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Celebrate the holidays at Hong Kong WinterFest

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Celebrate the holidays at Hong Kong WinterFest

While the iconic Symphony of Lights show illuminates Hong Kong's skyline, Hong Kong WinterFest heralds the start of the holiday season, making this island a great option for vacationers looking for a short-haul trip to spend Christmas.

Until Jan 1, Hong Kong WinterFest is transforming West Kowloon Cultural District’s Harbourside Lawn West of Art Park into a vibrant entertainment venue, where people of all ages can share happy moments together.

Organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, over eight evenings from Saturday to Dec 26, Hong Kong’s skyline will be illuminated with vibrant Yuletide motifs thanks to a stunning maritime pyrotechnic exhibition. Sparkling lights and a gorgeous star tree topper adorn the 20m Christmas tree to provide a charming photo opportunity with Victoria Harbour in the background. As the sky becomes darker, the harbourside ward serves as a gathering place with free live music and a wide range of dining options from food trucks, restaurants and cafés.

Families are welcome to join the illuminating adventure of the beloved French novel Le Petit Prince at Ocean Park Hong Kong as it celebrates its 80th anniversary. With light projections, guests may trace the prince’s footsteps and imagine themselves travelling through the quaint Le Petit Prince Light Alley and entering a fantastic world.

Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB)

A parade of Disney 100 Christmas Love 2000% figures is on display at Harbour City Hong Kong to join the holiday season. To commemorate Disney’s 100th anniversary, Be@RBrick Up figurines were created in a partnership between Medicom Toy and Disney. Highlights include 5 new designs and more than 10 Christmas-clad figurines that will be sold, with proceeds going to the Hong Kong Blood Cancer Foundation.

The World of Frozen arrived at Hong Kong Disneyland Resorts on time, bringing with it wonderful holiday experiences. Against the picturesque backdrop of Lantau Island, guests may immerse themselves in the magic of the Arendelle Kingdom as animated characters like Elsa and Anna come to life.

Experience Philippine heritage with Siam Society

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Experience Philippine heritage with Siam Society

The Southeast Asian Heritage Alliance (Seacha) is organising a trip to explore Luzon in the Philippines from March 6-10.

Held in collaboration with Siam Society and the Philippine Heritage Society, the five-day trip will take participants to the central region of the island of Luzon which lies at the heart of the Philippines’ cultural heritage.

They will experience the complex interweaving of indigenous Malay, Spanish and American colonial influences, along with the Chinese immigrant strands that are the roots of today’s vibrant and colourful Philippine culture and identity.

This is also an opportunity to immerse in many aspects of Philippine culture during the tour, be it architecture, handicrafts, agricultural heritage, cuisine or way of life while learning about the local heritage conservation movement.

Sites of interest in the itinerary include Laguna province south of Manila which is home to the country’s biggest freshwater lake, Laguna de Bay; and San Pedro de Alcantara Church in Pakil; the Santiago Apostol Church in Paete; Pinto Museum in Lumban; the Barasoain Church in Malolos; the residence of Dr Luis Santos; and the heritage home of the Tiongson family.

On the last two days, they will stop by a San Fernando lantern factory, the half-buried San Guillermo Church, the Baroque-style Betis Church, and the Museum of Fine Arts.

The fee is 63,000 baht. Email studytrips@thesiamsociety.orgor call 02-661-6470–3 ext 205.

The year travellers came back

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The year travellers came back

Upon the arrival of the Year of the Rabbit, Covid-19 became a seasonal virus and the world was full of hope again as borders reopened and travellers longed to indulge their wanderlust. This lit the torch for tourism to bounce back.

Based on data gathered from January to May, Agoda’s research of booking data ranks Thailand as the second most popular destination behind Japan, with Bangkok being the most popular city. After the US, Japan and Malaysia, Agoda also found that Thailand had the fourth-highest number of domestic travellers.

The hospitality industry in Thailand appears to be in a highly competitive state as leading hotel chains are quick to open new properties, aiming to meet the demands of free independent travellers.

