Category: The Bangkok Post

Hong Kong’s tourism industry has called for more experiential events, enhanced transport measures and closer cross-border cooperation to draw overnight visitors, after tourist spending fell to HK$197.5 billion (830 billion baht) last year, 44% below its 2018 level.

Lawmaker Perry Yiu Pak-leung, chairman of China Travel Service (Hong Kong), said on Friday that the fall reflected changing travel patterns, with tourists placing greater value on experiences and in-depth exploration than on shopping.

Yiu made the call after the latest Legislative Council research found that visitor spending had fallen 44%, from about HK$353 billion in the pre-pandemic year of 2018.

Yiu said some tourists still had strong purchasing power, but their spending depended on whether Hong Kong could encourage them to stay longer and offer a wider variety of events.

“The tourism industry is very much affected by the external environment, such as weather, flight prices and transport costs, among others,” he said.

“While we cannot control these factors, providing more and different travel experiences, and strengthening connections and synergy are some important directions to bring an upgrade to our industry, enhance tourists’ travel experience and boost their spending.”

According to the research, the gap between visitors’ spending in Hong Kong and Hong Kongers’ expenditure abroad narrowed significantly in recent years.

While visitor spending in the city fell, Hong Kong residents’ non-local expenditure rose 10% from 2018 to HK$191.1 billion last year.

The research also showed that spending per overnight visitor in Hong Kong fell from HK$6,614 in 2018 to HK$5,503 last year. Spending per same-day visitor dropped by more than 48% over the same period, from HK$2,202 to HK$1,139.

The city recorded 49.9 million inbound visitor arrivals last year, about three-quarters of the 2018 peak of 65.1 million.

Meanwhile, Hong Kongers made 117.5 million outbound trips last year, up 28% from 2018. Northbound travel through cross-border land checkpoints accounted for 88% of all departures.

Speaking on Friday, Yiu said the city had received more same-day visitors, who tended to spend less, as they transferred flights in Hong Kong or passed through cross-border checkpoints to mainland China.

While the city had hosted exhibitions to attract high-spending overnight business travellers, Hong Kong could also organise and promote more experiential events to appeal to visitors from different countries, he said.

He cited the example of working with the city’s Thai community and retailers to celebrate the Songkran festival, with the aim of attracting tourists from Southeast Asia.

Yiu also said industry practitioners had observed that more foreign travellers were reaching Hong Kong via the mainland, thanks to China’s 240-hour visa-free transit scheme.

The policy allows individuals from 55 eligible countries who are travelling from China to a third country or region to enter visa-free through designated ports and stay within permitted areas for up to 240 hours.

“Many travellers first travelled to the mainland and tried taking the high-speed rail to Hong Kong … If we step up cooperation with mainland cities, we can benefit from mutual tourist sourcing,” he said.

“We can lure foreign travellers and achieve multi-stop travel. I believe it will help increase visitor arrivals.”

He added that Greater Bay Area cities could also work together on promotion and tourism products to appeal to international travellers.

Timothy Chui Ting-pong, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, noted that the city had organised many events to attract tourists but lacked incentives to keep them in the city longer.

He suggested that providing free transport and shuttle services between tourist spots could be an incentive, as it would make travelling within the city more convenient.

He pointed out that Macau hotels have been providing free shuttle services to connect key attractions and border checkpoints.

Thailand aims to secure Unesco Creative Cities Network (UCCN) recognition for two new destinations every two years as part of a national strategy to have at least 35 Thai cities designated by 2037, according to the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Dasta).

The agency said receiving recognition is expected to increase tourism revenue in those areas by 10-30%.

Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, director of Dasta, said Thailand is on track to drive community-based and cultural tourism to receive international standards, as targeted by the government.

The strategy calls for Thailand to achieve international standards such as the UCCN or Top 100 Sustainable Destinations by Green Destinations for 35 cities or communities by 2037.

