express that they have arrested Mr. Ibrahim, 26, Egyptian national, in front of a hotel on the Nanai Road in Patong this week. He was found to have overstayed his legal visa. The Phuket Express noted that the Patong Police did not reveal how many days of his overstay. By Goongnang Suksawat Full story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS 2024-04-20 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thailand’s oldest association endorses Big Joke after being fired Thursday amid a police corruption crisis by Joseph O' Connor Acting National Police Chief Police General Kittirat Phanphet removed Police General Surachate Hakparn from government service on Thursday. This followed a meeting with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin at Government House. On Friday, the Southern Thai Association issued a strong letter of endorsement of the embattled former deputy police chief. It said he remained the President of the organisation and was innocent until proven guilty under Thai law. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325428-thailand’s-oldest-association-endorses-big-joke-after-being-fired-thursday/

Acting National Police Chief Police General Kittirat Phanphet removed Police General Surachate Hakparn from government service on Thursday. This followed a meeting with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin at Government House. On Friday, the Southern Thai Association issued a strong letter of endorsement of the embattled former deputy police chief. It said he remained the President of the organisation and was innocent until proven guilty under Thai law. One of Thailand’s oldest associations endorses Big Joke after suspension amid police crisis. The Southern Thai Association backed General Surachate Hakparn, also known as ‘Big Joke,’ after he was fired on Thursday by acting National Police Chief General Kittirat Phanphet amid ongoing police corruption allegations. One of Thailand’s oldest public associations on Friday issued a strong endorsement of General Surachate Hakparn. Big Joke was fired by acting National Police Chief General Kittirat Phanphet on Thursday after consulting with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin at Government House. The temporary removal of General Surachate or Big Joke from government service could spell the end of his career. Thailand’s favourite police officer has now been arrested by order of a court, found guilty by a three-member panel set up by the Prime Minister and hastily removed. In short, it means the top cop is now precluded from becoming Thailand’s next National Police Commissioner. However, his demise can only spell bad news for the Royal Thai Police. It certainly comes amid a cloud of controversy and crisis that warrants urgent investigation by accountable public authorities outside the force. On Friday afternoon, less than 24 hours after reports that Deputy National Police Chief General Surachate Hakparn had been suspended from government service, he was endorsed by one of the country’s oldest representative associations. The Southern Thai Association under Royal Patronage emphasised that General Surachate would continue in his role as President of the organisation. At the same time, it highlighted that the top cop can appeal the decision by the acting national police chief. by Joseph O' Connor Full story: Thai Examiner.com 2024-04-20 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

to continue: Thailand Live Saturday 20 April 2024 https://aseannow.com/topic/1325427-thailand-live-saturday-20-april-2024/