Thailand receives 5.57 million foreign tourist arrivals so far this year
Thai Government spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul on March 22 said that the country recorded 5.57 million foreign tourist arrivals from the beginning of this year to March 18.
Bangkok (VNA) – Thai Government spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul on March 22 said that the country recorded 5.57 million foreign tourist arrivals from the beginning of this year to March 18.
According to analysts, the vital and rapidly recovering tourism sector continues to support the country’s economy while exports are weakening as global demand slows.
Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith echoed that view, saying that the Thai economy is expected to expand by 3-4% this year. Monetary and fiscal policies must work together to ensure growth and stability, he said.
Speaking at a business seminar on the same day, the minister said that the number of foreign tourist arrivals could reach 27 million this year, up from 11.15 million in 2022.
As inflation is easing domestically, there is no need for monetary policy and interest rates in Thailand to follow US moves, he added.
According to Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce, consumer price inflation in February declined to 3.8% annually, from 5.1% the month before.
The Bank of Thailand is expected to raise its key rate by a modest quarter-point to 1.75%, at its next meeting on March 29.
Arkhom reiterated there has been no impact on Thailand from the problems in the global banking sector.
The country’s fiscal position was stable as its public debt at 61.26% of gross domestic product (GDP) as of February was not very high, and foreign debt was also low, he said.
𒆙 As the country is gearing up for an election on May 14, government spending should continue as usual but there may be some impact on new investment projects before a new government is formed, he said. The baht is likely to remain volatile, driven by external factors, but its moves have stayed within a range seen earlier in the year, he said./.
Ten ASEAN Tourism Ministers have approved the ASEAN professional standards for MICE Professionals and Event Professionals. Effective regionally this year, the approved standards will enhance the competitiveness and strengthen the potential of ASEAN MICE industry.
Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn on May 20 issued a royal decree on the dissolution of the country's parliament, paving the way for a general election to be held in May. The decree took effect on the same day.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto and EAEU Trade Minister Andrey Slepnev jointly declared the conclusion of FTA talks on the sidelines of the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2025), according to the statement.
The article stressed that throughout his revolutionary career, the founder of modern Vietnam consistently regarded the revolutionary press as a vital part of the Vietnamese Party’s and nation’s revolutionary struggle.
Pichai said the trade talks with the US are important and need to move forward professionally, without regard for any political changes in Thailand, believing that Thailand has clear principles, guidelines and procedures in place.
The tax adjustment supports the Malaysian Government’s strategy to reduce reliance on foreign food supply chains and to assist domestic farmers, a finance official has said.
The proposed venue is located in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok, featuring eight public sites, including Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal and several nearby parks.
Connectivity is expected to improve further with the completion of the fifth Laos–Thailand Friendship Bridge by the end of 2025, facilitating logistics and agricultural exports to Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
Two naval gunboats intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 1.5 tonnes of methamphetamine hydrochloride off the coast of the main island of Luzon just before dawn, in a joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
In the today context of socio-economic development and growth, the professionalism of Vietnam’s revolutionary journalists continues to rise, guided by exemplary mastery of new information technologies and the modernisation of their founding principles to preserve the enduring values of revolutionary journalism.
Thai Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Vuttikrai Leewiraphan Thailand's formal proposal will be substantial enough for the US to consider further detailed negotiations. He hoped for a tariff rate not exceeding 10% and suggested that the US might extend the negotiation period if an agreement is not reached by the July 8 deadline.
Organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Association of Thai Silk & Culture Promotions, the event honors Her Majesty the Queen on her 47th birthday anniversary and promotes Thai craftsmanship on an international stage.
Prensa Latina's recent article on Vietnam’s assurance of smooth and effective transition to a leaner structure highlighted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s latest directions on implementing 28 resolutions regarding the decentralisation and delegation of authority.
The lab focuses on four key thematic areas: energy transition and green innovation, sustainable agriculture, circular economy and sustainable cities, and nature-based solutions and biodiversity.
The key content of the document titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges" will be refined further in a seminar preceding the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.
This follows Telegram’s serious failure to address the content that has been repeatedly reported to them, despite various efforts of negotiation and cooperation made by MCMC, it said.
Efforts to empower women must transcend dialogue and translate into concrete commitments, including corporate pledges and government partnerships, according to the spouse of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The forum featured two in-depth discussion sessions, engaging representatives from governments, think tanks, and businesses from both ASEAN and China, on how to forge closer ties for a common future.
The new FIFA Hub in Jakarta will not only support football development in Indonesia but also serve as a coordination centre for 21 football associations across Southeast and East Asia.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen reaffirmed Vietnam’s principled and consistent stance on the Palestine issue, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire across the entire Gaza Strip.
PM Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the determination of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, to utilise all viable regional mechanisms of the bloc and work with partners to de-escalate violence and restore a peace process led by Myanmar.
Illustrative photo (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