Thailand has nine Unesco creative cities currently and roughly 15 communities and attractions recognised as top 100 sustainable destinations.

Mr Siripakorn said Phuket was named Thailand’s first UCCN in 2015 as a “City of Gastronomy”.

Of the nine cities, Dasta helped six of them to achieve recognition since 2019: Sukhothai, Nan, Songkhla, Chiang Rai, Suphan Buri and Phetchaburi.

The agency’s framework includes collaborating with local organisations to consult on development standards.

Under Unesco’s criteria, each country can receive only two creative city titles every two years. There are 408 cities globally acknowledged under the UCCN.

Dasta, related ministries and provincial organisations plan to submit two more cities for Unesco recognition in 2027. Potential candidates are Pattaya for film, Chanthaburi for gastronomy and Si Sa Ket for crafts and folk art.

“This investment should be valuable for future tourism returns,” said Mr Siripakorn.

The recognition is expected to draw more high-spending tourists keen for new experiences, he said.

These cities should be able to earn 10-30% more revenue, an additional 3,000-5,000 baht in average spending per trip, said Mr Siripakorn.

Dasta and partner organisations held the Thailand Creative Cities Network Forum 2026 yesterday, inviting representatives of new creative city candidates to exchange ideas with delegates from creative city recipients Berlin, Jakarta, Cebu and Echizen.

Regarding the development of the Phu Kradueng cable car, he said the project still needs an environmental impact assessment and design refinements.

The final study and development plan must be submitted to the cabinet for approval by mid-2027, said Mr Siripakorn, and the construction should take 1-2 years.

In terms of community-based tourism, 45 local communities within Dasta’s designated areas generated 137 million baht in 2025, up by 22.3% year-on-year, tallying 426,431 visitors.

The agency targets a 10-20% increase in revenue annually, driven by new marketing, activities and experiences, he said.

Next year Dasta plans to return the administration of one designated area to the local community as it is ready to manage it without Dasta’s guidance, said Mr Siripakorn.

The agency manages nine designated areas across Thailand and is studying the feasibility for a new area development, such as Laem Tua Ngork in Kanchanaburi, Phayao or Hua Hin and Cha-am.

CIMB Thai Bank (CIMBT) has urged policymakers to prioritise sustainable investment in data centre projects to maximise the long-term benefits for the Thai economy.

.TBMIC ta tsimonoce feihc ,alwahC pehtnomA dias ,tnemtsevni fo ytitnauq eht naht rehtar ytilauq eht no sucof dluohs tnemnrevog iahT eht ,stcejorp ertnec atad ni ylralucitrap ,tnemtsevni tcerid ngierof ni htworg tsubor dimA

.deganam ylreporp ton si tnempoleved rieht fi secruoser erutcurtsarfni dna retaw ,ygrene s’yrtnuoc eht no erusserp tnacifingis ecalp dluoc sertnec atad taht denraw eh ,noitidda nI

.pehtnomA rM dias “,srotsevni ngierof tcartta ot sevitnecni xat no ylelos gniyler naht rehtar ,ymonoce eht rof eulav retaerg etareneg taht stcejorp esitiroirp ot ytinutroppo eht ezies dluohs ]IoB[ tnemtsevnI fo draoB eht ,tnemtsevni ertnec atad rof snoitanitsed gnidael s’noiger eht fo eno semoceb dnaliahT sA”

.snoissime sag esuohneerg elcycefil ni snoitcuder gniriuqer dna ,yrevocer taeh etsaw dna gnilcycer retaw gnigaruocne ,ygrene elbawener fo esu retaerg gnitomorp ,ssenevitceffe egasu rewop rof sdradnats gnittes sa hcus ,airetirc tnemtsevni desucof-ytilibaniatsus tpoda IoB eht detseggus eH

