Category: The Bangkok Post

The decision to give Indians 30-day visa-free entry is expected to drive the market to a new record of 2.7 million visitors next year, supported by more flights from second- and third-tier cities to Thailand, say authorities.

Patsee Permvongsenee, executive director of the Asean, South Asia and South Pacific region at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said the outlook for the Indian market remains positive following cabinet approval of visa-free entry for 30 days for Indian visitors.

The allowance starts once the decision is published in the Royal Gazette, but authorities are unsure when that will be.

As of July 18, Thailand has recorded 17.3 million foreign arrivals this year, down more than 3% year-on-year, with 1.3 million Indians placing the nation as the No.3 source market.

Arrivals from India are on track to reach 2.55 million this year. Indian carriers have expanded flights from second- and third-tier cities to Thailand, while airlines that temporarily suspended services because of the Middle East conflict and fuel crisis are preparing to restore capacity, said Mrs Patsee.

India is projected to post strong economic growth, supporting outbound tourism as domestic tourism expands on the subcontinent, she said.

According to TAT, the outbound Indian market is expected to reach 50 million trips by 2030, up from 32.7 million in 2025.

Thailand remains the No.3 overseas destination for Indian tourists, particularly in the leisure segment. Many see holiday prices in Thailand as competitive compared with premium domestic holidays in India, the agency noted.

Khajornrit Khwanmongkol, director of TAT’s New Delhi office, said the weak rupee against the US dollar could dampen outbound travel sentiment among some middle-income earners, prompting them to postpone their trips, though the broader market is expected to remain resilient.

He said travellers during this period are generally high-spending visitors, with Indian tourists spending an average of 6,200 baht per day, or more than 36,000 baht per trip.

The earlier shift to a visa-on-arrival requirement created confusion and had a greater impact on travel demand than other factors, said Mr Khajornrit.

Nattachit Oonsiam, director of TAT’s Mumbai office, said many travellers, particularly meetings and incentive groups, have switched to Vietnam amid uncertainty over Thailand’s visa policy in recent months, as such groups typically plan their trips at least one month in advance.

Indian travellers can visit Phu Quoc Island without a tourist visa, while visas are still required for travel to other parts of Vietnam.

SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES

According to TAT, there are roughly 66,000 airline seats per week available for Thailand-India routes.

India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector, driven by new airports and jets as well as stronger domestic connectivity, is expected to lift international travel in the coming years.

Diwali and Christmas combined account for about 45% of annual outbound travel. The TAT recommends promoting Thailand 6-8 weeks before each holiday to maximise bookings.

More than 500 million Indians are active on social media, with the leading platforms for tourism operators targeting Indian travellers YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp, noted the agency.

Some 44% of Indian travellers are influenced by social media, while 60% rely on recommendations from friends and family, said the TAT.

Roughly 41% prefer family holidays, while 35% choose accommodation as part of the travel experience, according to the authority.

Demand is rising among solo travellers and small groups of up to three people, who typically book less than a month in advance, noted the TAT.

Emerging outbound travel trends include meetings and business travel, luxury experiences such as yacht trips and fine dining, health and wellness holidays, and experiential travel centred on local communities, gastronomy and Muay Thai.

To better serve Indian tourists, the TAT recommends Hindi-language signage and information materials, Indian vegetarian and halal food options, as well as digital payment facilities and flexible booking policies.

Authorities have warned parents and schools to be vigilant after customs officers intercepted a shipment of LSD blotter paper printed with colourful cartoon designs that was allegedly destined for Thailand.

The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and the Customs Department said traffickers were increasingly using eye-catching artwork on blotter paper to package synthetic drugs, raising concerns they could appear harmless or attractive to children and teenagers.

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), a Category 1 narcotic, is commonly distributed on small squares of blotter paper printed with colourful designs or cartoon characters. Users consume the drug by placing the paper on the tongue, where the LSD is absorbed.

The warning follows the seizure on July 21 of 529 LSD blotter stamps from Germany, with an estimated street value of more than 200,000 baht, in an alleged attempt to smuggle the drug into Thailand.

