Tourism chiefs call for free-visa rethink

[Big Boy]

This is so very Thailand - they've got visitors coming back into the country, so lets find a way to discourage them.

Tourism leaders cite concerns over tourist behaviour, want shorter length of stay.

Tourism leaders in Thailand are urging the government to revise its free-visa policy, not by scrapping it altogether, but by shortening the permitted length of stay.

The call comes amid growing concerns about the behaviour of some foreign visitors and the impact on local communities.

Representatives of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) and the Thai Hotels Association (THA) raised these concerns at their 21st annual joint meeting in Bangkok on Monday.

They argued that the current 60-day free-visa allowance for 93 countries is excessive and that a 30-day limit would be more appropriate.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business ... y/40046643

[Dannie Boy]

I have no idea how many visitors stay for more than 30 days, but I’d guess it’s significantly lower than 50%, so I don’t think it would have a major impact on tourism.

But the argument used about the behaviour of some of the tourists is pathetic, because those who are deemed “unsavoury” will be like that from day 1-30!!


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[buksida]

This seems to be another typical knee-jerk reaction to a handful of Israelis behaving badly in Pai. Hundreds of Chinese scammers staying here illegally may have something to do with it (but they'll never admit that).

They have already started clamping down and refusing entry to those who have done multiple 60-day entries within a year.

[Big Boy]

I have no idea how many visitors stay for more than 30 days, but I’d guess it’s significantly lower than 50%, so I don’t think it would have a major impact on tourism.

We've had 5 visitors so far this year who always stay well beyond 30 days (they don't stay that long with us BTW ).

I can only remember 2 times when I used to holiday in Thailand staying beyond 30 days - and that was a lot of holidays.

[derek60]

i assume it would revert to the previous way of doing things, where you would need to apply (and pay for) for a visa in advance to stay up to 60 days. I don't mind paying but it was lot of hassle

[Dannie Boy]

Or hopefully the option to arrive on 30 day exemption and then get a further 30 days at immigration?


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