.deton pehtnomA rM ,D and R gnitroppus dna ,refsnart egdelwonk dna ygolonhcet gnitatilicaf ,tnelat latigid dna gnireenigne gnipoleved ,tnetnoc lacol fo esu eht gnigaruocne ,sreilppus lacol htiw segaknil gninehtgnerts yb stifeneb cimonoce citsemod esimixam osla dluohs noitomorp tnemtsevnI

.dias eh “,ssenevititepmoc mret-gnol sti ecnahne dna ymonoce latigid s’yrtnuoc eht fo rallip yek a emoceb dluoc yrtsudni ertnec atad eht fo noisnapxe eht ,stcapmi latnemnorivne gnitagitim dna eulav cimonoce gnitareneg ,tnemtsevni gnitcartta neewteb ecnalab thgir eht ekirts nac dnaliahT fI”

.thab noillirt 95.1 fo eulav tnemtsevni denibmoc a htiw stcejorp ertnec atad 44 rof noitomorp tnemtsevni devorppa IoB eht ,6202 yaM dna 4202 neewteB .erahs tnacifingis a rof gnitnuocca sertnec atad htiw ,raey-no-raey %73 pu ,thab noillirt 74.1 dedeecxe noitomorp tnemtsevni IoB rof snoitacilppa ,6202 fo flah tsrif eht nI

.aisenodnI dna dnaliahT ,aisyalaM ot gnidnapxe erofeb eropagniS htiw gninnigeb ,sedaced owt tsap eht revo yrtsudni ertnec atad sti depoleved ylidaets sah aisA tsaehtuoS dias ,TBMIC ta egarevoc gniknab tnemtsevni dna etaroproc fo daeh ,gnowirsgnaT adinaP

.dias ehs “,ymonoce latigid lanoiger eht tifeneb lliw tnempoleved ertnec atad ,seunitnoc dnert siht sA .niahc ylppus eht ssorca tnemtsevni gnitalumits yb tceffe reilpitlum a evah yeht ;yrtsudni enoladnats a naht erom era sertnec ataD”

.adinaP sM dias ,selbac rewop ytilauq-hgih dna smetsys ylppus rewop elbitpurretninu ,raeghctiws ,sremrofsnart sa hcus smetsys rewop dna tnempiuqe lacirtcele fo erutcafunam eht dna ,slairetam cinortcele decnavda fo noitcudorp eht ,gnirutcafunam draob tiucric detnirp sa hcus ,niahc eulav ertnec atad eht nihtiw sessenisub fo egnar ediw a ssorca laitnetop gnorts sah dnaliahT

.dias ehs ,tnemtsevni ertnec atad gnitroppus erutcurtsarfni rehto dna setatse lairtsudni dna ,secivres gnireenigne dna noitcurtsnoc desilaiceps ,snoitulos tneiciffe-ygrene dna smetsys gnilooc edulcni laitnetop htworg gnorts htiw seirtsudni rehtO

Thailand’s U23 football team will make a run into the later stages of the 20th Asian Games while the women’s volleyball players will bring home a medal.

.yrtnuoc eht ni strops ralupop tsom eht fo owt ni stcepsorp s’yrtnuoc eht dessessa eh sa inamdoY kasgnoG rD ronrevoG dnaliahT fo ytirohtuA stropS eht fo weiv eht saw tahT

.napaJ ekil maet ssalc-dlrow a tsniaga etepmoc ot ytinutroppo doog a sa ti sees ronrevog TAS eht dna gnoK gnoH dna natszygryK ,napaJ stsoh sa puorg emas eht ni nward neeb evah dnaliahT ,noititepmoc llabtoof s’nem eht nI

.kasgnoG dias “,sdnuor retal eht ot teg ot elba eb dluohs ew ,maet lanoitan iahT eht fo laitnetop eht htiw taht eveileb I .erbilac siht fo maet a ecaf ot teg ew netfo ton s’ti sa ,ytinutroppo taerg a si ,maet ssalc-dlrow a ,napaJ noitan tsoh eht sa puorg emas eht ni gnieB .gnoK gnoH dna ,natszygryK ,napaJ htiw A puorG ni era dnaliahT dna noititepmoc 32U a eb lliw ti ,semaG naisA eht tA”

