The departing Austrian ambassador has asked Thailand to increase the number of direct flights between the two countries to boost tourism.
The issue was raised during a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs General Tanasak Patimaprakorn and Austrian Ambassador Enno Drofenik at Government House on Friday.
Drofenik made a courtesy call on Tanasak to say goodbye on completion of his tenure in Bangkok.
The ambassador said around 100,000 Austrians visit Thailand a year but there is only one airline flying direct to and from Bangkok and Vienna, with only four flights a week.
He asked the Thai government to consider opening another direct route to accommodate more Austrian travellers.
Tanasak, meanwhile, praised Austria for providing quality education to its citizens while expressing his willingness on behalf of the Thai government to work with Austria on enhancing the Thai education system.
He told Drofenik that the Thai government was revising certain regulations to enable foreign institutions to offer vocational courses in Thailand.
Thailand Visa Application
Citizens of Austria
Citizens of Austria are permitted to stay in Thailand up to 30 days if entering via international airport and up to 15 days if entering through a land border checkpoint from a neighboring country (Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia) under the Visa Exemption Rule.
Please note that you must be in possession of the following if you wish to visit Thailand:
A valid passport.
You will need a passport valid for at least 6 months following your departure date. It is also recommended that your valid passport have at least 2 remaining unused pages for any necessary entry and exit stamps that may be issued.
A confirmed travel itinerary
Proof of accommodation and funds of at least THB 10,000 per person and THB 20,000 per family.
If intending to work or stay in Thailand beyond the allowed specified period of stay, you must apply for the proper visa (following the purpose or intention of your stay) before entry into Thailand in order to submit your application and other documents to the appropriate offices or agencies in your home country or the country where you stay.
Siam Legal International offers service on the following types of visa to citizens of Austria:
Non-Immigrant Visa to Thailand
This visa is issued to applicants who wish to enter the Kingdom for the purpose of study (ED), conducting business (B), family visit (O), and performing official duties (F), religious works (R) and other activities.
This visa is single-entry, valid for 90 days and the applicant is permitted to stay up to 90 days. Obtaining a work permit and opening a bank account is possible.
1-Year Non-Immigrant Visa
This is often a multiple-entry visa which is valid for use for a period of 1 year stay in Thailand. This type of visa permits the holder a stay of 90 days per entry, which means you need to do a border-run every 90 days at a Thai Immigration Office or get an exit and entry stamp at the immigration checkpoint (visa run).
Obtaining a work permit, opening a bank account and 1 year long stay extension in Thailand is possible.
Thailand Business Visa
This visa is issued to applicants who wish to enter Thailand for the purpose of working and conducting business (B).
This visa is valid for 1 year and grants holder a stay of up to 90 days per entry. You can get a work permit, open a bank account and apply for extension in Thailand.
Thailand Marriage Visa
This visa is issued to applicants who wish to stay in Thailand and live with their Thai spouse. The holder of this visa is permitted to stay up to 1 year, and granted permission to open a bank account and obtain a work permit.
The Thai marriage visa is renewable every year in Thailand.
Thailand Retirement Visa
This visa is issued to applicants who are 50 years of age or over who wish to retire in Thailand without the intention of working.
This visa grants holder a stay of up to 1 year and is renewable every year in Thailand.
Tourism, Travel, Hospitality, Conservation: News,Stories And Experiences From Allover The World
Showing posts with label Thailand Tourism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thailand Tourism. Show all posts
Saturday, 20 May 2017
Friday, 28 April 2017
THAILAND: Intoxicated British Tourist Drowns At Patong Beach In Phuket
Scott Townsend, 37, from Douglas in the Isle of Man, was reportedly seen “intoxicated” walking on Patong Beach in Phuket, Thailand, last Friday at 8am local time.
A British tourist has drowned on a Thai holiday island after walking into the sea a day before he was set to fly home, police have revealed.
Locals fearing for his safety urged him not to go into the water and told him to return to his hotel.
But he reportedly ignored their advice and stayed on the beach before later being seen disappearing beneath the water.
Rescuers and police were called at 10am and spent 20 minutes searching for him before pulling his body from the sea some 10 to 15 metres from the shore.
Police said that witnesses described Mr Townsend as being drunk and that he was due to fly back to his home on the Isle of Man the next day.
Devastated friends and colleagues have paid tribute to him on social media.
Devastating news. So tragic. Another absolutely smashing lad taken far too soon,” one friend wrote.
Another added that they were absolutely gutted to hear this news.
“Scott Townsend was a great friend,” they wrote.
