Ministry now aims to roll out travel promotions for expats in Thailand

[webfact]

Ministry now aims to roll out travel promotions for expats in Thailand

By THE NATION

 

Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn

 

The Tourism and Sports Ministry aims to introduce travel packages to lure around two million expats in Thailand into travelling around the country to boost domestic tourism, with price promotions for accommodations and attractions equal to those offered to Thai tourists, Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said today (August 5).

 

The minister explained that because of the present Covid-19 situation, foreign tourists were unable to visit the country, “so we decided to stimulate domestic tourism through foreign expats in our country”.

 

The ministry will also discuss with the prime minister the need to reduce ticket prices for expats who visit various attractions and national parks.

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects the tourism sector to benefit to the tune of Bt10 billion from this expat travel package.

 

Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said TAT would issue special cards to expats to show at accommodations and attractions so they can avail of discounted prices.

 

TAT will discuss the issue with hotel operators this week.

 

Yuthasak also said that TAT aimed to increase revenue generated in the tourism industry this quarter, in order to urge more businesses in the sector to reopen.

 

The Tourism and Sports Ministry reported that 6.7 million foreign tourists visited Thailand in the first half of the year – a decrease of 66 per cent compared to the same period last year. 

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30392475

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-08-05

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[ThailandRyan]

2 million expats in Thailand, are they sure about this number. If so then why worry about the Tourism sector. As

3 minutes ago, webfact said:

TAT will discuss the issue with hotel operators this week.

So the new "Expats on tour" TAT slogan will be coming to a province near you.  Time for apologies from the government on there heavy handedness of late.

[tso310]

3 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

2 million expats in Thailand, are they sure about this number. If so then why worry about the Tourism sector.

He must be including Laos, Kampucheans, ETs etc. 

[Shuya]

Wondering what the TAT will require to issue the expat card... sure will be a hassle not worth doing.

[elliss]

7 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

2 million expats in Thailand, are they sure about this number. If so then why worry about the Tourism sector. As

So the new "Expats on tour" TAT slogan will be coming to a province near you.  Time for apologies from the government on there heavy handedness of late.

 

    Dont forget to notify immigration of your new address ,

     Enjoy your tours ..

     

[holy cow cm]

34 minutes ago, webfact said:

Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said TAT would issue special cards to expats to show at accommodations and attractions so they can avail of discounted prices.

Bring it on. 

[Airalee]

My address has already been registered with immigration when I extended my visa.  TM28s completed also.  You know where I live.  Forget the reams of forms and paperwork.  Just send me a card with a brochure showing a list of what hotels are participating and the prices.   If the value is worthwhile, I’ll avail myself of the offers.  If there is any price gouging, I’ll stay home.

 

Thanks!

[JTXR]

"Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said TAT would issue special cards to expats to show at accommodations and attractions so they can avail of discounted prices."

Thais already have ID cards so they can easily take advantage of the current discounts the government is subsidizing.  Although the idea of subsidizing discounts for expats is a great in theory, it will only be worthwhile if the process of getting a "special" expat card is simple and quick. 

[JTXR]

1 hour ago, ThailandRyan said:

2 million expats in Thailand, are they sure about this number.

All the Westerners plus Chinese, Japanese, Indians, Arabs, etc., 2 million may be right. 

I imagine they're not including the three big migrant worker countries (Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos).

[steven100]

another TAT official using that dart board again. 

[metisdead]

Some troll posts have been removed. 

[Guderian]

We promise no double-pricing at tourist attractions, as long as you have your Thai drivers licence, yellow house book for your property, and form TM69 (notification of an alien entitled to generous discounts from the beneficent Thai government) properly certified by your local Immigration office.

 

 

[Airalee]

5 minutes ago, Guderian said:

We promise no double-pricing at tourist attractions, as long as you have your Thai drivers licence, yellow house book for your property, and form TM69 (notification of an alien entitled to generous discounts from the beneficent Thai government) properly certified by your local Immigration office.

 

 

Exactly.  I suspect that there will be numerous hoops to jump through,  faulty, buggy websites to navigate, forms to be filled out in triplicate.  Trips to some ministry office in the middle of nowhere (extra taxi fares) and days worth of headaches all to save a few hundred dollars.  This would be a good time for them to learn the KISS method.  (keep it simple, stupid)

[Sundown]

discount card to dirty falang requirements:

 

- 600000 THB  in Thai bank OR

- 40000 THB / month OR 

- pay agent somchai 25000 one time

 

There you go now you falang have discount 50% on falang price same same Thai ???? enjoy your stay. ????