“.slanif-imes eht hcaer tsael ta lliw ew taht tnedifnoc ma I dna ailognoM dna ,natszygryK ,nawiaT htiw C puorG ni era dnaliahT .niaga ladem a niw ot ecnahc a evah ew ,eroferehT .semaG naisA eht ta ladem a now osla dna erofeb eltit naisA eht now ew ,maet llabyellov roodni s’nemow eht rof sA” ,deunitnoc eH

.aeroK htuoS dna ,napaJ ,anihC eb lliw llabyellov s’nemow ni stnenoppo tsegnorts s’dnaliahT taht dedda feihc TAS ehT

.dnuor tuokconk eht ot gnicnavda puorg hcae morf sedis owt pot eht htiw ,tamrof nibor-dnuor a yalp lliw smaeT .spuorg ruof otni dedivid smaet htiw ,noititepmoc llabtoof s’nem eht ni gnitapicitrap era seirtnuoc neetfiF

.dnuor tuokconk eht ot ssergorp lliw puorg hcae morf smaet owt pot eht dna spuorg ruof otni dedivid era seirtnuoc 41 ,llabyellov s’nemow roodni nI

Central Retail Corporation Plc (CRC) has agreed to acquire AEON (Thailand) Co Ltd, the operator of 30 MaxValu supermarkets in Thailand, in a move aimed at strengthening its food retail business and expanding the footprint of its Tops supermarket chain.

In a filing to the Stock Exchange of Thailand on Friday, CRC said its wholly owned subsidiary, Central Food Retail Co Ltd (CFR), had signed a share purchase agreement to acquire all ordinary shares of AEON (Thailand).

The acquisition will give CFR full ownership of AEON (Thailand), operator of 30 MaxValu supermarkets nationwide. AEON (Thailand) has registered capital of 890 million baht, and the deal will be financed through CRC’s internal cash flow.

CRC said the acquisition supports its strategy to strengthen its food business by expanding its supermarket network in strategic locations and immediately adding more than 900,000 customers.

The deal also includes land assets and a ready-to-eat food processing centre, which CRC said will enhance production capacity and support the development of differentiated ready-to-eat products.

Following completion, all MaxValu stores will be rebranded as Tops and integrated into CFR’s retail ecosystem. CRC said it expects to leverage its retail expertise to improve operational efficiency and strengthen the acquired business.

The transaction remains subject to the fulfilment of conditions precedent under the agreement.

Online insurer Roojai has unveiled an ambitious growth strategy for 2030, betting on artificial intelligence (AI), new health insurance products and regional expansion to strengthen its position in Thailand’s increasingly competitive insurance market.

.stcudorp ecnarusni lanosrep rehto dna htlaeh otni ecnarusni rotom dnoyeb gnidnapxe dna aisenodnI ni ecneserp sti gninedaorb elihw 0302 yb %6 ot tekram ecnarusni rotom s’dnaliahT fo erahs sti esaercni ot smia ynapmoc ehT

.puorG iajooR fo rednuof dna evitucexe feihc ,teuqaF salociN dias ,aisA tsaehtuoS ni rerusni lanosrep gnidael a emoceb ot skees iajooR sa ecnarusni levart dna )VE( elcihev cirtcele ni tnemtsevni deunitnoc dna ecnarusni lacidem etavirp fo hcnual eht yb detroppus si ygetarts ehT

.aisenodnI dna dnaliahT htob ni gnitarepo rerusni desnecil ylluf a otni 6102 ni rekorb ecnarusni enilno na morf devlove gnivah ,yrasrevinna ht01 sti gnikram si ynapmoc ehT

