by Paul Rujopakarn

    

BANGKOK (NNT) - The government has announced that it will waive application fees for nearly 7,000 Russian and Ukrainian tourists in Thailand who wish to renew their visas. It will also consider steps to provide humanitarian assistance to individuals affected by international flight cancellations.

 

Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said the decision was made in response to a request by the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) for authorities to assess the impact of the Russia-Ukraine crisis. The CCSA also asked for solutions to be proposed to assist stranded tourists, as around 7,000 travelers from Russia and Ukraine visited the four tourist destinations of Phuket, Koh Samui, Pattaya and Krabi.

 

Yuthasak said travelers can renew their 30-day visas without paying the application fee of 1,900 baht for Ukrainians and Russians. Additionally, tourism operators are working with China’s UnionPay to provide an alternative payment channel for Russian visitors.

 

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The TAT governor said the administration is also looking for ways to ensure that tourists in need of medical attention are treated adequately by all hospitals. He added that officials from both nations are coordinating repatriation flights for their citizens.

 

Bhummikitti Raktaengam, president of the Phuket Tourist Association, noted that flight cancellations by two Russian airlines had a direct impact on the Russian market, as their direct routes covered much of Russia and shared approximately 70% of the market with Phuket province.

 

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-03-08

 

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Thailand to fix credit card payment issues, provide shelter for Russian and Ukrainian tourists

By Panithan Onthaworn

 

 

Thai officials are exploring measures to support about 7,000 stranded Russian and Ukrainian tourists amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, which resulted in suspension of credit card payments and flight cancellations.

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will discuss four proposals with the cabinet on Tuesday. 

 

Those aids include a waiver of visa extension fees up to 1,900-baht, accommodations, seeking alternative payment channels, and solving problems on travel insurance.

 

Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/38323/thailand-to-fix-credit-card-payment-issues-provide-shelter-for-russian-and-ukrainian-tourists/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-03-08

 

- Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

If true, it would be the first time I hear of such a thing by a Thai government towards tourists and would be incredibly humane and compassionate gesture.

18 minutes ago, Danny Australia said:

If true, it would be the first time I hear of such a thing by a Thai government towards tourists and would be incredibly humane and compassionate gesture.

What !! for the Ukraine's maybe good, but giving help to Russians, well perhaps the Ukrainians here can suggest alternative gestures.

why have Russia stopped flights to Thailand or have have they

 

I see no reason preventing Russians leaving, maybe it is case of selfish Thailand wanting them to stay a spend money

A nice gesture, partly.

Ukranians absolutely deserve our empathy. They did not ask Russia to invade their country.

And not every Russian is a fan of war criminal Putin.

But personally I would have told the Russians to find assistance from their own embassy, their diplomats are representatives of their leader Putin; so let these persons handle the consequences: also financially; they can pay for visa extensions themselves.

Is it compassion? Maybe. Or is Putin's Friends-list more important?; all for the money, hoping for instant gratitude and more Russian tourists later.

The government of my country has done a bunch of heinous deeds around the world in my lifetime, despite the fact that I've always participated by voting, attending peace and environmental protests, waved signs, signed petitions, and writing letters to my elected representatives.

 

I suggest we give Russian citizens the benefit of the doubt before assuming they support Putin's war, or had any real opportunity to be effective against it. 

2 minutes ago, Wuvu2 said:

The government of my country has done a bunch of heinous deeds around the world in my lifetime, despite the fact that I've always participated by voting, attending peace and environmental protests, waved signs, signed petitions, and writing letters to my elected representatives.

 

I suggest we give Russian citizens the benefit of the doubt before assuming they support Putin's war, or had any real opportunity to be effective against it. 

I suspect you weren't around when many countries gave Nazis and the German people the benefit of the doubt also. History does repeat itself unfortunately.

Help the Ukrainian folks for sure…but the Russians?! Cmon!

They can surely catch a flight back to Moscow through Qatar or Dubai onward… 

Russia is not under attack.  It is safe for Russians to return.  Their embassy can organize a flight, or they can go to a neighboring country and enter.

 

Ukraine has the dire situation, and allowing Ukrainians to remain until the conflict is over, or at least a one year extension, would be one less thing for them to worry about.

 

 

2 hours ago, Excel said:

What !! for the Ukraine's maybe good, but giving help to Russians, well perhaps the Ukrainians here can suggest alternative gestures.

Have you not seen how many Russians in Russia and around the world that are protesting against action man Putin's invasion

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Yuthasak said travelers can renew their 30-day visas without paying the application fee of 1,900 baht for Ukrainians and Russians. Additionally, tourism operators are working with China’s UnionPay to provide an alternative payment channel for Russian visitors.

Such compassion.

2 hours ago, Excel said:

What !! for the Ukraine's maybe good, but giving help to Russians, well perhaps the Ukrainians here can suggest alternative gestures.

A difficult time for all those involved, I'm sure most Russians are against what Putin has just done... 

with all the sanctions in place and more to follow they will eventually go back to a very cold Russia.

And I'm not talking about the climate.

1 hour ago, smedly said:

why have Russia stopped flights to Thailand or have have they

 

I see no reason preventing Russians leaving, maybe it is case of selfish Thailand wanting them to stay a spend money

Seriously, why do you once again feel the need to turn a positive into a negative.?they do something good by helping these people and straight away as usual u pounce on them. Shame on you. 

