Thailand has relaxed issue of tourist visas, says TAT

By THE NATION

 

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has relaxed issue of visas to foreigners, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said.

 

TAT executive director for tourism products Thapanee Kiatphaibool said that the tourism situation in Thailand was recovering after the government allowed more foreigners to visit the country.

 

She added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had relaxed issue of visas related to tourism, especially tourism visa which allows foreigners to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days, and up to 90 days in case of extension.

 

As of November 5, the ministry had issued certificates of entry to 1,465 foreigners. The top three visas the organisation had granted included retirement visa, special tourism visa and privilege entry visa.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30397675

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-11-10

 

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COVID hasn't hit yet, come December the high season won't arrive and that's when the reality will kick in for ordinary people.

1,465 visas  is probably the equivalent of 20 minutes normal arrivals at Suvarnabhumi, it is a drop in the ocean for Thailand. Why do they keep making these inane announcements?

21 minutes ago, webfact said:

TAT executive director for tourism products Thapanee Kiatphaibool said that the tourism situation in Thailand was recovering after the government allowed more foreigners to visit the country.

Where on earth do they find these people?

Government has allowed more foreigners to visit the country.

Must be strong stuff hes taking, to come out with c++p like that.

Don't know relax he mean if tourist must have $16000 for the past SIX month for tourist visa. A fraud relax.

35 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thailand has relaxed issue of tourist visas, says TAT

Well, there was some relaxing related to the STV in Japan last month where I live. However, according to the Royal Thai Embassy, Tokyo website: "As of 1 November 2020, Japan is not under Thailand’s list of low COVID-19 risk countries. Therefore, tourists from Japan cannot enter Thailand. Kindly monitor the Embassy’s announcement for future update." I would suggest that if tourists are wanted then it is probably a good idea to let them into the country as a first (and probably important) step in the process.

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retirement visa????  are allowed to enter now?

 

rick

400k baht expediture per tourist at 1400 tourists giving the economy 560 million baht coming in.  Well done thailand.  

37 minutes ago, rickthailand said:

retirement visa????  are allowed to enter now?

 

rick

Referring to non O-A. Often referred to (incorrectly) as retirement visa.

 

Great news to read that tourism is recovering.  Another 1,500 and everything  gonna be alright.  

Let's put another spin on it:

 

Tourist arrivals to Thailand have skyrocketed by a staggering 3,900% month-on-month between September and October.

In September there were 0 arrivals.

In October 39 Chinese made it to the hallowed shores.

 

How that for some clever PR?

TAT really should hire me.

I make them look good!

For a fee.

 

6 hours ago, Brad88 said:

Well, there was some relaxing related to the STV in Japan last month where I live. However, according to the Royal Thai Embassy, Tokyo website: "As of 1 November 2020, Japan is not under Thailand’s list of low COVID-19 risk countries. Therefore, tourists from Japan cannot enter Thailand. Kindly monitor the Embassy’s announcement for future update." I would suggest that if tourists are wanted then it is probably a good idea to let them into the country as a first (and probably important) step in the process.

 

These are the only low risk countries listed for Thailand.

 

Countries considered as low risk for COVID-19 include China, Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand.

 

Edited November 10, 20205 yr by EricTh

I wonder why South Korea is considered low risk when it has 100++ cases the last few days that I looked.

Edited November 10, 20205 yr by EricTh

10 minutes ago, Misterwhisper said:

Let's put another spin on it:

 

Tourist arrivals to Thailand have skyrocketed by a staggering 3,900% month-on-month between September and October.

In September there were 0 arrivals.

In October 39 Chinese made it to the hallowed shores.

 

How that for some clever PR?

TAT really should hire me.

I make them look good!

For a fee.

 

 

They will surely be using those type of percentages in the following months.

 

It always looks good when you start from zero or almost nothing.

Remember - normal tourism isn't about thousands a month - it's about 100,000/day in high season.

 

The key question now is: How much political clout do the hotel owners have these days?

 

25 years ago, big hotels and political influence ran hand in hand in the LoS, but the Asian financial crash followed by Thaksin changed the dynamic, and those with real power and wealth seemed to focus more on big retail developments rather than hotels.

 

Is the government under real pressure to get tourism back up to speed - or are the losers from the lack of tourists politically powerless now?

 

 

Same old BS who do these people think they are fooling the Thai economy is on a cliff edge all we have heard for the last 4/6 months is the Chinese are on there way and what did we get 36 Chinese so called tourists that wouldn’t have even covered the flight crews salaries ,these people need to get real there are millions of Thais without work the islands are decimated all you see is signs for rent and the shutters down ☹️☹️☹️☹️

10 hours ago, rickthailand said:

retirement visa????  are allowed to enter now?

 

rick

As far as I know this is not the case repatriation flights for Thais as well as foreigners married to a Thai or has Thai children

1465 not much to crow about.

