https://aseannow.com/rss/44-thailand-news.xml/National and regional news from all around Thailandenhttps://aseannow.com/thailand-news/tha-urges-visa-free-review-in-thailand-r1810/The Thai Hotels Association (THA) has urged the Thai government to review its 60-day visa-free scheme and introduce tax rules for foreign online travel agents (OTAs), saying the measures are needed to strengthen Thailand’s tourism industry and support licensed hotels. Get today's headlines by email The proposals were submitted to Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul during a meeting with senior executives from 10 major business sectors at Government House in Bangkok on Friday, 15 May. THA president Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun later told Thansettakij that the association had presented eight tourism-related measures. The association said rising tensions in the Middle East had increased global crude oil prices, resulting in higher airfares and some flight cancellations. To reduce travel costs, the THA proposed government support for charter flights on selected routes and called for a co-payment scheme to encourage domestic tourism. The group also urged the government not to introduce a proposed 1,000-baht exit fee at this stage, arguing that the plan required further consideration. Thienprasit said strong two-way travel between Thailand and China had helped airlines increase profitability and expand flights between the two countries. The THA said visa-free travel remained important for tourism but argued that the same policy should not automatically apply to all 93 eligible countries. It proposed adjusting visa-free conditions according to the potential of each market, including permitted lengths of stay and the number of annual entries allowed. The association also suggested measures to prevent visa runs. Under one proposal, travellers entering Thailand under the visa-free tourism scheme would be unable to use the same privilege again for at least 60 days after entry. Another proposal called for the development of a Thai-owned hotel booking platform linking domestic travellers with licensed hotels. The THA said this could reduce marketing fees charged by foreign OTAs, lower accommodation costs for travellers and improve returns for hotels. Domestic tourism generated 1.16 trillion baht in 2025, with accommodation accounting for around 20 to 25 per cent of spending, according to the association. The THA also called for legislation requiring foreign OTAs to pay taxes properly in Thailand. It urged the government to review commission rates and abolish rate parity rules, noting that several European countries had already ended such practices. The Nation reported that further proposals included improving transport networks to spread tourism to secondary cities, developing new attractions in areas such as Klong Toei Port and the Eastern Economic Corridor, and offering low-interest loans to smaller hotels for renovations and energy-efficiency upgrades. The association also called for stricter controls on cannabis smoking in public areas, warning it could affect repeat tourism. Picture courtesy of The Nation Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 17 May 2026Sat, 16 May 2026 20:34:02 +0000The Thai Hotels Association (THA) has urged the Thai government to review its 60-day visa-free scheme and introduce tax rules for foreign online travel agents (OTAs), saying the measures are needed to strengthen Thailand’s tourism industry and support licensed hotels. Get today's headlines by email The proposals were submitted to Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul during a meeting with senior executives from 10 major business sectors at Government House in Bangkok on Friday, 15 May. THA president Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun later told Thansettakij that the association had presented eight tourism-related measures. The association said rising tensions in the Middle East had increased global crude oil prices, resulting in higher airfares and some flight cancellations. To reduce travel costs, the THA proposed government support for charter flights on selected routes and called for a co-payment scheme to encourage domestic tourism. The group also urged the government not to introduce a proposed 1,000-baht exit fee at this stage, arguing that the plan required further consideration. Thienprasit said strong two-way travel between Thailand and China had helped airlines increase profitability and expand flights between the two countries. The THA said visa-free travel remained important for tourism but argued that the same policy should not automatically apply to all 93 eligible countries. It proposed adjusting visa-free conditions according to the potential of each market, including permitted lengths of stay and the number of annual entries allowed. The association also suggested measures to prevent visa runs. Under one proposal, travellers entering Thailand under the visa-free tourism scheme would