The agencies said LSD is a powerful hallucinogen that can distort perception, impair judgement and trigger anxiety or paranoia. They warned that users may be at greater risk of accidents or other harm while under its effects.

Parents were urged to educate children about illicit drugs, discourage them from accepting unknown items from strangers and report suspicious substances to the authorities. They were also encouraged to have open conversations about the risks of drug use.

Online scammers stole more than 177 million baht from victims across Thailand in a single week, with fake shopping and service offers still the most widespread and costly cybercrime, according to the police Anti Cyber-Scam Centre.

The centre said on Monday that 5,716 cybercrime complaints were filed between July 19 and July 25. Although the number of reported cases increased by 220 from the previous week, total financial losses fell about 22 million baht to 177.3 million baht.

Fraud involving the sale of goods and services continued to dominate the statistics. Authorities recorded 4,429 cases in this category, accounting for 77.5 per cent of all complaints received during the week. Victims lost more than 48 million baht, highlighting the growing risks facing consumers who increasingly rely on online platforms for everyday purchases.

Bangkok reported the highest financial losses, with 84 cases causing damage of more than 8.35 million baht. Nonthaburi ranked second with losses exceeding 4.12 million baht from 18 cases, while Khon Kaen placed third with 16 cases and losses of 335,035 baht. (continues below)

Women remained more likely than men to fall victim to cybercrime, according to the centre’s analysis. People aged 21 to 30 were identified as the most vulnerable group, recording the highest number of victims in both online shopping fraud and impersonation scams. In employment related fraud, however, those aged 31 to 40 were the most frequently targeted.

Joint operations involving police, financial institutions and the Anti Cyber-Scam Centre led to the arrest of five suspected scammers during the week – two Thais, one Chinese national and two South Koreans. Authorities also stopped 22 victims transferring money to suspected criminal accounts, preventing potential losses of more than 1.16 million baht.

One of the most striking cases involved a woman who disappeared from her residence after receiving threatening calls from scammers posing as police officers. Real police traced her movements to a hotel where she had checked in alone. After repeated attempts to contact her failed, police entered the room and discovered she was still under the influence of the fraudsters. (continues below)

Investigators said the gang had convinced the woman that she was being investigated for allegedly holding a mule bank account. The scammers kept her connected through a video call and instructed her not to speak with anyone else while demanding money to prove her innocence. She transferred 49,900 baht before her father, fearing she could be arrested, sent a further 650,000 baht. Total losses approached 700,000 baht before police intervened and froze the relevant accounts.

In a separate incident, officers assisted a 68-year-old woman in Nonthaburi who had been persuaded to invest in an online scheme. Working through her husband, police explained how the fraud operated and encouraged her to stop making transfers. The case resulted in losses of more than 500,000 baht.

The centre also warned that students continue to be a prime target for criminals posing as police officers and government officials. Victims are often falsely accused of involvement in criminal activities and instructed to communicate through fake Line accounts. Scammers then isolate them in hotel rooms, maintain contact through video calls and pressure family members into sending money.

Officials warn that genuine law enforcement agencies and anti money-laundering authorities do not telephone people to accuse them of crimes, request transfers of money or conduct investigations through video calls. People who receive such calls are warned to end the conversation immediately and contact the national anti scam hotline on 1441.

The Thai Culture Ministry expects at least 100,000 South Koreans to visit an exhibition of Thai history and art at the National Museum in Seoul.

Thailand shipped 239 art objects dating from the Sukhothai period to the modern era to the National Museum of Korea in Seoul for a special exhibition that opened on June 23 and continues until Sept 6.

Some of the objects will also be displayed later at the famous Tongdosa Temple in South Gyeongsang province, southeast of the capital, for two months from Oct 4.

More than 30,000 visitors have attended the exhibition so far, leading the ministry to predict it will attract at least 100,000 by the time it ends in early September.

‘The first large-scale special exhibition in Korea dedicated to Thai history and art, offering a comprehensive exploration of Thailand’s history and cultural heritage from prehistoric times to the mid-20th century,’ the museum said on its website, in promoting the Amazing Thailand: Masterpieces of Thai Art event.