Additionally, the Thai government has capitalised from soft power trends like elephant pants and art festivals to boost tourism, while Hong Kong and Taiwan have collaborated with the private sector to develop interesting marketing campaigns such as giving away round-trip airline tickets and pocket money coupons to draw international visitors.

Life reviews some of the happenings in Thailand’s travel industry this year.

Thai tourism needs more trust

Thailand made the headlines in the first month of the year when a Chinese tourist posted a video on social media showing four police officers providing her with an unauthorised VVIP service. She claimed she was given the option of a quick immigration check at the airport and a police escort to her hotel in Pattaya.

Misfortunes never come alone. In the same week, Taiwanese actress Charlene An wrote on social media about her experience celebrating New Year in Bangkok. She said that while she and her friends were travelling, the police stopped them and informed them that her visa was not valid and that her passport needed to be officially stamped. After long conversations, she decided to pay 27,000 baht to be let go.

This quickly went viral on social media in Taiwan and Thailand, and both incidents ruined the country’s reputation. However, four former Huay Khwang police officers received prison sentences in September for extorting money from the Taiwanese artist.

In October, the situation seemed to improve for National Day and Golden Week as more Chinese tourists came to Thailand. However, happy times were short-lived when a juvenile gunman opened fire inside Siam Paragon, killing two foreign women — a 34-year-old Chinese mother shopping with her twin kids and a young woman from Myanmar who worked there. Five other people were injured, one of whom died later.

The shooting spree was the reflection of a regulatory gap in the assistance provided to tourists impacted by incidents in Thailand. Both Thai citizens and visitors have requested that safety measures be improved, including the implementation of a mobile broadcasting alert system and gun regulations that limit access to and the sale of illegal firearms.

Songkran is now recognised as a Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage. Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill

Songkran Festival recognised as a Unesco cultural heritage

After a three-year hiatus, Thai residents and foreign visitors were able to celebrate the Songkran Festival without masks. The sale of alcoholic beverages, high-pressure water guns, smearing powder and inappropriate clothing were restricted, but other customs like almsgiving, rot nam dam hua –which involves pouring water over the hands of elderly relatives to obtain their blessing — and the procession of revered Buddha statues to temples all resumed.

Two weeks ago, Unesco added the Songkran Festival to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, following in the footsteps of khon mask dance in 2018, traditional Thai massage in 2019 and nora dance in 2021.

According to Unesco, Songkran refers to the Sun’s annual entry into the Aries constellation, which is the first sign of the zodiac and signifies the beginning of the new year. It takes place in mid-April following the rice harvest. During this time, families reunite and pay their respects to elderly people and sacred Buddha images. Pouring water is a significant ritual that represents purification, reverence and good fortune.

Temporary tourist visa exemptions

In an attempt to stimulate tourism, Thailand is temporarily allowing 30-day visa-free stays for visitors from Kazakhstan and China until Feb 29. Russian passport holders can stay in Thailand for 90 days until April 30, while Indian and Taiwanese tourists can also enjoy a 30-day stay until May 10.

Thailand expects to welcome between 1,912,000 and 2,888,500 Chinese tourists during the five months of the visa-free period, bringing in up to 140 billion baht. Thailand anticipates 129,485 tourists from Kazakhstan, up 49.73% from the same period last year and generating 7.93 billion baht in revenue.

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said: “The easing of the visa policy will enable tourists to save time and money on visa applications, making it easier for tourists to decide to travel to Thailand. With the visa exemption scheme, Thailand can expect to welcome around 4.04 to 4.4 million Chinese tourists in 2023 and achieve the forecasted revenue target of 257,500 million baht.”

From Jan 1 to Sept 10, Thailand welcomed 2,284,281 Chinese visitors, making China the second largest source of tourists after Malaysia. During Golden Week, airlines launched new routes connecting cities in China and Thailand including Chengdu-Samui, Beijing-Chiang Mai, Guangzhou-Phuket and Kunming-Hat Yai.

