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Living the Thai life: Kingdom rolls out red carpet for big spenders
Picture courtesy of Feel Free Travel By Bob Scott Thailand is upping the ante in its tourism game, spotlighting the allure of luxury and high-spending travellers to power up the economy post-pandemic. Known for its warm hospitality, stunning landscapes, and world-class attractions, the nation is seeing a surge in plush hotels and branded properties to cater to this elite crowd. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) set its sights on affluent tourists, primarily professionals earning over US$60,000 (2.05 million baht) annually. These big spenders splash out more than 6,000-7,000 baht daily, far surpassing the average tourist spend of 4,200 baht per day or 120,000 baht per trip. This exclusive club is largely made up of couples, families, and LGBTQ visitors. TAT’s Deputy Governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, revealed that these segments contributed a hefty 40-50% of last year’s 2 trillion baht in tourism revenue. However, while basking in success, private sector voices are urging the government to tackle infrastructure and supply chain issues to sustain the competitive edge in luxury travel. The US and South America have been identified as growing sources of luxury travellers looking for extended stays, while China, Australia, and New Zealand remain key short-haul markets, said Siripakorn. “We’re promoting Thailand as an affordable luxury destination with exclusive experiences under budget, unmatched by other hotspots.” Siripakorn also noted the impact of Michelin-approved eateries elevating the fine dining scene for luxe tourists. “Many tourists have saved for years to create magical moments in Thailand.” A focus on sustainable activities is driving luxury tourists towards responsible travel experiences, a trend gaining traction globally. To lure even more premium tourists, TAT is teaming up with US luxury travel advisor Virtuoso and discussing a chic new city guidebook with Louis Vuitton for the upscale European market. Plans are also afoot to make waves at the International Luxury Travel Mart in France. In the world of luxe retail, Central Retail Corporation Plc (CRC)’s Piyawan Leelasompop sees huge potential in Thailand’s world-class shopping centres. A boost in luxury sales, particularly from Middle Eastern shoppers, hints at Thailand’s potential as a leading luxury tourism hub. Yet, with stiff competition from Hong Kong and Singapore due to their lower import taxes, Piyawan advocates for tax cuts to woo more international tourists and keep locals shopping at home. With an ambitious target of welcoming 9 million Chinese tourists next year, a resurgence in Chinese luxury shoppers, previously top consumers before the pandemic, is on the horizon. Economic shifts, including Beijing’s push for domestic spending and anticipated US tariff hikes on Chinese goods, remain pivotal factors, says Piyawan. The luxury travel sector also finds promise in wellness offerings. Bill Barnett, Managing Director of C9 Hotelworks, noted Thailand’s wellness economy ranked 24th globally in 2022, with 22.4% of its 1.2 trillion baht market stemming from wellness tourism. Phuket, in particular, shines as a wellness beacon, offering holistic health programmes and housing international hospitals and resorts. Krabi, famous for its natural allure and upscale hotels, presents additional opportunities to attract luxury guests. Chamnan Srisawat, President of the Tourism Council of Thailand, is investing in a cutting-edge wellness centre in Krabi and planning to expand his fleet of boats for premium tourist services. Despite these sunny prospects, challenges loom. Siripakorn highlights the need for stronger tourism infrastructure, including enhanced safety, cleanliness, and language skills among workers. Chamnan echoes this, noting that while private operators are raring to deliver luxury, public amenities often lag behind. Taking cues from Japan’s impeccably designed facilities and stellar service could be the golden key to boosting Thailand’s pull with the luxury set. Source: The Thaiger -- 2024-12-16 -
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Brits, hope may be on the way: Musk!
I doubt very much that fear of a police raid figured highly in the reasons for voting among the 800 or so people who voted in the recent St. Helens council by-election. I also doubt that worrying about a possible police raid is particularly high on the list of 'Things to Fear' for the overwhelming majority of the +/-70m people who live in the UK. -
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Who is "doomed"?
Ukraine has its own language, and alphabet. This is what the average Ukrainian thinks of Russia: -
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Introduction to Personal Income Tax in Thailand
All forms of income are regarded as assessable for tax in Thailand, unless your DTA excludes them. The UK DTA only excludes 'Civil Service' pensions as exempt taxation, not State, private or company pensions. I wouldn't worry too much, I did my own calculations based on UK state and 2 private pensions, and no tax is due in Thailand. The PITA is that I still have to complete a PND 60 and submit it, to be informed of what I already know. The best DTA I've come across is Ireland's, which exempts all pension types as 'exempt' from taxation. -
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Motorcycle Thai driver’s license renewal question
Can affirm, not required. Though it is required for renewing the five year but wasn’t enforced on my last go-around. Don’t forget photocopies of the pp. -
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Fortuner drivers - your thoughts on the car, and is the GR Sport trim worth it?
As the title suggests, looking to buy a Fortuner. I'm deciding between the 2.8 Legender 4WD top trim, or the GR Sport. The difference between the two is only $60k baht (GR Sport more expensive). From what I researched the difference between the two trims is that GR Sport has: - GR logo on seats (lol) - 10% more power and torque - paddle shift These trims cost almost $2M baht, that's not pocket change for me, and I want a reliable car that lasts me 10+ years. I suspect that the GR Sport tuned engine is less reliable, as it is tuned for more performance. But then again, it's factory tuning by Toyota... The paddle shift and the logo I don't care about. Any thoughts on this decision + thoughts in general about Fortuner cars from drivers? And if you don't like Fortuner, what other 7 seater 4WD would you recommend up to $2M baht? -
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Thailand Targets Tougher Alcohol Laws to Align with Global Norms
I am happy that my youngest is now six and can carry home four large beers for daddy from the mom-and-pop shop. For the previous couple of years, he would struggle with four cans. The way I see it, I am making up for the Thai school system being unable to include PE classes or any real physical exercise in their curriculums. -
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Thailand Targets Tougher Alcohol Laws to Align with Global Norms
Hardly surprising is it? When you fail to remove the licences of those who are caught drink driving, when you fail to check if someone actually has a licence, what do you expect? Even under the new points system (what happened to that by the way?), drink drivers are not banned from driving until, I believe, they are caught for a third time! Even that, would depend upon any previous offences actually being recorded. Let's pretend for a moment that those caught under the influence DO have their licences removed for a period. If they are stopped whilst under such a ban, all they have to do is claim they left their licence at home (as the thousands that have never held a licence do). The 'punishment' for such 'forgetfulness' is usually around 200 baht, none of which goes any further than the roadside and there is no requirement to produce a licence at a police station later. Yet again, another seasonal load of 'talk' by the great and the good, ostensibly aimed at making the country's roads safer but as usual, the carnage will go ahead over the holiday period as it does every year without fail. People who are incapable of even walking will get behind the wheels of their cars or climb aboard their motorbikes and drive. Innocent people will be killed and maimed but by February, it will all be forgotten, the killing will return to its usual, more 'acceptable' level and the 'talk' will end only to be resurrected in December 2025. There will of course be the usual late night checkpoints - the ones that everybody knows the location of and therefore avoids. A few forgetful drivers and non locals will be caught and the RTP will declare their operations to be a success. The hospital and mortuary figures will tell a different story. You can write next year's posts on the matter right now, just copy and paste - it will be much the same as this one. I've been reading this rubbish for 22 years.
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