Thailand recorded 19 mln foreign tourists so far this year

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Umbrellas are seen in a restaurant as tourists enjoy a beach in the island of Phuket in Thailand

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Thailand Vows to Protect Tourists’ Safety After Deadly Mall Shooting

THAILAND-SHOOTING

T hailand will take steps to enhance the safety of foreign tourists, official said on Wednesday, a day after a teenager shot dead two people, including a Chinese visitor, inside a popular shopping mall in downtown Bangkok.

Tourism Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol stressed the shooting at Siam Paragon mall in the capital city was “an isolated incident.” However, law enforcement agencies will tighten weapons screening at shopping malls and other tourist spots, she said. 

The Chinese national, a 34-year-old woman, and a Myanmar citizen working at the mall, were shot dead by the 14-year-old boy. The shooter, who was nabbed by the police, was previously treated for mental illness and had skipped taking medication, according to police chief Torsak Sukvimol. Five people were injured, including another Chinese citizen.

Read More: Revenge Travel May Be a Big Problem for Places Like Thailand's Famous Maya Bay

The shooting casts a shadow on Thailand’s expectations for a surge in foreign tourist arrivals under a visa-free program for visitors from China and Kazakhstan. The Southeast Asian nation, popular for its beaches, Buddhist temples and national parks, is forecast to receive up to 30 million holidaymakers this year, more than double the tally in 2022.

Thailand is counting on tourists to power an economic recovery this year as it grapples with headwinds from a decline in exports and higher interest rates. Chinese tourists were the largest group of visitors to the country before the pandemic, accounting for about 28% of the record 40 million foreign arrivals in 2019. 

Watching Fallout

The fallout from the shooting on tourism needs to be watched, Bank of Thailand Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput said Wednesday, adding the industry had recovered to 60-70% of its pre-Covid levels.

“The shooting will hurt confidence of tourists and sentiment,” said Burin Adulwattana, chief economist at Bangkok-based Kasikorn Research Center. It also “increases downside risk to Thailand’s fragile economic recovery. The government will need to try its best to restore confidence.”

Shares of hotel, shopping mall operators and airlines fell in Bangkok trading, dragging the SET Tourism & Leisure Index to a one-year low. Central Plaza Hotel Pcl dropped as much as 8.5%, leading decline among the hotels, while mall operator Central Pattana Pcl fell as much as 2.8%. Asia Aviation Pcl lost as much as 4.5% and Airports of Thailand Pcl slid as much as 3.6%.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand and other agencies will also step up their communications strategy to ease concerns among travelers and improve Thailand’s image as a safe tourism destination, officials said at a briefing on Wednesday.

Read More: An Ex-Cop Is Behind Thailand’s Deadliest Mass Shooting. Now, the Country Is Asking Questions

While mass shootings are not very common in Thailand, a former cop used an automatic weapon to fire at a daycare center in northeastern Thailand last year, killing 36 people, mostly preschoolers. Since then, the government has ordered a crackdown on unlicensed gun owners and compulsory registration of all firearms.

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Thailand Travel Updates

Thailand Travel Advisory

Push for Visa-Free Entry for Indian Visitors in Thailand

Visa-Free Entry for Indian Visitors in Thailand

Thailand’s tourism officials have pushed the government to start talks about a long-term visa-free agreement between Thailand and India. 

As of February 18, visitors from India ranked fifth in terms of arrivals, totaling around 260,000 tourists. Somsong Sachaphimukh, vice-president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, believes that extending the visa waiver for an additional two years after its scheduled end on May 10, 2024, will keep this positive trend going. With India expected to overtake Germany’s economy by 2027, Thailand sees this as a prime chance to attract more premium tourists, and it is hoped that a long-term, mutual visa-free program between Thailand and India could be beneficial to boost tourism and trade for both countries. 

Currently, flights between Thailand and India are on the rise, despite being limited to just six major Indian cities. This agreement would convince airlines to increase their flight services to take advantage of the increased traffic, benefitting both the businesses and the country.