The Kusoldharm Foundation, a rescue group, said they helped to retrieve the body with lifeguards but Mr Townsend was already dead.
“The victim’s body was near the shore but he had drowned. We tried to save him but it was too late,” a spokesman said.
“CPR was attempted before the victim arrived at hospital. Doctors confirmed he had died.’’
Capt Yingyong from Patong Police Station said that onlookers who had seen Mr Townsend before he entered the water believed he was “an intoxicated person.”
He said that the hospital had confirmed the death as drowning. Relatives in Scotland have been informed.
The Foreign Office released a statement saying it was “assisting the family of a British man who sadly died in Patong, Thailand.”
A British tourist has drowned on a Thai holiday island after walking into the sea a day before he was set to fly home, police have revealed.
Locals fearing for his safety urged him not to go into the water and told him to return to his hotel.
But he reportedly ignored their advice and stayed on the beach before later being seen disappearing beneath the water.
Rescuers and police were called at 10am and spent 20 minutes searching for him before pulling his body from the sea some 10 to 15 metres from the shore.
Police said that witnesses described Mr Townsend as being drunk and that he was due to fly back to his home on the Isle of Man the next day.
Devastated friends and colleagues have paid tribute to him on social media.
Devastating news. So tragic. Another absolutely smashing lad taken far too soon,” one friend wrote.
Another added that they were absolutely gutted to hear this news.
“Scott Townsend was a great friend,” they wrote.
The Kusoldharm Foundation, a rescue group, said they helped to retrieve the body with lifeguards but Mr Townsend was already dead.
“The victim’s body was near the shore but he had drowned. We tried to save him but it was too late,” a spokesman said.
“CPR was attempted before the victim arrived at hospital. Doctors confirmed he had died.’’
Capt Yingyong from Patong Police Station said that onlookers who had seen Mr Townsend before he entered the water believed he was “an intoxicated person.”
He said that the hospital had confirmed the death as drowning. Relatives in Scotland have been informed.
The Foreign Office released a statement saying it was “assisting the family of a British man who sadly died in Patong, Thailand.”
Tuesday, 25 April 2017
THAILAND: New Opportunities For Thailand Tourism
New Opportunities” is one of 12 key topics for discussion at the 2017 WTTC (World Travel and Tourism Council) Global Summit, which will take place in Bangkok for two days beginning on Wednesday.
Hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the summit is billed as the most influential travel and tourism event of the year, and it brings together hundreds of leaders from public-sector organisations and private companies to discuss the most important issues in the tourism sector.
Thailand has always been smart when it comes to meeting the needs of visitors, from the 1960s when the tourism industry in the Kingdom was taking off to the present day.
The sector is now one of the strongest pillars of the Thai economy, contributing Bt1.46 trillion to gross domestic product in 2015, which was twice the combined value of the country’s second- and third-largest export items.
In the same year, tourism generated 11.3 million employment opportunities, and it is forecast to account for almost 14 million jobs in 2017. Thailand’s ability to harness its huge attributes for marketing purposes has made it the envy of many.
The millions of visitors who come here each year are dazzled by the beauty of Thailand’s landscapes, the depth of our culture and cuisine, and the warmth and hospitality of our greatest asset: the Thai people.
Yet while these factors will always be integral to our marketing strategies, the TAT is aware of the need to get even smarter to meet the changing requirements of the digital age while capitalising on the core qualities of our country.
Our long-term goal is to move the industry from offering “value for money” to “value for experience”. We will focus on creating valuable and memorable experiences for quality tourists by creating valuable tourism products and upgrading product standards. This will mean greater emphasis on promoting creative tourism through Thai culture, experiences and way of life.
It is therefore paramount that we ensure that digital innovation is central to our efforts, consistent with the “Thailand 4.0” strategy that gears towards a value-based economy, incorporating smart devices, Internet of Things technology and creativity, as well as culture and high-value services.
Digital technology has revolutionized global tourism. Around the world, people are using their smartphones to do everything from paying for services and booking restaurants to seeking directions to tourism attractions and searching for hotels. Meanwhile, industries rooted in the sharing economy, such as Airbnb, Uber and Grab, have altered the previous rules of the game.
When you consider these and other advances, such as the proliferation of social-media networks and Internet platforms, the need for nimble thinking and coherent digital strategies has never been clearer.
I am proud to say that Thailand has established itself as a regional leader in efforts to deploy smart ways of marketing its tourism products.
