Thailand Roundup: Visa-free travel, counterfeit goods, drug possession limits
Visa-free travel to Schengen states
Thailand's Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, announced plans for visa-free travel agreements with European Schengen-visa states and India. According to the prime minister, the Thai government is working on agreements with 27 Schengen-visa states. He added that discussions had already been made with Switzerland, Belgium, and the European Union to facilitate visa-free travel to promote tourism on both sides. "I would not like to say if it is possible or not. I do not want to say that too early. I confirm that all parties are doing their best to achieve it," the prime minister is quoted by the Bangkok Post.
Confiscated contraband and counterfeit goods
The Customs Department in Thailand has confiscated over 870,000 contraband and counterfeit goods, worth over 8.3 million baht (approximately $232,000), Thai News Agency reports. The goods included cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, bags and sunglasses. According to an official, the customs department prioritises the suppression of pirated goods and has changed its approach to apprehending suspects. The official added that they now request warrants to inspect businesses suspected of harbouring large quantities of contraband. Following the conclusion of legal proceedings, the seized items will become state property, and the customs department will destroy them by incinerating them, Thai News Agency reported.
Drug possession limits
The Public Health Ministry in Thailand has introduced a new measure defining drug possession limits, categorising individuals as drug users rather than traffickers or dealers, local media Pattaya Mail reported. The guidelines aim to differentiate between personal use and drug trafficking. According to the guidelines, possession of up to five methamphetamine pills or 500 milligrams will categorise an individual as a drug user, encouraging rehabilitation rather than imprisonment. The measure also sets limits for other substances, with law enforcement using these limits as guidelines for prosecution.
Prioritisation of vocational education
Thai Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Settha Thavisin, has prioritised upgrading the Thai vocational education system to international standards, according to spokesman Chai Watcharong. He added that the focus is on enhancing advanced and specialized skills to increase competitiveness and meet the needs of the world labour market. “The Prime Minister is setting policies to develop the potential of students and workers in vocational education. He believes that students and vocational workers are valuable to the country's economic system, and have the potential to be in demand in the world market. The government is moving forward to strengthen the Thai vocational education system, both upskill and reskill, promoting the development of necessary new skills. Responding to the needs of the labour market Ready to increase the competitiveness of Thai workers at the world level,” he is quoted by Thai media the Post Today.
Geographical indication of crops
The Thai Commerce Ministry plans to increase its number of geographical indication (GI) registered products from 198 to 20, aiming to boost sales from GI products from 50 billion baht (approximately $1.4 billion) in 2023 to 60 billion baht (about $1.678 billion) in 2024, the Bangkok Post reports. According to Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang, the ministry aims to improve the Asian nation’s agricultural sector’s competitiveness by promoting GI as a tool to add value to crops with geographical or cultural significance. He added that the focus will be on promoting agricultural products for use both as raw materials and as items that can be transformed into finished goods.