Whilst the Thai Insurance may make a a bit on the draconian Insurance scheme the tourism sector is slowly going down the pan, as usual here no one looks towards or over the horizon and looks at the big picture. Just try and make Thailand attractive for tourists to come to and stop putting obstacles in their way.

Utter nonsense, the visa conditions got even more confusing. Apart from all the Galaland ideas the boys have like a $100'000 insurance specifically for Covid-19, the expensive quarantine and the other things they could come up with they now insist on a tourist's bank details. At least that is, what the consulate in Frankfurt announced two days ago. Based on that, some friends decided definitely not to come to Thailand. 

You want foreigners to spend money here then start looking at the world through their eyes. Westerners do NOT show off with their money and as much as you dont ask about age you also dont talk about how much money they earn or have. 

Nowhere else on the planet a tourist is required to show a bank statement confirming a minimum balance of Baht 500'00 (or EUR 15'000) over the last six months (paragraph 1.4).

Good luck with that one; the entire hospitality is really glad to have such professionals promoting their business and survival lifeline. 

I

16 minutes ago, Sydebolle said:

Utter nonsense, the visa conditions got even more confusing. Apart from all the Galaland ideas the boys have like a $100'000 insurance specifically for Covid-19, the expensive quarantine and the other things they could come up with they now insist on a tourist's bank details. At least that is, what the consulate in Frankfurt announced two days ago. Based on that, some friends decided definitely not to come to Thailand. 

You want foreigners to spend money here then start looking at the world through their eyes. Westerners do NOT show off with their money and as much as you dont ask about age you also dont talk about how much money they earn or have. 

Nowhere else on the planet a tourist is required to show a bank statement confirming a minimum balance of Baht 500'00 (or EUR 15'000) over the last six months (paragraph 1.4).

Good luck with that one; the entire hospitality is really glad to have such professionals promoting their business and survival lifeline. 

I can sympathize with that. I applied for an STV in Beijing and handed in all documents asked for including 100000 USD medical insurance with Covid coverage. Also copy of condo lease with owners ID card copy. Staffer said all good. Got a call 5 days later telling me that I needed to have 40000 baht out patient coverage as well and that I also had to provide condo owner's tax ID number.

Same as dealing with any Thai bureaucracy, never ending requests for more paperwork and extras. And they wonder why us old time farangs show up at any desk with an entire file drawer full of documents including the proverbial kitchen sink.

Seems reality is coming to LOS and everyday the tight grip seems to loosen. After all Money No.1.....mai mee

 

When you sell a product that is crazy $$$, customers walk away...you need a plan to entice them..not rob them

19 hours ago, webfact said:

She added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had relaxed issue of visas related to tourism, especially tourism visa which allows foreigners to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days, and up to 90 days in case of extension.

The number of hurdles one has to overcome to enter Thailand it would be easier to qualify for the Olympics.

Relaxed is not a term I would couple with visa's.

It takes me an entire day each time to renew my retirement visa.  I wonder whether they will consider improving the services.  Allowing booked time slots.  Professional things that most other governments now do.

On 11/10/2020 at 2:24 PM, webfact said:

TAT executive director for tourism products Thapanee Kiatphaibool said that the tourism situation in Thailand was recovering after the government allowed more foreigners to visit the country.

Right... and didn't your government say goodbye to this "recovery" by implementing a 500.000 THB 6 months bank guarantee idiotic stupid menacing outrageous dumb obnoxious visa requirement? You (wanted to write people here, but had 2nd thoughts) pancakes are completely out of your minds and live in a 24/7 state of delusion... Please let me know what drugs you f(deleted) mor(deleted) consume, so I can calm down a bit and also surf a bit on Planet Bonkers.

22 hours ago, rickthailand said:

retirement visa????  are allowed to enter now?

 

rick

Exactly.  Who write this stuff.  Retirement visas are not welcomed

8 hours ago, Jimbo2014 said:

It takes me an entire day each time to renew my retirement visa.  I wonder whether they will consider improving the services.  Allowing booked time slots.  Professional things that most other governments now do.

That gives you 364 days to relax in paradise

21 hours ago, Misterwhisper said:

Let's put another spin on it:

 

Tourist arrivals to Thailand have skyrocketed by a staggering 3,900% month-on-month between September and October.

In September there were 0 arrivals.

In October 39 Chinese made it to the hallowed shores.

 

How that for some clever PR?

TAT really should hire me.

I make them look good!

For a fee.

 

Why pay a fee?  They will copy what you wrote

17 hours ago, Bkktodd said:

That gives you 364 days to relax in paradise

 

Thats one reason I keep doing it, but the experience could be greatly improved, especially if they are considering trying to attract more people to live here.

On 11/10/2020 at 5:08 AM, rickthailand said:

retirement visa????  are allowed to enter now?

 

rick

Yes, O-A Visas May be applied for; I am attempting to get what will be my third O-A Visa. But, it is going to be like hitting a bullseye from twice the distance and you get one dart... that costs time and money $$, just to take the shot.