Port have confirmed the arrival of Thai-English forward Jude Soonsup-Bell, closing out their transfer business ahead of a gruelling 2026-27 season that will see the club compete on five fronts.

The striker is set to fly to Thailand before continuing on to Indonesia, where he will link up with his new teammates, currently involved in the Piala Presiden 2026.

The 22-year-old arrives as a free agent, his contract at English fourth-tier club Grimsby Town having lapsed at the close of the 2025/26 campaign

Interest reportedly came in from clubs across Europe and from within the Thai League itself, but Jude settled on a four-year deal at Port after weighing up where his career was best served.

Central to that decision was the prospect of continental football via the AFC Champions League Elite, along with the practical benefit of being based in Thailand as he continues preparations for international duty ahead of January’s AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Jude’s footballing education began at Swindon Town before Chelsea moved for him in 2015, bringing him into their academy at just 12 years old. He would go on to make his senior bow for the Blues under Thomas Tuchel while still a teenager, turning out in a Carabao Cup quarter-final win at Brentford in 2021.

A switch to Tottenham followed in 2023, though regular first-team opportunities never materialised at the club. He subsequently sought a fresh start overseas, spending the 2024/25 season with Cordoba in Spain’s second tier, before returning to English football with Grimsby last term, where he featured 29 times across all competitions.

Once tipped as a rising star of English football, having come through the England set-up from U15 to 19 levels, Jude has since committed his international future to Thailand, tracing his eligibility through his mother’s side of the family. Thai football chief Nualphan Lamsam played a key role in persuading him to switch allegiances.

He has since become a fixture in the Thailand national team.

Phuket authorities have taken legal action against eight jet ski operators following a province-wide inspection campaign targeting unlicensed businesses and illegal foreign nominee arrangements.

Led by deputy governor Romdon Hayiawae and officials from the Phuket Regional Harbour Office, the inspections on Saturday covered operators across the island.

Teams checked operating licences, business ownership structures and whether Thai nationals were unlawfully acting as nominees for foreign business owners.

The eight offending operators were accused of violating the Navigation in Thai Waters Act 1913.

Mr Romdon said legal action is underway and that authorities will continue inspections to root out unlawful practices.

The crackdown is part of an effort to ensure fair competition, protect national interests and enhance transparency within Phuket’s tourism sector.

Thailand is positioning itself to become a regional hub for humanoid robotics by leveraging its established automotive and electronics infrastructure.

Addressing national security concerns is vital, as domestic control over artificial intelligence (AI) systems prevents reliance on foreign technology that could be remotely compromised.

“Rather than focusing solely on manufacturing complete humanoid robots, Thailand should develop a robot orchestration platform that enables multiple robots to work together,” Djitt Laowattana, executive board member of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and board chairman of the Robotics and AI Committee, told the Bangkok Post.

A robot orchestration platform refers to a centralised software system that coordinates multiple robots and facilities to work seamlessly together.

He said coordinating fleets of humanoid robots to perform tasks collaboratively would create higher value-added services, position Thailand as a regional hub for humanoid deployment, and generate more sustainable profits.

“Thailand is at a turning point as it seeks to shift from a robotics importer to a regional manufacturing hub for humanoid robots,” said Mr Djitt.

In February, the Board of Investment (BoI) approved more than 10 billion baht in investments from five Chinese companies to establish the country’s first humanoid robot component production base in the Eastern Economic Corridor.

The BoI said it wants to position Thailand as a hub for the rapidly expanding global humanoid robot market.

The five Chinese firms are Hangzhou Seenpin Electromechanical Transmission, Beite Technology, Sanhua Intelligent Drives, Tuopu Technology and Xusheng Group.

The global humanoid market is moving from prototypes to commercial deployment and is projected to reach US$29.5 billion by 2036, Mr Djitt said.

Humanoid robot demand in Thailand will be driven partly by the auto industry’s transition to highly automated electric vehicle (EV) production, which requires more advanced robotics and electronics than conventional vehicle manufacturing, he noted.

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

Thailand’s strengths include a deep automotive and electronics supply chain, high localisation in vehicle production, strong Internet of Things adoption and BoI incentives, Mr Djitt said.

The country is well-positioned to produce mechanical structures, metal parts, robot housings and basic electronic assemblies.