be unable to use the same privilege again for at least 60 days after entry. Another proposal called for the development of a Thai-owned hotel booking platform linking domestic travellers with licensed hotels. The THA said this could reduce marketing fees charged by foreign OTAs, lower accommodation costs for travellers and improve returns for hotels. Domestic tourism generated 1.16 trillion baht in 2025, with accommodation accounting for around 20 to 25 per cent of spending, according to the association. The THA also called for legislation requiring foreign OTAs to pay taxes properly in Thailand. It urged the government to review commission rates and abolish rate parity rules, noting that several European countries had already ended such practices. The Nation reported that further proposals included improving transport networks to spread tourism to secondary cities, developing new attractions in areas such as Klong Toei Port and the Eastern Economic Corridor, and offering low-interest loans to smaller hotels for renovations and energy-efficiency upgrades. The association also called for stricter controls on cannabis smoking in public areas, warning it could affect repeat tourism. Picture courtesy of The Nation Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 17 May 2026 View full articleSat, 16 May 2026 20:34:02 +0000Ask Novak to promote itSat, 16 May 2026 20:33:52 +0000It would certainly appear that Trump got played once again at the China Summit, while flattering Xi incessantly, he walked away with absolutely nothing in return. It seemed like just another omelette on that incredibly ugly face of his. It's getting increasingly more difficult to refer to this clown as a real leader. And the difference in gravitas between him and Xi is a rather shocking counterpoint. It's like an adolescent boy pretending to be a man, negotiating with a towering presence. I don't like the Chinese govt. nor the CCP, but facts are facts. President Trump departed Beijing on Friday with almost nothing concrete to show for his two-day summit with President Xi Jinping of China. After months of buildup and a delay necessitated by Mr. Trump’s difficulty in extricating the United States from the war with Iran, the summit ended with no major public progress on the Middle East, trade, Taiwan, nuclear proliferation, artificial intelligence or any of the other myriad issues that are sources of friction between the world’s two superpowers. Instead, Mr. Trump seemed intent on a different kind of diplomacy, forging a personal bond with a Chinese leader who appeared far more focused on advancing his own nation’s strategic agenda. Mr. Trump toasted Mr. Xi as “my friend” at their banquet in Beijing on Thursday and said he had “become really a friend” when they sat down before the cameras on Friday. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, asked at a briefing during the summit whether Mr. Xi considered Mr. Trump a friend, responded with boilerplate: “the two sides exchanged views on major issues.” Mr. Trump has hailed the summit in Beijing as a major success, highlighting the personal bond he says he has built with China’s longtime leader. But the feeling is not necessarily mutual, as evidenced by Mr. Xi’s more measured tone and the lack of clarity about any major agreements. The mismatch shows the risks in Mr. Trump’s personality-driven foreign policy, his bet that he can solve the world’s problems and defend American interests by his charm and force of will. In Mr. Xi, the U.S. president faced a counterpart this week well versed in Mr. Trump’s desire for praise and pomp, and with an apparent strategy for how to exploit it. “He was flattering him excessively and it was clearly not working,” said Ms. Shirk, a professor at the University of California, San Diego. “The lack of preparation created this kind of void of substance in the meeting, and the Chinese stepped into that void.” https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/16/world/europe/trump-xi-china-summit.html?smid=nytcore-android-shareSat, 16 May 2026 20:28:33 +0000Celebrities including Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton have succeeded in stopping plans for a 29-storey residential tower beside the River Thames in southwest London after a planning inspector upheld the local council’s rejection of the development. Get today's headlines by email The proposed 100-metre building, planned for the south bank of the river near Battersea Bridge, had been put forward by Rockwell Property. The project would have created more than 100 flats and commercial space, but faced strong opposition from local residents and high-profile figures who argued it would harm the character of the area. Planning appeal rejectedWandsworth Council had previously refused planning permission, citing the scheme’s “excessive height and scale”. The council said the tower would cause an “unacceptable and incongruous” change to the surrounding area and damage the skyline along the Thames. The decision was