9 minutes ago, JayBird said:

Russia is not under attack.  It is safe for Russians to return.  Their embassy can organize a flight, or they can go to a neighboring country and enter.

 

Ukraine has the dire situation, and allowing Ukrainians to remain until the conflict is over, or at least a one year extension, would be one less thing for them to worry about.

 

 

From the governments perspective helping the Russians to stay here and spend money is a wise move, it looks like they offering humanitarian help.

But also knowing that if they left to go home there won't be many coming here anytime soon. 

28 minutes ago, PumpkinEater said:

Help the Ukrainian folks for sure…but the Russians?! Cmon!

They can surely catch a flight back to Moscow through Qatar or Dubai onward… 

Wouldn't it take cash or credit cards. Credit cards are part of the banking system Russia is shut out of. Many Russians are gonna have a hard time when their cash on hand runs out in Thailand.

3 hours ago, Danny Australia said:

If true, it would be the first time I hear of such a thing by a Thai government towards tourists and would be incredibly humane and compassionate gesture.

Generosity!!! Nice to be compassionate! 

I can't believe they are doing this for the Russians.

 

I wonder if they will change there mind once they work they can't get there money out the Bank.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Additionally, tourism operators are working with China’s UnionPay to provide an alternative payment channel for Russian visitors.

Isn't the global effort to cut off Russians from their funds? and put pressure on the Russians to want to overthrow Putin and here Thailand will do all it can to facilitate them accessing their money. Amazing

I agree with a post above that the Ukrainians should receive every assistance, but the Russians should be told to contact their embassy. Whether they support Vladimir Putrid or not, he got them into the mess and his government should now come to their assistance. Many would be as appalled as we are at what has happened, but very many would see him as a hero as they believe the lies they are fed by the government-controlled media.

 

1 hour ago, Wuvu2 said:

The government of my country has done a bunch of heinous deeds around the world in my lifetime, despite the fact that I've always participated by voting, attending peace and environmental protests, waved signs, signed petitions, and writing letters to my elected representatives.

 

I suggest we give Russian citizens the benefit of the doubt before assuming they support Putin's war, or had any real opportunity to be effective against it. 

To be safe put the Russians and Ukraine's on different flights when they leave, just  to be sure.

1 hour ago, PumpkinEater said:

Help the Ukrainian folks for sure…but the Russians?! Cmon!

They can surely catch a flight back to Moscow through Qatar or Dubai onward… 

Only yesterday, TAT quoted there were still Travel Channels open through the UAE for Tourists to come to Thailand.

If they are able to arrive through the UAE, then they are able to return through the UAE

And with Thailand seeking the help of the Chinese " UnionPay System ", it all seems a little hollow, and is just a way to continue getting Money from the few Tourists that are in Thailand right now.

58 minutes ago, lesmac said:

Have you not seen how many Russians in Russia and around the world that are protesting against action man Putin's invasion

We have just had a couple of guest from Russia stay. They arrived in Thailand before the outbreak of war. They were a nice couple but I found that I was upset inside myself as I watched them enjoying an english breakfast with no regard to what their country was doing. I was in Bosnia during the last war in Europe so maybe I am more in tune with the suffering the Ukrainian people are in. 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

both nations are coordinating repatriation flights for their citizens.

Ware are the Ukrainians going to go? Like the suspect safe corridors? repatriate them into Russia?? They have know where to go. 
 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Additionally, tourism operators are working with China’s UnionPay to provide an alternative payment channel for Russian visitors.

Prayut and his mates had better hope that the the American government doesn't see this, working with America's #1 most worrying country to assist its #2 most worrying country.

13 minutes ago, Cake Monster said:

Thailand seeking the help of the Chinese " UnionPay System

Thailand trying to circumvent the sanctions to help Russia. That’s a bad move and will have a far greater impact on Thailand. 

2 hours ago, smedly said:

why have Russia stopped flights to Thailand or have have they

Most of Russia aircraft are leased and must be returned of if they land abroad they can be repossessed. 
Shame they destroyed the Ukrainian Antonov last week, the largest aircraft in the world, they could have taken all the Russians back home in one go. 

Must have been heavily pressured by China, when their Master say jump they jump! ???? their leaders don't have a clue ???? to have come up with something like this! 

9 minutes ago, Ricebarnandrooms said:

Thailand trying to circumvent the sanctions to help Russia. That’s a bad move and will have a far greater impact on Thailand. 

In another thread, the Officials on Phuket are trying to work with the BOT to possibly look at ways in which " Bitcoin " and other " Crypto Currencies "may be used for payments by Russian " Entrepreneurs ".

If indeed Thailand are deliberately trying to avoid, or circumnavigate Sanctions placed upon Russia, it will not be looked upon favorably by many other Countries across the Globe.

Incredibly unjustified anti Russians sentiment here.

 

I am against Putin and his war and fully support Ukrainian people but I also fully understand not ALL Russians are with Putin. Have you heard of Alexei Navalny and his incredibly brave and committed followers? 

Double standards aside please. George Bush waged a criminal and illegal wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, right? How you feel if ALL citizens of USA and their western allies were punished in the same way for their governments' action?