Thailand suffers slump in number of Chinese tourists
Despite various measures to improve its image, Thailand has struggled to end its slump in the number of Chinese visitors, which is a great risk to an economy that is largely dependent on tourism.
Bangkok(VNA) – Despite various measures to improve its image, Thailand has struggledto end its slump in the number of Chinese visitors, which is a great risk to aneconomy that is largely dependent on tourism.
An unofficial reportshowed that the number of Chinese visitors to Thailand fell 12 percent in August2018, the strongest drop in over a year, pushing the total number of foreigntourists to the country down to nearly lowest level in 16 months.
Chinese tourists arethe main source of foreign currency income for Thailand’s tourism sector, whichmakes up about one fifth of the country’s total GDP.
Thailand estimatesthat Chinese visitors contribute one third of the total 65 billion USD thatforeign tourists spend in the Southeast Asian country each year.
The major reasonbehind the fall is the July boat accident in Phuket which killed dozens ofChinese tourists, along with other problems such as dengue fever outbreak, therise in price of the Thai baht, and the recent highly-publicised incidentinvolving the violent behaviour of a Thai airport guard towards a Chinesetourist.
The Thai stock markethas also suffered from the situation as tourism prices and entertainment shareshave decreased by 14 percent this year alongside a drop of 0.3 percent of thewhole market. The Tourism Authority of Thailand predicted that the number oftourists from China may reach about 1.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2018,equivalent to one fourth of the previous year’s figure.
Although the Bank ofThailand has forecast that the number of international tourists will recover to38 million this year, Khampon Adireksombat from Kasikorn Securities held thatthe growth of the tourism sector may slow down, which, together with impactsfrom the global trade war, may pull Thai economic growth to 4.2 percent in 2019over the expectation of 4.5 percent in 2018. –VNA
Thailand has celebrated Thai National Flag Day, expressing gratitude to His Majesty King Rama the Sixth for bestowing the current version of the flag on the nation 101 years ago.
Thailand joined the world in recognising the International Week of the Deaf 2018, holding an event to raise public awareness of people with disabilities.
Thai Labour Minister Pol. Gen. Adul Saengsingkaew said the much criticized negotiation to remove Thai nationals found working illegally in the Republic of Korea from the country's blacklist is just a small part of the deal, as both countries are still looking for a long-term solution to this issue.
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.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
A temple in Bangkok (Source: Xinhua) 
