Single Entry Tourist Visa to Thailand now requires foreigners to show funds of 500k THB

[johnc925]

And that should put the final nail in the coffin of the Thai economy.

 

Yes, let's continue to ostracize and extricate all foreigners in the country... regardless of the financial impacts, or good they have brought to their communities.

 

Reportedly, this is the personal will of many Thai elite... 

[jcsmith]

That is such a ridiculous requirement. Say goodbye to the tourism market.

Edited November 13, 2020 by jcsmith

[Ventenio]

9 hours ago, rott said:

Backpackers usually come for longer than two weeks. 

What impulse purchases are you likely to make.? 

i can't call them two week millionaires and then say they will be here six months.  lol

 

impulse....like tourist stuff.  be dumb and ride the elephants, 2000 baht...

pick strawberries, 5000 baht.... lol.  no expat does this.  and no backpacker really plans on this

buys some junk at walking street, more than they need

100 massages in a day

1000 t-shirts that say I heart Thailand

1000 beers for their friends after they get drunk

all things expats really never do, ever

 

and expats don't have real friends.  not like the backpackers.  

 

 

[JemJem]

I am taking a philosophical approach and I shall say ' Thank you Thailand. It was good while it lasted'. 

 

I have been going there for about 30 years. I guess it is farewell time. 

 

Sad but it is what it is ????

 

 

[ThailandRyan]

Lets see how this plays out for the US as there is the possibility that 20 million Americans will be able to be vaccinated within the next month.  I wonder how that will play out with travel quarantine and such things.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/coronavirus-updates-20m-americans-could-receive-vaccine-next-month-5-states-issue-restrictions/ar-BB1aYJF5?ocid=msedgntp

[Sharp]

Tourism boots on the ground for Songkran im betting  ( Zero quarantine by July or earlier for vaccinated individuals )

[TerraplaneGuy]

Are they even issuing SETV (single entry tourist visas) now? I thought the only tourism is the new Special Tourist Visa (STV) for up to 60 days, which can be extended up to 90 days.  As opposed to the long-established SETV which has allowed a 60 day stay with a discretionary extension for another 30.  

[hellohello123]

17 hours ago, KhunFred said:

Does ANYBODY in Thai government have a degree in Economics?? You would think that those who make these decisions would be required to estimate the impact that such decisions will have on tourism. Very strange way to manage an economy.

dont really need a degree to understand it, im sure a relatively bright 8 yr old could work it out

[hgma]

On 11/11/2020 at 11:46 AM, 4reaL said:

That will teach all those Cheap Charlie types from mooching around LOS.

 

 

The  "Cheap Charlies"  made Thailand as tourist destination as it is today, a bit unfair to reject them that easy i think.

[Peter Denis]

22 minutes ago, hgma said:

The  "Cheap Charlies"  made Thailand as tourist destination as it is today, a bit unfair to reject them that easy i think.

Fully agree.  Most Europeans in their 20s-30s typically do not have deep pockets.  But if they stayed 4 weeks or longer, the cost of a backpacker-holiday in Thailand (including the flight cost) was often lower than going to a typical European tourist destination.  So not surprisingly many opted for such an exotic holiday and fell in love with the country and making it their holiday destination of choice.

As others already remarked, those low-spending backpackers are actually doing more for the local economy than the package-tour visitors.  The almost exclusive focus now on high-heeled tourist to revive the Thai tourist industry will only benefit the Thai Elite, but will do little for the common Thai and the local economy.

[rott]

5 hours ago, Ventenio said:

i can't call them two week millionaires and then say they will be here six months.  lol

 

impulse....like tourist stuff.  be dumb and ride the elephants, 2000 baht...

pick strawberries, 5000 baht.... lol.  no expat does this.  and no backpacker really plans on this

buys some junk at walking street, more than they need

100 massages in a day

1000 t-shirts that say I heart Thailand

1000 beers for their friends after they get drunk

all things expats really never do, ever

 

and expats don't have real friends.  not like the backpackers.  