Si Thep Historical Park has been added to the list of Unesco World Heritage Sites. Pattarawadee Saengmanee

Si Thep Historical Park named Unesco World Heritage Site

It was great news when Phetchabun’s Si Thep Historical Park was named a Unesco World Heritage Site in September. This town was a major hub for trade, culture and religion for 700 years, but it is currently developing as a new tourist destination to help second-tier cities boost tourism in the lower northern region.

It pays homage to local wisdom of the Dvaravati civilisation, which existed between 1,500 and 1,700 years ago, with its distinctive two-layered layout including old moats and walls. Excavation by the Fine Arts Department started in 1978 and more than 100 abandoned Buddhist and Hindu temples as well as 100 different-sized ponds have been found.

Human bones and graves from 2,500 years ago further confirm the existence of the prehistoric settlement. Changes in trade routes caused Si Thep to deteriorate and it was abandoned before the Sukhothai kingdom rose to prominence in the 13th century.

It is home to Prang Song Phi Nong which is said to be a Hindu monastery with primitive Khmer-style architecture. Inspired by Baphuon-Angkor Wat art, its smaller prasat is adorned with a carved stone lintel, depicting Uma Maheshvara (Shiva holding goddess Uma).

The ancient Khmer-style Prang Si Thep represents heaven in Hinduism, while a king used its holy pond to conduct a religious ceremony in honouring the creator deity Shiva. Later, the building was reconstructed in the 12th century when the influence of Bayon architectural art spread to Siam.

Situated 2km from the central town, Khao Klang Nok was formerly home to a large Dvaravati-style chedi, which symbolises Mount Meru. The architecture of its foundation has a replication of prasats, with influences from Southern India. The historical park now forbids people from climbing the Khao Klang Nok ruin in order to minimise damage due to a daily spike of visitors from 300 to around 7,000.

Wat Arun appeared in the hit K-drama series King The Land. Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill

Promoting tourism through soft power

Similar to how K-entertainment became a strong magnet to entice travellers to the Land of Morning Calm. Thailand is promoting its alluring culture and other sorts of tourism through the use of soft power. Bangkok was a primary filming site for the hit romantic comedy K-series King The Land, which debuted on Netflix in the middle of the year.

Episode 10 highlights a number of well-known tourist destinations, including Muang Boran (The Ancient City) in Samut Prakan, Talad Rom Hub (Mae Klong Railway Market) in Samut Songkhram, and Wat Arun, Wat Ratchanadda, Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, Sao Chingcha and Klong Ong Ang. This illuminated the rich history and culture of Thailand.

Fashion fads of dressing in period costume and visiting historical sites in Ayutthaya and Lop Buri were once again triggered in October by the famous Thai romantic comedy series Love Destiny Season 2, which aired on Channel 3 and just wrapped on Monday. On social media platforms, fans have discussed Thailand’s history, going all the way back to the reigns of King Suriyenthrathibodi (Phra Chao Sua) and King Taisa (King Sanphet IX).

At the same time, the Tourism Authority of Thailand teamed up with Winning Moves UK and Hasbro to launch the Monopoly: Chiang Mai Edition board game. Taking the role of treasure seekers, players can explore more than 30 tourist sites and activities in the ancient Lanna capital, including Doi Ang Khang, Bua Tong Waterfall, Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, Chang Moi Road and Doi Inthanon.

Social media went into a frenzy when several Thai travellers claimed that they had been refused entry into South Korea. Photo: Pattarawadee Saengmanee

Hashtag #bantravellingtokorea

In late October, a female visitor posted on social media about her experience of being denied entry into Korea by an immigration officer despite having return tickets, hotel bookings and tour itineraries. Thus, #bandtravellingtokorea rose to the top of the X trending list in Thailand.

Her post received 9.2 million views and 22,000 reposts. Many people assume that a large number of Thai nationals who enter Korea on tourist visas and then work there illegally in the industrial, hospitality and agricultural sectors is the reason behind the deportations.