 

[ChipButty]

I think I'll stay home not worth the grief 

[Odin Norway]

Foreigners classed as expats should already have their pink ID cards.Case closed

 

[thequietman]

1 hour ago, holy cow cm said:

Bring it on. 

First, you need a yellow book. Then a signed note from you wife with her ID attached, that you are allowed to go.

 

Then you must go to your local immigration to ask if it's OK to travel out of the province. They will tell you yes - but you mustn't believe them, cause they will want numerous forms on your return.

 

Contact the Puu Yai in your village and give him/her a urine, poo and sperm sample (if you like, just give a pair of your underpants) and then get a receipt saying that you have informed them.

 

Whilst doing the above 3 things, wear a mask at all times, even though none of them will have one on.

 

Once you have done the above, you are free to get your 'Special' ID card, just as soon as you get all the above forms translated into English and back to Thai again. You will also need to get your passport authenticated by your embassy at a cost of 1000 baht.

 

Deposit 100,000 baht into a bank account in order to prove that you can afford to go on vacation in Thailand, and take out an insurance policy to protect you for the duration. A specific company has been chosen for you to provide 3,000 baht of cover at a cost to you of 40,000 baht.

 

Have fun. ????

[SmartyMarty]

Muppets. How hard can it be to learn?

[DrTuner]

Maybe now it's the time to remember we're just guests, not expats. <self-censored> you.

 

How about "hey you on the chained temporary of stay permit, today a special offer, instead of the usual us trying to kick you out, you can stay now as long as you keep spending - same as before, eh?"

[DrTuner]

28 minutes ago, Odin Norway said:

Foreigners classed as expats should already have their pink ID cards.Case closed

I stopped carrying it when places stopped accepting it for Thai prices. It seemed to work for a while until some places got clever.  

[Wongkitlo]

They have already said they want all tourists gone by 26th September., non o me by 26th November. Do they think they can make money by pushing people to agents.

[sweatalot]

Seems the minister reads Thai Visa

[PFMills]

My wife has the Booking.com account. She always phones direct to compare the prices.

 

I doubt the special promotion for us will be cheaper......

[Fex Bluse]

Now that they are suffering, they want to play nice with Farang again. After trying to run us out of the country. 

 

If farang could organise, now would be the time to make demands. Use our leverage 

 

You want our money, cancel the idiotic 90-day reporting, for example. 

 

[steven100]

5 hours ago, ChipButty said:

I think I'll stay home not worth the grief 

I'm thinking the same .... my 7-11 doesn't charge me extra to enter the store or for 6 bottles of Chang. 

[Airalee]

1 hour ago, PFMills said:

My wife has the Booking.com account. She always phones direct to compare the prices.

 

I doubt the special promotion for us will be cheaper......

Some have cheaper deals already for Farang with a Thai drivers license.  
 

Dusit D2 in Aonang (Krabi) is ฿10682 for a week with breakfast on booking.com.  

 

On the Dusit website, the price is ฿9793 with the aforementioned promotion.   

 

Using the Thai “we travel together” promotion,  after the government subsidization, the price is ฿8400 (60% of ฿14,000) and not only does it include breakfast, but also includes ฿600/day voucher for their restaurant.

[2 is 1]

5 hours ago, SmartyMarty said:

Muppets. How hard can it be to learn?

Can't understand where you need "tabien baan"? What you get from that?  Much more easy way haddle things!

Relax let flow.....

[naryan]

In the UK its the same price for all humans to charge different prices because of your race is called racism, they are even charging falangs to go into temples in Chiang Mai, and some temples in Bangkok will not allow falang in, bus companies had band falang from travel!

[DPKANKAN]

14 hours ago, JTXR said:

"Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said TAT would issue special cards to expats to show at accommodations and attractions so they can avail of discounted prices."

Thais already have ID cards so they can easily take advantage of the current discounts the government is subsidizing.  Although the idea of subsidizing discounts for expats is a great in theory, it will only be worthwhile if the process of getting a "special" expat card is simple and quick. 

I have said to my friends for a long while, why the hell do they not issue us legit expats with a chipped Thai ID card with all our info on!! Would cut down on the tons of identical paperwork we provide them each year for a start!!!????????????????

[ThailandRyan]

Just waiting for the Covid free stamp to be added to my Non Immigrant pink ID card.