Travelers from India might spend between 60,000 and 100,000 baht for a seven-day trip in Thailand. This market also holds promise for business meetings, incentive trips, and wedding ceremonies, with each potentially costing between 50 and 100 million baht.

Sachaphimuk pointed out the Indian market’s vast potential, primarily from its large young workforce aged 25 to 40, representing about 40% of India’s total population.

Kazakhs’ Visa-Free Period Extended

Visa-Free Period Extended

The Prime Minister’s cabinet has decided to prolong the visa-free entry for Kazakh tourists by an additional six months. The visa exemption program for visitors from Kazakhstan will now continue from March 1 through August 31.

Launched last year, this policy aimed to boost tourism with a planned duration of September 25 to February 29. It was a success, attracting a record 172,000 visitors from Kazakhstan to Thailand.

Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, noted that each Kazakh visitor spends up to 75,000 baht on average, compared to the general visitor spending of about 45,000 baht. This spending trend highlights the significant economic impact Kazakh tourists have on Thailand and provides a clear justification for the extension.

Travel to Thailand in July 2022

Thailand has removed the requirement for Thailand Pass registration for all travelers.

Travelers, both Thais, and foreigners entering Thailand, will only be required to show Proof of Vaccination or COVID-19 test results.

For vaccinated adults and their children, proof of vaccination of the parent or guardian is required. Children are not required to complete a test.

For unvaccinated adults and their children, you will be required to show proof of a negative result of the RT PCR test or professional ATK test taken within 72 hours before traveling.

The Thai government recommends having comprehensive travel insurance for your travel to Thailand. AXA Thailand Insurance offers the best travel insurance and it is highly recommended.

Required Documents for Travel to Thailand July 2022

Travel to Thailand 2022

Please have the following documents ready.

  • Visa (if required)
  • Buy Thailand Travel Insurance
  • Flight Itinerary
  • Hotel Booking Confirmation or Thailand Address

Incorrect documents will delay the entry screening to Thailand.

Buy Your Insurance Now

US Expats Tax and Trust Free Seminar and Consultations

US Expats Tax and Trust Free Seminar and Consultations

For American Expats in Thailand , you may participate in Tax Seminar and Consultations in Hua Hin. For more information, please check this Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/events/370778121756657/

Free Tax Seminar in Hua Hin

Important Information You Need to Know Before Purchasing Thailand Pass Insurance

Siam Legal has received reports from potential clients that some hospitals are creating difficulties for them until full payment is made for their medical expenses. Also, foreigners have allegedly been threatened with lawsuits for not settling their medical bills before being discharged. Using out-of-country policies can be problematic. We firmly recommend using insurance carriers headquartered inside Thailand with proper coverage to avoid any undesirable outcomes.

Siam Legal International, a premier law firm in Thailand, strongly recommends purchasing the proper insurance and therefore endorses AXA Insurance for your travel to Thailand insurance needs.

HERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT POINTS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE PURCHASING THAILAND PASS INSURANCE

  • Please carefully review the details of any insurance before purchasing to understand if the policy has adequate coverage. Cheap policies with inadequate levels of cover can lead to significant personal liability and scenarios where policyholders incur hundreds of thousands of baht in out of pocket medical expenses are not uncommon. There are significant financial risks to being underinsured during your stay in Thailand.
  • Those policies do not cover medical costs from accidents (like motorcycle accidents) or common unexpected illnesses (common fever or food poisoning). Simply pay a few baht more for the peace of mind that comes from having proper coverage.
  • AXA covers medical expenses (outpatient and inpatient) due to accidents and illnesses, including COVID-19. Other insurance coverage might not.
  • AXA also covers telemedicine and teleconsultation which may be required during the quarantine period of any traveler.

Thai hospital staff are familiar with AXA coverage which should prevent any inconvenience during hospital admission or medical treatment from your hotel room. AXA Thailand also offers 24/7 local support during your stay in Thailand.