 

 

So the friends I have known for over twenty years are not real friends of mine. 

And vice versa. 

I did not realise that, so thank you for educating me. 

[pantsonfire]

This is the government way of trying to play khaosan. Entice the rich to come and bring money into thailand. Spend the money asq, insurance etc.  Thinking they can trick the rich foreigners knowing they have money to spend.   However, do they really think all are that gulliable?  Only the ones who desperately need to go back with the savings will go back.  

[Don Chance]

How many times can this visa be extended? Just 60 days?

[Raphus]

11 hours ago, pantsonfire said:

This is the government way of trying to play khaosan. Entice the rich to come and bring money into thailand. Spend the money asq, insurance etc.  Thinking they can trick the rich foreigners knowing they have money to spend.   However, do they really think all are that gulliable?  Only the ones who desperately need to go back with the savings will go back.  

Gullible is the Modus Operandi 

[daveAustin]

Don't blame Thais. It's all Junta, who are into culling numbers of a certain (most) demographic and would have you all out in favour of a sterile, non-country.

[balo]

My guess is this is temporary during the epidemic. 

Do you really think they want to kill the tourism when all this is over?   500k requirement will kill 90% of the tourism. And what about poorer countries , a year salary can be 500k.  

 

[roxnadz]

2 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Don't blame Thais. It's all Junta, who are into culling numbers of a certain (most) demographic and would have you all out in favour of a sterile, non-country.

So much this.

 

I could easily qualify to get in based on the rules they've set forth for this visa, but won't on principle. I love Thailand and I have good friends there, but the bar is simply way too high for anybody who is financially prudent, especially in the age of COVID.

 

It absolutely slays me to see all the sanctimonious farangs up in this thread bashing the "cheap charlies" and the "freeloading backpackers" who, along with the wonderful Thai people, made Thailand the tourist destination it is today. Like this government wouldn't have y'all out on a pike too, if they could get away with it.

 

Pure, unadulterated clownery.

[balo]

This will not be the requirement in 2022, I am sure of it.  

[lkv]

19 minutes ago, balo said:

My guess is this is temporary during the epidemic. 

The pandemic will "never end" under the current regime first of all, because they don't want it to end. Understand what you want. From 20K to 500K?

 

Any country open to tourism has the exact same entry conditions as before, plus maybe a covid test. Thailand seems to be the only one on the whole planet with x25 upgraded monetary requirements.

[SCOTT FITZGERSLD]

On 11/11/2020 at 5:27 AM, Christopher84 said:

I guess the 1,2,3 star hotels and all the Motels based on tourism can just close down. 

most of them allready closed and will never open again.

[SCOTT FITZGERSLD]

On 11/12/2020 at 6:33 AM, capriole said:

They don't only ask for the money in the account but aslo for a non objection letter from the employer, why the heck should I let my employer know where I want to go for a holiday? ????

 

where do you see it? that is ridicilus

[SCOTT FITZGERSLD]

On 11/13/2020 at 5:13 PM, capriole said:

 Not according to the list provided by the embassy, these are the requirements for a Tourist visa

how can one have a hire contract of a condominium with at least two months installments paid, if he could not enter thailand in the past 8 months?

[SCOTT FITZGERSLD]

brazil, mexico, argentina, panama and costa rica are now open for tourists, no need

for any document other than passport , no insurance, no test, no quarantine (brazil and mexico) just come and get 3 months visa (european passports).

[bartender100]

43 minutes ago, SCOTT FITZGERSLD said:

brazil, mexico, argentina, panama and costa rica are now open for tourists, no need

for any document other than passport , no insurance, no test, no quarantine (brazil and mexico) just come and get 3 months visa (european passports).

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/panama

Where did you get your advise from Scott?

