Tag Archives: Thailand

AirAsia to connect Port Blair to Kuala Lumpur from Nov 16

AirAsia is to enhance connectivity to Malaysia and Thailand with the announcement of a new route from Port Blair to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

This route makes history with AirAsia serving as the sole airline in ASEAN to operate international flights to and from Port Blair.

Set to commence on November 16, 2024, AirAsia will fly three times weekly to Kuala Lumpur, marking its 17th and counting route from India. With the addition of Port Blair, the airline operates flights from numerous cities across India, including Amritsar, Chennai and more, with a total of 97 flights weekly.

In 2024 alone, AirAsia launched 10 new routes to Malaysia and Thailand, namely Jaipur, Bhubaneswar and Kozhikode, to name a few.

To commemorate the launch of this new route, AirAsia is offering promotional fares to Kuala Lumpur from Port Blair from only INR4,999 all-in one way. These special fares are available for booking on the AirAsia MOVE app (formerly known as airasia Superapp) or airasia.com from today to 25 August 2024, for travel between 16 November 2024 to 8 October 2025.

All Indian citizens are eligible for visa-free entry to Malaysia for tourist visits of up to 30 days until June 30, 2025.

Thailand presses for casino resorts to elevate tourism

Thailand is pressing ahead with plans to legalise casinos as it seeks to burnish the country’s appeal as a tourism hotspot and draw billions of dollars in foreign investment and taxes.

Draft rules to allow casinos with an initial license for 30 years were published for public feedback until Aug. 18 by the Council of State, the government’s legal agency. The casinos will have the option of renewing the permit for another 10 years and be housed in large entertainment complexes along with hotels, convention centers and amusement parks, among others.

Thailand joins the United Arab Emirates and Japan in competing for a pie of the global casino industry, which IBIS World estimates generated USD 263 billion in revenue last year. Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. and MGM Resorts International have been studying potential opening of casino resorts in the Southeast Asian nation as a hedge against uncertain prospects in Macau. Las Vegas Sands Corp. said last month it would be interested in expanding to Thailand if it “becomes available.”

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who took power less than a year ago, has been aggressively pushing policies to attract foreign investments to Thailand, and backed the plan to legalize casinos for better oversight and proper tax collection.

The country’s 500-member House of Representatives has already backed a study by a panel of lawmakers that favored the setting up of legalized casinos within large entertainment venues to attract high-spending tourists. The study found that Thailand can lift tourism revenue by about USD 12 billion by legalizing casinos and housing them within large entertainment complexes.

Though most types of betting is illegal in Thailand — a majority Buddhist and conservative society — any opening of casinos will be in line with its recent embrace of a more liberal landscape to revive its tourism industry from the pandemic blow. In 2022, Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalise cannabis, and is on course to become the first in Southeast Asia to legalise same-sex marriages.
The so-called large entertainment venues should be in locations designated by the government and run by companies registered in Thailand with a paid-up capital of not less than 10 billion baht (USD 283 million), according to the draft bill. It also proposes setting up a comprehensive entertainment venue policy panel led by the Prime Minister and an agency to regulate the new industry.

Thai officials have previously mentioned popular tourist destinations such as Greater Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Chonburi, home to beach resort Pattaya, as possible locations for the entertainment complexes.

Tourism is one of Thailand’s key industries accounting for about 20% of total jobs and making up roughly 12% of the nation’s $500 billion economy. Foreign arrivals this year through July have jumped about 34% to more than 20 million from the same period in 2023.

 

TAT launches ‘Amazing Thailand Passion Ambassador’ initiative

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), together with TikTok, Thailand and Klook Thailand, announced the “Amazing Thailand Passion Ambassador” initiative, inviting tourists and content creators to share their Thailand travel videos for a chance to win prizes worth more than THB 2 million.

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor, TAT, said, “The initiative complements the policy outlined by the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Mr. Sermsak Pongpanit, to position Thailand as a Tourism Hub in line with the government’s “Ignite Thailand’s Tourism” vision. It also reflects our PASS strategy, namely Partnership 360, Accelerate Access to Digital World, Subculture Movement, and Sustainably Now, and our ‘Marketing 6.0’ approach. The project is envisioned to stimulate 15,000 trips in the second half of this year, generating both direct and indirect tourism revenue to the Thai economy.”

The “Amazing Thailand Passion Ambassador” initiative invites tourists and content creators to share their meaningful travel experiences in Thailand to inspire viewers to follow in their footsteps and travel more to destinations across all five regions.

Entrants are invited to post their engaging Thailand’s travel videos on TikTok from August 1 to 31, 2024. Winners will be announced on September 15, 2024, via the Amazing Thailand social media accounts.

The video posts must be set to the public and tagged with #AmazingThailandPassionAmbassador, #AmazingThailand, and #PassionAmbassador. The 80 videos with the highest engagement will each receive a travel voucher and 2,000 videos that meet the criteria will receive a complimentary gift.

Chanida Klyphun, Head of Public Policy – TikTok, Thailand, said, “We will encourage top TikTok creators to help promote the project, inviting tourists to become the Amazing Thailand Passion Ambassador by simply using our contenting creating tools to create and share their exiting travel stories. Everyone can be a part of sharing creative culture and helping to boost the Thai economy.”

TikTok has previously partnered with TAT to stimulate travel during Songkran as well as boost the international awareness on the traditional Thai New Year celebrations through livestreaming in Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. The #สงกรานต์ (#songkran) and #songkarnmoment achieved UGC content of more than 1.1 million videos and 2.2 million videos, respectively.

