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Thailand Looks to Create Incentives to Attract More Digital Nomads

Thailand has always been a favourite among those looking to take a vacation or move there permanently. Since more and more multinational companies are setting up shop in Thailand, the country is becoming increasingly appealing to expatriate digital nomads.

Cities and villages around Thailand, from the coast to the mountains, are sprouting expat communities to accommodate the growing numbers of foreign workers and retirees.

Colliers Thailand and the Employment Department estimate that there were 156,596 foreign nationals residing in Thailand during the first three months of 2023, with more than half of those people residing in Bangkok.

In 2022, citizens of Japan, China, and India made up the top three, and recent news indicates that Chinese citizens are increasingly purchasing condos in Thailand.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has designated 2024 as the Year of the Expat because of the special treatment this demographic will receive. After the epidemic, there has been a change in the tourism industry towards longer stays, and businesses are looking for ways to capitalise on this.

The TAT governor, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, recently said that the agency is working on implementing a number of long-awaited incentives for foreign residents of Thailand. These include, but are not limited to, reduced entrance fees to national parks and other attractions, as well as other benefits.

Ms. Thapanee stated that throughout Thailand, promotional efforts will highlight workstations, or locations that blend work and vacation, to highlight the special working environment in Thailand.

digital nomads Digital marketing in thailand

Digital Nomads on the Beach

Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao are the three most popular islands in Surat Thani for remote workers and digital nomads.

According to Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, “the beautiful nature and local culture, as well as various types of accommodation at different price ranges,” attract both short-term tourists and remote employees.

He stated that between 10,000 and 15,000 digital nomads were residing on the three islands with tourist or other non-immigrant permits.

Mr. Ratchaporn believes digital nomads are a great way to boost the islands’ economy because they tend to spend more money than locals and bring in customers during the off-season.

He said that the Russians and Europeans like the French made up the bulk of his market.

Since they can keep working from abroad, many Russians have taken refuge in Thailand throughout the conflict in Ukraine. Mr. Ratchaporn identified freelancers and online business owners as part of this group.

The Real Estate Information Centre (REIC) reports that in the first six months of 2023, Russians transferred 702 condos worth a total of 2.55 billion baht, placing them in second place nationally.

Facilities such as apartments, cafes, and shared workplaces are mushrooming to meet the needs of those on long-stay and non-immigrant visas, he said.

Mr. Ratchaporn acknowledged, however, that some international offenders have made Samui their home base while their visas are still valid.According to him, officials responded to this scenario by increasing security.

Japan Thailand

Japanese enterprises in Thailand

“Thailand has long been a favourite investment destination for Japanese companies that produce auto parts, computers, and food products because of strong facilities built for these manufacturers,” said Hitoshi Sato, managing director of TDC International.

The Board of Investment (BoI) reports that in 2022, Japanese applicants won 293 projects worth a combined 50.70 billion baht, more than any other country. According to the BoI, there is still a significant amount of investment demand from Japanese enterprises in Thailand.

To offset the disadvantages of slow economic growth and a weak yen, many companies have stopped relocating executives from Japan and have instead hired Thai nationals for managerial or comparable jobs since the outbreak, he said.

Mr. Sato predicted that the number of Japanese retirees and expatriates in Thailand will decrease if the weak yen persisted for another 5-10 years.

Meanwhile, he noted, the rise in Chinese investment in Thailand, particularly among electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers and technology enterprises, has resulted in a corresponding increase in the number of Chinese expats.

Industrial estates in Rayong province, which is a member of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), have attracted primarily Chinese investors. The REIC reported that in the first six months of 2023, the Chinese market accounted for 3,448 condo transfers worth a total of 16.9 billion baht.

digital nomads thailand

Long Term Leases in Demand

According to Krit Techasumma, managing director of Origin Nationwide, a developer specialising in condominiums outside the Bangkok metropolitan region, both investment and the number of foreigners in the EEC have grown rapidly since the end of the pandemic.

Mr. Krit stated that electronics, biofuels and biochemicals, and electric vehicles make up the top three industries. Companies from Asia, especially Japan, China, and South Korea, are the EEC’s most common source of new members.

Long-term leases of 1 to 5 years and shorter-term rentals of 3 to 6 months have both seen an uptick in demand as a result of investment and employee relocation. Rayong and Si Racha make up 70% of Origin Nationwide’s property portfolio, with the remaining 30% catering to Thai nationals.

He anticipated a 5-6% rental yield for both Notting Hill Rayong and Hampton Sriracha. Si Racha rental properties have an occupancy rate of 70-80%, whereas Rayong rental properties have an occupancy rate of 65-70%.

