Thailand Roundup: Cybercrime arrests, tourist taxes, dissolution of MFP
Tourist taxes
Thailand has cancelled a proposed $8 tourist tax for foreign air travellers due to opposition. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has said that more tourists without the fee will boost spending. Visa Guide reports that the country also approves longer visa stays for tourists, remote workers, students, and retirees.
Arrests over cyber crimes
Thai police have made over 14,000 arrests in a crackdown on call centre scams, investment fraud, and illegal gambling. They have also frozen $122.2 million in assets and are working to distribute it to victims. Authorities are also dismantling the financial networks tied to these operations, the Asia Gaming Brief has said.
Calls for reform of royal defamation law
Thailand's Move Forward Party, which won the 2023 election, may be dissolved by the Constitutional Court, nullifying the votes of 14 million people and leading to political instability, VOA news reports. The party's call for reform of the royal defamation law has led to the court's consideration of its dissolution. If dissolved, it would be the second progressive party in five years to suffer this fate. The monarchy, backed by the army, holds significant power and has a history of banning parties and influential politicians. If dissolved, most of Move Forward's lawmakers are expected to regroup under a new banner, while others may defect to coalition parties. The party's predecessor, Future Forward, was dissolved in 2019, and its leader, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, believes in a new era of progressive Thailand.
World Happiness Report
The World Happiness Report 2024 has identified Lithuania as the happiest place for people under 30, with other European countries dominating the top spots. Asian destinations like Taiwan and Thailand have made it to the World Happiness Report 2024 as some of the happiest places for people under 30 with Lithuania leading the list. The report evaluates factors like social support, healthy life expectancy, and freedom to assess happiness. User data, along with GDP per capita, is also considered. Lithuania stood out for its free education, vibrant nightlife, and low rent. Taiwan and Thailand were also recognised for their friendly locals and tourist-friendly initiatives, Travel+Leisure reports.
European Football Tournament
Euro 2024, the European football tournament starting on June 14 in Germany, is expected to boost economic circulation in Thailand as well. Mr Thanavath Phonvichai, President of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Economic and Business Forecasting Centre revealed on June 10 the results of a survey on the behaviour and spending of the public during the Euro 2024 football tournament.It is expected that the economic circulation will be 87.6 billion baht or 2,365 billion USD, an increase of 14% compared to the previous Euro tournament. According to Khaosod, This can be broken down into 20.5 billion baht in economic spending, an increase of 5.1%, and 67 billion baht in non-economic spending (football betting), an increase of 17.10%.