.teuqaF rM deton ,5202 ni srentraP aisA dna srentraP sipA yb del tnemtsevni C seireS noillim 06$SU a deruces dna 3202 ni ecnecil ecnarusni sti deniatbo ,ledom ecnarusni latigid remusnoc-ot-tcerid s’dnaliahT dereenoip iajooR ,edaced tsap eht revO

.gnitirwrednu denilpicsid dna mroftalp ecnarusni latigid sti rof dnamed gnorts gnitcelfer ,raey tsal noillib 3.3 ot 1202 ni thab noillib 1 morf delpirt naht erom )PWG( smuimerp nettirw ssorg puorG

.thab noillim 212 fo tiforp ten a htiw PWG ni thab noillib 6.1 detareneg ecnarusnI iajooR ,6202 fo flah tsrif eht gniruD

.dias eh ,ycneiciffe lanoitarepo dna htgnerts laicnanif sti gnirocsrednu ,%025 fo oitar ycauqeda latipac a dna raey evitucesnoc htfif eht rof %56 naht ssel fo oitar ssol a deniatniam rerusni ehT

.enilpicsid gnitirwrednu gniniatniam elihw ecneirepxe remotsuc eht ecnahne dna gnissecorp smialc etarelecca ,ycneiciffe evorpmi ot ecivres remotsuc dna tnemeganam smialc ,gnitirwrednu ssorca noitpoda IA nepeed ot snalp ynapmoc ehT

.teuqaF rM dias ,noitpursid daerpsediw etipsed ylkciuq erom stnemelttes smialc dna ecnatsissa eviecer sremotsuc depleh smaet troppus dleif detacided htiw denibmoc ygolonhcet smialc delbane-IA nehw ,5202 etal ni iaY taH tih taht sdoolf ereves eht gnirud eulav sti detartsnomed ydaerla ledom gnitarepo nevird-IA ehT

ECNARUSNI ROTOM DNOYEB

.dias eh ,sevlove dnamed remusnoc sa stnemges ecnarusni lanosrep rehto dna htlaeh otni yfisrevid ot seitinutroppo tnacifingis sees ynapmoc eht ,ssenisub eroc s’iajooR niamer lliw ecnarusni rotom elihW

.tirgnaurmuhK tirkaroK namriahc draob dias “,erutuf eht rof ecnedifnoc su sevig edaced tsap eht revo sseccus ruO”

“.dnaliahT ni ecnarusni lanosrep rof rerusni derreferp eht emoceb ot smia iajooR ,sremotsuc no sucof a dna ecnellecxe lanoitarepo ,noitavonni gninibmoc yB .stcudorp ecnarusni lanosrep rehto dna htlaeh ni seitinutroppo laitnatsbus ees ew tub ,noitadnuof ruo sniamer ecnarusni rotoM”

.dias eh ,ecnarusni levart dna ecnarusni VE ,sgnireffo ecnarusni htlaeh wen hguorht oiloftrop tcudorp sti nedaorb dna ,stekram lanoiger rehto dna aisenodnI ni dnapxe ,tekram ecnarusni rotom iahT eht ni ecalp sti nehtgnerts ot snalp iajooR ,0302 ot daeha gnikooL

.htworg elbaniatsus mret-gnol troppus ot ygolonhcet ni tsevni ot gniunitnoc elihw seitinutroppo htworg cigetarts evitceles eusrup ot sdnetni osla ynapmoc ehT

.dias teuqaF rM “,tliub ew ssenisub eht ni evah ew ecnedifnoc eht tcelfer 0302 rof snoitibma ruO”

“.aisA tsaehtuoS ssorca sremusnoc rof metsys noitcetorp redaorb a dliub ew sa noisnapxe fo esahp txen eht rof denoitisop-llew era ew ,srotsevni evitroppus dna sremotsuc layol ,htworg elbatiforp ,noitasilatipac gnorts htiW”

Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck, chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), sent a letter to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul last week seeking justice and aiming to resolve the deadlock at the regulator over his qualifications.