A rising number of testimonies from deported tourists and those taken to the interview room have prompted concerns about prejudice against Thais by the Korean immigration office. The Korean Tourism Organization reported that 269,347 Thai tourists arrived in South Korea between January and September this year, following only Chinese, Japanese, Americans, Taiwanese and Vietnamese tourists. The Thai outbound market reached its peak in 2019, with 571,610 visitors.

Wonderful gifts on offer at Central locations

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Wonderful gifts on offer at Central locations

Wonderful gifts are being presented during "Giftmas 2024", which is running at Central Eastville and Central Lardprao, until Jan 3; Central Bangna until Jan 4; and Central Rama II from Saturday to Jan 3.

The fair brings a wide range of gifts for all lifestyles including everyday gadgets, Christmas tree items, special dishes and gift sets from popular brands.

Highlights include luxury tea sets from Char brand; handmade ceramic plates and bowls with cute motifs from Lassie Decor; and ice cream from Molto Premium Gelato which offers a free Furoshiki gift-wrapping cloth for every purchase of four or six cups.

Only at Central Lardprao, Central Eastville and Central Bangna is the “Giftmas Mu-Ket”, which offers trendy “mutelu” sacred items. Among the highlights is the Leila Art Toy collection that combines superstitious beliefs with art toys; jewellery with auspicious meanings from CozzySayido; street fashion from Bangkok Tales that incorporates blessings on every item; and mobile phone cases with exotic motifs from MuteluCase.

Shoppers are also invited to join a special activity through the Central Life X app to get their horoscope from fortune-teller Toktak A4, plus a chance to win auspicious prizes from Leila and many other brands.

Through the same app, select products are available at special prices. However, shoppers are required to pay for the products online and come to retrieve the purchased items at Central Lardprao.

Visit facebook.com/CentralPattanaFanpage.

Thailand's interface with new FTAs

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Thailand's interface with new FTAs

The power of data in the expanding panorama of digital trade is becoming an essential component of commercial relations, especially recent free trade areas (FTAs). As Thailand is now exploring new agreements on its western flank (such as with South Asia, Gulf countries and Europe) and on its eastern flank (such as with Pacific rim countries, interlinking with the Indian Ocean), what are some of the stakes deserving careful reflection?

At the multilateral level, there is longstanding guidance from the United Nations (UN), but it tends to be based on old models interlinked e-commerce, essentially the purchase and sale of goods via the internet. For instance, there are the provisions of the UN ‘s Model Law on Electronic Commerce (1996) and the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts (2005), which try to reduce the paperwork through e-payments and recognition of e-identities/e-signatures. However today, the key issue is the data and the digital spectrum, which are not necessarily linked with the trade in goods, services, capital or investment.

An accompanying phenomenon is the proliferation of regional economic groupings with their own positions on digital trade. The question for Thailand is how to decipher their positions, especially when considering whether to join them. For example, Thailand is now reviving talks with the European Union (EU) on establishing an FTA. The EU has strict rules on personal data protection which may impact data flows.

Meanwhile, there are the actual or potential links on other fronts, particularly the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), juggling various superpower dynamics.

They have different approaches on digital issues; some are stricter on digital flows than others. In the middle, there is, of course, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

The most convergent area is guided by the World Trade Organization (WTO) which has a longstanding moratorium to prohibit the imposition of customs duties (tariffs) on cross-border digital flows. This prescription is usually part and parcel of free trade agreements.

The WTO is also behind the Trade Facilitation Agreement which is popular with countries. It targets the reduction of red-tape through facilitation, such as via “single windows” to minimise the paperwork. It is now more open to agreements which have a limited number of states joining (“plurilateral”) rather than having a vast number of states joining (“multilateral”).

Possibly, the most difficult area for negotiating digital trade relations is “data localisation”. That term implies that data must be kept at least in the country where it is generated. As a corollary, states which embody less open political systems tend to restrict data flows and intervene in commercial relations, at times under the guise of state enterprises.

This is countered by states which are more open politically, thus favouring freer data flows without the need for data localisation and with least state intervention. In between, there are the other states which take a flexible approach of being open to data flows subject to a defined range of restrictions, such as protection of personal data.