However, Thailand still depends on imports for core technology, such as AI chips and high-performance motors.

Of more than 200 system integrators, only 30-40 meet international standards, while just 5% can develop their own robotics solutions.

He said the country also lacks specialists in embodied AI, actuator design and robot kinematics, as well as national testing facilities for durability and balance.

Thailand needs to move from component supplier to technology creator, said Mr Djitt.

Over the next two years, he said Thailand should prioritise humanoid curricula, national testing infrastructure, and technology transfer from foreign investors.

“Within 3-5 years, Thailand should develop an assembly cluster and upgrade local system integrators into AI-driven solution providers,” said Mr Djitt.

The long-term goal is a Thai embodied-AI platform adapted to local language, culture and use cases in factories, warehouses and services, he noted.

The transition carries social risks, as rapid automation could displace workers in labour-intensive sectors.

Policies must pair robotics investment with reskilling and job transition support to prevent technological progress from deepening economic insecurity.

In 1993, an industrial robotic arm cost around 2.8-3 million baht. Today, prices for the same product have fallen to roughly 300,000 baht.

Humanoid robots have followed a much faster cost curve. They were priced at around 1.6 million baht in the middle of last year, falling to 900,000 baht at the beginning of this year, while entry-level models fell to 350,000 baht last month.

Mr Djitt said it took industrial robotic arms more than 30 years to become a commodity product. The rapid decline in cost for humanoid robots suggests a much faster commercialisation cycle, he said.

Profit margins on complete automobiles are typically only around 5%, while automotive components can generate margins of 20-30%.

National Security

Chanwit Boonchuay, president of the AI Entrepreneurs Association of Thailand, said in a seminar Thailand cannot rival the US or Europe in building massive large language models.

However, relying entirely on foreign AI systems creates serious security risks because models can be biased, manipulated or used to spread disinformation, he noted.

“The threat is greater when AI is embedded in robots operating inside homes and factories,” Mr Chanwit said.

If foreign-controlled systems are hacked, restricted or remotely disabled, industrial operations could be disrupted immediately, he warned.

“Developing domestic control over robot intelligence is therefore a national security priority,” said Mr Chanwit.

Thailand has strengths in hardware manufacturing and original equipment manufacturing production, but the critical frontier is software, particularly vision-language-action models that allow robots to understand their surroundings and perform tasks independently, he noted.

Thailand should begin developing specialised local models for eldercare, agriculture and massage services, said Mr Chanwit, urging the government to support domestic robot software development to protect both national security and future economic competitiveness.

NICHE MARKET

Sakda Sarapatwittaya, president of the Thai Intralogistics Association and lead for Humanoid Thailand, told the Bangkok Post Thailand should avoid competing with China on mass-produced humanoid robots, as the latter already dominates core technology, manufacturing scale and costs.

“Instead, Thailand should target domain-specific robots built around local expertise and specialised use cases,” he said, allowing the country to secure a niche in the global supply chain rather than compete in generic component manufacturing.

Existing system integrators should be matched with local suppliers and be supported in shifting towards humanoid robotics, said Mr Sakda.

He advocated more attractive government measures, such as offering a 40% local content requirement for foreign robot makers investing in Thailand.

“This proposed rule would require companies to source local materials, labour or services, ensuring their investments generate wider benefits for the Thai economy,” said Mr Sakda.

He rejected the notion that humanoid robots would eliminate jobs. While automation will reduce demand for repetitive factory labour, it addresses Thailand’s ageing workforce and labour shortages.

The main shift needs to be the creation of new occupations, said Mr Sakda.

“Future workers will need to supervise, command and collaborate with robots rather than compete against them,” he noted.

Emerging roles include robot operators, maintenance supervisors, AI data trainers and system specialists.

Factory workers can transition from manual tasks to monitoring robot operations, supplying materials, handling emergency stops and performing basic troubleshooting.

Non-technical workers can help train AI by labelling defective and non-defective products, using practical experience rather than programming skills.

Mr Sakda is developing the Humanoid Asian Plus Initiative and plans to establish Living Lab Humanoid Thailand to accelerate regional collaboration. He signed partnerships with robotics organisations in Cameroon and Nepal.

