Rise in expatriate residence in Thailand prompts tourism benefits plan

[webfact]

 

Thailand’s popularity as a residence of choice for expatriates and remote workers is on the rise. As per the data from the Employment Department and Colliers Thailand, the first quarter of this year saw 156,596 expatriates, with over half based in Bangkok.

 

The leading nationalities were Japanese, Chinese, and Indian last year. However, recent reports show an increased interest among Chinese nationals in purchasing condominium units in Thailand.

 

In response to this expatriate residence trend, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is planning to offer benefits specifically catered towards this segment next year. As the tourism trend shifts towards longer stays post-pandemic, operators are exploring ways to engage this demographic.

 

The TAT governor, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, revealed plans to offer expatriates benefits, some of which were requested for years, such as reduced entrance fees to national parks and attractions.

 

The promotional campaigns to be launched will highlight workstation locations across Thailand, emphasising the unique working environment.

 

by Alex Morgan

Photo: @theviewfromoverhere/ Instagram

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-09-25

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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[BE88]

And more taxes for expatriates to read in today's Bangkok Post

 

.....considered appropriate tax collection......

Edited September 25 by BE88

[Gknrd]

Get the 90 day tourist visa going already...  chop chop

[ezzra]

24 minutes ago, webfact said:

such as reduced entrance fees to national parks and attractions.

Is this what a would be ex pats be interested in when considering moving to Thailand? cheaper entrance fees to parks? there are dozens of way to make an expat life easier with all the red tapes and myriad of documentations every time you have to renew/extend a permit of the dozens of permits out there?

[jacko45k]

9 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Is this what a would be ex pats be interested in when considering moving to Thailand? cheaper entrance fees to parks? there are dozens of way to make an expat life easier with all the red tapes and myriad of documentations every time you have to renew/extend a permit of the dozens of permits out there?

Not this Expat.... National parks always seem to include long treks and climbs.... came here for a leisurely retirement.

Edited September 25 by jacko45k
Full stop.

[kimamey]

I don't know who chose the picture but they don't look Chinese, Japanese or Indian.

Is it reducing fees for parks or reversing the increases? It may be a start but I think the other issues mentioned in the article as well as making immigration procedures less complicated are more important. Some shouldn't be that difficult to achieve but things like pollution, particularly in border areas may not be so easy.

[KhunLA]

7 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Not this Expat.... National parks always seem to include long treks and climbs.... came here for a leisurely retirement.

Yea ... if I can't drive up to that viewpoint, well, there's another one down the road, just as nice.  I don't even bother with Nat. Parks, as viewpoints are just as nice in the area to/from the park.

 

They really do, most, lack any reason to visit or overnight in one.  With very few exceptions.   And with my prostate, I need a private toilet from nightfall to sunrise.  Camping ... hell NO.  Most bungalows are crap & overpriced.

[kimamey]

11 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Not this Expat.... National parks always seem to include long treks and climbs.... came here for a leisurely retirement.

One of the advantages I've found where a longer walk is involved and its not accessible on a motorbike is that its much quieter. The only time Thais seem keen to walk any great distance or climb steps are in temples or anywhere connected to Royal projects. Those do have the advantage that there is usually less litter and are fine to visit, however if you want peace then a park with a trek or climb is the best option.

It would also give you the chance of getting a fine athletic figure like mine. ????

[jacko45k]

Just now, kimamey said:

It would also give you the chance of getting a fine athletic figure like mine

Dodgy Pattya pavements seem to have curtailed my longer walk days!

[KhunLA]

Immigration issues, that's a tough one.

 

Married or retired, too easy.  But online working, problem with proving that is what you are doing.

 

Job protectionism vs enticing 'honest' people to visit and work here.   Sadly, people aren't honest or trustworthy, and as always, most suffer because of the few.

 

Why they even have immigration laws to begin with.  Even the married & retired can't be trusted to be honest, and how simple is that to stay here.

 

Personally like it just the way it is, and actually wish they'd enforce the rules a bit more.

 

Sucks for the honest nomadic online worker, but seriously, how many are there ?

 

Can the infrastructure, already strained beyond it's ability, handle another million cars or toilets being flushed.

 

Need to sort out the infrastructure before welcoming the masses.  Brown outs & water shortages are already the norm here.

[Ben Zioner]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The TAT governor, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, revealed plans to offer expatriates benefits, some of which were requested for years, such as reduced entrance fees to national parks and attractions.

Thats great, as I am spending 0.0000555% if my income on National Parks.

 

But how about the the other 23% fleecing that has been announced?

[mania]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

In response to this expatriate residence trend, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is planning to offer benefits specifically catered towards this segment next year.

 

How about Thailand  start with the easy ones?

 

For instance ...

1- If Thailand gives us a 1 year visa extension why do we need to check in every 90 days?

 

2- If we have a one year visa extension why when we get home from a short domestic inter Thailand vacation do we need to report like criminals if we stay in a hotel elsewhere in Thailand rather than our home?