.noitacided lluf htiw shtnom ruof dna sraey ruof rof gnivres ,stnemeriuqer lagel lla dewollof dah dna gnorw gnihton enod dah eh esuaceb nitunA rM ot rettel eht tnes eh dias anaraS rD

.snoitacifilauq s’namriahc eht no gnilur eht revo noisses eht dettocyob srenoissimmoc ruof retfa wor a ni gniteem deliaf driht eht ,yadretsey detroba saw smeti adnega redisnoc ot gniteem draob CTBN ehT

.srebmem neves eht fo ruof tsael ta fo murouq a seriuqer gniteem ehT

.yad taht no tnesba saw ,gnopiargiviruP pohpmoS ,renoissimmoc rehtonA .iasalahcahpuS tahpuS rM dna neorahciaR tnapanahT MA ,atoosamaR gnorgnoriP :gniteem eht fo tuo deklaw srenoissimmoc eerht nehw ,72 yluJ no ecalp koot ttocyob tsrif ehT

.wal CTBN yb ediba ot eruliaf sih gnitic ,renoissimmoc a sa anaraS rD yfilauqsid ot htnom tsal gnilur s’eettimmoc noitceles CTBN eht ot detubirtta era sttocyob ehT

.noitaredisnoc draob gnitiawa smeti tnegru 43 era ereht sa ,sgniteem deliaf eht fo stceffe eht weiver ot yadretsey tnemeganam CTBN dengissa anaraS rD

.dias eh “,sdradnats lagel lla dewollof evah dna gnorw gnihton enod ev’I”

.02 dna 91 ,31 ,11 guA no sgniteem dloh ot deludehcs si draob CTBN ehT

.seitud sih gnimrofrep pots ot mih rof sdnuorg lagel ro nosaer on saw ereht dias anaraS rD

.deton eh “,eettimmoc noitceles eht fo ytirohtua eht esingocer ton od I”

.noisses eht htiw deecorp ot srenoissimmoc xis rehto eht wolla dna seitud sih gnimrofrep pots ot namriahc eht deksa sgniteem eht dettocyob ohw srenoissimmoc ehT

.seitud laiciffo sih fo trap si sgniteem gnidnetta dias anaraS rD

.dias eh “,renoissimmoc a sa elor ym ni laitnesse si ecneserp ym os ,rotcaf gnidiced eht ton si tI .ynam fo eno tsuj si etov yM”

.namriahc sa sutats sih no etov ot srebmem neves lla fo gniteem a llac srenoissimmoc eht taht sretnessid eht yb noitseggus eht detcejer osla anaraS rD

.dias anaraS rD “?seitud sih esaec ot namriahc eht redro nac etov ytirojam a taht etats wal eht seoD .snoitacilpmoc rehtruf ot sdael ylno siht gnissucsiD ?etov a hcus stimrep taht wal yna ereht sI”

.diov yllagel demeed eb thgim snoituloser draob erutuf taht srenoissimmoc gnoma snrecnoc desiar sah sutats sih revo sisirc ehT

.deecorp nac sgniteem eht serusne os gniod fi setov cificeps morf niatsba ot gnilliw si dna neves gnoma etov eno ylno si eh dias anaraS rD

.”setupsid lanretni revo ecnedecerp ekat tsum noitan eht fo stseretni” eht sa sgniteem txen eht rof moordraob eht ot nruter ot srenoissimmoc lla degru namriahc ehT

.dias eh “,noos emoc lliw sgniteem eht htiw gnideecorp rof noituloser a kniht I”

.tcidrev eht morf feiler miretni mih gnitnarg redro tnegru na thguos osla noititep ehT .mih yfilauqsid ot gnilur s’eettimmoc noitceles CTBN eht ekover ot redro na gnikees truoC evitartsinimdA lartneC eht htiw tiuswal a delif anaraS rD ,3 guA nO

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Thursday he was open to a referendum on whether to change the country’s electoral system, opening another split in his centre-right coalition months ahead of a general election.

