Thailand to close duty-free shops at international airports

Duty-free shops in arrivals areas of international airports in Thailand will be closed to encourage more spending by visitors in domestic stores, the Thai cabinet has said.

A duty-free shop area at an airport of Thailand (File photo: Bangkok Post)
A duty-free shop area at an airport of Thailand (File photo: Bangkok Post)

Hanoi (VNA) - Duty-free shops in arrivals areas of international airports in Thailand will be closed to encourage more spending by visitors in domestic stores, the Thai cabinet has said.

The move is expected to generate up to 3.5 billion THB (96 million USD) of new local retail spending a year.

Rudklao Intawong Suwankiri, a deputy spokesperson of the Thai Government, said that ministers this week acknowledged guidelines for promoting Thailand as a tourism and spending hub, as proposed by the Ministry of Finance, reported Bangkok Post.

She noted that all the three operators of inbound duty-free businesses have agreed to suspend the operations at eight international airports, namely Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai, U-tapao, Samui, and Krabi. This aligns with the Government’s policy to promote spending in domestic stores.

Information on the timing of the move has yet to be revealed.

Statistics from the Customs Department show that sales from inbound duty-free shops totalled 3.02 billion THB in 2023.

Rudklao said the ability of travellers to purchase goods from inbound duty-free shops reduces the opportunity for spending on domestic goods.

The country’s Finance Ministry estimates that the closure of inbound duty-free shops will raise foreign tourists’ spending by 570 THB per person each trip./.

VNA

See more

The Republic of Korea’s powdered milk products have surged in popularity across Southeast Asia. (Photo: Getty Images)

RoK’s powdered milk export to ASEAN soars

Korean powdered milk export to Vietnam has risen 1.6-fold over the past decade, reaching 15 million USD last year. Lotte Wellfood, the confectionery arm of Lotte Group, has seen strong export growth, having introduced a Vietnam-specific formula product in 2019.

Philippines considers nickel export ban

Philippines considers nickel export ban

The Philippine Government is considering a ban on raw nickel ore exports to boost its domestic processing industry, which could lead to higher international nickel prices.

Illustrative photo (Photo: omy.sg)

Singapore’s gold export to US increases sharply

According to data from state agency Enterprise Singapore, volumes of gold shipped from Singapore to the US rose to about 11 tonnes in January, up 27% from December, and the largest amount since March 2022.

The DITP predicts the Chinese market for dried and preserved fruits will reach 335.3 billion CNY (46 billion USD) by 2028. (Photo: The Nation)

Thailand leads dried fruit exports to China

The DITP predicts the Chinese market for dried and preserved fruits will reach 335.3 billion CNY (46 billion USD) by 2028 and is urging Thai businesses to capitalise by developing innovative, high-quality products.

Singaporean Minister for National Development Desmond Lee (Photo: straitstimes.com)

Singapore makes efforts to upgrade social housing

Singaporean Minister of National Development Desmond Lee said on February 17 that 29,000 flats built in 1997 or earlier have been chosen for the Housing Board’s Home Improvement Programme (HIP) and will get structural improvements and upgrades to bathrooms and entrances, among other things.

Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries is encouraging the utilization of marine biopharmaceuticals. (Photo: Antara)

Indonesia promotes Marine Biopharma in healthcare

The ministry's Director General of Marine and Ocean Space Management Victor Gustaaf Manoppo stated that this initiative aims to enhance national pharmaceutical resilience while empowering coastal communities involved in the supply chain of natural medicinal ingredients.

Myanmar cracks down on online scam centres

Myanmar cracks down on online scam centres

An estimated 220,000 people were estimated to have been tricked into working for romance-investment schemes, crypto fraud, money laundering and illegal gambling in Myanmar and Cambodia in 2023.

People get vaccinated against influenza in Thailand. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Thailand sees surge in influenza cases

Thai Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin said there has been a big jump in infections in February, calling on people showing symptoms that could be flu to stay home, to prevent spreading the virus.