Our new-look websites feature a responsive design that reflects our intention to offer all the information and functionality required by travellers who wish to plan a trip to Thailand, or to learn the latest news and updates on our travel and hospitality industry.
Each year, the official portal (tourismthailand.org) receives hundreds of millions of views, while social-media outreach, which includes Facebook and Twitter among others, is also widely checked.
Additionally, we have earned widespread praise for digital initiatives, such as our global marketing campaign to promote volunteer tourism, which was one of the winners of the first Digital Innovation Asia Awards in 2013.
Despite these successes, we are acutely aware of the need to keep pace with the almost daily advances in digital technology and the way that users interact with it. We are living in a time of rapid, unprecedented change, and it is vital that we keep ourselves ahead of this dynamic curve.
A recent study by online payment provider PayPal found that 29 per cent of travel businesses in the Kingdom had no mobile presence. With smartphone ownership in Thailand expected to reach 100 per cent within four years, we will continue to emphasise the benefits of digital thinking to businesses.
We must be fully aware of how technology has affected tourists’ behaviour and exploited it for marketing purposes. Few tourists now carry guidebooks, as everything is accessible from their mobile phones.
The emergence of sharing industries has totally changed the tourism landscape around the world. These and other developments are fundamental shifts that highlight the need for us to stay cognisant of technological changes that affect the behaviour of visitors. As travellers evolve, so must we.
Today’s digital traveller demands simplicity, convenience and trust like never before. By continuing to harness digital technology to meet these fluid requirements we can ensure a future for Thailand’s tourism industry that is not only bright, but smart as well.
Hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the summit is billed as the most influential travel and tourism event of the year, and it brings together hundreds of leaders from public-sector organisations and private companies to discuss the most important issues in the tourism sector.
Thailand has always been smart when it comes to meeting the needs of visitors, from the 1960s when the tourism industry in the Kingdom was taking off to the present day.
The sector is now one of the strongest pillars of the Thai economy, contributing Bt1.46 trillion to gross domestic product in 2015, which was twice the combined value of the country’s second- and third-largest export items.
In the same year, tourism generated 11.3 million employment opportunities, and it is forecast to account for almost 14 million jobs in 2017. Thailand’s ability to harness its huge attributes for marketing purposes has made it the envy of many.
The millions of visitors who come here each year are dazzled by the beauty of Thailand’s landscapes, the depth of our culture and cuisine, and the warmth and hospitality of our greatest asset: the Thai people.
Yet while these factors will always be integral to our marketing strategies, the TAT is aware of the need to get even smarter to meet the changing requirements of the digital age while capitalising on the core qualities of our country.
Our long-term goal is to move the industry from offering “value for money” to “value for experience”. We will focus on creating valuable and memorable experiences for quality tourists by creating valuable tourism products and upgrading product standards. This will mean greater emphasis on promoting creative tourism through Thai culture, experiences and way of life.
It is therefore paramount that we ensure that digital innovation is central to our efforts, consistent with the “Thailand 4.0” strategy that gears towards a value-based economy, incorporating smart devices, Internet of Things technology and creativity, as well as culture and high-value services.
Digital technology has revolutionized global tourism. Around the world, people are using their smartphones to do everything from paying for services and booking restaurants to seeking directions to tourism attractions and searching for hotels. Meanwhile, industries rooted in the sharing economy, such as Airbnb, Uber and Grab, have altered the previous rules of the game.
When you consider these and other advances, such as the proliferation of social-media networks and Internet platforms, the need for nimble thinking and coherent digital strategies has never been clearer.
I am proud to say that Thailand has established itself as a regional leader in efforts to deploy smart ways of marketing its tourism products.
Our new-look websites feature a responsive design that reflects our intention to offer all the information and functionality required by travellers who wish to plan a trip to Thailand, or to learn the latest news and updates on our travel and hospitality industry.
Each year, the official portal (tourismthailand.org) receives hundreds of millions of views, while social-media outreach, which includes Facebook and Twitter among others, is also widely checked.
Additionally, we have earned widespread praise for digital initiatives, such as our global marketing campaign to promote volunteer tourism, which was one of the winners of the first Digital Innovation Asia Awards in 2013.
Despite these successes, we are acutely aware of the need to keep pace with the almost daily advances in digital technology and the way that users interact with it. We are living in a time of rapid, unprecedented change, and it is vital that we keep ourselves ahead of this dynamic curve.
A recent study by online payment provider PayPal found that 29 per cent of travel businesses in the Kingdom had no mobile presence. With smartphone ownership in Thailand expected to reach 100 per cent within four years, we will continue to emphasise the benefits of digital thinking to businesses.