New Zealand ?adopted the German-style Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) ?system in 1996 after an inquiry found smaller parties were being shut out of parliament under the previous first-past-the-post system.

Luxon said in an interview with the radio station Newstalk ZB that a referendum is ‘something we should consider’, and could be held as early as 2027 if he returns to power following a general election scheduled for Nov 7.

‘I think I would because I actually think that it is quite right to check in constitutionally and say, is this the system, New Zealand, you ?still want?’ he said. He did not say whether any referendum would be binding.

Luxon’s remarks led to criticism from his coalition partners, who are already split on economic and minority issues. Winston Peters, the leader of New Zealand First, a minor party in Luxon’s National-led coalition, called the idea ‘inexplicable’.

‘Shutting down and taking away true democratic representation from the people of New Zealand should be seen ?for what it is – a power grab and an ignorance for what it means to be a democracy,’ he said in a post on X.

Luxon’s other coalition partner, the ACT Party led ?by David Seymour, and the main opposition Labour Party, also said they opposed a referendum.

How MMP works

Originating in Germany, MMP has been adopted, sometimes with modifications, in countries such as Thailand, South Korea, Bolivia and Lesotho.

Under ?MMP, constituents cast two votes: one for a local candidate and one for a party.

In New Zealand, winning local candidates in 71 constituencies take their seats automatically, while the remaining seats are ?filled from party lists, allocated to match each party’s share of the nationwide vote.

There are expected to be about 49 list seats in this election, though that number may vary due to the quirks of the system.

MMP has been praised for allowing smaller parties a say in government, ?but criticised for its complexity and for often requiring coalition governments.

It also has several unusual features, ?including seven seats reserved exclusively for Indigenous Maori voters. Political commentator Ben Thomas said National party leaders have long seen MMP as a drag on decision-making.

‘They believe it stops governments from making hard decisions and bold calls,’ he said.

New Zealand last voted to retain the system in 2011 referendum, with 58% of ?voters in favour.

In the interview Luxon also reiterated ?support for extending New Zealand’s current three-year fixed-term parliaments to four years.

For decades, Thailand has ranked among the world’s most attractive retirement destinations. A warm climate, relatively affordable cost of living, an established healthcare system and vibrant expatriate communities continue to draw retirees looking to spend their later years basking in the tropical sunshine.

Yet while the idea of retiring in Thailand is appealing, navigating the country’s immigration system can often feel overwhelming. Between financial requirements, annual renewals and the growing number of long-term visa programmes, understanding which option best suits individual circumstances is the first step towards making the move.

To provide a clear overview of Thailand’s retirement visa process, the Thai Visa team at Siam Legal shared its expertise, outlining the application procedures and highlighting important requirements and practical considerations that are often overlooked or difficult to find online.

The standard retirement visa: Who is eligible?

For most retirees, the traditional retirement visa remains the most straightforward pathway.

Applicants must be at least 50 years old, with no upper age limit. Financially, they must demonstrate either:

800,000 baht in a Thai bank account, or

65,000 baht in monthly passive income.

Passive income includes pensions, rental income, dividends and investment returns. Income earned through employment overseas does not qualify under the retirement visa requirements.

For many nationalities, however, the savings route has become the more practical option. Several embassies, including those of the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, no longer issue the income verification letters previously accepted by Thai immigration authorities. As a result, applicants from those countries often rely on maintaining the required bank deposit instead.

The application process: Three main steps

Step 1: Obtain a 90-day Non-Immigrant Visa

Applicants first apply for a 90-day non-immigrant visa from their home country or from a neighbouring country before travelling to Thailand.

Step 2: Open a Thai bank account and deposit the funds

After arriving in Thailand, applicants activate their visa, open a Thai bank account and deposit the required 800,000 baht. The funds must remain in the account for the required ‘seasoning’ period before the next stage of the application.