Mr Sakda said the country’s strengths in plastics, steel, electronics and EV manufacturing can be adapted to produce humanoid components with relatively modest investment.

“Although today’s humanoid robots remain in the pilot stage and operate more slowly than humans, Thai businesses should begin investing, testing and training now to build expertise before the technology reaches mass commercial deployment,” he said.

ROBOT INTELLIGENCE

Metthier, a subsidiary of SET-listed SKY ICT, is set to launch three humanoid robots at Suvarnabhumi airport by year-end to assist passengers with pre-boarding.

The initiative is a joint venture between SKY Group, AgiBot, a robotics company specialising in embodied intelligence, and IT product retailer COM7.

Kayon Tantichatiwat, chief executive of Metthier, said the company distinguishes itself by focusing on the intelligence or brain of the robot, recognising that hardware without sophisticated, task-specific training offers little more than basic entertainment.

Metthier’s strategic roadmap involves rigorous data training tailored for high-impact sectors such as airport operations, security and the industrial sector.

Mr Kayon said a robot’s value is defined by its ability to solve industry-specific challenges.

In June, AgiBot said it is expanding into Thailand by establishing an Asia-Pacific sales office. The Chinese company partnered with leading IT distributor VST ECS (Thailand) to accelerate humanoid robotics adoption and develop new use cases for local markets.

Thailand functions as the company’s Asia-Pacific headquarters, said Abel Deng, president for Middle East and Asia-Pacific at AgiBot Innovation (Shanghai) Technology Co.

AgiBot aims to make robots cost-effective, easy to purchase, open for local development, and scalable through strong partnerships, he said.

China offers supply chain and manufacturing strengths, while Thailand has digital infrastructure, supportive policies, and a strong industrial base, which create opportunities to build local R and D, supply chains, and advanced robotics manufacturing, said Mr Deng.

“Now is the time to begin the AI-driven transformation and position Thailand as an intelligence hub,” he said.

Somsak Pejthaveeporndej, chief executive of VST ECS (Thailand), said businesses increasingly view humanoid robots as AI-powered platforms that can be integrated with enterprise software, data models and existing workflows.

Early use cases include retail and hospitality, such as customer greetings and promotional assistants. The robots are also being used at events as interactive brand ambassadors, exhibition hosts and in experiential marketing, he said.

Opposition parties have welcomed the government’s decision to abandon the Land Bridge megaproject in favour of a scaled-down “Missing Link” transport strategy, saying the new approach is more economically viable and better aligned with existing infrastructure.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva praised the government for basing its decision on facts and sound analysis after a government-appointed study concluded that the Land Bridge project had low feasibility, high risks and could place a heavy burden on the national budget.

The government announced last week that it would replace the Land Bridge proposal with a narrower “Missing Link” infrastructure plan after an official review found the original project carried significant financial risks and uncertain economic returns. It was also controversial with the public.

“The government has made the right decision by relying on the evidence,” Mr Abhisit said, adding that attention should now turn to improving the southern transport network through the Democrat Party’s proposed Southern Connect initiative.

The proposal calls for an integrated transport system linking railways, highways and ports to improve exports from the South and build strong connections with neighbouring countries and global markets.

Mr Abhisit said expanding cross-peninsula rail links and prioritising transport projects would provide greater economic returns than the Land Bridge, while carrying lower financial risks and guaranteeing demand.

He also urged the government to consider connecting ports on the Gulf of Thailand coast with Malaysia’s Andaman coast, particularly between Songkhla and Penang, arguing the route would require less investment, generate higher freight volumes and have fewer environmental impacts because much of the supporting infrastructure already exists.

Democrat deputy leader Chaichana Dejdecho said the budget originally earmarked for the Land Bridge should instead be invested in expanding the rail network and lift standards of links to key southern ports, including Padang Besar, Kantang and Ranong, to expand logistics and reduce transport costs.

Meanwhile, Veerayut Kanchoochat, deputy leader of the opposition People’s Party, said the PP had consistently opposed the project over concerns about its economic viability, environmental impacts and geopolitical risks.

