BANGKOK (NNT) – The government has joined hands with the popular messaging app LINE to launch a disaster notification service. This feature will allow more people to receive emergency alerts in a time
US travel agents ‘Feel Thailand with Delta Air Lines and Korean Air’ fam trip
Bangkok, 3 November, 2022 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is organising the ‘Feel Thailand with Delta Air Lines and Korean Air’ one-of-a-kind mega fam trip for US travel agents from 1-9 November, 2022, to drive demand for meaningful travel experiences in Ayutthaya, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket and promote accessibility for tourists from across the US.
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said “As the winter season begins in countries like the US, now is the perfect time to rediscover the wonders of Thailand. And now that Thailand is fully open to travellers, we want to showcase the new and perennial offerings of our country that serve to create a truly unforgettable holiday. This trip also forms part of our plans to stimulate travel from across all 50 US states to Thailand, and ultimately helping us reach a tourism revenue target of 1.5 trillion Baht in 2023 from international market.”
TAT’s ‘Feel Thailand with Delta Air Lines and Korean Air’ mega fam trip brings together 50 travel agents from around the US to experience Thailand’s new tourism offerings. The nine-day trip includes meaningful travel programmes in Ayutthaya, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. The itinerary places emphasis on providing the travel agents the chance to discover the latest tourism products, learn about sustainable and responsible tourism practices, and meet with Thai sellers in table top sales events.
Through the fam trip, TAT is leveraging multiple strategies to promote travel to Thailand during the coming months of the high season, which started in October. These include the full reopening of Thailand to international tourism, an increased length of stay for tourists, and providing US travellers with easy access to Thailand from all 50 US states.
TAT is joining forces with Delta Air Lines and Korean Air in a first-of-its-kind partnership that will increase travel options from the US to Thailand. First launched in 2018, the Delta-Korean Air trans Pacific joint venture offers efficient connections to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket from a combined network of 17 US gateways.
Mr. Akinori Yokosawa, Manager of International Specialty Sales, Delta Air Lines, said “By utilising our increasing flight network from across the US, this cooperation will pave the way for ongoing mutual partnership with TAT to promote travel to Thailand. In addition, Delta Air Lines is committed to carbon neutrality, being the first carbon neutral airline on a global basis. And so, we share the common goal of truly responsible tourism with TAT in its plans to drive Thailand towards experience-based and sustainable tourism.”
Mr. Jongmin Kim, Sales Director for Thailand, Korean Air, said “The cooperation with Delta Air Lines and TAT will help promote accessibility for tourists from across the US to Thailand on board our flights with excellent service.”
Since 1 October, 2022, visitors to Thailand no longer need to show proof of vaccination or ATK test results. And from now until 31 March, 2023, the period of stay is extended to 45 days from 30 days for tourists from countries/territories entitled for visa exemption (this includes America) and to 30 days from 15 days for those eligible for a visa on arrival (VOA).
The US is one of Thailand’s major visitor source markets, and US travellers typically have a high level of spending per person while in Thailand. The revitalisation of this and other such key markets is a top priority for TAT, as it aims to maximise revenue while promoting Thailand’s move towards more sustainable, more inclusive, and more environment-friendly tourism.
For 2022, TAT expects Thailand to welcome up to 10 million international visitors. Now in the high season, the kingdom has already received over 7 million tourists between 1 January and 26 October, 2022. The target for 2023 is for Thailand to generate a total tourism revenue of 1.5 trillion Baht from the international market.
TAT’s ‘Feel Thailand with Delta Air Lines and Korean Air’ mega fam trip is also supported by Thailand’s leading airlines and hotels, including Bangkok Airways, AWC’s affiliated hotels, RatiLanna Riverside Spa Resort Chiang Mai, Capella Bangkok, Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at the Chao Phraya River, COMO Point Yamu, The Peninsula Bangkok, and Melia Chiang Mai. Meanwhile, Marriot Marquis Queen’s Park, Bangkok, Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town, and RatiLanna Riverside Spa Resort Chiang Mai are venues for the table top sales events.
The post <strong>US travel agents ‘Feel Thailand with Delta Air Lines and Korean Air’ fam trip</strong> appeared first on TAT Newsroom.
Youths Invited to Bangkok Science Fairs
BANGKOK (NNT) – The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation is inviting young people to two science and technology fairs currently taking place in Bangkok while encouraging them
SET 2022: KCE Pitharn Ongkosit wins Best CEO award
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) announced winners of the prestigious SET Awards 2022.
