Long stay visa: Cabinet decision today on "premium" visitors who will have "freedom" of Thailand

[webfact]

Long stay visa: Cabinet decision today on "premium" visitors who will have "freedom" of Thailand

 

 

Than Settakij - Thailand's business media - reported that proposals to open up Thailand to long stay foreign tourists would be discussed by the cabinet today when a decision on the plan is expected. 

 

While the TAT and the private sector are broadly in favor, opposition still remains on the ground and in the medical community, notes Thaivisa. 

 

In many ways it will be a soft opening with only hundreds expected per month and is seen by many as a cautious and appropriate way to proceed in opening up the country.

 

The long stay visa will be for 90 days but can be extended twice so that the visitor can stay up to 270 days. 

 

Tourism of Thailand governor Yutthaasak Suphasorn described the potential recipients of the visa as "premium long stay" tourists and described it as a test for the reopening of Thailand. 

 

Visitors must follow all the health department regulations just as Thais do and must go to hotels for the 14 day quarantine under the Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) guidelines. They must also have health certificates like "fit to fly" within 72 hours and adequate insurance.

 

If the cabinet agrees the kind of visitor will be anything from the FIT traveller (fully independent ones) to those on tour groups, said Yutthasak. 

 

He said it will provide the visitor with the "freedom to explore" Thailand once the health regulations are completed. 

 

Visas can be applied for at embassies and consulates around the world though consideration will be made about what countries and territories are included based on their handling of the Covid-19 situation. Low risk countries will be preferred. 

 

He said that the TAT are working with the private sector, airlines and agents on charter flights. 

 

He expects a limited opening of Thailand to just 100s of visitors per month. 

 

He said this was not a business visa.

 

He noted the devastating effect of the pandemic on the tourism sector. Foreign tourism is two thirds of the total and 20% of GDP and 2.5 million people in the tourism workforce face redundancy if the country is not opened up in the fourth quarter. 

 

The private sector in the shape of Dr Bun Wanasin, a senior executive at Thonburi Heathcare Group (THG) was in agreement with the plans saying it was easier to focus on long stay tourism first.

 

Short stay tourism would be the next stage. Convincing Thais especially those in tourist areas to open up was the key before a wider opening of the country. 

 

Yet there is still opposition to the plans, notes Thaivisa. 

 

Thais in tourism areas are not in full agreement and just yesterday a leading researcher at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok Dr Thira Woratanarat said that Thailand should wait SIX months before opening up to tourists. 

 

Source: Than Settakij

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-09-15

 

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[ThailandRyan]

It sounds promising for those that have residences here or those with family, however, the insistence of a 14 day ASQ hotel will be an expensive proposition for those who could just go to there homes here.  In saying expensive I mean it is obvious to me that these are VIP long term stay folks who have money.  My bet is that to obtain one of these types of Visa you will need to show plenty of money in the bank for them to grant it.  I also wonder what other conditions for approval might be, but any speculation on that by me would be just that speculation, so lets wait and see what they decide.  Many snowbirds want to return, while a few I know have now bought in Palm Springs California in the Del Web communities.

[RotBenz8888]

18 minutes ago, webfact said:

Dr Thira Woratanarat said that Thailand should wait SIX months before opening up to tourists

But 100 foreigners/month, with negative covidtests prior to departure? Compare that to 1000s of Thais/ month without any negative covid tests. And, they all need 14d quarantene. 

 

Guess the Dr doesn't have any investments in the tourist sector? 

[GeorgeCross]

29 minutes ago, webfact said:

If the cabinet agrees the kind of visitor will be anything from the FIT traveller (fully independent ones) to those on tour groups, said Yutthasak. 

 

hahahahaha, tour groups, 

 

 

 

[ThailandRyan]

5 minutes ago, GeorgeCross said:

 

hahahahaha, tour groups, 

 

 

 

Yep the zero dollar 2 week millionaire tours...

[bodga]

More shiiiite  spouting

[meechai]

14 minutes ago, rumak said:

you will have to pay to stay in isolation first for 14 days "  

That is the kicker isn't it?

To be honest I wouldn't want it even if free. I cannot imagine staying in any room for 14 days.

