BANGKOK — On July 30, the Embassy of Japan in Thailand, in collaboration with the Thai Journalists Association, organized an event aimed at fostering stronger connections between Thai and Japanese media.
The event included meetings with representatives from Japanese government organizations in Thailand, such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan-Bangkok Chamber of Commerce (JCC). Key topics of discussion included Japan’s foreign policy and the relationship between Japan and Thailand.
Japan has been a leading investor in Thailand, with foreign direct investment (FDI) totaling around 4 trillion baht (111 billion US dollars) between 1985 and 2023. In 2023, Japan’s exports to Thailand amounted to approximately 1.1 trillion baht (27.8 billion US dollars). These exports were primarily composed of mechanical parts (15.8%), iron and steel products (15.7%), and electrical machinery and parts (10.1%).
Conversely, Thailand’s exports to Japan were valued at 0.8 trillion baht (22.2 billion US dollars) in 2023. The main export categories included electronic equipment (15.2%), motor cars and motor vehicle parts (12.1%), and electronic machines (11.9%).
The popularity of Japanese cuisine in Thailand has also seen a significant rise. As of 2023, there were approximately 5,751 Japanese restaurants in the country. A senior Japanese government official noted that while the number of Japanese restaurants in Bangkok has remained relatively stable, there has been considerable growth in the provinces. This increase is partly attributed to the expansion of shopping malls in these areas.
Thai Visa-Free Is Still Uncertain
The future of the visa exemption for Thai tourists, which is set to expire in June 2025, is currently under discussion, following reports of numerous Thais overstaying their 15-day visas.
A senior official from the Japanese Embassy emphasized the importance of the visa-free measure, noting that it has significantly increased the number of Thai tourists visiting Japan. “We would like to see more Thais visiting Japan,” the official stated.
The visa-free measure is reviewed for renewal every three years. Japan is currently evaluating the situation, particularly the rising number of visa overstays. Coordination with the Thai government is ongoing to address this issue. “We need to see what both sides can do about this,” the official noted.
As of now, no official decision has been made regarding the renewal of the visa-free status. “We will have to wait and see next year. Personally, I think we should do our best to maintain the visa-free measure, and Japan would also like to continue providing visas to Thais. But the issue of overstaying is also important, so we must make good efforts to reduce the number of overstayers,” the official added.
There have been discussions about extending the visa-free period beyond 15 days. However, the focus remains on addressing the problem of overstaying. “It is too early to answer this question,” an embassy official remarked.
Japan is also considering other visa options, such as working vacation visas, to address its labor shortage and manage tourist numbers. “Japan already has a system for issuing visas for specific skills. The working vacation visa is also interesting, but we still cannot give a clear answer. Many Japanese companies are short of labor, and many foreigners want to work in Japan, which is something we will consider in the future,” a senior official said.
According to the Japanese Embassy, there are approximately 72,308 Japanese residents in Thailand (as of October 2023), while around 59,271 Thais reside in Japan (as of June 2023). From January to June 2024, approximately 620,000 Thai tourists visited Japan, compared to about 470,000 Japanese tourists visiting Thailand during the same period.
Thai EVs Trends
Regarding the trends of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), a high-ranking source at the Japanese Embassy remarked on the notable expansion of Chinese brands in Thailand, especially in the automotive and restaurant sectors. While Chinese EVs are rapidly gaining popularity in Thailand, Japanese car manufacturers have a distinct perspective on the future of automotive technology.
Japanese brands view hybrid and hydrogen-powered vehicles as the long-term solution for sustainable transportation. Many Japanese car companies are investing heavily in these areas. However, they have not completely disregarded the rise of electric cars in Thailand.
“Japanese car manufacturers generally do not believe that electric cars will be the sole answer for the future of transportation,” the source explained. “They see EVs as just one of several options. Japanese manufacturers think hybrid cars still have room potential, even if it’s slower compared to EVs, but they consider hybrids more stable. Additionally, hydrogen and fuel cell technologies might present more viable possibilities in the future.”
The source also highlighted the deep-rooted partnership between the automotive industries of Thailand and Japan.
“We hope the Thai government will continue to support Japanese car manufacturers, the automotive relationship between Thailand and Japan has been a close alliance at many levels for a long time,” he remarked.
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