Other issues pervading FTAs on the digital trade deserve attention. There is the concern of broad national interest under the heading of “legitimate public policy objective”, which might dilute the liberalisation. One way of monitoring this is to have a joint committee between the member states to oversee the issue and provide a degree of objectivity in the discourse. This is currently visible from the most comprehensive and targeted FTA agreement on the digital trade — the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) between Chile, Singapore and New Zealand. That agreement also has a dispute settlement provision, including arbitration.

Careful scrutiny is needed on cybersecurity; many states, including Thailand, are now adopting new laws on this front. Yet, too broad a law under the heading of cybercrime, with national security of an extensive kind, might simply be a method of justifying control over the population, abused by non-democratic regimes.

Another area of concern is government procurements. They tend to be omitted from FTAs because of states wishing to retain supervision over massive contracts with huge financial implications. Yet, this is an area well-known for vested interests and corruption. Conversely, openness to competition might be a way of countering that grey puddle.

Consumer protection in regard to the digital trade should be high on the agenda of new FTAs and there is a close link with personal data protection. The new trend is to protect consumers from unsolicited offers, and issues of vulnerability require special measures. An example of the latter is the stronger emphasis on protecting children from being targeted via digital consumerism. The EU is also adopting a strict position against algorithms and artificial intelligence where they may lead to discrimination and social scores of persons for that purpose.

There are then the issues of equity and ecology. An obvious challenge is the disparity between those who have and those do not have access to digitalisation. A human-centred FTA should aim for digital inclusion, as well as incentives for small- and medium -scale industries to be partners sharing the fruits of the digital economy. The advent of the “green economy” invites digital trade to promote environmental concerns in the midst of global warming, climate change, pollution and loss of biodiversity.

From the Thai perspective, all these considerations should interconnect with the role of parliament and the community at large in having a voice in the formulation and finalisation of FTAs. This is embedded in section 178 of Thailand’s current constitution which opens the door to public participation-cum-hearings and parliamentary scrutiny of executive deals emanating from the government.

It is thus salutary to view digital trade as a “means” rather than an “end”. Inherently, it entails the need for checks-and-balances against the monopolisation of political, economic and commercial power.

Vitit Muntarbhorn is a Professor Emeritus at Chulalongkorn University. He has helped the UN as UN Special Rapporteur, UN Independent Expert and a member of UN Commissions of Inquiry on Human Rights. He is the author of the book ‘Challenges of International Law in the Asian Region.’

Push to expedite cross-border strategy

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Push to expedite cross-border strategy

The Commerce Ministry is accelerating the implementation of the cross-border trade strategy, establishing four task forces to address border trade issues and aiming to increase the value of cross-border and transit trade to 2 trillion baht by 2027.

Speaking after the meeting of the trade, cross-border and transit trade promotion committee on Wednesday, Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the panel agreed to set targets to increase cross-border and transit trade value to 2 trillion baht by 2027, focusing on collaboration among relevant agencies and the private sector, including the Customs Department, the Finance Ministry, the Immigration Bureau, the Interior Ministry and provincial governors.

Mr Phumtham said the meeting also agreed to establish four task forces to serve as a mechanism to drive various activities aimed at promoting and facilitating border trade and addressing obstacles related to trade and investment.

These task forces comprise a panel handling Thailand’s competitiveness to increase trade value, a panel for elevating export capabilities and facilitating convenience at border areas and in transportation and logistics, a panel for promoting and utilising benefits from various agreements and partnership frameworks, and a panel for promoting investment in border areas and neighbouring countries.

Furthermore, the meeting prescribed a strategic plan for promoting trade and investment along the border from 2024-27.

It includes elevating the existing checkpoints for border trade to permanent border checkpoints at three locations: the Singkhon border pass in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Huay Ton Nun in Mae Hong Son and Ban Sap Ta Ri in Chanthaburi.

Moreover, the meeting agreed to address the issue of delays in importing and exporting goods, particularly at the second Mae Sot border checkpoint in Tak. This checkpoint is currently undergoing the construction of an external X-ray inspection point.

