Big spenders sought to spur the economy

[reader]

From Bangkok Post

A new committee will be formed to direct measures aimed at attracting more foreign visitors with high purchasing power to Thailand, the government said on Friday, as part of efforts to spur the local economy.

The committee's formation was proposed by the National Economic and Social Development Council and approved at a meeting of the Centre for Economic Situation Administration (CESA), said government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana.

The committee will coordinate the work of several state agencies to adjust their rules to make it more convenient for such tourists to visit the country, he said.

The new committee will report directly to the Prime Minister's Office, Mr Thanakorn said.

 

 

[spoon]

I thought that has been their main aim since they first open up the country back in early 2021? Owh, i guess back then, they dont have a committee working on this? 

[10tazione]

1 hour ago, spoon said:

I thought that has been their main aim since they first open up the country back in early 2021? Owh, i guess back then, they dont have a committee working on this? 

2021 they had a committee on how to form a committee to work on this

[PeterRS]

It's been the aim of the country since much further back - around 2003 or so. That was the reason the Thaksin government started up the Thailand Elite scheme. For years it was virtually a disaster, but in recent years with the various major changes to the retirement visa and with some having to lock up virtually 800,000 baht in an account each year, it has become a great deal more popular.

[a-447]

What does the government expect these "foreign visitors with high purchasing power " to actually buy?

What does Thailand offer that you can't get back home?

[Guest]

6 hours ago, a-447 said:

What does Thailand offer that you can't get back home?

Gogo bars?

However, the government has been discouraging those for years.

[vinapu]

7 hours ago, a-447 said:

What does the government expect these "foreign visitors with high purchasing power " to actually buy?

What does Thailand offer that you can't get back home?

they count on well known fact that on vacations purse strings are much looser and tourists buy a lot of stuff they normally wouldn't even look at at home

boring hours waiting for connections in the airports are adding plenty to that spending

[PeterRS]

16 hours ago, a-447 said:

What does the government expect these "foreign visitors with high purchasing power " to actually buy?

What does Thailand offer that you can't get back home?

As many have done, hugely expensive apartments like those in Bangkok's most expensive condos in Witthayu and homes in places like Phuket. I know two from Hong Kong who have each built huge houses with several guest houses in their own compounds in Phuket. Many of these owners provide employment for cleaners, cooks, housemaids - even butlers. Add in private jet parking fees and yacht  berths at marinas.

I also knew a couple from my home town in the UK who have been coming to Phuket for six months every winter to stay in their own luxury apartment. Add in all the sun, sand, cuisine etc. that you could not get over wintering the UK.

Posters here may assume that sex is an essential part of a visitor experience. I doubt if that's true for most of the rich Elite members. They probably bring their boyfriends/girlfriends with them LOL.