“Though the global slowdown could impact the real estate segment, the housing segment in the EEC remains resilient,” said Mr. Krit. A 4.7% GDP estimate for the three EEC provinces is greater than the 4% GDP projection for the country as a whole.

He is confident about continued expansion thanks to the city’s investment in new public facilities including the U-tapao airport, high-speed train link, and Laem Chabang Port.

Mr. Krit argued that the government should keep trying to entice overseas investors while also thinking about how to collect the necessary taxes. He suggested that the EEC build additional attractions to entice more spending from expats and inbound tourists.

digital nomads thailand

Digital Nomads in Northern Thailand

Chiang Mai has been a popular retirement destination for foreigners, but its reputation has taken a beating from PM2.5 air in recent years.

The province known as the “Rose of the North” has the worst air quality of any in the world this year.

Japanese retiree Sumitoshi Nishida, 72, who has resided in Chiang Mai for almost a decade, stated that the pollution has hampered inbound tourism for over a month.

Mr. Nishida is one of about eighty retirees from Japan who make up the Chiang Mai Longstay Life Club.

Some tourists leave for their home nations for a couple of months until the air clears, he said.

Mr. Nishida has stated that he thinks Chiang Mai is still the ideal location to live because of the low cost of living, pleasant weather, local culture and cuisine, and high standard of medical care and recreational opportunities available.

He also noted that the retirement visa’s funds requirement of 800,000 baht was reasonable in light of other Asian retirement systems.

Mr. Nishida speculated that the number of Japanese retirees in Thailand would decline as a result of the increase in the retirement age in Japan to 70. He thinks Thailand can profit from retirees who desire to travel for a short period of time (often one or two months).

According to Mr. Nishida, most Japanese retirees who visit Thailand do so permanently if their health permits.He exp lained that this is because Japanese health insurance does not cover treatment abroad, prompting the patients to return home when their health deteriorates.

Mr. Nishida, a foreign retiree, expressed his wish that the government would improve traffic conditions and the quality of roads, sidewalks and zebra crossings in Chiang Mai, which is one of the most dangerous towns in Thailand.

Business

PepsiCo Reduces Revenue Projections As North American Snacks And Key International Markets Underperform.

Pepsi

(VOR News) – In the third quarter of this year, Pepsi’s net income was $2.93 billion, which is equivalent to $2.13 per share. This was attributed to the company.

This is in stark contrast to net income of $3.09 billion, which is equivalent to $2.24 per share, during the same period in the previous year. The company’s earnings per share were $2.31 when expenses were excluded.

Net sales decreased by 0.6%, totaling $23.32 billion. Organic sales increased by 1.3% during the quarter when the effects of acquisitions, divestitures, and currency changes are excluded.

Pepsi’s beverage sales fell this quarter.

The most recent report indicates that the beverage and food sectors of the organization experienced a 2% decline in volume. Consumers of all income levels are demonstrating a change in their purchasing habits, as indicated by CEOs’ statements from the previous quarter.

Pepsi’s entire volume was adversely affected by the lackluster demand they encountered in North America. An increasing number of Americans are becoming more frugal, reducing the number of snacks they ingest, and reducing the number of times they purchase at convenience stores.

Furthermore, Laguarta observed that the increase in sales was partially attributed to the election that occurred in Mexico during the month of June.

The most significant decrease in volume was experienced by Quaker Foods North America, which was 13%. In December, the company announced its initial recall in response to a potential salmonella infection.

Due to the probability of an illness, the recall was extended in January. Pepsi officially closed a plant that was implicated in the recalls in June, despite the fact that manufacturing had already been halted.

Jamie Caulfield, the Chief Financial Officer of Pepsi and Laguarta, has indicated that the recalls are beginning to have a lessening effect.

Frito-Lay experienced a 1.5% decline in volume in North America. The company has been striving to improve the value it offers to consumers and the accessibility of its snack line, which includes SunChips, Cheetos, and Stacy’s pita chips, in the retail establishments where it is sold.

Despite the fact that the category as a whole has slowed down in comparison to the results of previous years, the level of activity within the division is progressively increasing.

Pepsi executives issued a statement in which they stated that “Salty and savory snacks have underperformed year-to-date after outperforming packaged food categories in previous years.”

Pepsi will spend more on Doritos and Tostitos in the fall and winter before football season.

The company is currently promoting incentive packets for Tostitos and Ruffles, which contain twenty percent more chips than the standard package.

Pepsi is expanding its product line in order to more effectively target individuals who are health-conscious. The business announced its intention to acquire Siete Foods for a total of $1.2 billion approximately one week ago. The restaurant serves Mexican-American cuisine, which is typically modified to meet the dietary needs of a diverse clientele.

