Top National Thailand Stories From the Past Week: Visa-Free Deal with European Union Proposed, and More

Here is a look at the top NATIONAL Thailand stories, chosen by our Pattaya News/TPN National team, from the last week, Monday, March 11th, to Sunday, March 17th, 2024.

They are not in any particular level of importance but are listed in the order of date of publication.

Let’s get started and see what the top stories were!

1. Thailand is pushing for plans to enhance its international relations and tourism sector as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced receiving support from France for a visa-free agreement with Schengen area countries.

The agreement, if approved, is expected to increase tourism and business opportunities between Thailand and the 27 Schengen countries, promoting closer cooperation across various sectors.

2. Dr. Cholnan Srikaew, the Thai Minister of Public Health, publicly gave a response after the meeting of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee on guidelines for controlling alcoholic beverages during the World Songkran Festival.

The National Alcohol Control scheme would be divided into three phases: before the Songkran holidays, April 1st to 10th, during the Songkran holidays, April 11th to 17th, and after the Songkran holidays, 18th to 21st.

3. Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, His daughter and Pheu Thai party leader Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and his relatives visited his hometown in Chiang Mai by private jet.

Many Chiang Mai locals and a group of Redshirts showed hospitality to Thaksin after his 17 years of being a fugitive abroad.

4. Mrs. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), publicly revealed statistics of the number of Chinese tourists to Thailand increasing significantly after permanently waiving visa requirements with China.

By 2024, the number of Thai tourists visiting China would be twofold and the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand would be threefold compared to the pre-COVID-19 period, claimed TAT.

5. The investigative team in the gambling “Minnie” network case issued a summons to Pol. Gen. Surachet Hakparn, the Thai Deputy National Police Chief, to acknowledge allegations regarding laundering money offenses.

Pol. Gen. Surachet must report himself to Metropolitan Police Division 2 on March 21st, 2024, according to Thai national media. He has said he is innocent.

That’s all for this week, be safe!

The original version of this article appeared on our sister website, The TPN National News, owned by our parent company TPN media.