You can purchase your COVID-19 Thailand Pass insurance today at the link below.

https://u.axa.co.th/Sawasdee_Siamlegal

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COVID Visa Extension To Continue Until March 25

Foreigners will now have until March 25, 2022, to extend their special COVID extension stamp, as announced by the Bureau of Immigration.

The COVID extension was supposed to end on January 25 but has been extended. The visa relief or extension grants 60 days of stay to those who apply.

It has been reported that:

  • If you have 15 days visa-on-arrival, you cannot have a COVID extension
  • If you have a 60-day Tourist Visa, you can have a COVID extension if necessary
  • If you have a 30 days Visa Exemption, you can have a COVID extension if necessary
  • If you have a Non-immigrant B, ED, O (Volunteer), for example, you can no longer have a COVID extension

Please note that this extension of stay is not automatic, you must apply for this at your local immigration office and it will be at the discretion of the officer to approve the application.

Thailand Pass Update: Test and Go Reopens February 1, 2022

The Thailand Pass Test & Go application has reopened for 2022. Now foreign travelers may enter the country using the Test & Go program. Under this program, fully vaccinated travelers including unvaccinated children from low-risk countries will only need to stay for 1 night in a Quarantine or SHA Plus Hotel while they wait for the COVID test result that was taken upon arrival. The second COVID test will be taken at any of the government-approved test centers in Thailand.

Travelers are required to have documentation such as a copy of a passport, flight booking, vaccination certificate, hotel reservation, pre-paid COVID test, and COVID-19 travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 50,000 US dollars.

Travelers are also required to undergo an RT-PCR COVID test within 72 hours before traveling to Thailand.

To apply for the Thailand Pass Test & Go Program, travelers will have to:

1. Register at the official Thailand Pass website 2. Input personal details 3. Upload the required documents 4. Receive a confirmation email after registration 5. Wait for approval which normally takes 5 to 7 days.

Thailand Pass Test & Go is now open again for travel to Thailand.

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Phuket Sandbox and COVID Test FAQs

Phuket Sandbox and COVID Test FAQs

Who gets the “free” second covid testing.

Travelers approved before the Thailand Pass suspension and who arrive in the Kingdom from December 24 onwards must do a second RT-PCR test, shouldered by the government, on the 5th or 6th day at a government-approved medical facility.

The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) mentioned in the December 24 briefing that travelers will have to fill in a port health letter upon arrival at the airport, which will be signed by a border control officer and certified by the Department of Disease Control. The border control officer will then provide you with a copy and a QR code, stating the venue for your second RT-PCR COVID-19 test at no additional cost.

You will present the port health letter to your hotel, which will key your records onto the COVID-19 Surveillance Tracking and Evaluation platform, and arrange for your first COVID-19 test. On day 5 or 6, go to your designated laboratory center for your second RT-PCR COVID-19.

I already have a COVID test appointment for Phuket Sandbox, do I need to register again?

It depends on your COVID test provider. You can contact the hotel or the laboratory that you registered prior.

For those who are coming to Phuket who had already registered through www.thailandpsas.com for a single swab test before the announcement of the new guidelines, you can still add a second swab test by logging in to the account you used for registration:

  • Choose your booking details and click the "Edit" icon.
  • Click "Additional Swab Appointment".
  • Pay the fee

Can I travel to other places in Thailand even if only the Phuket Sandbox is available?

You need to complete a 7-night stay in Phuket before being allowed to travel to other areas of Thailand. Once you receive your first negative test result in Phuket, you are able to travel freely around Thailand’s largest island. After you receive your second negative test result and have completed a 7-night stay in Phuket, you are able to travel to any other area of Thailand.

With the suspension, are there changes to the number of quarantine days?

