iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
The firms along with several researchers and industry bodies signed an open letter claiming that Europe was already becoming less competitive and risked falling further behind in the age of AI
KT APPDOWNLOAD
Thailand approves longer visa stays for tourists, postgraduate students and remote workers
Travellers from 93 countries to stay for periods of 60 days, up from the current 57 nations, while more will also be eligible for visas on arrival in a move to boost tourism
Tourists visit Maya bay, Thailand. Photo: Reuters
Thailand's government said on Tuesday it had approved longer visa stay periods for tourists, postgraduate students and remote workers, and better visa conditions for retirees, in a move to boost its crucial tourism sector as its economy stutters.
Starting in June, Thailand will allow travellers from 93 countries to stay for periods of 60 days, up from the current 57 nations, while more will also be eligible for visas on arrival, government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke told reporters.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Foreign students will be permitted to stay for an additional year upon graduation, while insurance requirements for foreigners seeking to retire in Thailand will be relaxed, he added.
Tourism is a key driver of Southeast Asia's second-largest economy and a big source of employment.
The new measures come as part of an effort to boost visitors, especially from its main and fastest-growing markets, by extending stay limits to 60 days from 30 days for on-arrival visas.
The validity of so-called "digital nomad" visas for self-employed, remote workers will be extended to five years, from 60 days presently, with each stay limited to 180 days.
Thailand recorded 14.3 million tourists in from January to May 26 this year and is targeting a record 40 million foreign arrivals for the full year, with revenue of 3.5 trillion baht ($95.73 billion).
In pre-pandemic 2019, Thailand welcomed a record 39.9 million arrivals, generating 1.91 trillion baht.
ALSO READ:
More news from World
Since the release of ChatGPT in 2022, the use of AI has spread rapidly, raising concerns about fuelling misinformation, fake news and infringement of copyrighted material
The move puts Alibaba in direct competition with global players such as OpenAI, which has also shown interest in text-to-video technology
Stolen material was also sent to media organisations, say agencies
Influential Teamsters union says it won't endorse a presidential candidate in 2024
Across the world's largest cities, WRI estimates the longest heatwave each year could last 16.3 days on average under a 1.5°C scenario, but 24.5 days at 3°C
The move aims at taming record immigration levels that pushed country's population past 41 million earlier this year
Wickremesinghe, Premadasa, and Dissanayake are the main contenders for the post