 

3- What really is the re-entry permit for? If we come back & the one year visa in our passport is still valid .......its still valid period right? Why do we need that silly 1900 baht permission slip to use what we already paid for???

 

That would be a nice start at least for expatriates and remote workers ????

 

 

Edited September 25 by mania

[Bangkok Barry]

4 hours ago, kimamey said:

Is it reducing fees for parks or reversing the increases? It may be a start but I think the other issues mentioned in the article as well as making immigration procedures less complicated are more important.

Yes. Perhaps TAT forgot to speak with Immigration about 'benefits'. You know, stuff that actually matters.

[Deez]

Yeah, I have been here for 15 years and reduced admission to parks is the only thing that would make my life easier.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

In response to this expatriate residence trend, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is planning to offer benefits specifically catered towards this segment next year. As the tourism trend shifts towards longer stays post-pandemic, operators are exploring ways to engage this demographic.

They don't seem to understand Expatriates are not tourists, but treated like one.

[kimamey]

4 hours ago, mania said:

 

How about Thailand  start with the easy ones?

 

For instance ...

1- If Thailand gives us a 1 year visa extension why do we need to check in every 90 days?

 

2- If we have a one year visa extension why when we get home from a short domestic inter Thailand vacation do we need to report like criminals if we stay in a hotel elsewhere in Thailand rather than our home?

 

3- What really is the re-entry permit for? If we come back & the one year visa in our passport is still valid .......its still valid period right? Why do we need that silly 1900 baht permission slip to use what we already paid for???

 

That would be a nice start at least for expatriates and remote workers ????

 

 

As far as I know you don't have to report if you only travel within Thailand. Hotels normally copy your passport, but some don't. One told me he didn't need to as I'd booked through Agoda. Oh and the immigration officer in Mahasarakham said you don't need to do the report if you've come back from Lao. So who knows.

 

There's another complication for me if it was necessary to report every overnight trip away from my registered address in Mahasarakham. My wife works for part of the Ministry of Labour and she was moved from Mahasarakham to Roi Et. We were provide with a house on the site where we can stay. We don't as, whilst it would be fine if done up it has problems, the upstairs shower and toilet can't be used as there's a leak and they can't fix it. There might have been an electric shower but there isn't now. The aircon has been removed. The only furniture is and old metal bunk bed without mattresses. It's a half hour drive so we don't use it. If we did we'd have to register my return every time we came home at the weekend or maybe more often and I assume her superior would have to register me when I went there as well.

[nana kid]

TAT looks at Tourism as that great girlfriend, with the fabulous body                            that left and probably won't come back.  But the memory lingers on . 

Meanwhile Expats come and rent or buy and spend money on food and needs every month without costing the Gov a penny. 

 

[dr_lucas]

How about starting by cancelling the idiotic 90 days report and offer some real tax benefits to long term expats, especially those who own propery/ies here? 

[kimamey]

6 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Dodgy Pattya pavements seem to have curtailed my longer walk days!

I can't remember what the pavements were like the last time I was there but I doubt they are as bad as here in Isaan. If I ever ended up needing a wheelchair I think I'd leave or shoot myself. Even Bangkok is pretty bad, especially for a capital. My first wife had to use a wheelchair in her last years so I notice these problems. It may not be a problem for digital nomads but since an online job would be suitable for someone using a chair it might be something they should look at. It would help disabled tourists as well as those who aren't as agile as they once were.

[wwest5829]

Ah, yes, the Kingdom of Thailand National Parks. Great land with scenic holdings. I think there is a great opportunity for attracting tourism IF Thailand development their National Parks akin to what I experienced growing up in the USA. Scenic sites, lodges for overnight or longer stays, restaurants, ... Yes hiking and camping available for those who wish (at age 76 and after camping with my family and Scouts until close to retirement ... bed, please.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

It seems like the only people they're counting as "expatriates" are those working here or involved in businesses, based on the descriptions in the OP.

 

I'm retired, have never worked here or been involved in any business venture, but as far as I know, I would still correctly be considered an "expatriate," having lived here full-time for many years now.

 

But I guess retirees don't count in their counting or plans.

 

[StayinThailand2much]

On 9/24/2023 at 6:42 PM, kimamey said:

I don't know who chose the picture but they don't look Chinese, Japanese or Indian.

Is it reducing fees for parks or reversing the increases? It may be a start but I think the other issues mentioned in the article as well as making immigration procedures less complicated are more important. Some shouldn't be that difficult to achieve but things like pollution, particularly in border areas may not be so easy.

They probably just copied one of the first pics on Google Search... Lower national park fees are the last thing I worry about residing in Thailand. Visa issues, immigration matters, scams, overcharging in daily life, etc., are way more important issues.

Edited September 26 by StayinThailand2much

[mancub]

I'd happily accept an electronic wallet with bt10k in it as a start !