He also warned against reintroducing similar projects through other budget allocations.

Mr Veerayut noted that during the Feb 8 election campaign, the PP proposed its own Southern Port Link strategy, focusing on upgrading the ports of Ranong and Songkhla, constructing a Chumphon-Ranong railway, expanding Andaman Sea export routes and improving logistics connections with Laem Chabang Port and China.

Tyson Fury brought heavyweight boxing to an unlikely stage on Friday night as a packed Max Muay Thai Stadium welcomed one of the sport’s biggest names for a rare appearance in Thailand. The former world heavyweight champion delivered a dominant performance, forcing veteran Mariusz Wach’s corner to retire the Pole after seven one-sided rounds to claim the WBC Humanitarian Belt.

For Thai boxing, the event represented far more than another fight card. Fury’s appearance attracted one of the largest boxing crowds seen in the country in recent years, with fans travelling from across Thailand and overseas to watch one of boxing’s biggest personalities compete in Pattaya. Throughout the evening, the atmosphere resembled that of a major international event rather than a routine fight night.

Inside the ring, Fury wasted little time taking control. Using his trademark feints, upper-body movement and educated jab, he dictated the pace from the opening round while repeatedly finding the target with shots to both the head and body. Wach attempted to increase the pressure during the second round, but Fury’s movement and timing consistently disrupted the veteran’s rhythm.

As the contest progressed, Fury began sitting down on his punches. Sharp uppercuts and straight rights forced Wach backwards, while his jab repeatedly snapped the Polish veteran’s head back. By the fifth and sixth rounds, the fight had become one-way traffic as Fury mixed his attacks and steadily broke down his opponent.

The loudest moment of the night came in the sixth round when the crowd erupted into chants for Fury, who acknowledged the support by increasing the pressure. Wach, renowned for his durability after sharing the ring with several elite heavyweights during his career, refused to go down despite absorbing sustained punishment.

Recognising their fighter had taken enough, Wach’s corner retired him on his stool at the end of the seventh round, ending the contest before the eighth could begin.

Attention quickly turned to Fury’s long-discussed showdown with fellow Briton Anthony Joshua. Asked whether he believed the fight would finally happen, Fury questioned Joshua’s willingness to face him.

“Let’s see if he gets through his test tomorrow. The biggest test of all is how big his balls are. He didn’t have the guts to get in the ring and face me. I’m not convinced,” Fury said.

Whether a fight with Joshua materialises remains to be seen, but Fury’s visit ensured Pattaya briefly became the centre of the boxing world and demonstrated Thailand’s growing ability to stage events capable of attracting some of the sport’s biggest international stars.

Japan and Thailand have strengthened defence ties as security challenges intensify across the Indo-Pacific, with Tokyo describing Bangkok as an indispensable partner in maintaining regional peace.

At the Japan Self-Defence Forces Memorial Day reception in Bangkok on July 23, Japanese Ambassador Otaka Masato said security cooperation between the countries is comprehensive despite an unstable global environment, with growing tensions across Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

He said military ties had expanded steadily over the past 70 years, with about 500 Thai military officers having studied in Japan. Many now hold senior positions in the Royal Thai Armed Forces and help strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Japan has also taken part in the annual Cobra Gold military exercise alongside Thai and US forces for nearly two decades. Defence cooperation has broadened to include transfers of defence equipment and technology, including a heavy-duty truck test vehicle project.

In March, Japan approved Official Security Assistance worth 500 million yen (about 100 million baht) to help strengthen Thailand’s security capabilities and contribute to regional peace and stability.

Mr Otaka said Japan and Thailand were indispensable partners in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific and looked forward to expanding defence cooperation further ahead of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year.

Responding to questions about concerns over Japan returning to militarism, Mr Otaka said Japan remained committed to its exclusively defence-oriented policy. “We may be a little more proactive in helping other countries defend themselves, but we will never be the aggressor,” he said.

Asked about Japan’s security assistance to Cambodia, he said the support was intended to strengthen its capacity to contribute to regional peace and stability, not to support any specific conflict. “We are supporting Cambodia in its capacity building for peace and stability in the region, but not for any particular conflicts,” he said.