Business
Thailand Expands Visa-Free Entry to 93 Countries to Boost Tourism
Thailand has taken a significant step to rejuvenate its tourism industry by expanding its visa-free entry scheme to 93 countries and territories. Under the new scheme, which began on Monday, visitors can now stay in the vibrant South-East Asian nation for up to 60 days.
Previously, passport holders from 57 countries enjoyed visa-free entry. This expansion is part of Thailand’s strategic efforts to recover and grow its tourism sector, a vital pillar of its economy.
In the first half of 2024, Thailand welcomed 17.5 million foreign tourists, a remarkable 35% increase compared to the same period last year, according to official data. Although these numbers are still below pre-pandemic levels, the growth is a positive sign of recovery. The majority of visitors hailed from China, Malaysia, and India.
Tourism revenue during the first six months of 2024 amounted to 858 billion baht ($23.6bn; £18.3bn), which is less than a quarter of the government’s ambitious target. Nonetheless, Thailand remains a top destination for its golden temples, white sand beaches, picturesque mountains, and vibrant nightlife.
The revised visa-free rules are part of a broader initiative to stimulate tourism. Additionally, Thailand introduced a new five-year visa for remote workers, allowing holders to stay for up to 180 days each year. The country also extended a warm welcome to visiting students, permitting those who earn a bachelor’s degree or higher in Thailand to stay for one year after graduation to find a job or travel.
In June, authorities extended a waiver on hoteliers’ operating fees for two more years and scrapped a proposed tourism fee for visitors flying into the country. These measures aim to create a more inviting environment for tourists and support the industry’s recovery.
Despite these positive changes, some stakeholders have voiced concerns about the country’s infrastructure keeping pace with the influx of travelers. Kantapong Thananuangroj, president of the Thai Tourism Promotion Association, emphasized the need for comprehensive preparation to ensure a positive experience for visitors.
“If more people are coming, it means the country as a whole, not just the Ministry of Tourism – has to prepare our resources to welcome them,” said Thananuangroj. “If not, [the tourists] may not be impressed with the experience they have in Thailand and we may not get a second chance.”
Chamnan Srisawat, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, also highlighted potential bottlenecks in air traffic, as the number of incoming flights might not increase quickly enough to meet travelers’ demands.
There have been safety concerns amid rumors of tourists being kidnapped and sent across the border to work in scam centers in Myanmar or Cambodia. However, Thailand remains committed to ensuring the safety and satisfaction of its visitors.
With these dynamic changes and a focus on creating a welcoming and safe environment, Thailand is poised to further solidify its status as a premier global tourist destination.
With a potential TikTok ban looming in the United States, many of the app’s 170 million American users are flocking to the Chinese platform RedNote. Dubbed “TikTok refugees,” these users have propelled RedNote to the top spot on Apple’s US App Store as of Monday.
RedNote, known in China as Xiaohongshu or “Little Red Book,” boasts approximately 300 million monthly users and combines features similar to TikTok and Instagram. It is particularly popular among young urban women in China, Taiwan, and other Mandarin-speaking regions, offering a platform for exchanging lifestyle tips on topics ranging from fashion to relationships.
The app’s growing popularity comes as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to decide on a law requiring TikTok to sell its U.S. operations by January 19 or face a ban. TikTok has refused to sell, arguing that such a move would violate the free speech rights of its users.
RedNote has embraced its influx of U.S. users, with 63,000 posts tagged “TikTok refugee” providing guidance on navigating the platform and learning basic Chinese phrases. One U.S. user humorously wrote, “To our Chinese hosts, thanks for having us—sorry in advance for the chaos.”
Despite its warm reception, RedNote is not without controversy. Critics point to censorship concerns, particularly regarding criticisms of the Chinese government. Additionally, public officials in Taiwan are restricted from using RedNote due to perceived security risks associated with Chinese software.
As U.S. users join RedNote, some Chinese users have joked about being labeled “Chinese spies,” referencing U.S. officials’ concerns over TikTok’s alleged ties to Chinese government surveillance. However, RedNote has distanced itself from political associations, stating that its name does not reference Mao Zedong’s famous “Little Red Book.”
Bitcoin has soared to a new all-time high, briefly surpassing $106,000 (£83,890) on Monday during Asian trading hours. The cryptocurrency’s unprecedented rally marks a 50% surge since Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election on November 5, with market sentiment buoyed by the incoming administration’s pro-cryptocurrency stance.
The Trump administration has signaled a friendlier approach to digital currencies compared to its predecessor. Notably, President-elect Trump recently announced plans to explore creating a national Bitcoin reserve, akin to the U.S. strategic oil reserve, to support the cryptocurrency’s strategic adoption.
Peter McGuire of trading platform XM.com attributed the surge to growing “FOMO” (fear of missing out) among investors. “The Bitcoin rally since the election has been parabolic,” McGuire explained. “Many investors believe $120,000 is achievable by the end of the year, and projections for mid-2025 suggest prices could exceed $150,000.”
Adding to the market optimism, Trump has appointed David Sacks, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and former PayPal executive, as his AI and cryptocurrency czar. Sacks, known for his close ties to Trump advisor and billionaire Elon Musk, is expected to play a significant role in shaping the administration’s blockchain and cryptocurrency policies.
Chinese crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun, known for his headline-grabbing antics, recently made waves after consuming a $6.2 million banana in an art stunt. Not long after, Sun invested $30 million into World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency firm with ties to former President Donald Trump.
The investment proved transformative for the struggling company, pushing it past the threshold needed for Trump to begin profiting from the venture. Trump and his family are now positioned to collect around $20 million, with the potential for more.
Sun, currently facing fraud charges in the U.S. over his own crypto operations, did not elaborate on why he backed the untradable token initiative. However, the move has raised concerns among ethics experts, who view it as an example of how Trump’s vast business interests could create avenues for influence.
Richard Painter, former White House ethics lawyer under George W. Bush, noted the heightened risk:
“The conflicts have grown substantially with the scope of his business empire.”
Trump’s spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, dismissed concerns, highlighting that Trump had distanced himself from his real estate empire during his presidency and donated his salary:
“Unlike most politicians, President Trump didn’t get into politics for profit – he’s fighting because he loves this country.”
Critics argue that Trump has not adequately addressed the potential for corruption as his business dealings expand ahead of a possible return to the White House.
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