Step 3: Apply for the one-year retirement extension

Once the financial requirements have been met, applicants can apply for a one-year retirement visa extension through Thai Immigration.

The extension must be renewed annually, and immigration specialists recommend beginning the renewal process at least one month before the current visa expires.

Maintaining the retirement visa

Receiving the visa is only part of the process.

The required 800,000 baht cannot be withdrawn immediately after approval. Immigration regulations require the funds to remain in the account for three months after the extension is granted and again during the three months leading up to the next annual renewal.

Applicants should also remain in the same province during the initial application period whenever possible, as immigration offices process applications based on the applicant’s registered address.

Moving within Thailand

Retirement visa extensions are processed by the immigration office responsible for the applicant’s province of residence.

Those who later relocate – for example, from Bangkok to Pattaya – must update their registered address with immigration and complete future renewals through their new local immigration office.

Travelling outside Thailand

Retirement visa holders may leave and re-enter Thailand, but they must obtain a re-entry permit before departure. Leaving the country without one automatically invalidates the visa extension.

Frequent travellers often opt for a multiple re-entry permit, which remains valid for the duration of the one-year extension.

Can retirement visa holders work?

A retirement visa does not permit employment in Thailand. Visa holders cannot work for Thai companies or provide services to Thai clients.

However, remote work for overseas clients is generally considered acceptable, provided it does not involve participating in Thailand’s labour market.

What about permanent residency?

Many retirees eventually consider permanent residency, but the requirements are significantly different.

Permanent residency is primarily intended for foreigners who have worked and paid taxes in Thailand for at least three consecutive years. Applicants must also meet minimum income requirements and pass Thai language examinations covering speaking, reading and writing.

Retirement visa holders, on the other hand, are not required to demonstrate Thai language proficiency.

Alternative long-term visa options

Non-Immigrant O-A Visa

Applied for through Thai embassies or consulates abroad, the O-A visa grants a one-year stay without requiring applicants to season their funds inside Thailand beforehand.

Applicants must provide a criminal background check, a medical certificate and proof of Thai health insurance.

Non-Immigrant OX Visa

Available only to citizens of selected countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and the Netherlands, the OX visa offers a stay of up to 10 years.

Applicants must maintain 3 million baht in a Thai bank account and provide proof of health insurance together with police clearance documentation.

Thailand Privilege Visa

Formerly known as the Elite Visa, this membership-based programme offers stays of five, 10, 15 or 20 years.

Memberships begin at 650,000 baht and include benefits such as fast-track airport services. Unlike retirement visas, there are no age restrictions or insurance requirements.

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)

Designed primarily for remote workers and participants in approved ‘soft power’ activities such as Muay Thai, the DTV is valid for five years. However, holders must leave Thailand every six months.

Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa

The LTR Visa grants 10 years of residency and includes tax incentives and digital work permit privileges for qualifying wealthy global citizens, pensioners and highly skilled professionals who meet substantial income or investment requirements.

Regardless of which visa is chosen, immigration specialists recommend consulting qualified professionals rather than relying solely on information found on social media. Visa regulations can change, documentation requirements differ between categories, and individual circumstances often determine the most suitable pathway.

A Chinese woman wanted for a 172-million-baht tax fraud in China has been arrested near the Talaad Thai Market after months of evading Thai immigration investigators.

Police said on Wednesday the 47-year-old suspect was arrested on Tuesday and wanted by Chinese police for using shell companies to obtain fake invoices without genuine business transactions, enabling fraudulent value-added tax claims worth more than 35 million yuan (172 million baht) in Shanghai.

Immigration Bureau investigators said she frequently changed her appearance, hairstyle, vehicles and accommodation to avoid detection.

Police said she moved between rented properties in Bangkok and Pathum Thani while posing as a durian trader travelling regularly between Chanthaburi and Bangkok.

Investigators arrested her at a residence near Talaad Thai Market after luring her to discuss a durian business deal. She was transferred for legal proceedings.