The Best CEO Awards of SET-listed companies was presented to Pitharn Ongkosit, President and Chief Executive Officer of KCE Electronics pcl (KCE); the Best CEO Awards of mai-listed companies was granted to Boonsak Kiatjaroonlert, Chief Executive Officer of Kumwell Corporation pcl (KUMWEL); and Young Rising Star CEO Awards was bestowed to Tritecha Tangmatitham, Managing Director of Supalai pcl (SPALI). Kiatnakin Phatra Securities pcl (KKPS) earned SET Award of Honor for the second consecutive year in recognition of its consistent excellence in providing services to institutional investors.
Furthermore, 47 listed companies received Sustainability Excellence Awards to recognize their exemplary role models, and nine of them received Sustainability Awards of Honor for maintaining their excellence in this field for the third year in a row.
The nine companies were Banpu pcl (BANPU), Bangchak Corporation pcl (BCP), IRPC pcl (IRPC), PTT pcl (PTT), PTT Exploration and Production pcl (PTTEP), PTT Global Chemical pcl (PTTGC), Somboon Advance Technology pcl (SAT), The Siam Cement pcl (SCC) and Thai Oil pcl (TOP).
This year’s Business Excellence Awards were given to 37 companies, including 21 SET-listed companies, six mai-listed companies, six securities firms (including a financial advisory firm), three asset management firms, and one real estate investment trust (REIT).
Furthermore, KKPS won SET Award of Honor for the second time in recognition of the consistent excellence in providing services to institutional investors during 2019-2022. For Sustainability Excellence Awards, there were 47 recipients this year. Three companies received Best Sustainability Awards, nine earned Highly Commended Sustainability Awards, 10 won Commended Sustainability Awards, and 16 were given Rising Star Sustainability Awards.
Thai tourism end-of-year target raised to 10 million
Thailand’s tourism scene is continually being reinvigorated, with the tally of foreign arrivals having now exceeded 4 million for the year according to Thai News agency NNT.
Relevant agencies are now considering tourism promotion measures that would attract travelers to the Kingdom for the rest of the year. The current target is to realize 10 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2022.
End-of-year target raised to 10 million
Prime Minister’s Office Spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri said more than 4 million foreign tourists have entered Thailand this year. This figure is expected to rise to 4.5 million within this month, rising the end-of-year government target for the arrival of foreign tourists to 10 million.
The top 5 origin countries of tourists entering Thailand are, in respective order, Malaysia, India, Laos, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
Visa extensions to start from October
To stimulate tourism, on August 19th, 2022, the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) allowed foreign tourists to extend their stays, to encourage travel and to increase their spending.
Effective October 1st, 2022 to March 31st, 2023, the period of stay for nationals of countries exempted from a visa requirement is extended from 30 to 45 days. The stay for those who apply for visa on arrival is extended from 15 to 30 days.
Jellyfish warning: First Aid treatment for jellyfish stings
Bangkok, 29 October, 2022 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to advise tourists to be extra careful when swimming or snorkelling in Thai waters due to this being the season of venomous jellyfish, and not to take any risks by entering water where signs have been posted.
Measures are being taken in all of Thailand’s beach resorts to keep swimmers safe. Signs warning of the dangers of jellyfish have been erected and First Aid stations have been set up to deal with any person who might have been stung.
Where possible, nets have been put in place at Thailand’s beaches to protect against jellyfish (it should be noted however that for geographical reasons, not all beaches are able to have these), and tourists are advised to follow the advice of lifeguards or tourism-related operators in the area.
The danger posed by toxic jellyfish should not be underestimated. Jellyfish venom affects the main systems of the body; namely, the cardiovascular system. A sting with enough poison can cause the heart to stop beating in 2-5 minutes, and the skin can be burned or scarred around a wound.
Here is what to do, and what not to do, in the case of a jellyfish sting:
Do’s and Don’ts
- Always keep a look out for jellyfish warning signs that may be posted at a beach.
- Keep looking all around you when in the water and try to swim with a partner. A sting can often immobilise a person making it difficult to swim back to shore alone.
- To help prevent against jellyfish stings when swimming, wear a lycra suit or a long-sleeved shirt and pants that cover all skin surfaces.
- Beware of seemingly dead jellyfish on the beach. If they were recently beached, they can still sting.
- Do not swim if there are warning signs and always make sure of the location of the nearest First Aid centre before swimming.
- Do not swim in the sea after rain, at night, or outside of the jellyfish buoys.
