Category: Blog

Online TM6 form for visitors to Thailand coming on May 1 Tourism ministry ready to promote Thailand’s new online TM6 immigration form but 300-baht tourism fee might be delayed The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is preparing to promote the online TM6 immigration form, which will be compulsory for all foreign arrivals entering Thailand as […]

Thailand faces record low births sparking Population Concerns In a remarkable demographic shift, Thailand has reported fewer than 500,000 births in a single year for the first time in 75 years. In 2024, only 462,240 babies were born, a significant drop from the previous year’s 519,000. Mahidol University’s expert, Associate Professor Chalermpol Chamchan, emphasised that this marks the […]

Thailand’s cleanest and most polluted beaches unveiled Andaman coast best, Samut Prakan worst Visitors take pictures at Samila beach in Songkhla province, rated the cleanest sea water in Thailand. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) The Pollution Control Department has unveiled a list showing the location of the cleanest beaches for swimming, and the most polluted, in Thailand. […]

Happy New Tax Year Thailand Expats! As 2024 closes, many expats wonder about Thai income tax in 2025. EDITORIAL By Pattaya Mail For many expats – and retirees in particular – the festivities this year are marred by ongoing concerns about personal income tax arising from cash transfers to Thailand. The notion that the Thai […]

New speed limits for motorists in Bangkok The Royal Gazette published a new traffic regulation putting speed limits for motorists in Bangkok to 60 kms per hr except on 13 rds. The 13 exempted rds include: Vibhavadi-Rangsit, Sri Nagarin, Phaholyothin, Bang Na-Trad, Ram Intra, Chaeng Wattana, & Rama III. The regulations will be effective December […]

Bangkok named the world’s most visited city in 2024 Bangkok has been named the world’s most visited city in 2024, with over 32.4 million international tourists, surpassing Istanbul’s 23 million. A report by Euromonitor International credits this success to Bangkok’s tourism-friendly visa policies, including a 60-day visa exemption for 93 countries and expanded visa-on-arrival eligibility. […]

Thai PM Paetongtarn dumps adjusting 7%VAT to 15% VAT plan Opposition MP suggests finance minister to outline tax reform plans Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has scrapped a plan to hike value-added tax (VAT) following public backlash after her finance minister floated the controversial idea. “No VAT adjustment to 15%,” Ms Paetongtarn posted on X, formerly […]

Bangkok Lighthouse Club Late Lunch December – 20 December 2024 at O’Malley’s at United Center Silom Rd Lighthouse members, It’s been another great year and great to see so many new members at our events, we would now like to invite members, families and friends to the Xmas Buffet Bonanza, due to the size of […]

Thailand accelerating its study of tax reforms The Ministry of Finance is accelerating its study of tax reforms, including a 15% VAT adjustment and a 15% corporate income tax rate, in line with the Global Minimum Tax. Additionally, it is examining a 15% personal income tax rate to attract skilled workers to Thailand. Finance Minister […]

Extra public holidays next year approved for Thailand, 21 public holidays in 2025 Long weekends intended to spur travel, spending The cabinet has approved extra public holidays for next year and January 2026, declaring long-weekends to boost tourism and the overall economy. Deputy Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said after the meeting on Tuesday that the cabinet […]