Thai outbound travellers and foreign permanent residents in Thailand have been asked for their opinion on a government departure tax of 1,000 baht in an attempt to prevent locals from spending excessively abroad, with the Revenue Department announcing online public hearings this week.

This article, after a few interruptions, is Part 3 of "Changing Thailand: The Series." It began with a prologue that presented an overview, emphasising that Thailand has been lagging behind its neighbours in terms of per-capita income growth.

Political parties are vowing to make Thailand more competitive in tourism by pitching a variety of related policies, such as the setting up of a tourism fund, developing secondary cities, adjusting regulations, and solving labour crises to accommodate quality tourists and aid local operators.

The Election Commission has asked activist lawyer Srisuwan Janya for more details to support the complaint he has submitted about the Pheu Thai Party’s policy of a 10,000-baht digital handout everyone aged 16 and over.

The Democrat Party says it will push for inter-provincial railways and high-speed rail line expansion if it joins a coalition government after the election.

As repeated cases of fraud, with tour companies ditching their clients, continue to ravage outbound tour businesses, the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) is calling for more effective laws to protect both businesses and consumers.