2023’s top stories: Tourism in the driver’s seat as Thai economy trundles towards recovery

15 Sept 20:33 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's tourism sector experienced a significant recovery in 2023, attracting 25 million foreign arrivals and substantially contributing to GDP growth, though still below pre-pandemic levels.
Despite the overall recovery, tourist numbers and spending fell short of targets, partly due to lower-than-expected Chinese tourist arrivals influenced by safety concerns and China's economic slowdown.
The Thai government implemented proactive measures, including visa exemptions for key countries like China, Kazakhstan, India, and Taiwan, and extended operating hours for entertainment venues to further boost tourism.
For 2024, the government targets 35 million tourists and 2.5 trillion baht in revenue, anticipating a spike in Chinese visitors, but acknowledges risks from a potential global economic slowdown.

Flooding persists in Bangkok and 22 provinces

Yesterday 16:00 Key points summarised by AI

Persistent flooding continues across Bangkok and 22 Thai provinces, though water levels are gradually receding in many affected areas.
Over 604,000 families, impacting approximately 1.83 million people, are still grappling with the widespread flood conditions.
The national flood death toll has reached 80 since mid-September, with fatalities reported across various provinces.
Major regions like Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, and Bangkok report significant numbers of affected households, with hundreds of thousands still in trouble.