later supported by the Greater London Authority. Rockwell Property appealed against the refusal, prompting a public planning inquiry lasting eight days. However, planning inspector Joanna Gilbert concluded that the tower would harm the appearance of the neighbourhood and rejected the appeal. In her ruling, Gilbert said the building would have “adverse effects on the character and appearance of the local area” and would appear overbearing in the landscape. She added that the structure would stand out significantly compared with nearby buildings and would dramatically alter views along this stretch of the Thames embankment. Objections from local residentsThe plans attracted opposition from a number of well-known residents, including actor Felicity Kendal and comedian Harry Hill, who joined Jagger and Clapton in challenging the development. Jagger, frontman of The Rolling Stones, has lived on the north bank of the Thames since the early 1960s. His bandmate Keith Richards has also lived in the area. The singer previously said the tower made “no sense” and was “totally wrong on every level”. Speaking earlier this year, he warned that allowing the building could encourage further high-rise developments along the river, permanently changing the character of the riverside. Clapton also voiced concern that approval of the project could open the door to similar developments. He argued that other developers might follow with additional towers along the Thames. Development plans and rulingRockwell Property’s original proposal was for a 34-storey tower containing 142 flats. The scheme was later revised to a 29-storey building with 110 flats, including 54 designated as affordable housing. The development also included underground parking and a mix of commercial spaces. The developer said the project was intended to address London’s need for new housing and would deliver high-quality homes. However, the planning inspector concluded the building would stand out as taller and bulkier than nearby structures. She said it would not fit within a cluster of tall buildings but would instead appear isolated in the skyline. Gilbert also said the design was “not exemplary, extraordinary, remarkable or distinctive, just tall”, adding that it would not enhance London’s skyline. In a statement following the ruling, Rockwell said it was disappointed with the outcome but maintained that it believed in the regeneration project. The company said it had made several changes to the design in response to public feedback and had commissioned the internationally known architects Farrells for the scheme. Despite those changes, the inspector concluded the development would harm the surrounding townscape and dismissed the appeal. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 17 May 2026 View full articleSat, 16 May 2026 20:24:18 +0000$35,000 a lane in the USA.Sat, 16 May 2026 20:14:40 +0000Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, has been approved to run for selection in the Makerfield by-election. He is expected to abandon his previous call to reverse Brexit, instead advocating for close ties with the European Union. Burnham 'will drop reverse Brexit call' amid Makerfield by-electionSat, 16 May 2026 19:56:40 +0000Oh and I forgot they are an ethno-fascist state who hate the Arabs in the same way that Nazis hated the Jews - ie pathological and inhumane and genocidal.Sat, 16 May 2026 19:45:15 +0000If you can access BBC iPlayer it is worth watching via that medium just for the pithy commentary from Graham Norton. Almost as good as when Terry Wogan used to do it.Sat, 16 May 2026 19:35:46 +0000Why post if I can't answer?Sat, 16 May 2026 19:31:46 +0000It is a name used in India. They do have Muslims there.Sat, 16 May 2026 19:30:23 +0000Sat, 16 May 2026 19:28:28 +0000Not being American, what do the midterms mean? We have an election every 3 years; we do not have midterms. If you lose midterms, what happens?Sat, 16 May 2026 19:25:10 +0000Does Trump plan to drop Taiwan like a hot potato? Yes!!! Dear Folks, If one were to carefully listen to Trump’s statement during a recent interview with some guy from Fox News, then it is very apparent that what Trump wishes to do is to: Move Taiwan Fabs and Chip Fabrication Tech back to the USA…ASAP. Distance himself from the Taiwan leader Lai, as quickly as possible. And, basically, drop Taiwan like the Hot Potato which it is. Is this GREAT POLICY with respect to Taiwan, and the Taiwan Independence Movement for which Taiwan's Leader Lai was one of the principal spokesmen? YES!!! This nincompoop Lai is a troublemaker, and anyone can plainly see. He caused a lot of trouble for the former Taiwan President, too, mostly due to his Taiwan Independence leanings. Lai is not really a political leader, anyway. He is a local Taiwanese medical doctor, a urologist, in fact. And, worst of all: He is DPP, ..... What is DPP?..... Glad you asked..... Of course, anyone can see that, with respect to the TAIWAN QUESTION, Trump is making complete sense. It