Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin outlined plans to make Thailand an aviation hub in Asia. The announcement was made during his keynote speech at the Thailand 2024 “Great Challenge” event. He highlighted the importance the government attaches to the tourism industry and has taken several measures to promote the development of the sector, including the reciprocal visa waiver program.
The prime minister said an agreement on mutual visa exemption would be signed with China this week. Thailand and China have decided to permanently waive visa requirements for nationals of both countries from March 1. Saita made the announcement in early January. He made the remarks after the government acknowledged China’s gesture and agreed to reciprocate. “China’s decision helps strengthen relations between the two countries and provides opportunities for tourists from both countries.”
He added that the task of the public relations department and related agencies is to promote that Thailand is ready to welcome Chinese tourists. In addition, talks with the EU are planned to discuss a similar agreement with the countries of the Schengen area. Prime Minister Saita detailed the government’s ambitious goal of modernizing the country’s aviation industry, which requires simplifying immigration procedures, improving flights and building airports in second-tier cities.
He stressed the importance of expanding economic opportunities for Thai citizens through major projects, citing the Thaksin Shinawatra government’s decision to build Suvarnabhumi Airport as an example. “Over the past two decades, our government has seen an opportunity and seized it,” he said. ”
Map of the land bridge project between Chumphon and Ranong. The Prime Minister also discussed the Land Bridge Mega Project, which costs 27.71 billion euros (about 203.86 billion yuan) and aims to develop a logistics network connecting Ranong and Chumphon. He reiterated his commitment to seeking feedback from all stakeholders, including potential investors and residents.
The project aims to bypass the Strait of Malacca and drastically reduce shipping times between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. This is an epic project in Thailand that is likely to change the entire Asia-Pacific landscape in the future! It can be said that it is one of the largest infrastructure projects promoted by the new Thai government since it took office, and it will greatly promote the Thai economy and global trade in the future.
Mr. Saita has presented the project at three international events: the APEC Summit in San Francisco, the ASEAN-Japan Memorial Summit in Japan, and the World Economic Forum 2024 in Davos, Switzerland. “We listen not only to the public, but also to investors, and it is up to the government to decide whether what they want is positive or negative for the population,” he noted. ”
On the one hand, it wants to build Thailand into an important international shipping hub, and on the other hand, it also wants to promote the economic development of southern Thailand with the help of this super road and bridge project. When discussing the land bridge project, Mr. Saita encouraged stakeholders to consider the benefits that Suvarnabhumi Airport will bring to the country. He reiterated that the Government was open to investment from all countries.
（The content and pictures contained in it are from the Internet）