I guess if I had prison experience maybe I could handle it but I don't ????

 

Actually that may be the one carrot Thailand will eventually have to hang for those that can handle 14 days in a room

Offer it free....Hotels could offer the room for free & then soak customers on the extras not unlike Vegas does with the gambling.

 

Thai hotels could offer free 14 day room but charge for meals, min 3x a day....mandatory nurse visits/checks etc etc????

 

But again even free not for me thanks

[JCP108]

21 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

It sounds promising for those that have residences here or those with family, however, the insistence of a 14 day ASQ hotel will be an expensive proposition for those who could just go to there homes here.  In saying expensive I mean it is obvious to me that these are VIP long term stay folks who have money.  My bet is that to obtain one of these types of Visa you will need to show plenty of money in the bank for them to grant it.  I also wonder what other conditions for approval might be, but any speculation on that by me would be just that speculation, so lets wait and see what they decide.  Many snowbirds want to return, while a few I know have now bought in Palm Springs California in the Del Web communities.

I am returning to the U.S. in a few days. Looks like I won't be high on the list to get back into Thailand for some time. Will plan on staying out. 

[bodga]

'FREEDOM"   ha  what a  joke

[ThailandRyan]

6 minutes ago, JCP108 said:

I am returning to the U.S. in a few days. Looks like I won't be high on the list to get back into Thailand for some time. Will plan on staying out. 

Be safe in your travels.  Much to much smoke and <deleted> in California for me to return for even a visit, as well as returning here and jumping through hoops to do so would just <deleted> me off, so I will stay here for now.

[ezzra]

What dose it mean "long term tourists" in months or years? and at what point a "tourist" ceases to be a tourist and become a resident?... or is it more visa confusion being brought up on us?...

[Fex Bluse]

Another half-baked scheme from these people. Let's see what visa they roll-out later this week. Seems like they propose a new, conflicting idea weekly. 

[Sambotte]

14 days prison quarantine (when Europe goes to 7 days) i guess it's not only you can not go out, but can not have any guest too right ? ????

And if ever one guy in the same prison get tested positive, what happen ? No mention about that, and i guess you are good for 14 days again starting from the alert ? ????

 

So freedom i understand is said because you may be free after all those privation...

Yeah 100 cobayes is a wise estimation, not many people will want that.

 

And still not talking about keeping the foreigners already here in Thailand ? ????

[Shey420]

If they want a successful 14 day asq scheme then they need to be willing to let anyone in who is willing and able. I guess they feel if one plan doesn't work the people  shunned will be there waiting to get back in. I doubt that because the longer you wait to make a return reasonable the sooner those overlooked will vacation somewhere else. 

 

You want money ???? but from certain places ????. I thought the objective is to get all the money ????

[NorthernRyland]

36 minutes ago, JCP108 said:

I am returning to the U.S. in a few days. Looks like I won't be high on the list to get back into Thailand for some time. Will plan on staying out. 

Me too. The pandemic rages on and both the USA (at least 50%) and Thailand are really digging in their heels so I expect this to go on for many more months. We got through the worst of it already so at least we can be grateful for that.

[GeorgeCross]

i'm thinking they are going to tag on a 300K, in the bank for 6 months, minimum balance requirement

 

 

 

 

[GeorgeCross]

so anyone hear of any talk about amnesty extension on today's agenda?

 

[Blumpie]

Oh pahlease... ROFLMAO

[Ganesh108]

'He expects a limited opening of Thailand to just 100s of visitors per month.'

 

How is that gonna work? Like, 100 visitors per plane from 5 countries?  

 

Plan flawed from the onset, next please.

[richard_smith237]

Its hardly any different to the existing 60 day Tourist Visa - just slightly longer with the option to extend. 

 

The same hoops need to be jumped through as those entering with CoE at the moment.

 

It would make a great deal of sense to extend the Visa Amnesty until the end of the year and allow those already in country to continue to stay here if they wish (they are still spending money !)

 

It would also make a great deal of sense to allow entry for those with ties to Thailand (retirees, property owners etc). 

 

And of course, these schemes are also a decent idea. IF Thailand is unwilling to let short term tourists in, then why not allow anyone if they are going to have to do the 14 day quarantine. 