Seven (7) days quarantine applies to travelers who have a certificate of vaccination to confirm that they have been fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine for at least 14 days before traveling to Thailand. 10 days quarantine applies to travelers who do not have a certificate of vaccination. 14 days quarantine applies to travelers from African countries other than the previously designated high-risk countries, which are constantly being reviewed.

Can we change our flight schedule?

Flight changes are permitted within 72 hours from the original flight time registered in the Thailand Pass without the need to apply for a new Thailand Pass QR Code, provided that all other required documents remain valid or updated.

Book COVID Test for Phuket Sandbox

How to Book COVID Test for Phuket Sandbox

Starting December 23, 2021, Thailand will now require two RT-PCR tests for those entering Phuket.

The first test will be conducted at Phuket International Airport while the second test on the 5th day will be conducted at the test centers around Phuket.

  • Provide flight details and hotel information. You will be asked for your flight and accommodation details.
  • Input your personal information like your gender, date of birth, country of origin, and Passport Number.
  • Choose your swab test locations. Because the first swab test will be conducted at the Phuket International Airport, you can only choose the location for the second swab test. The swab test date will be automatically shown from the details you input in Step 1.
  • Pay the fee . The fee for the RT PCR tests is 4200 THB.

Note: For those who have already registered for a single swab test before the announcement of the new guidelines, you can still add a second swab test by logging in to the account you used for registration:

  • Choose your booking details and click the “Edit” icon.
  • Click “Additional Swab Appointment”.
  • Pay the fee.

New Entry Requirements for October 1

New Entry Requirements for October 1

  • Group 1: Vaccinated travelers from countries not eligible for the Sandbox program need to do a 7 days quarantine.
  • Group 2: Vaccinated travelers from all countries arriving in Bangkok will be subject to a mandatory quarantine of 7 days.
  • Group 3: Not vaccinated travelers arriving by air/sea must undergo mandatory quarantine for 10 days.
  • Group 4: Not vaccinated travelers arriving by land must undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days.

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Related Practices & Jurisdictions

  • Immigration
  • Administrative & Regulatory

thailand tourism news update

The Thai government is introducing several new immigration initiatives designed to increase tourism and spur economic growth.

Key Points:

  • The Immigration Bureau stated that visa holders are allowed an extension for an additional 30 days and can convert to a nonimmigrant B visa for work authorization if desired.
  • Applicants would contact their respective embassy to obtain a nonimmigrant education visa to enter for 90 days.
  • The visa will be renewable depending on the registration authority. If an individual obtains a visa from a boxing school that holds an education license approval from the Ministry of Education, they will be able to renew their visa for a period not exceeding one year. If the visa is from a school registered with the Sports Authority of Thailand, the visa will be non-renewable, and continued study will require a new application.
  • The program is still in development. BAL will provide additional details upon approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • Finally, Thai officials are leading a push for a joint visa program similar to the Schengen visa that would include Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

Additional Information:  Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stated that the move for a joint visa program between the six nations would promote seamless mobility across the Southeast Asian countries, streamline tourist entry and boost tourism spending.

BAL Analysis:  Thailand’s economic growth has slowed recently due to weaker demand and tourism. The tourism-reliant country has recently created several policy updates to reopen after strict pandemic restrictions. These policies are also part of a wider government strategy to facilitate entry and boost investment from international business interests.

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South Africa, Thailand forge ahead together

The bilateral relationship of 30 years is yielding good outcomes in agriculture

PUBLISHED : 2 May 2024 at 05:30

NEWSPAPER SECTION: News

WRITER: Poramet Tangsathaporn

HE Mr Darkey Ephraim Africa.

Bilateral relationships between Thailand and South Africa have yielded good outcomes, especially in the agricultural sector, according to South Africa's Ambassador to Thailand Darkey Africa.

Mr Africa gave the Bangkok Post an exclusive interview to mark the 30th anniversary of freedom and democracy in South Africa and three decades of the South Africa-Thailand bilateral relationship.

"Thailand and South Africa's relationships over the past 30 years have been positive," Mr Africa said.