First Aid steps for a suspected case of toxic jellyfish
In the case of a sting or accidental contact with a toxic jellyfish, stay calm and try to remember to take these steps:
- Bring the injured person out of the sea to a safe place and immediately call an ambulance (nationwide emergency assistance hotline Tel. 1669). Do not leave the person unattended. Notify any authorities in the area.
- Calm the person down and make him/her remain still to prevent further spread of any toxin and do not rub the wound.
- Pour vinegar continuously over the wound for at least 30 seconds, which will initially help in most cases. Do not use fresh/plain water on the wound, and do not rub sand on the wound. Hotels, beach restaurants, and diving outfits around Thailand have been ordered to keep bottles of vinegar easily accessible as part of their First Aid preparation. *It is a good idea to carry a bottle of vinegar with you.*
- Observe the injured person for 45 minutes and watch for at least one of these signs/symptoms:
- Severe pain on the wound, back, trunk, or head.
- Restlessness or confusion.
- Sweating, chills, nausea, or vomiting.
- Palpitations, chest pain, or chest tightness.
- Breathing difficulty, rapid breathing, or panting.
- Pale face or bluish or purplish discolouration of the hands or feet.
- If the injured person is unconscious, perform CPR before pouring vinegar continuously over the wound for at least 30 seconds. Continue pumping the heart until the injured person improves or the ambulance arrives.
- Do seek medical care if experiencing any ongoing symptoms.
While it is extremely rare for swimmers and divers in Thailand to be stung by jellyfish, we do ask that everyone planning to swim or dive, particularly in the Southern Region of the country, to be aware that there may be jellyfish present.
Several species of jellyfish, mostly harmless, can be found seasonally in Thailand – usually between July to December and November to April. However, Box Jellyfish are sometimes found off the beaches of Ko Lanta and Hat Nopparatthara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Marine Park off Krabi province, Nam Bo Bay in Phuket province, and often off Hua Hin and Cha-am Beaches in Phetchaburi province, as well as Ko Tao in Chumphon province, Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan in Surat Thani province, and Ko Mak and Ko Kut in Trat province.
The post Jellyfish warning: First Aid treatment for jellyfish stings appeared first on TAT Newsroom.
Finance Ministry lowers 2022 growth forecast to 3.4%
The Finance Ministry cut its 2022 economic growth forecast to 3.4% from 3.5% previously, citing a recovery in private consumption and the vital tourism sector as the main drivers.
According to the ministry, economic growth will be 3.8% higher next year. The tourism-dependent country is expected to receive 10.3 million foreign visitors this year, up from the 8 million predicted three months ago, according to the ministry, which added that a weak baht was helping the tourism sector.
Exports, another key driver of Thai growth, are expected to rise 8.1% this year, up from 7.7% previously predicted.
The Thai economy is expected to grow by 4% next year, with more foreign currencies flowing into the country, according to a NNT report, as Thailand is expecting 8 million to 10 million foreign tourists this year according to Finance Ministry.
The Ministry of Finance is preparing to roll out a new set of economic stimuli before the end of this year, in line with the government’s tradition to introduce the so-called gift packages for the general public.
Read also Finance Ministry economic projections target 3.0 to 3.5% GDP growth – Thai News
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Why is Thailand’s economy stuck in the middle-income trap?
Southeast Asia’s second largest and once one of its most dynamic economies is struggling under the weight of an ageing population, a deteriorating education system and low yield rice farming. Thailand looks trapped as a middle-income country, unable to get rich, and stuck between a younger, dynamic Vietnam and larger Indonesia.
Getting out of its economic rut won’t be easy, but investment in education and higher quality human capital and agricultural and governance reform should be priorities.
Thailand has the lowest fertility rate in Southeast Asia, bar Singapore. Its demographics are arguably more worrisome than those of South Korea, which has a fertility rate close to 0.8. Between 2000 and 2021, South Korea’s population aged 20–24 declined by 15 per cent. In Thailand, that number fell by 20 per cent, moderately better than the 27 per cent decline in Japan.
But Japan and South Korea generate over four times the per capita GDP of Thailand, and they have more resources to support ageing citizens and attract skilled immigrants to reinforce greying workforces.
As in many other countries, COVID-19 exacerbated Thailand’s ageing. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of Thai infants declined by 8 per cent. Middle and working-class households, stressed by growing debt, inflation and poor employment prospects, are hardly eager to have more children. During the pandemic, Thai household debt soared to 90 per cent of GDP.
In the 2000s, Thailand outperformed its regional peers across many education metrics. Nearly all age-eligible children attended primary school and a high proportion of young people entered junior secondary school. Most Thai workers in 2006 had a primary school education at best. By 2019 most had some post-primary education.