 

None of this significantly helps support the 20% GDP contributed by tourism or the 2.5million workers in the tourism industry. 

 

IF something is going to be done to improve the outlook for the tourist industry it has to involve a way of getting masses of tourists into Thailand as simply as possible without quarantine for their two week holiday. 

 

IMO - the only way to do this is to insist on a Pre-flight Covid-19 test and a follow up test on arrival with track and trace - then let the tourists ‘go about their holiday’.

 

There of course will be outbreaks - but tracking the Covid-19 numbers themselves simply creates panic. Tracking the serious cases of Covid-19 and deaths ‘Because of’ (not with) Covid-19 is the important statistic. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[86Tiger]

2 hours ago, Ganesh108 said:

'He expects a limited opening of Thailand to just 100s of visitors per month.'

 

How is that gonna work? Like, 100 visitors per plane from 5 countries?  

 

Plan flawed from the onset, next please.

Airline travel is screwed.  There are not enough travelers to service regular routes economically.  No body is going anywhere for pleasure at current prices, it will be travel only of necessity.

 

Until Thailand is easy to get in/out and relatively cheap there will definitely only be visitors in the hundreds per month.

 

 

Man, the whole world is screwed.

[aussienam]

I truly hope that those of us stranded abroad originally on 'retirement' visas are not pushed back in the queue and premium tourists prioritized instead.  I hope this is happening in conjunction with including retirees too.  'Premium tourists' would be those who come at their own convenience and leisure, not for necessity to get back to their homes.  

Only a few hundred of these premium visitors per month allowed from a select group of countries - with very few commercial flights and mainly chartered flights only, arranged by Embassies, I wonder how this will go?  I imagine only the very wealthy will be in this category. Private jets, or prioritized business and first class seating on chartered flights? And will they be flying direct to Phuket or BKK?  

[sandbox]

This plan, despite its advertised intentions, is not designed to address the foundering tourist industry. Its aim (and all the other plans) is somehow to provide fodder for the failing high-end hotels in Phuket. It's obvious to all that vacationing tourists will never spring for the draconian entry conditions, only those who are desperate to come in ie with family etc. These kind of numbers will satisfy Phuket hotel needs nicely. The rest of Thailand does not appear to matter.

 

Why don't the authorities just come out and call this for what it is - an entry path for foreigners with ties to Thailand? The national tourist industry is going to require different solutions.

Edited September 15, 2020 by sandbox

[CorpusChristie]

3 hours ago, GeorgeCross said:

so anyone hear of any talk about amnesty extension on today's agenda?

 

It seems like that have already got that issue sorted out .

People already in Thailand need to get a visa or leave by the 26 th 

They are now looking to the future and allowing tourists back into Thailand .

Those still here on the amnesty need to realise theres permission to stay stamp of 26 th September stamped in their PP . Same as a PTS BEFORE the pandemic 

[fondue zoo]

For this to work Thailand needs other countries to not quarantine people when returning, It's a tough call...  Up to 28 days quarantine. 

[CapeTown]

Flights - $900
3 weeks in a hotel - $1,200
Insurance - $500
Cost of 3 tests - $150
Visa - $150
===========
TOTAL say ~$3,000 annual overhead costs.

This offer would be attractive to persons with a first home who stay three to nine months in Thailand as a second home.

Edited September 15, 2020 by CapeTown

[androokery]

3 hours ago, GeorgeCross said:

i'm thinking they are going to tag on a 300K, in the bank for 6 months, minimum balance requirement

 

 

 

 

What bank? Tourists don't have Thai bank accounts...

[androokery]

15 minutes ago, CapeTown said:

Flights - $900
3 weeks in a hotel - $1,200
Insurance - $500
Cost of 3 tests - $150
Visa - $150
===========
TOTAL say ~$3,000 annual overhead costs.

This offer would be attractive to persons with a first home who stay three to nine months in Thailand as a second home.

Are these the prices that you suggest should be offered?

[androokery]

As a comparison, isn't neighbouring Cambodia currently saying that tourists can enter if they deposit USD 3000?

[sammieuk1]

Sounds exactly the same as what is currently available a good rinsing followed by incarceration ????