13 minutes ago, vacajan said:

I don't understand all those negative and government-unfriendly reactions at all !? I have been living here for more than five years and I am happy to support my wife and her son! In addition, I also take care of my wife's needy and sick parents! For this I receive a quarterly invitation to report to the immigration police. This is only a 160 km drive to say hello. I even get a souvenir for it in my passport!
Once a year I only have to submit ten documents. I can prove that I am still rich enough to support my Thai family! Nice how the government is concerned for the well-being of its people!
Stop all of your negativism now and be thankful !!!

 

Yes I am a psychiatric patient.

What about the sick Buffalo? not had that one yet? 

I can hardly disagree with a single post here. But government announcements are not issued for the enlightenment of readers of this forum.

 

I suspect the goverment's "new" visa initatives are just really only for domestic consumption: saying, "Look, we're doing our best!" - in the face of falling hotel-occupancy rates, fewer arrivals and small businesses looking at closing.

 

The domestic audience probably doesn't understand that despite these attempts to attract a few more short-term arrivals who stay days or weeks, they are not aware of the government's other efforts in keeping out those who stay months or years.

I fear they want bad numbers as a excuse to bring in Casinos...

So they dont want longstayers/border runners and now they do. Told ya so!!!????????

Money comes from us idiots that remain here for more than a quick holiday for which thailand is not really good for in my opinion..

2 hours ago, keith101 said:

When will they understand that it is the bad exchange rate that is keeping them away and is expected to get worse next year and a potential double entry visa might attract a few tourists but I doubt many would consider staying longer costing more money .

The bad exchange rate will not be around forever. This is a good decision. A lot of travelers like to tour a few countries in SE Asia. From Europe and the US it is a fair plane flight. People want to make the most of the trip.

 

Anything that makes things easier for travelers to fulfill their trip wishlist without causing undue stress is a good thing.

 

I'd like to see it as a multiple entry fixed time visa and be done with the 2 entry limit.

 

I will save my rant, for now... Then now the good thing, this article made me laugh so hard. What a bunch of idiots.

2 hours ago, gaucan said:

show them how to run it insted of complaining

forbidden  job in Thailand and  Colins  not a big fat  pig either

I have a suggestion! Let people apply for METV in neighboring countries! 

12 minutes ago, racket said:

I have a suggestion! Let people apply for METV in neighboring countries! 

Like they ever wanted suggestions, then there would be a 1 year visa access for those with 1000 usd monthly, (easily to proof) already since years.
Or a long stay visa for digital nomads, to get tech people and knowledge in (requested and demanded since 6+ years).

But no, no, no. We are Thailand, we are superior. People will always keep coming back to Thailand for holiday, it is the only good place on earth.

One media outlet even mentioned that a "multiple entry" visa was being considered. 

What will be the difference between the current METV and the new "multiple entry tourist visa"? So moving forward there will be a SETV, METV, a Double Entry Tourist Visa and a 2nd Multiple Entry Tourist Visa.

 

 

Get rid of the 2 land border crossings per year.

 

I live and work in malaysia and crossing over to Danok for a few days fun is nice. But can only do it 2 times. I would be there every month for a few days if allowed.

 

So now i just go elsewhere.

What I'd like to see is a 4 month snowbird visa for over 60s with no health insurance

3 hours ago, DrTuner said:

Ah, the newest ploy by TAT, now they'll be able to count one arrival that comes (and flies straight to Vietnam) as two. Gott get 'em numbers up.

and that's the calculation they will use to reach the 39 and something millions tourists.... manipulating numbers it's their top priority, same with the currency (exchange rate) numbers as well

3 hours ago, colinneil said:

Introduce whatever kind of tourist visa you want, wont make any difference.

The way immigration clowns are acting will only deter tourists.

With the baht being kept artificially high is just another way of sending tourists to other countries.

This so-called government have absolutely no idea how to run a country, tourists are put off by that as well.

Its not only that. Who want to come to place where u can end up in jail for lighting cigarette on beach. Where u constantly need to look over ur shoulder.

Or for flying/bringing drone. Vaping...

Where u harrased by cops everyday checkpoints around town and doing urine tests on street. Etc... Go laos vietnam or cambodia.

 

If I read below most pass on Thailand 

 

Thailand bans smoking on its beaches

Those who fail to comply will be subject to a fine of 100,000 baht (£2,241) and a maximum jail sentence of one year, or both. 

Vape in Thailand can result in a fine of up to 30 000 Baht that is 945 USD or even a jail sentence of up to 10 years. 

3 hours ago, keith101 said:

When will they understand that it is the bad exchange rate that is keeping them away and is expected to get worse next year and a potential double entry visa might attract a few tourists but I doubt many would consider staying longer costing more money .

 

And also many long-term 'tourists' are going elsewhere because of tougher immigration rules.

 

 

1 hour ago, sunnyboy2018 said:

1 hour ago, Just Weird said:

"The way immigration clowns are acting will only deter tourists".

What does that mean?  How are IOs "acting" that invokes so much ire in you?

 

"This so-called government have absolutely no idea how to run a country, tourists are put off by that as well".

I doubt many tourists give a damn about how well you think the government does it's job!

Potential tourists do research on the Internet.  Currently Thailand is in the news for all the wrong reasons and putting people off. Mass police actions against overstayers,   armed police and army thugs marching around entertainment areas intimidating foreigners, over crowding of roads and streets and heritage areas caused by Chinese mass tourism, the lack of rule of law, military junta is just scary for some potential visitors, insane drug laws,  and the expense due to the currency.

You love your bit of dramatic over-exaggeration, don't you?  Where do you get all that from?