The beverage segment of Pepsi in North America experienced a three percent decrease in volume. Despite the fact that the demand for energy drinks, such as Pepsi’s Rockstar, has decreased as a result of consumers visiting convenience stores, the sales of well-known brands such as Gatorade and Pepsi have seen an increase throughout the quarter.

Laguarta expressed his opinion to the analysts during the company’s conference call, asserting, “I am of the opinion that it is a component of the economic cycle that we are currently experiencing, and that it will reverse itself in the future, once consumers feel better.”

Additionally, it has been noted that the food and beverage markets of South Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa have experienced a decline in sales volume. The company cut its forecast for organic revenue for the entire year on Tuesday due to the business’s second consecutive quarter of lower-than-anticipated sales.

The company’s performance during the quarter was adversely affected by the Quaker Foods North America recalls, the decrease in demand in the United States, and the interruptions that occurred in specific international markets, as per the statements made by Chief Executive Officer Ramon Laguarta.

Pepsi has revised its forecast for organic sales in 2024, shifting from a 4% growth rate to a low single-digit growth rate. The company reiterated its expectation that the core constant currency profitability per share will increase by a minimum of 8% in comparison to the previous year.

The company’s shares declined by less than one percent during premarket trading. The following discrepancies between the company’s report and the projections of Wall Street were identified by LSEG in a survey of analysts:

SOURCE: CNBC

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Old National Bank And Infosys Broaden Their Strategic Partnership.

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Old National Bank And Infosys Broaden Their Strategic Partnership.

Infosys

(VOR News) – Old National Bank, a commercial bank with its headquarters in the Midwest, and Infosys, a firm that specializes in information technology, have recently entered into a strategic expansion of their link, which has been in place for the past four years.

This expansion is more likely to take place sooner rather than later, with the likelihood being higher.

For the purpose of making it possible for Old National Bank to make use of the services, solutions, and platforms that are offered by Infosys, the objective of this expansion is to make it possible for the bank to transform its operations and processes through the application of automation and GenAI, as well as to change significant business areas.

This lets the bank leverage Infosys’ services, solutions, and platforms.

Old National Bank Chairman and CEO Jim Ryan said, “At Old National, we are committed to creating exceptional experiences for both our customers and our fellow employees.”

This statement is applicable to Old National Bank. Infosys is carefully managing the business process innovations that it is putting us through, putting a strong emphasis on efficiency and value growth throughout the process to ensure that it is carried out efficiently.

This is a routine occurrence throughout the entire operation. Because of Infosys’ dedication to our development and success, we are incredibly appreciative of the assistance they have provided.

Old National has been receiving assistance from Infosys in the process of updating its digital environment since the year 2020, according to the aforementioned company.

Ever since that time, the company has been providing assistance. The provision of this assistance has been accomplished through the utilization of a model that is not only powerful but also capable of functioning on its own power.

Infosys currently ranks Old National thirty-first out of the top thirty US banks.

This ranking is based on the fact that Old National is the nation’s largest banking corporation.

It is estimated that the total value of the company’s assets is approximately fifty-three billion dollars, while the assets that are currently being managed by the organization are valued at thirty billion dollars.

Dennis Gada, the Executive Vice President and Global Head of Banking and Financial Services, stated that “Old National Bank and Infosys possess a robust cultural and strategic alignment in the development, management, and enhancement of enterprise-scale solutions to transform the bank’s operations and facilitate growth.”

This remark referenced the exceptional cultural and strategic synergy between the two organizations. Dennis Gada is the one who asserted this claim. This was articulated explicitly concerning the exceptional cultural congruence and strategy alignment of the two organizations.

We are pleased to announce that the implementation of Infosys Topaz will substantially expedite the transformation of Old National Bank’s business processes and customer service protocols. We are exceedingly enthusiastic about this matter. We are quite thrilled about this specific component of the scenario.

Medium-sized banks operating regionally will continue to benefit from our substantial expertise in the sector, technology, and operations. This specific market segment of Infosys will persist in benefiting from our extensive experience. This phenomenon will enable this market sector to sustain substantial growth and efficiency benefits.

SOURCE: THBL

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American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack

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American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack

water

The largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States stated Monday that it had been the target of a cyberattack, forcing the company to halt invoicing to consumers.

water

American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack

American Water, based in New Jersey and serving over 14 million people in 14 states and 18 military facilities, said it learned of the unauthorized activity on Thursday and quickly took precautions, including shutting down certain systems. The business does not believe the attack had an impact on its facilities or operations and said employees were working “around the clock” to determine the origin and scale of the attack.

water

The corporation stated that it has alerted legal enforcement and is cooperating with them. It also stated that consumers will not be charged late fees while its systems are unavailable.

According to their website, American Water operates over 500 water and wastewater systems in around 1,700 communities across California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

SOURCE | AP

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