TAT has also partnered with Klook Thailand in offering a 10% discount on hotel and car rental bookings and a 12% discount on tourist activities at over 150 partners across Thailand’s five regions. These include Centara Hotels and Regions, Dusit Hotels and Resorts, Thai Rent A Car, Chic Car Rent, Chiang Mai Night Safari, Let’s Relax Spa, Pongyang Jungle Coaster Zipline, Sanctuary of Truth, Columbia Pictures Aquaverse, Nong Nooch Garden, Mahanakhon SkyWalk, and Safari World. Terms and conditions apply.

Kanokkun Changpun, Associated Director – Marketing Klook Thailand, said, “We are confident that the Amazing Thailand Passion Ambassador initiative will help elevate Thailand’s well-earned reputation as a quality tourist destination that offers meaningful travel experiences to tourists from around the world.”

Thailand unveils Destination Visa for longer staying visitors to aid economy

Thailand will grant visa exemption for nationals of 93 countries and territories, up from 57 countries previously.

Visitors under this scheme will be allowed to stay for tourism purposes and short-term business engagements for a period not exceeding 60 days, which can be extended at the Immigration Office for another period not exceeding 30 days.

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
Thailand is introducing a new visa measure, Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for remote workers, digital nomads, and freelancers as well as participants of activities – Muay Thai courses, Thai cooking classes, sport training, medical treatments, seminars, and music festivals. Spouses and dependent children of DTV holders will also be eligible.
Foreigners who wish to apply for this visa must have a proof of funds or a guarantee of not less than THB 500,000 for the duration of stay. The visa fee is THB 10,000.

DTV holders, together with spouses and dependent children, will be entitled to a five-year stay with multiple entries for cumulative stays not exceeding 180 days, which can be extended for another 180 days.

Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea (ROK), Kosovo, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

Student Visa (Non-Immigrant ED Plus)
Thailand is extending the stay for foreign students of higher education to stay for one more year after graduation. They can also find work during the extended period and, if employed locally, could change the type of visa to Non-Immigration B without having to leave Thailand.

Royal Caribbean Launches Limited-Time Offers for 2024-2025 Cruises from Singapore & Beyond

Royal Caribbean launches a limited-time promotion from July 16 to August 20, 2024, offering up to SGD 950 off for 2024-2025 cruise bookings departing from Singapore. Travellers can save significantly on their next Royal Caribbean vacation with this exclusive offer.

Guests booking cruises to global destinations (excluding Singapore departures) can also enjoy up to USD 500 in on-board credits. These credits can be used for spa services, dining, attractions, shopping, and more, enhancing their cruise experience.

Themed ‘Every Moment Needs an Encore’, this promotion invites cruise enthusiasts—whether families, couples, or friends—to embark on extraordinary adventures and explore exotic destinations with Royal Caribbean’s renowned hospitality.

From 3-night getaways to 10-night escapades, guests can choose from a wide range of itineraries across Asia and the rest of the world to explore their bucket list destinations globally.

According to the company release, “Onboard Anthem of the Seas, which is set to arrive in Singapore in November 2024, travellers can choose to immerse in the allure of Southeast Asia with 3 to 10-night itineraries exploring Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. This cruise is packed with thrilling adventures such as indoor skydiving with Ripcord by iFLY, FlowRider surf simulator, unrivalled 360-degree views in the North Star observation capsule 300-feet above sea level, and more.”

Beyond the onboard experiences, travellers can also enjoy the beaches of Phuket and Bali, walk the volcanic foothills in Lombok, and indulge in the street food culture of Penang. Adventurers can explore Bangkok’s mix of heritage and modern architecture, traverse Vietnam’s captivating landscapes and immerse themselves in the rich history and cuisine at the ports of Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, and Chan May.

In October 2025, Singapore’s beloved Ovation of the Seas is also arriving with new travel itineraries featuring 3-8-night holidays to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Hong Kong.

For travellers seeking to venture beyond Asia, Royal Caribbean offers exciting and exotic itineraries – from enjoying the ultimate weekend celebration at Perfect Day at CocoCay, the brand’s award-winning private island, to discovering the timeless wonders of Europe and exploring the majesty of the Alaskan glaciers. No matter the destination, Royal Caribbean promises an unforgettable adventure.

Sri Lanka extends visa-free entry to 7 countries, including India

To promote tourist arrivals to the Island nation, Sri Lanka renewed visa-free entry for visitors from India and several other select countries.

The Sri Lankan government’s move will open exciting possibilities for seamless travel between the two nations.

The country’s Cabinet decided to award free-visa entry to nationals from India, China, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia who are on a 30-day visit to the island nation.

The scheme was launched in October as a pilot project to rebuild the tourism industry in the country.

According to the Department of Immigration and Emigration which handles visa-free entry, foreigners from the above-mentioned countries should apply visa via website www.srilankaevisa.lk before arriving in Sri Lanka and the validity period of this free visa is 30 days.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet has decided to maintain USD 50 fee for visitors who enter the country on arrival visa for 30 days.

“Amidst the notable progress in the country’s tourism sector, numerous stakeholders within the industry have recently urged President Ranil Wickremesinghe to maintain the maximum visa fee for foreigners at USD 50,” President Media Division (PMD) said.

Shifting the visa-issuing process from the government to a private company with an increased fee up to USD100 was criticised by many parties including tourism-related industries. They complained that the fee and complex procedure under the private player was discouraging tourists’ arrival to the country which is recovering from the worst-ever financial crisis.

Tourism, one of leading foreign exchange earners of the country, has suffered a setback due to the Covid-19 pandemic and economic and political crises in the South Asian country.