Thailand offers 5 year-visas to HK influencers to promote tourism

[webfact]

 

By Peter Roche

 

Thailand is switching to online influencers as a key strategy in its new approach to attracting new tourists to visit the kingdom. With the return of Chinese and Hong Kong visitors, the TAT (Tourist Authority of Thailand) is giving the invited influencers a special ‘gift’.

 

Thailand has rewarded three Hong Kong celebrities and online influencers – Michelle Yim, Simon Yam and Roger Wu, with five-year visas in exchange for promoting its tourism industry in China. The celebrities were handed the visas at an event hosted by the TAT in Bangkok.

 

The visas allow the influencers to travel to Thailand at any time and send back photos and stories of their adventures and culinary experiences on the Chinese social media platforms, reaching millions in a single key stroke.

 

Yim, also known as Mai Suet, and Yam are both veteran actors with a large following in China, while Roger Wu has a popular YouTube channel that focuses on Thai food and culture.

 

The TAT governor, Yuthasak Supasorn, says all three were granted Thailand Privilege Cards with five-year visa validity for their unwavering support and contributions to Thai tourism. The Privilege Card holders also benefit from fast-track immigration, lounge access at airports, private limousine transfers, wellness and spa treatments, and discounts from partner restaurants and hotels.

 

Yim and Yam, both 67, are avid travellers who love to visit Thailand, while 50-year-old Wu has lived in Thailand for many years and also works as a travel programme host and travel columnist for publications in Hong Kong. Wu’s “roger wu” YouTube channel boasts more than 195,000 followers.

 

Thailand received only 40,382 arrivals from Hong Kong in November, according to Tourism Ministry data, but that figure is expected to rise after China lifted travel restrictions on January 8. China was Thailand’s largest overseas tourism market in 2019, accounting for 11.5 million of the total 40 million international arrivals.

 

Source: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/national-news/thailand-offers-5-year-year-visas-to-hk-influencers-to-promote-tourism/

 

-- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-01-23

 

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[Thailand]

I am available for this visa, quite happy to promote Thailand to those from the UK although my influence may be a little on the low side nowadays!

[ChaiyaTH]

How about a hassle free 5 year digital nomad visa, for the sake of injecting money into local economy too. 10% flat tax and a review after 5 years to see if you not live in a bamboo hut to decide the right on extension.

Edited January 23, 2023 by ChaiyaTH

[Gold Star]

What about something to thank the thousands of expats with strong ties to Thailand, or living here that have stuck it out through the tough times of the pandemic? We have transferred our funds during hard times, and injected money in the local  economy to support families, friends, and other less well off Thai people stranded in the devastated economies, ignored and left to fend for themselves.

 

Those in power have shiny ball syndrome, thinking China is the future, while ignoring core support.  I for one feel snubbed. 

 

Throw us dogs a bone here...

[ignore it]

Rumor has it that they will also be getting a discount on VVIP motorcycle and fuzz car escorts as well as no hassle walks through immigration.

[NoDisplayName]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Yim and Yam, both 67, are avid travellers who love to visit Thailand, while 50-year-old Wu has lived in Thailand for many years and also works as a travel programme host and travel columnist for publications in Hong Kong. Wu’s “roger wu” YouTube channel boasts more than 195,000 followers.

Good for TAT!

 

Getting heaps of free publicity in exchange for a visa that costs them nothing.

[PremiumLane]

I can imagine every 3 months that have to visit CW immigration to show proof of their YouTube videos, Instagram and TikTok posts to a moody immigration officer who doesn't know what they are.

 

And the only proof accepted will be signed photocopied scans of social media posts. 

[gearbox]

15 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

Good for TAT!

 

Getting heaps of free publicity in exchange for a visa that costs them nothing.

Smart move. However if the other countries start doing the same eventually the influencers will start negating each other????

[bangon04]

20 minutes ago, gearbox said:

Smart move. However if the other countries start doing the same eventually the influencers will start negating each other????

Yes I would like to think there is some sort of limit to the amount of "influence" which can be absorbed by the smartphone zombies.......but we obviously are nowhere near the limit yet.....

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand is switching to online influencers as a key strategy in its new approach to attracting new tourists to visit the kingdom. With the return of Chinese and Hong Kong visitors, the TAT (Tourist Authority of Thailand) is giving the invited influencers a special ‘gift’.

How about a 5 year visa for expats who are here helping the economy everyday?

Free, with no ridiculous strings attached or deposits needed.. free-up the money and expats will spend more.

[LivinLOS]

Funny thing being its illegal to be an influencer (youtuber etc) without a work permit and the elite visa cannot support a work permit.. 

Its like they have absolutely zero clue what the actual laws are and what other departments demand or need to maintain legality.. 

[Dave0206]

Fantastic idea I have always loved these important influencer crowd I think should send them all to kao tao. Put a positive spin on the island of death. Perhaps they can sell it as suicide island 

[Neeranam]

I thought Hong Kong was part of China.

[BayArea]

On 1/22/2023 at 11:56 PM, Gold Star said:

What about something to thank the thousands of expats with strong ties to Thailand, or living here that have stuck it out through the tough times of the pandemic? We have transferred our funds during hard times, and injected money in the local  economy to support families, friends, and other less well off Thai people stranded in the devastated economies, ignored and left to fend for themselves.

 

Those in power have shiny ball syndrome, thinking China is the future, while ignoring core support.  I for one feel snubbed. 

 

Throw us dogs a bone here...

Everything you posted is 100% true. But as my Thai wife often reminds me whenever I bring up this topic, the Thai officials doesn't care about falangs in LOS and do their best to ignore or even pretend they don't even exist. As she puts it, why do you think the 90-day reporting will never be removed, why foreigners can't own land etc. etc. She sarcastically says they love the fact that their hands are free from taking care and supporting thousands of Thai families.