is excellent policy to do whatever it takes to move the Chip Fab technology off that stinking island and back to the USA, the country from which it should never have left. Trump is correct that it was dumb tariff policies, historically, which built up Taiwan’s Chip Fab infrastructure, at the expense of American security. Who in their right mind would locate 90-percent of world chip fabrication on a stinking island plagued by thousands of earthquakes each year. And, place it on an island which is contested by the largest Communist Powerhouse in the world? Well, even though Trump might not know a lot about AI and Science, in general, this interview here shows he understands the importance of dropping Taiwan, whenever convenient. So, as I say: This is quite a good interview, which is unusual for Fox, of course.....but worth listening to the Tawian part of it....For Sure..... It seems that Trump was bamboozled by The BB, and committed a few grave errors…AND…. Whew.....!!! What a NIGHTMARE....!!!!.... But..... Now, Trump IS BACK….!!!!! Trump has the Taiwan Question totally in the correct perspective. I have decided to back Trump on this…1000-percent. And, don’t you think that you should…too? Regards, Gamma Note: A very long time ago, the US made some major errors concerning tariffs relating to trade with Taiwan. Most people forget about those years, reaching back to the late 1980’s, and ongoing from there. Thank God for Trump, though…IMHO. At least he understands trade with Taiwan, and…. He understands the extreme risk of leaders like Lai of Taiwan, and his crazy ideas about TaiDu (Taiwan Independence)..... IN A NUTSHELL....... The OBVIOUS recent evidence indicates an active U.S. policy to decouple critical technology supply chains from the physical territory of Taiwan while simultaneously treating political and military support for Taipei as an adjustable, transactional variable rather than an absolute geopolitical commitment. If Taiwan goes ROGUE, meaning TaiDu.....then.... This guy Lai gets zero support from the USA. Lai has his head in the clouds, and is dreaming....BIG TIME...... Most guys on Taiwan, since they live on an island, almost totally cut off from the rest of the world, are dreamers.....impractical dreamers.... They don't recognize reality when it hits them between the eyes.Sat, 16 May 2026 19:24:36 +0000The finaleSat, 16 May 2026 19:14:40 +0000The Kremlin is now calling him.Tbe HunchbackSat, 16 May 2026 19:13:00 +0000ALWAYS know the exclusions, people. Some insurance co's distinguish between surfing and kite-surfing, for example. One is classified as more dangerous and may not be covered. Also, driving a motorbike yourself AND riding pilion on a Grab might be both excluded from coverage, depending. Seem like an OK couple but an idiot move for not reading the policy detail.Sat, 16 May 2026 19:12:28 +0000Sat, 16 May 2026 19:11:06 +0000GoulashSat, 16 May 2026 19:09:10 +0000Sat, 16 May 2026 19:05:25 +0000Ah, but maybe he can lock himself inside that bunker because that grift gift was for security. Now I get it - it all makes sense.Sat, 16 May 2026 19:04:23 +0000If a falang has a Thai company with alleged Thai nominees and that company owns land with a house on it what are the current options to mitigate against the proposed clampdown on such companies prior to any action by the authorities. If that company was set up 20 years ago and has submitted annual accounts will that mitigate any enforcement actions? Can the Thai company issue a 30 year lease to the falang company owner? If the company is liquidated or closed down who then owns the land? If the company was to be transferred to a Thai friend what safeguards can be put in place to prevent the land being sold under you and without your knowledge? I am genuinely trying to find a pro active solution to this problem. I set up the company in good faith using “professional and legal companies” and took their advice at that time in good faith. I don’t need lectures from anyone telling me that I have done anything wrong. I previously took legal advice when purchasing my house and land and in retrospect that advice was wrong. I am asking for guidance before I make an approach to a new legal company. I would rather go there with some new background knowledge rather than accept any old nonsense that they say is the new way to do things.Sat, 16 May 2026 19:03:43 +0000Here's the £1.42 million pound house in 7.5 acres of Surrey woodland and a Grade 2 listed fort he's bought with his grift. Nice work not a hint of Clacton here ! https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/estate-outside-of-london-comes-with-an-unusual-amenity-its-own-military-fort-ed4c45adSat, 16 May 2026 18:55:39 +0000and just like that the virtue signaling racist trope rhetoric appears, from one of the squad members.Sat, 16 May 2026 18:46:44 +0000So Trump's outbursts as the leader of the Free World are fine, but my criticism of him is embarrassing? To whom? Certainly not to me.Sat, 16 May 2026 18:37:08 +0000