 

Entry to Panama is open to Panamanian nationals, residents, tourists and business travelers with a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate. The certificate must be obtained no more than 48 hours before you travel. If you cannot do this, a test can be taken at the airport on arrival at a cost of USD 50.00. If the test is positive, there is a mandatory requirement to quarantine for at least 7 days at a government facility.

 

 

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/argentina

 

Argentina’s borders are closed to foreign nationals and non-residents entering the country. Some exceptions to this rule might apply. See Entry requirements

[tony2times]

Is there anyone who has applied for this Visa yet? 

[tony2times]

1 hour ago, bartender100 said:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/panama

Where did you get your advise from Scott?

 

Entry to Panama is open to Panamanian nationals, residents, tourists and business travelers with a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate. The certificate must be obtained no more than 48 hours before you travel. If you cannot do this, a test can be taken at the airport on arrival at a cost of USD 50.00. If the test is positive, there is a mandatory requirement to quarantine for at least 7 days at a government facility.

 

 

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/argentina

 

Argentina’s borders are closed to foreign nationals and non-residents entering the country. Some exceptions to this rule might apply. See Entry requirements

I think he's right about Brazil and Mexico tho

[Peter Denis]

2 hours ago, SCOTT FITZGERSLD said:

how can one have a hire contract of a condominium with at least two months installments paid, if he could not enter thailand in the past 8 months?

It is - as usual - an incorrectly phrased requirement.  You need to show that you paid the equivalent of at least two months rent as a guarantee when you signed the rental contract.

[Alpharius]

This REALLY hurts an underaddressed demographic here in which I am apart of. Young foreigners looking to simply live abroad, learning the language and culture of the country while earning an honest living whilst maintaining a healthy lifestyle. For someone like me, there's more planning and preparation that goes into my trips to thailand compared to an actual tourist. I dont have a rich family, i dont earn much  i go to school at the same as working when im back in america. Long story short, i use the STV to set myself up (finding an apartment, good school, stay in toich with contacts, ext.) for an extended stay on an ED visa, which unlike other people, i actually use to study in addition to other commitments i must maintain in between. It's hard, but it's worth it. Until now I've only just been able to support my life of travel and education and the pandemic has made things especially difficult. If this is requirement becomes permanent, it will be impprrible to return to Thailand. There are many ways Thailand can benefit from being more accessible other than money/income... 

Edited November 15, 2020 by Alpharius

[Mr Meeseeks]

6 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Don't blame Thais. It's all Junta, who are into culling numbers of a certain (most) demographic and would have you all out in favour of a sterile, non-country.

Sorry, I disagree.

 

There was an election where Thais had the chance to remove them from power yet they chose to propagate the Prayuth administration.

 

They get exactly what they deserve and will need to wise up quickly (as some of them have now) and must shoulder the blame for their poor choices and continual acquiescence.

 

It's entirely within their power to change the current status quo, should they desire. 

[Mr Meeseeks]

22 minutes ago, Alpharius said:

This REALLY hurts an underaddressed demographic here in which I am apart of. Young foreigners looking to simply live abroad, learning the language and culture of the country while earning an honest living whilst maintaining a healthy lifestyle. For someone like me, there's more planning and preparation that goes into my trips to thailand compared to an actual tourist. I dont have a rich family, i dont earn much  i go to school at the same as working when im back in america. Long story short, i use the STV to set myself up (finding an apartment, good school, stay in toich with contacts, ext.) for an extended stay on an ED visa, which unlike other people, i actually use to study in addition to other commitments i must maintain in between. It's hard, but it's worth it. Until now I've only just been able to support my life of travel and education and the pandemic has made things especially difficult. If this is requirement becomes permanent, it will be impprrible to return to Thailand. There are many ways Thailand can benefit from being more accessible other than money/income... 

I think making it impossible for you (and persons in circumstances you describe in your post) to return and stay here perennially on tourist visas is the entire point of this new requirement.

 

Let's be honest, if this had happened without the COVID-19 crisis would any of us really be surprised?