Thai hoteliers embrace TAT’s forthcoming expat focus

[webfact]

The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) recent announcement on the pivot towards offering benefits to expatriates in its 2024 strategy has garnered positive responses from leading hoteliers in the country. 

 

Thailand, known for its cultural richness and scenic beauty, has attracted 156,596 expatriates in 1Q2023 alone, reported the Bangkok Post.

TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool in late September announced plans to organise promotional campaigns for expatriates, such as reduced entrance fees to national parks and attractions – an idea which has long been championed within the local expat community.

 

As the lines between leisure and business travel blur, the hospitality sector is presented with unprecedented opportunities.

 

“We are confident in TAT’s 2024 strategy,” stated Jakob Helgen, area vice president, Marriott International – Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia & Myanmar.

 

He elaborated: “The strategy takes advantage of the rising trend of digital nomads and remote workers, which will strategically position Thailand for a bright future. We are also pleased with TAT’s focus on sustainable tourism and quality over quantity, which are in line with Marriott’s focus on positively impacting the environment and communities where we operate.”

 

By Anne Somanas

TOP: The Standard Hua Hin hosted the Kolour Hua Hin 2023 music festival in August as a way to attract the expatriate crowd and entertain long-stay visitors 

 

Full story: TTG ASIA 2023-10-14

 

- 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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[Denim]

Things are getting pretty desperate  when they feel it's  time to turn to ex pats to help out internal tourism.

[stoner]

8 minutes ago, webfact said:

such as reduced entrance fees to national parks and attractions

this will make a guy want to buy an elite visa. 

[2baht]

Just now, stoner said:

this will make a guy want to buy an elite visa. 

If things don't work out, maybe they'll give them away! ????

[Thailand]

I suppose they could consider giving some sort of benefits to long termers with extensions etc?

 

No problem for me and er indoors, we have had a 21 year extension of stay.

Just had to renew it 21 times!

[mikebell]

38 minutes ago, webfact said:

promotional campaigns for expatriates, such as reduced entrance fees to national parks and attractions

+ taxing pensions?  I am exploring Laos as a recipient of my 800,000 Thai money.

[thaibeachlovers]

I guess they realised that expats exist in the country.

No doubt they only care now because the horde isn't coming after all.

 

If they want expats, they could issue 90 day visa exempt arrivals back to back, like I used to get long ago. I used to hate going anywhere near immigration office.

[thaibeachlovers]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The Standard Hua Hin hosted the Kolour Hua Hin 2023 music festival in August as a way to attract the expatriate crowd and entertain long-stay visitors 

Expats don't need festivals. What they need is easier ways to stay.

[retarius]

Better business strategies tend to have some long term sustainable advantage, preferably a unique advantage, with a high cost of entry for competitors.

This strategy has none of the above. Digital nomads might come for a few months, then realise that Thailand is trying to tax them, then they'll move somewhere else. 

[redwood1]

This I think is the first article I have ever read where the Thais were even thinking of doing anything for expats......

 

Expats have always been viewed as dirty unpleasent and barely tolerated in Thailand by the hi-so Thais.....

[rbkk]

3 hours ago, Denim said:

internal tourism

Monday is sushi. Tuesday is pizza, Wednesday's vindaloo night.......I do my bit to help out.

[Srikcir]

Remember this previous tourism strategy:*

• In late June 2020, Thailand’s government approved two stimulus packages worth 22.4 billion baht (US$718 million), aimed at revitalizing the country’s tourism industry.
• The packages, named ‘We Travel Together’ and ‘Moral Support’, are designed to boost domestic travel by providing an array of travel perks such as subsidized flights, car rental fees, and bus fares. There are also subsidies available for hotel accommodations, food, and facilities provided at tourist destinations.
• The subsidies will be available from July to October 2020

I guess TAT gave up on the Thai domestic tourist.

* ref. 

Thailand Issues Stimulus Packages to Boost Domestic Tourism

July 9, 2020 Posted by ASEAN BriefingWritten by Ayman Falak Medina

[jacob29]

6 hours ago, retarius said:

Digital nomads might come for a few months, then realise that Thailand is trying to tax them, then they'll move somewhere else. 

Most other destinations require tax as well, so where are they going to move to? Ecuador? The Philippines is the only regional alternative I'm aware of, but that's an acquired taste, I don't see an exodus there.

 

Not to mention many (most?) digital nomads already pay tax somewhere, making this a non issue since it will almost certainly be covered by DTA agreements.

[wwest5829]

12 hours ago, stoner said:

this will make a guy want to buy an elite visa. 

Agree with your sarcasm but … it may well reduce the irritant resulting in numerous Expats reporting the double pricing to their friends (or on public websites) which discourages potential visitors. Like it or not, a number of cultures view this unequal treatment as patently offensive. All kinds of alternatives … I hold that Thailand has a great natural parks potential to enhance tourism … much as I have experienced in the USA. Years ago I was given a Seniors Pass that allowed myself and my Thai Wife & Stepdaughter to enter sites free on our recent US trip.