According to the Commerce Ministry’s data, Thailand’s cross-border trade and transit trade value tallied 1.79 trillion baht in 2022, up 1.44% from the year before.

For the first 10 months of this year, the trade value amounted to 1.45 billion baht, down by 2.62% year-on-year.

Of the total, exports were valued at 825 million baht, down by 3.26% year-on-year, while the import value was 626 million baht, down by 1.75%.

Rare vulture lays first egg

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Rare vulture lays first egg

A rare red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) in Huay Kha Khaeng wildlife sanctuary in Uthai Thani has laid its first egg, marking a significant step in ongoing efforts to breed and reintroduce this critically endangered species to Thailand.

The news was shared on social media by Ornyupa Sangkamarn, secretary-general of the Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation, who said she was keeping her fingers crossed that the egg would be fertile and hatch.

According to Ms Ornyupa, the female red-headed vulture, named Ming, laid its egg on Sunday after mating on Nov 23.

The male vulture, named Pock, was in captivity in Korat Zoo before it was relocated to the wildlife sanctuary for the breeding and reintroduction programme.

It was the first time the two had mated since they were paired together at the breeding site in February last year. The news sparked excitement and hope among breeding programme participants.

The breeding programme is a five-year collaboration from October 2020-September 2025 between the Zoological Park Organisation (ZPO), the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), Kasetsart University and the Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation to breed and return the vultures to the wild. The last big flock of 35 red-headed vultures disappeared from the sanctuary in February 1992 after eating a poisoned deer carcass used by tiger hunters.

The red-headed vulture is a protected species in Thailand and is listed as nearly critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Ministry plan to assist small firms

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Ministry plan to assist small firms

The Commerce Ministry is presenting New Year's gifts to the public and entrepreneurs under its "4-Increase" initiative.

According to Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, the initiative encompasses increasing careers, skills, opportunities and happiness.

The plan targets creating new careers for more than 20,000 households and reducing small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) expenses by 1.65 billion baht, benefiting more than 6,000 SMEs.

The initiative is expected to ease the cost of living for people by 4 billion baht and offer economic stimulus of more than 12 billion baht, he said.

Regarding the career prong, Mr Phumtham said the ministry plans to reduce franchise fees by up to 30% for more than 30 franchisors such as restaurants, noodle shops, meatball shops, and milk tea.

Staff will assist in the process to ensure fairness, he said.

Mr Phumtham said free training courses in essential skills for SMEs will be offered over three months in response to the nationwide minimum wage hike, which necessitates upskilling to enhance the country’s competitiveness.

The courses comprise: comprehensive business management, budgeting, cost calculation, online trading skills, export development, knowledge about free trade agreements, economic seminars, and the impact and opportunities arising from international conflicts such as the ongoing wars.

The effort to increase opportunities will allow SMEs in the food and beverage, café, spa, hotel and resort businesses to use copyrighted songs from select service providers for free for three months, he said.

In addition, a discount of 50-55% will be provided for one year upon sales renewal, while various ministry services will also be extended, said Mr Phumtham.

In terms of the happiness initiative, the ministry is organising the “New Year Mega Sale 2024” at Impact Muang Thong Thani from Dec 20-24.

The ministry also collaborated with manufacturers and entrepreneurs nationwide to offer discounts of up to 82% from Dec 15 to Jan 15, with the public event offering essential consumer goods from both large and small-scale producers, totalling more than 390 businesses and 40,000 product items.

DES Ministry lays out AI, cloud policy

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DES Ministry lays out AI, cloud policy

The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry has outlined its "quick wins AI & cloud policy" to promote artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and support domestic AI technology providers.

The policy has targets of 100 days, six months, and one year, which will be implemented by the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa) under the ministry.

According to DES Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong, the AI and cloud policy is one of six strategies the ministry assigned to Depa for its 2024 operations.

The six policies include AI and cloud, a global digital talent visa, one tambon one digital, video games, Thailand digital catalogue for state procurement, and coding.