We must be fully aware of how technology has affected tourists’ behaviour and exploited it for marketing purposes. Few tourists now carry guidebooks, as everything is accessible from their mobile phones.
The emergence of sharing industries has totally changed the tourism landscape around the world. These and other developments are fundamental shifts that highlight the need for us to stay cognisant of technological changes that affect the behaviour of visitors. As travellers evolve, so must we.
Today’s digital traveller demands simplicity, convenience and trust like never before. By continuing to harness digital technology to meet these fluid requirements we can ensure a future for Thailand’s tourism industry that is not only bright, but smart as well.
Tuesday, 29 November 2016
THAILAND: Tourism Tax Deduction
The cabinet just approved tax measures to support domestic tourism during the last month of 2016. They have said that up to THB15,000 spent on domestic tourism per person this year can be used as a deduction from taxable income.
Adviser to the Minister of Commerce Nuttaporn Jatusripitak explained that the cabinet approved tourism tax exemptions of up to THB15,000. The measure was taken in light of state assistance to other sectors as well as in acknowledgement of the “high season” of increased domestic tourism, which starts in December.
Nuttaporn pointed out that Thailand’s tourism sector was somewhat depressed and the Commerce Ministry suggested tax waivers to spur spending and travel. The incentives will last from December 1 to 31 and will allow for personal tax exemptions for tourism of up to THB15,000.
Combined with other previously approved measures, citizens now can potentially receive tax deductions of up to THB30,000 for engaging in domestic tourism, since the previously announced THB15,000 tax deduction meant to spur end-of-year shopping can be applied to some travel-related expenses such as a new travel wardrobe, awesome camera or lobster by the seaside.
Adviser to the Minister of Commerce Nuttaporn Jatusripitak explained that the cabinet approved tourism tax exemptions of up to THB15,000. The measure was taken in light of state assistance to other sectors as well as in acknowledgement of the “high season” of increased domestic tourism, which starts in December.
Nuttaporn pointed out that Thailand’s tourism sector was somewhat depressed and the Commerce Ministry suggested tax waivers to spur spending and travel. The incentives will last from December 1 to 31 and will allow for personal tax exemptions for tourism of up to THB15,000.
Combined with other previously approved measures, citizens now can potentially receive tax deductions of up to THB30,000 for engaging in domestic tourism, since the previously announced THB15,000 tax deduction meant to spur end-of-year shopping can be applied to some travel-related expenses such as a new travel wardrobe, awesome camera or lobster by the seaside.
Friday, 23 October 2015
THAILAND: Teflon Tourism,Thais Forecast Increased Visitors Despite Deadly Bombing
Asian tourists takes a "selfie" in front of the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015. A deadly bombing in August threatened to scuttle Thailand’s economically crucial tourism industry but officials are now forecasting more than 30 million visitors this year as arrivals from China swell.
A deadly bombing in August threatened to scuttle Thailand's economically crucial tourism industry but officials are now forecasting more than 30 million visitors this year as arrivals from China swell.
The bounce back reinforces the teflon reputation of Thai tourism, which has thrived over the past decade despite two coups, episodes of deadly street fighting, airport occupations and natural disasters.
Thailand's tourism council is forecasting a record 30.3 million visitors this year, an increase of 22 percent from last year. Chinese tourists are expected to total 8.1 million, rising by three quarters from 2014.
Only a small number of countries attract more than 30 million tourists a year, among them France, China, the United States, Spain and Turkey. Thailand was aiming for 28.8 million tourists this year.
The tourism council president Ittirit Kinglek said this week the Aug. 17 bombing at a shrine in downtown Bangkok that killed 20 people, many of them foreign visitors, did "not significantly affect" the industry overall.
Tour operators say Thailand's resilience reflects the variety it offers from high-end shopping in busy Bangkok to idyllic beaches in the south and laid back small cities in the north.
Thailand has also cultivated a reputation for friendliness and value that is particularly appealing in countries such as China, which has only recently reached income levels high enough for large numbers of people to travel abroad on holidays.
"I feel like a real rich person there, and a lot of good food, best service," said Liang Jing, a designer based in Shanghai. "I feel safe. No war, no anti-China stuff. A great country, I will definitely go there again," she said.
A deadly bombing in August threatened to scuttle Thailand's economically crucial tourism industry but officials are now forecasting more than 30 million visitors this year as arrivals from China swell.
The bounce back reinforces the teflon reputation of Thai tourism, which has thrived over the past decade despite two coups, episodes of deadly street fighting, airport occupations and natural disasters.