[jacko45k]

23 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I used to hate going anywhere near immigration office.

Yep, to be avoided, else they hit you with 90 day or TM30 delinquency fines!

[KhunLA]

21 hours ago, rbkk said:

Monday is sushi. Tuesday is pizza, Wednesday's vindaloo night.......I do my bit to help out.

options abound

Tuesday is Tacos

 

 

 

[Ben Zioner]

Hmmhh they'll have a lot of work to compensate for the new income tax rule. Tomorrow I am off to Penang, instead of Koh Chang. There will be more of that next year. Saving over 150k on a yearly holiday budget of about 500k.

[thaibeachlovers]

3 hours ago, Ben Zioner said:

Hmmhh they'll have a lot of work to compensate for the new income tax rule. Tomorrow I am off to Penang, instead of Koh Chang. There will be more of that next year. Saving over 150k on a yearly holiday budget of about 500k.

I take it you are not going to Penang for the beaches or the night life.

I've been there and I was not impressed. Couldn't wait to go back to Thailand.

[retarius]

I just heard TAT's new forecast for Chinese visitors......it's up to 4,000,001 today. Hooray.

[StayinThailand2much]

What "benefits? Any discounts, local pricing for sights/national parks, etc.? - Oh, I forgot, taxation of international money transfers into Thailand... Is that supposed to be a "benefit"?

[StayinThailand2much]

On 10/14/2023 at 2:59 PM, Srikcir said:

I guess TAT gave up on the Thai domestic tourist.

* ref. 

Thailand Issues Stimulus Packages to Boost Domestic Tourism

July 9, 2020 Posted by ASEAN BriefingWritten by Ayman Falak Medina

I remember discussion in the media during the early stages of the pandemic to include expats, but they must have decided not to include those "dirty falang". Instead they bet on Chinese horses in the sky...

[Felt 35]

They are well paid to say the above and then.....

[Bunny Silverhand]

These only digital nomads / remote workers that I've ever met in Thailand weren't the Marriott type more like the hostel type or, at best, the condo style. That article doesn't make much sense to me...

 

Another thing that bugs me is the visa issue. What kind of visa would those people be on ? As far as I know those guys are currently on tourist visas or ED visas...

 

I don't know it's weird.

[kinyara]

I'm sure Asean Now readers are chomping at the bit to take advantage of a price reduction to visit Thailand's national parks and historical attractions. Finally their time has arrived.

[kinyara]

On 10/14/2023 at 7:50 AM, mikebell said:

+ taxing pensions?  I am exploring Laos as a recipient of my 800,000 Thai money.

What's their policing situation like ?

[BarraMarra]

Please come back we have an Abundance of Museums, Temples, and National parks, all you need, but also remember your tourist tax at the Airport and pack your PPE Such as an armored jacket in the event you get into a Taxi in the family-orientated holiday dream destination of Pattaya. Further afield bring a Russian translation book for when you go out in the evening for a meal in the Pearl of the Andaman Phuket. Welcome to the Land of Smiles.

[brianthainess]

On 10/14/2023 at 7:10 AM, webfact said:

"We are confident in TAT’s 2024 strategy,” stated Jakob Helgen, area vice president, Marriott International – Thailand, 

nice free add for that hotel chain.

[French mate]

36 minutes ago, Bunny Silverhand said:

These only digital nomads / remote workers that I've ever met in Thailand weren't the Marriott type more like the hostel type or, at best, the condo style. That article doesn't make much sense to me...

 

Another thing that bugs me is the visa issue. What kind of visa would those people be on ? As far as I know those guys are currently on tourist visas or ED visas...

 

I don't know it's weird.

Maybie they mistake digital nomad with remote employed for a big corporate entity who could claim a smart visa? but those dont seem to be many.

I consider myself as a digital nomad, as im freelance, work 100% online and travel every year bettewen France and Thailand.
Im also married with a Thai and 50+ so i dont lack of options for my visa.
But i may be an exception.

[Cardano]

On 10/14/2023 at 9:33 AM, redwood1 said:

This I think is the first article I have ever read where the Thais were even thinking of doing anything for expats......

 

Expats have always been viewed as dirty unpleasent and barely tolerated in Thailand by the hi-so Thais.....

don't be naïve they are doing it because they've suddenly decided to like you, it's always about the money!!

[ChipButty]

Seen one temple you have seen them all, how many elephants do you wanna see? I only ever went to one NP many years ago when they tried that farang price, I have never ever been back to any other and I have done a fair bit of travelling around Thailand, 

I dont see these DN as the Marriott type from what I see here they are on ED visa and rent cheap condo's or cheap Thai bungalow's, 

Buy all their food from 7/11