Tourist eVisa trials beginning at the end of this year

[Pleng]

According to this website, Thailand are to begin trialling an eVisa system for applying for Tourist visas. Initially open to residents of France, the United Kingdom, China and the United Emirates at the end of the year, and with plans to roll out to other countries into 2019.

[pitsch]

The website says it is only for 30 days. This makes no sense for France or UK, because they get 30 days anyway, so it is only for China.

[Pleng]

Any citizen from one of the aforementioned countries with a valid passport will be able to apply for a Thailand online visa which will enable them to travel in Thailand for 30 days or more.

[buksida]

The website also says it is not affiliated with the Thai government so appears to be just a private tour company.

[Pleng]

Indeed. I assume they're just reporting the news? I haven't been able to find another source for it yet. Certainly a private tour company won't have the authority to be issuing visas electronically on behalf of the government.

[Sabai Jai]

I was at the Royal Thai Embassy in London a couple of times recently and they have notices up regarding the forthcoming E-visa. But unlike Australian E-visa this will apparently be just a way to submit documents online and then make an appointment for an interview.

sketchy info on London Embassy website http://www.thaiembassy.org/london/en/home

Regards Sabai Jai

[Big Boy]

..............and it'll probably work as well as online 90 day reporting