Asia (Page 2,895)

Thailand may waive visa requirements for travellers from more European countries and is lining up hundreds of cultural and sporting events as it works to induce holidaymakers to stay longer and spend more, the government has said.

The government is discussing a plan to let tourists of some European nationalities stay as long as 90 days, Prommin Lertsuridej, a top aide to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, said in an interview Thursday. There will also be about 3,000 events like music concerts, marathons and other cultural festivities organised through to next year to draw tourists, he said.

Mr Srettha, who became prime minister in August, has identified tourism as a “quick win” to accelerate Thailand’s economic growth. His administration has temporarily waived visa requirements for travellers from Russia, China, Kazakhstan, India and Taiwan, and ordered airlines to add more routes while streamlining airport operations to cut waiting time for visitors. It also plans to allow nightlife entertainment venues in some areas of Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Chonburi to operate until 4am starting next month.

While Thailand has rolled back most pandemic-era curbs on visitors, average spending per traveller has lagged pre-Covid levels and missed official estimates. 

In 2019, the country saw record foreign arrivals — almost 40 million — which generated 1.91 trillion baht in revenue. That year, each tourist spent an average of 47,895 baht per trip which lasted nine days on average, according to official data. As of Nov 12 this year, Thailand has welcomed 23.2 million foreign tourists and received 981.7 billion baht in foreign tourist receipts. That means it is currently tracking about 12% below the 2019 per-trip spending benchmark.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has set a goal to raise foreign tourism revenue back to pre-Covid levels, targeting at least 2 trillion baht ($57 billion) in 2024.

Mr Srettha last week announced the “Winter Festival” celebrations that will include the Loi Krathong festival, Bangkok Marathon and New Year. The event is designed to showcase Thailand’s unique culture and attract tourists during the high season between November and January.

“We will design more attractions and promotions to incentivize tourists to stay longer,” Mr Prommin, who is secretary-general to the premier, said.  “Longer stay, more events to attract them, more fun on the nightlife scene. This is how we’re planning for tourists to spend more.”

CHIANG MAI: Thousands of tourists have flocked to the top Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest mountain, in Chom Thong district during the weekend to enjoy the fresh, cool air of the early cold season and view the sunrise.

Kriangkrai Chaipiset, chief of the Doi Inthanon National Park, said the number of tourists on Sunday morning was logged at 5,616, about 4,000 of them Thais.

The temperature was 10°C on the mountain top, 11°C at Kiew Mae Pan view-taking point and 12°C at the national park’s office, he said. The open sky with thin clouds and a cool wind offered a magnificent view of sunrise.

Mr Kriangkrai said most of the tourists arrived on Saturday to camp out, while others came early on Sunday.

Park officials were deployed to provide them with information on driving routes and safety precautions.

Tourists can now buy entrance tickets online via the QueQ application and go through the entry checkpoint by scanning the QR code. By doing this, they do not have to queue up to buy the tickets, Mr Kriangkrai said.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has extended his congratulations to Anntonia Porsild, who represented Thailand in the Miss Universe 2023 beauty contest, for being named 1st runner-up, government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said.

Miss Universe 2023, the 72nd Miss Universe pageant, was held at the José Adolfo Pineda Arena in San Salvador, El Salvador on Sunday morning (Thailand time).

Ms Anntonia was named first runner-up, the country’s first highest placement since 1988, while the Miss Universe 2023 title went to Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua.

Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said the prime minister congratulates Ms Anntonia for having done her best as Thailand’s representative and clinching the 1st runner-up title.

“Ms Anntonia has shown to the world the Thai culture, a soft power, especially the Thai traditional dress inspired by the sculpture of the Earth Goddess (Phra Mae Thoranee) originating from the Ayutthaya Period during the 14th-18th century.

“Even though Ms Anntonia was not crowned Miss Universe, her 1st runner-up title has made Thailand famous in a world-level arena. We Thai people are very proud of her,” the spokesman said.

Ms Anntonia, 27, was born to a Danish father and a Thai mother, whose family hometown is Nakhon Ratchasima. She earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in communication arts from Stamford International University in 2022.

Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios reacts after being crowned Miss Universe during the 72nd Miss Universe pageant in San Salvador, El Salvador Nov 18, 2023. REUTERS/Jose Cabezas

A panel has been set up to study the suitability of distributing tablet computers instead of notebook computers to students, according to a close aide to the education minister.

Siripong Angkhasakulkiat said Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob formed the panel to study the development of content and distribution of electronic devices.

He said the scheme will not be implemented next year due to insufficient funding but state agencies will start to develop content to suit children’s needs.

The ministry plans to allocate funds for the procurement of hardware in 2025, he said. It is also comparing tablet and notebook computers to determine which is better, he said.

Both have advantages and disadvantages, he said, adding tablet computers are portable but have shorter lifespans, whereas notebook computers offer broader utility.

“We’re studying the scheme. When considering utilisation and benefit against the cost, it is possible notebook computers will be distributed instead of tablet computers,” he said.

“A company that is contracted to supply the hardware will also be required to take care of internet connections,” he added.

He said the devices will be distributed to Mattthayom 4–6 students during a pilot phase costing 3–4 billion baht over five years. The minister will provide an update on the scheme when the study is completed, he said

The scheme, one of Pol Gen Permpoon’s policies, aims to cut parents’ expenses and reduce disparities in educational opportunity.

However, experts have reservations about the programme, saying while the devices will provide a new educational resource, they cannot guarantee children will succeed if teachers and parents lack understanding of the learning process.

Damage was found at two more hospitals in Chiang Mai province as Sakhon Nakhon Hospital remains partially closed for cracks after a 6.4-magnitude earthquake in neighbouring Myanmar on Friday, according to the public health minister.

Minister Dr Cholnan Srikaew said on Sunday that officials reported cracks at San Kamphaeng hospital in San Kamphaeng district and Chai Prakarn Hospital in Chai Prakarn district on Saturday.

The cracks did not have any structural impact, so the hospitals continued with their services, he said.

According to the minister, cracks appeared and ceiling tiles fell at San Kamphaeng Hospital. Meanwhile, many cracks were found in an old outpatient building at Chai Prakan Hospital.

Earlier, officials reported damage from the quake at 14 hospitals in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces in the North and Sakon Nakhon province in the Northeast.

Fifteen affected hospitals continued to offer services as usual and only Sakon Nakhon Hospital in Sakon Nakhon province remained partially closed pending technical examinations. 

The 6.4-magnitude quake hit Myanmar’s Shan state about 100 kilometres northwest of Chiang Rai, Thailand’s northernmost province, at 8.37am on Friday. It was felt in many provinces around the kingdom, including Bangkok.