The ambassador said the long-standing relationship resulted from Nelson Mandela's visits to Thailand in 1997 and 2004, which were driven by Mandela's vision to expand connections with many countries, especially in Asia.

The positivity is evident through cooperation between the two countries at the global level and attempts to boost bilateral trade, he said.

Mr Africa said many agreements have been signed over the years, with the areas of tourism, sport, culture, and agriculture being key focuses.

The ambassador highlighted the agricultural sector, which has seen South African fruits being imported to Thailand while Thai fruits, such as mangosteen and durian, are exported to South Africa.

He said he'd also love to introduce beef and wine from South Africa -- regarded as some of the world's best -- to Thailand. However, the exchange of agricultural know-how is more important to Mr Africa.

Thailand has an excellent agricultural background, and the exchange of expertise could be beneficial to South African farmers, he said.

Gaps in tourism

Cooperation in tourism, however, can be improved, Mr Africa said.

Only 2,000 people travelled between South Africa and Thailand in 2022, he said. The number should be increased, he said, adding there have been meetings between South African officials and tour operators in Thailand to discuss ways to make this possible.

One of the barriers is a lack of direct flights between the two countries.

"We hope Thai Airways and South Africa Airways, which are national carriers, would consider the prospect of connectivity between the two countries," he said.

He added that state authorities should help make such an idea economically viable for the airlines.

The implementation and monitoring of agreements have challenged the bilateral relationship, he said.

Mr Africa said many collaborative schemes and frameworks signed between the two countries have not yielded results. He suggested there should be a monitoring mechanism to ensure those agreements are implemented and their results monitored.

"It is only through results that the benefits of the relations between two countries are fair by the people," he said.

Mr Africa said trade figures from 2023 showed that South Africa's export value to Thailand was 7.31 billion rand (14.45 billion baht), while it imported goods and services worth 59.97 billion rand (118.5 billion baht) from Thailand.

"The figures showed an imbalance of bilateral trade in favour of Thailand. We bought more from Thailand while Thailand bought less from us," he said.

Peace to the world

Mr Africa said that since the end of the apartheid, marked as April 27, 1994, South Africa has removed the discrimination created by the apartheid system to consolidate a nation with diversity.

Now, South Africa can proudly stand tall in the global community and defend democracy and human rights across the globe, he said.

"Before 1994, [most] people could not have a chance to vote or represent the country as an ambassador," he said.

"Today, South Africa has one of the best constitutions in the world, which guarantees human rights to everybody regardless of differences. We are now able to talk about non-racial South Africa with positive prospects of prosperity and development," he said.

Mr Africa said the country is working on improving its economic transformation and de-racialisation while empowering women and children.

"It is to ensure the suppression will never happen again, and people can enjoy freedom," he said.

"We cannot teach other countries. We can only learn from each other through exchanging viewpoints. Given the fact that Thailand and South Africa have a bilateral relationship, it indicates that we have lots in common and can share and learn from each other," he said.

Mr Africa commented on the new Nelson Mandela Centre at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, launched on March 21.

"The centre is a platform to share experiences on how to resolve conflict, address and prevent atrocities, and promote peace, not only between two countries, but the world," he said. "It demonstrates the two countries' determination to work on critical areas to enhance global peace."

  • South Africa
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China market update: tourism data rebounds.

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Asian equities were higher overnight, led by Mainland China’s reopening following its Labor Day holiday, though Japan was closed for Children’s Day, South Korea was closed for Substitution Holiday, and Thailand was closed for Coronation Day.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism reported “total domestic travel in China was 295 million person-times, a year-on-year increase of 7.6% and an increase of 28.2% versus 2019” and the “total cost of domestic tourists traveling was 166.89 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 12.7% and a growth rate of 13.5%” versus 2019.

Real estate policy support continues to be amplified as Shenzhen clarified home purchase restriction adjustments after Beijing’s similar move last week received media attention. Hong Kong had a choppy morning but grinded higher to close near intra-day highs on high volumes that were 146% of the 1-year average.

