Bangkok (VNA) – The Airports of Thailand (AOT)expects that foreign arrivals will increase sharply during the comingLunar New Year holidays.
Early this week, Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisinmade a surprise visit to Suvarnabhumi airport and instructed officials to speedup immigration and baggage claim procedures for travellers.
AOT Director Kirati Kijmanawat said on February 6 thatthe number of passengers flying into Thailand is expected to jump by 206%,compared to the same period last year, as the country has now fully reopened toforeign visitors.
He said the government's visa-free policy for tourists fromcountries has given the industry a much-needed boost.
Thailandis applying visa exemption for visitors from Kazakhstan and China for 30-day stayuntil February 29. Russian passport holders can stay in Thailand for 90days until April 30, while Indian and Taiwanese tourists can also enjoy a30-day stay until May 10.
Recently, Thailand and China signed an agreement on areciprocal visa-free scheme that will take effect from March 1. Under theagreement, holders of valid, ordinary Thai passports and Chinese holders ofpassports for public affairs and ordinary passports will be exempt from visarequirements for entering, exiting or transiting the other country for up to 30days.
Kirati also said that self-check-in kiosks had beeninstalled at AOT's six international airports – Suvarnabhumi, Don ൲Mueang,Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and Chiang Rai – so that passengers can check in upto six hours in advance.
The Suvarnabhumi airport has 210 self-check-in kiosks while 50 areavailable at Don Mueang, Kirati said, adding passengers can save time and avoid longqueues as the service only takes a few minutes. According to the official, about 17% of passengers use theself-check-in system, and AOT plans to increase the number to 50%./.
On the occasion of the New Year of the Dragon, Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Nikorndej Balankura spoke to Vietnam News Agency about major achievements in the Vietnam-Thailand relations last year and prospects for 2024.
Thailand’s authorities said for the fifth consecutive year, Thailand recorded a trade deficit with China in 2023, the highest yet at 36 billion USD, up from 29 billion USD in 2022.
Overseas Vietnamese (OVs) in Japan, Australia, Algeria, Thailand and Laos celebrated Tet (Lunar New Year) Festival at gatherings held in their host countries as the national biggest traditional festival is approaching.
Thailand's headline inflation fell for the fourth consecutive month to 106.98 points in January, the lowest since February 2021, said Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, Director-General of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO).
The key content of the document titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges" will be refined further in a seminar preceding the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.
This follows Telegram’s serious failure to address the content that has been repeatedly reported to them, despite various efforts of negotiation and cooperation made by MCMC, it said.
Efforts to empower women must transcend dialogue and translate into concrete commitments, including corporate pledges and government partnerships, according to the spouse of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The forum featured two in-depth discussion sessions, engaging representatives from governments, think tanks, and businesses from both ASEAN and China, on how to forge closer ties for a common future.
The new FIFA Hub in Jakarta will not only support football development in Indonesia but also serve as a coordination centre for 21 football associations across Southeast and East Asia.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen reaffirmed Vietnam’s principled and consistent stance on the Palestine issue, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire across the entire Gaza Strip.
PM Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the determination of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, to utilise all viable regional mechanisms of the bloc and work with partners to de-escalate violence and restore a peace process led by Myanmar.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Illustrative photo (Photo: nationthailand.com) 