 

"Mass police actions against overstayers..."

There is not "mass" police action happening but, even if there was, it would be against illegal overstayers that has nothing, whatsoever, to do with genuine tourists who do not overstay, i.e. all of them!

 

"...deaths of foreigners..."

What?  People, foreigners or otherwise die everyday, all over the world, it's not a Thailand speciality (it will happen to you and I also one day) so which deaths of foreigners are so high, currently, in the minds of normal tourists that they are being dissuaded from coming here?

 

"...armed police and army thugs marching around entertainment areas intimidating foreigners..."

That is simply untrue nonsense.   Have you got an example of "police and military thugs marching around" intimidating tourists anywhere?

 

"...over crowding of roads and streets and heritage areas caused by Chinese mass tourism..."

Where's your evidence of tourist arrivals being affected by any of that?  Tourists are part of mass tourism, why should that concern them?

 

"the lack of rule of law"

Whether that's an accurate observation in general or not, it's irrelevant to current tourist numbers as the law has been like that for many decades, it's not something that has changed and is likely to affect visitors who do not expect to be involved, in any way, with law enforcement!

 

"insane drug laws".

What is so "insane" about Thailand's drug laws that is affecting tourists' decisions to come here?

This is sad tale of choking the chicken (aka: Golden Goose).

They talked about introducing this visa many years ago. Never happened.

1 hour ago, tabarin said:

Like they ever wanted suggestions, then there would be a 1 year visa access for those with 1000 usd monthly, (easily to proof) already since years.
Or a long stay visa for digital nomads, to get tech people and knowledge in (requested and demanded since 6+ years).

But no, no, no. We are Thailand, we are superior. People will always keep coming back to Thailand for holiday, it is the only good place on earth.

 

It was however possible to apply for METV in Laos for a short period of time, but they waived it since the embassies there probably had too much to do.

13 minutes ago, dcnx said:

They talked about introducing this visa many years ago. Never happened.

it was around for many years

4 hours ago, webfact said:

 

A leading government figure has said that Thailand is about to introduce a "Double Entry Tourism Visa".

 

The problem with this plan is once people realise how much cheaper things are in the neighbouring countries they won't be coming back.........LOL

4 hours ago, keith101 said:

When will they understand that it is the bad exchange rate that is keeping them away and is expected to get worse next year and a potential double entry visa might attract a few tourists but I doubt many would consider staying longer costing more money .

Couldn't have put it better Keith 101

4 hours ago, gaucan said:

 

show them how to run it insted of complaining 

it's not a complaint it's a finding dear sir ????

 

 

 

it's not a complaint it's a finding dear si

4 hours ago, lapamita said:

hmm double entry or METV with multientry ??

 

what diffrent

 

nothing new or i miss something ?

 

Hopefully the METV will be changed to 1 year validity if a double entry tourist visa is introduced?

Once the tourist goes to neighbouring countries and compares many things from price to hospitality do you think they will go backwards and return here?

19 minutes ago, dcnx said:

They talked about introducing this visa many years ago. Never happened.

There was a double entry tourist  visa many moons ago.

4 hours ago, Is this real said:

Respectively, Keith101, It's not the Baht, or the sunken boat that has crippled tourism.

Very few in Thailand understand what attracts a tourist from another country. 

 

 

The real problem is Thailand refuses to bring in a real expert who know tourism.  Bring in someone with experience in Las Vegas or New York City.  Then listen and implement their suggestions.

So, what do tourist want?

A good experience at a reasonable price.  β100 prices won't do it if the experience is poor.

The experience is poor because:

*Tourists are no longer welcomed.  In Phuket, beach policy is very restrictive.

*Timing.  If Thailand has a good attraction, it needs to be promoted for at least 3 months and then be in effect for at least 6 months.  Good tourists plan ahead.  Any promotion which is announced a month ahead of time, then expires after a month or two, will surely fail.

*Unsafe.  No enforcement of laws and tourists aren't treated fairly.

*Rip-offs.  From taxis to tuk-tuks, to two tier and price gouging.

*High Baht exchange rate.  While β100 isn't enough to attract anyone, a 17% rise in the Baht certainly will cost a tourist substantially.

*Eliminating tourist attractions.

 

 

Things will never change until someone in Thailand takes it seriously.

Bringing in foreign experts means loss of face and simply won't happen

The Junta announced the visa changes outlined below, in November 2018.

 

1 hour ago, Sujo said:

Get rid of the 2 land border crossings per year.

 

I live and work in malaysia and crossing over to Danok for a few days fun is nice. But can only do it 2 times. I would be there every month for a few days if allowed.

 

So now i just go elsewhere.

Agree, they are also missing out on all the expats who live in Laos that used to come to Thailand a few times a year to do their shopping. Now they are to do that 2 times per years. 

1 hour ago, Xaos said:

Its not only that. Who want to come to place where u can end up in jail for lighting cigarette on beach. Where u constantly need to look over ur shoulder.

Or for flying/bringing drone. Vaping...

Where u harrased by cops everyday checkpoints around town and doing urine tests on street. Etc... Go laos vietnam or cambodia.

 

If I read below most pass on Thailand 

 

Thailand bans smoking on its beaches

Those who fail to comply will be subject to a fine of 100,000 baht (£2,241) and a maximum jail sentence of one year, or both. 

 

Vape in Thailand can result in a fine of up to 30 000 Baht that is 945 USD or even a jail sentence of up to 10 years. 

Crazy isn't it, especially when the government dont do anything about huge amounts of pollution in Chaing Mai during the burning season. Just imagine how many people are effected by that ! yet smoking on a beach can land you in jail....