Mainland investors were active via Southbound Stock Connect, buying a healthy net $650 million worth of Hong Kong-listed ETFs and stocks, including the Hong Kong Tracker ETF, which was a large net buy. The ETF purchases require market makers to hedge, which spiked short-selling turnover, though it wasn’t outright short-selling but hedging.

Hong Kong’s most heavily traded stocks by value were Tencent, which gained +1.59%, Meituan, which gained +0.50%, Alibaba, which gained +0.38%, CNOOC, which fell -2.68%, and AIA, which gained +1.87%. I sense that trading desks’ mood appears to be picking up though skepticism about the rally remains high, which is great news to me. Going from underweight to neutral would be a big move for Chinese equities. Over the last five trading days, three US-listed China equity ETFs received net inflows, i.e. increases in shares outstanding. Meanwhile, three had net outflows and decreases in shares outstanding, including one that lost -8.5% of their shares outstanding last week. The pain trade is higher, in my opinion!

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Mainland China reopened after bring off since last Tuesday. Shanghai and Shenzhen rose and stayed there on strong breath (i.e. advancers versus decliners) and good volume that increased to 130% of the 1-year average. Railroad stocks were higher following the implementation of surge pricing. Foreign investors bought a healthy net $1.29 billion worth of Mainland stocks, including Kweichow Moutai, which saw significant net buying.

CNY made a strong move versus the US dollar, closing today at 7.21 CNY per USD versus last Tuesday’s 7.24 CNY per USD, indicating appreciation.

The April Caixin Services PMI release of 52.5 versus expectations of 52.5 and Marchs’ 52.7 received little attention overnight.

President Xi arrived in France today to talk trade with President Macron.

Interestingly, Geely Automobile is looking to pursue an IPO of its electric vehicle (EV) brand Zeekr in the US.

Berkshire Hathaway’s BRK.B annual shareholder meeting is a big event for Chinese investors, many of whom will be making the pilgrimage to Omaha. Chinese financial media noted the company’s massive cash position and Warren Buffett’s comments on waiting to deploy it.

The Hang Seng and Hang Seng Tech indexes gained +0.55% and +0.92%, respectively, on volume that increased +24.35% from Friday, which is 146% of the 1-year average. 296 stocks advanced while 189 declined. Main Board short turnover increased +34.06% from Friday, which is 145% of the 1-year average, as 18% of turnover was short turnover (Hong Kong shore turnover includes ETF market makers’ hedging). The value factor outperformed the growth factor. The top-performing sectors were Utilities, which gained +1.88%, Industrials, which gained +1.69%, and Health Care, which gained +1.60%. Meanwhile, Real Estate fell -2.38%. The top-performing subsectors were media and capital goods. Meanwhile, Real Estate services and food & beverages were among the worst-performing. Southbound Stock Connect volumes were light as Mainland investors bought a net $650 million worth of Hong Kong-listed stocks and ETFs, including the Hong Kong Tracker ETF, which was a large net buy, and the Bank of China and Li Auto, which were small net buys.

Shanghai, Shenzhen, and the STAR Board gained +1.16%, +2.07%, and +1.33%, respectively, on volume that increased +6.97% from last Tuesday, which is 130% of the 1-year average. 4,435 stocks advanced while 762 declined. All factors were positive as the growth factor and small caps outperformed the value factor and large caps. All sectors were positive, including Consumer Staples, which gained +3.22%, Health Care, which gained +2.91%, and Consumer Discretionary, which gained +2.47%. The top-performing subsectors were motorcycles, chemicals, and chemical fibers. Meanwhile, telecom, oil & gas, and computer hardware were among the worst-performing sectors. Northbound Stock Connect volumes were light, as foreign investors bought a healthy net $1.29 billion worth of Mainland stocks, including Kweichow Moutai, which was a large net buy, and LXJM and China Merchants Bank, which were small net buys. Meanwhile, Midea Group, Focus Media and Nari-Tech were moderate net sells. CNY and the Asia Dollar Index were higher versus the US dollar. The Treasury curve steepened. Steel gained while copper was off.

