Thailand to rethink exempt visa fees for tourists

[Big Boy]

I've come across this piece tonight that could affect a lot of visitors.

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/foreig ... -decision/

[oakdale160]

Interesting that it does not apply to Scotland,wales or northern Ireland, only to England.

[usual suspect]

They just do not think same as we Westerners do...tourist-numbers are dropping by 100's of 1000s, so the L.O S. are again thinking of increased financial stipulations for visitors.. When neighbouring countries are happy to make visa-rulings attractive to potential long-stay visitors (possibly realising that every single ex-pat's monthly income will involve cash coming into their country for years to come).
So soon we may get hammered for our entry visa's (which jumped up 25% two yrs ago), then hit with the proposed entry tax, then stung for 180b as soon as we need to use an ATM to spend our money here...year to year those proverbial goalposts keep being moved..

But of course if you fall into their category of 'High End Tourist' then any of these future
financial increases are just loose change to you... T.i T.

[johnnyk]

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Maybe they will just fold it into ticket prices like they did with the departure tax. Few would notice it when it's part of a ticket costing 30K baht or more.
As for bumping up the various longer-stay costs, I think it's clear they don't really care about a few 000 expats. Bottom line is they want people to fly in for a one or two-week package holiday then bugger off home leaving money behind. Their tourism future is China more than falangs, IMO.

[johnnyk]

Interesting that it does not apply to Scotland,wales or northern Ireland, only to England.

I may be mistaken but don't they all travel under a UK passport? Thai officials may not be aware of the distinctions within GB.

[buksida]

You can guarantee that if they do make tourist visas cheaper they'll increase the costs and requirements for non-imm visas to cover the difference.

[Big Boy]

You can guarantee that if they do make tourist visas cheaper they'll increase the costs and requirements for non-imm visas to cover the difference.

You've obviously read it differently to me. The way I read t was that they were considering scrapping of the free 30 days on arrival.

[buksida]

Sorry, yes just re-read it. Looks like they're introducing a paid visa on arrival system similar to Burma, Vietnam and Indonesia.

The decision though is based on how difficult it is to get into other countries for Thais so it looks like the UK will be top of the cost list!

You get a 90 day stamp on arrival in Malaysia so they'll lose a lot of tourists there.

[caller]

The decision though is based on how difficult it is to get into other countries for Thais so it looks like the UK will be top of the cost list!

It's dumb though, isn't it. Many more Brit's travel to Thailand than the other way around, the UK visa is for longer and there's no restrictions when there. If it's not much, it won't put people off, but it all chips away at the attractiveness of the place.

I was chatting to my neighbour earlier today and we were talking about trips to the far east. He was telling me that a friend of his and his missus are currently travelling in Asia. Did Thailand and now in Vietnam which apparently they have fallen in love with and don't want to leave!

Thailand should be making itself more attractive to visitors in the current climate and as there neighbours are becoming more and more accessible, not making it more difficult.

[johnnyk]

Thailand has a worldwide brand and mystique that Malaysia and others don't have, as well Malaysia labours under the label of being Muslim. Not to mention sanuk is in short supply there. In the end I suspect Thailand's brand can absorb it.

[Dannie Boy]

As long as it's only payment on arrival then I don't see that it's such a big deal - those of us with Thai wife's/partners who have taken them to the UK for example, know what a time consuming and relatively expensive exercise it is, involving the provision of an inordinate amount of paperwork and an all day trip to the Visa processing office in Bangkok.

[lomuamart]

I would think that some TAT led initiate led to the reinstatement of the blanket 30 day visa exempt stamps recently (getting them at land and sea crossings again rather than just at the airport) but now some Imm official has decided to try and make a name for himself by raising the "it's not a level playing field for us Thais" argument and wants the 30 day stamps to be paid for.
What he dosn't take into account is the Thais visiting the UK get a visa for 6 months (multi-entry). We don't have a "pop in for 30 days on arrival" option. I believe that visas to other western countries are also for the "long term". Imm is comparing apples and oranges.
I'll try and look later how much it cost my wife for her 6 month visitor visa and then compare that to a double entry tourist visa which would be the equivalent here for that time period. Off the top of my head, I don't think there'll be too much difference.
I also have my doubts whether this will be enacted due to decline in visitor numbers (supposed - TAT always produce a rabbit out of the hat to show increases).

[hhfarang]

The immigration chief said further that charging visa fees would help screen visitors to Thailand, especially criminal elements and tricksters who may capitalize on the privilege to come to Thailand to seek refuge or to commit crimes.

If it would really have any effect on this I'm all for it, but I seriously doubt a criminal will be deterred by a small entry fee. What they need is a better background check before they allow long stay visas.

[lomuamart]

Just had a look and there is some difference:
6 month multi entry visitor's visa to UK - 132 USD @ 32.5 = 4290 THB
Double entry tourist visa to Thailand - 50 GBP @53 = 2,650

Still, Imm are harping on about 30 day visits to LOS, not 6 months.

[crazy88]

I do not know much about Thai people getting a visa for UK other than what I have read and been told by friends that it is pretty strict, time consuming and that the embassy staff can be quite judgemental, often refusing applications. UK citizens can, however, jump on a plane and get 30 days free on arrival. If I read the article, and several related correctly then they are simply saying that if you charge our citizens we are going to charge yours the same. As has been pointed out several of the other countries in the region charge a fee and/or require a visa application before travel or a hideous wait at the airport so I really do not think it would make much difference to tourism if Thailand did the same. If they invested the revenue generated in improving the services at immigration.........LOL

Crazy 88