Thailand invites the world: 2024 declared the Year of Expats

Thailand is preparing for a historic moment by declaring 2024 the "Year of Expats." This decision was made as part of a strategy to attract foreign citizens who want to enjoy a unique experience of living in this amazing country.

According to data from a number of sources, including Colliers and the Thai Employment Department, the number of expatriates in the country continues to grow. In the first quarter of 2023, their number reached 156,596 people, and half of them choose Bangkok as their home. This increase is largely due to the attractiveness of Thailand for citizens of Japan, China and India.

After the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine, the number of Russian citizens who come for a longer period and work remotely has also increased. The Real Estate Information Center (REIC) notes that Russians ranked second in the number of apartments they purchased in Thailand. They purchased 702 objects for a total of 2.55 million baht, second only to the Chinese.

The Thai Government actively welcomes foreign citizens and strives to create the best conditions for them. Declaring 2024 the "Year of Expats" is part of this initiative. This will allow foreigners to enjoy a number of privileges, including a reduction in the cost of visiting national parks, which will be great news for nature lovers and beautiful landscapes.

A special group of foreign workers are digital nomads who can work from anywhere in the world. They especially like the islands of Koh Samui, Phangan and Tao, where they find the perfect combination of work and leisure.

However, it is worth noting that the upcoming tax reform may affect those who live in Thailand for more than 180 days a year. According to the Bangkok Post, from 2024 the government plans to introduce an income tax on residents working for companies registered abroad. The amount of tax will be progressive and will vary from 10% to 35%.

In conclusion, Thailand continues to attract foreign citizens with its hospitality and variety of opportunities. The "Year of Expats" in 2024 highlights Thailand's desire to create an attractive and comfortable environment for foreign citizens to live and work.