A golden visa rescue plan

Needing a boost: Thailand’s Tourism Authority lowered its forecast for foreign tourist arrivals in 2025 to 35 million from 40 million, with Chinese visitors falling short of projections due to safety concerns. — AFP

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra suggested the country create a golden visa scheme for wealthy foreigners to become long-term residents to boost the kingdom’s sluggish economy.

The golden visa scheme could potentially bring in the equivalent of Thailand’s US$500bil (RM2.12 trillion) economy, Thaksin said in a speech at the “Unlocking Thailand’s Future” conference in Bangkok.