Thailand's tourism council is forecasting a record 30.3 million visitors this year, an increase of 22 percent from last year. Chinese tourists are expected to total 8.1 million, rising by three quarters from 2014.
Only a small number of countries attract more than 30 million tourists a year, among them France, China, the United States, Spain and Turkey. Thailand was aiming for 28.8 million tourists this year.
The tourism council president Ittirit Kinglek said this week the Aug. 17 bombing at a shrine in downtown Bangkok that killed 20 people, many of them foreign visitors, did "not significantly affect" the industry overall.
Tour operators say Thailand's resilience reflects the variety it offers from high-end shopping in busy Bangkok to idyllic beaches in the south and laid back small cities in the north.
Thailand has also cultivated a reputation for friendliness and value that is particularly appealing in countries such as China, which has only recently reached income levels high enough for large numbers of people to travel abroad on holidays.
"I feel like a real rich person there, and a lot of good food, best service," said Liang Jing, a designer based in Shanghai. "I feel safe. No war, no anti-China stuff. A great country, I will definitely go there again," she said.
Sunday, 18 October 2015
THAILAND: Aggressive Behavior Tarnishes Phuket Tourism
There have been a number of incidents in recent times that will negatively impact how safe visitors feel here; namely the latest tourist bashing by bouncers in Patong and the riot at Thalang Police Station.
Though controversial, the riot should not really have much impact on tourism as it was far from the main tourist areas and was easily avoidable by those who needed to pass through the area at the time.
However, incidents involving nightclub bouncers in tourist areas are a different story, and could have negative repercussions, especially in Patong, where such force and aggression happens in plain view, for all tourists to see.
Bouncers and security guards are supposed to be making guests feel safe. Those who do not follow the club’s rules should first be warned of their behaviour and if they continue to act inappropriately, should then be evicted, but in a tactful manner.
This appears to be where the problem arises. Unfortunately, in some bouncers’ eyes, using relentless force and aggression is seen as appropriate and tactful.
What these bouncers, along with club owners, management and especially the Patong Entertainment Association should realise is that bouncers are also responsible for upholding the image of the club.
As “keepers of the peace” they should be patient and tactful and not hired simply because they look bad or are able to intimidate.
In the UK it is only possible to hire bouncers who have proper training and skills. In fact, they must hold a valid license from the Security Industry Authority, have valid references and no criminal history.
In Thailand, the criteria for hiring bouncers is apparently much less stringent; unlike in the UK, a police background check is not required and it is simply down to the business operator to conduct their own checks.
Whether this is actually done is anyone’s guess. However, having seen the footage of the latest attack, and considering previous similar incidents in Patong, one has to seriously wonder.
Perhaps it’s too far of a cry to expect Thailand to change its laws and requirements for screening bouncers any time soon, but one thing has become clear at this point: Patong’s entertainment venues – and all businesses for that matter – need to carefully consider who they allow to represent their image to the world.
Though controversial, the riot should not really have much impact on tourism as it was far from the main tourist areas and was easily avoidable by those who needed to pass through the area at the time.
However, incidents involving nightclub bouncers in tourist areas are a different story, and could have negative repercussions, especially in Patong, where such force and aggression happens in plain view, for all tourists to see.
Bouncers and security guards are supposed to be making guests feel safe. Those who do not follow the club’s rules should first be warned of their behaviour and if they continue to act inappropriately, should then be evicted, but in a tactful manner.
This appears to be where the problem arises. Unfortunately, in some bouncers’ eyes, using relentless force and aggression is seen as appropriate and tactful.
What these bouncers, along with club owners, management and especially the Patong Entertainment Association should realise is that bouncers are also responsible for upholding the image of the club.
As “keepers of the peace” they should be patient and tactful and not hired simply because they look bad or are able to intimidate.
In the UK it is only possible to hire bouncers who have proper training and skills. In fact, they must hold a valid license from the Security Industry Authority, have valid references and no criminal history.
In Thailand, the criteria for hiring bouncers is apparently much less stringent; unlike in the UK, a police background check is not required and it is simply down to the business operator to conduct their own checks.
Whether this is actually done is anyone’s guess. However, having seen the footage of the latest attack, and considering previous similar incidents in Patong, one has to seriously wonder.
Perhaps it’s too far of a cry to expect Thailand to change its laws and requirements for screening bouncers any time soon, but one thing has become clear at this point: Patong’s entertainment venues – and all businesses for that matter – need to carefully consider who they allow to represent their image to the world.
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