Mr Prasert said AI and cloud are essential for the country’s digital transformation.

However, there are some pain points and challenges in the local AI and cloud ecosystems, such as the growing trade deficit from the import of AI tech, limited AI development for domestic services, the public’s low AI literacy, an unclear picture of promotion for state and private sector use of AI, and digital fraud enabled by AI.

Depa president and chief executive Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin said the 100-day policy includes the adjustment of Board of Investment (BoI) measures to attract AI and cloud technology importers through proper incentives.

A greater number of representatives from the private sector will also be appointed to the National AI Committee, while there would be greater collaboration among state agencies to bolster the AI industry ecosystem.

Mr Nuttapon said Depa is cooperating with the BoI to promote the digital economy.

For the six-month policy, Depa will enhance the AI ecosystem by building an AI district in the Thailand Digital Valley (TDV) in the Eastern Economic Corridor and will set guidelines for the establishment of a co-investment fund for AI development.

Mr Prasert said the TDV is the core project in Chon Buri under the digital transformation roadmap.

Depa also aims to increase the number of startups which provide AI software-as-a-service from the current 10 to more than 20. It also wants to see at least 50 local startups using AI tech intensively.

For the one-year target, Depa plans to attract foreign AI importers to invest and register as juristic persons in the country, while aiming to increase the number of major AI tech providers in Thailand from two to four.

According to Depa, the two key AI providers in Thailand are Kasikorn Business Tech Group, the technology arm of Kasikornbank, and VISAI, an AI-enablement company providing advanced machine learning tools to help anyone build high-quality, high-performance AI-enabled solutions.

Founded in April 2019 as an AI research institute, VISAI is a collaboration between Depa and Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology to equip businesses and industries with advanced technological capabilities to accelerate the country’s AI adoption.

Under the one-year target, Depa will set guidelines for generative/deep synthesis/responsible AI to help the Electronic Transactions Development Agency develop the country’s AI ecosystem.

Depa aims to have at least 20 state agencies using AI in their operations, while reducing the value of damage caused by AI-driven digital platforms to 10 billion baht.

Government ready to bear part of Covid-19 payout

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Government ready to bear part of Covid-19 payout

The government will bear some of the burden for the payment of claims from Covid-19 policyholders, says Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat.

He said total payouts from Covid-19 insurance lump-sum claims rose to almost 60 billion baht, excluding claims from Syn Mun Kong (SMK) Insurance.

As a result, many non-life insurance companies have had their licences revoked and been forced to close because they did not have sufficient premiums and capital reserves to pay for the claims.

Mr Julapun said the General Insurance Fund (GIF) under the Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC) does not have sufficient funds to pay for the claims.

Insurance companies contribute 600-700 million baht per year to the fund, amounting to 0.50% of their annual insurance premiums, while the government also makes a yearly contribution (3 billion baht is allocated for 2024).

The amount remains insufficient to pay the claims over a short period, he said.

“The government may have to partly bear this burden through the fiscal budget,” Mr Julapun said.

Regarding SMK, the business rehabilitation plan has not been approved by shareholders and the OIC took control of claims payments, ordering it to stop accepting new policies.

SMK has more liabilities than assets, amounting to 30 billion baht, with 500,000 outstanding claims totalling 32 billion baht. Of this amount, 350,000 are Covid-19 policyholders whose claims reached 30 billion baht.

The company’s active insurance policies total 1.87 million.

While the government could immediately inject 50 billion baht into the fund, it does not mean the claims would be settled quickly because the verification process takes a lot of time, he said.

To promote effective supervision of the insurance industry, the government will review related legislation to close loopholes and protect consumers, said Mr Julapun.

The Finance Ministry revoked the business licences of four insurance companies — Asia Insurance, The One Insurance, Southeast Insurance and Thai Insurance — last year after they were declared financially incapable of paying out outstanding claims, amounting to 65 billion baht from a total of 700,000 claimants.

Insurance companies are required to contribute 0.50% of their annual premiums to the GIF, up from 0.25%. The GIF has revenue of 6 billion baht as of this month.

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