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Last Night's Performance

Last night’s exchange rates, prices, & yields.

  • CNY per USD 7.20 versus 7.24 Friday
  • CNY per EUR 7.77 versus 7.79 Friday
  • Yield on 1-Day Government Bond 1.44% versus 1.43% Friday
  • Yield on 10-Year Government Bond 2.31% versus 2.30% Friday
  • Yield on 10-Year China Development Bank Bond 2.40% versus 2.41% Friday
  • Copper Price -1.06%
  • Steel Price +1.14%

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May 2024’s Festivals and Events in Thailand

Visakha bucha day celebrations nationwide and bun bung fai rocket festival in isan lead an exciting lineup of events and festivals this month..

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The month of May 2024 boasts an exciting lineup of local cultural celebrations of Visakha Bucha Day and Bun Bung Fai Rocket Festival, as well as many other exciting events and festivals.

May 2024’s Festivals and Events in Thailand

Visakha Bucha Day 22 May 2024 At temples nationwide

Held each year on the full moon of the sixth lunar month, Visakha Bucha Day celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of Lord Buddha. On this day, Buddhists will go to the temple in worship and remembrance of the teachings and social and spiritual values of Buddha, and perform merit-making and candlelight ceremonies. This includes an evening Wien Tien candlelit procession where Buddhist devotees hold lighted candles in hand and go around a temple three times, representing one the Buddha, two his teachings, and three the monkhood.

Here are some of Thailand’s distinctive Visakha Bucha Day celebrations:

Sukhothai ‘Wien Tien Ta Khan’ Visakha Bucha Day 2024 21-22 May 2024 Wat Chang Lom, Sukhothai Historical Park Sukhothai

Nakhon Phanom Visakha Bucha Day 2024 22 May 2024 Wat Phra That Phanom Nakhon Phanom

51st World’s Only Wien Tien Ceremony on Water, Phayao Lake 22-24 May 2024 Wat Tilok Aram’s Pier and Wat Tilok Aram Phayao Lake Phayao

Kalasin Visakha Bucha Day 2024 22-26 May 2024 Phrathat Yakhu Kamalasai District Kalasin

Other events and festivals

Here is a list – sorted by event date – of cultural, entertainment, sporting and other occasions taking place around Thailand in May 2024, including the exhilarating Bun Bung Fai Rocket Festival in the Northeastern Thai provinces of Yasothon, Kalasin and Roi Et.

Spotlight Koh Tao 2024 3-5 May 2024 Ao Luek, Ko Tao Surat Thani

Mango Art Festival 2024 7-12 May 2024 River City Bangkok Bangkok

Yasothon Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival 10-12 May 2024 Chaeng Sanit Road Yasothon

Wai Kru Nora Wat Tha Khae 15-18 May 2024 Wat Tha Khae Phatthalung

OUTDOOR FEST 2024 16-19 May 2024 11.00-20.00 Hrs. Hall 5-6, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center Bangkok

Krabi Wellness Festival 2024 17-18 May 2024 Sport Complex, Thailand National Sports University, Krabi Campus Krabi

OCEANMAN Krabi 2024 17-19 May 2024 Varana Hotel Krabi Krabi

Kalasin Bun Bung Fai Talai Lan Festival 18-19 May 2024 Kutwa Municipality, Kuchinarai District Kalasin

Samui Regatta 2024 25 May – 1 June 2024 Chaweng Beach, Ko Samui Surat Thani

Supersports 10 Mile Run Series 2024 Thailand 26 May 2024 centralwOrld Bangkok

Roi Et Bun Bung Fai Festival 29 May – 2 June 2024 Suwannaphum District Roi Et

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