Proposal to waive visa fees for foreign tourists to Thailand

[webfact]

File photo

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is set to propose the waiving of visa fees for foreign tourists to Thailand.

 

By Online Reporter

 

TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the proposal, which would see visa fees waived until the end of the year, will be put forward at an upcoming meeting of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

 

The move would help boost tourism and promote increased spending from foreign tourists.

 

Mr Yuthasak said that waiving the visa fees would offer a further boost in tourism revenue following the suspension of the Thailand Pass registration system on July 1.

 

Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/proposal-to-waive-visa-fees-for-foreign-tourists-to-thailand/

 

-- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-07-11

 

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[ukrules]

The fees aren't the problem, it's the paperwork and financial audit that's the problem.

 

[brommers]

Waiving these fees is just a lame attempt at apparently improving the competitive position whilst the really important issue is the proposal to levy two tier accommodation pricing. Thailand, and particularly this government, is adept at shooting itself on the foot and then using a band aid to try to cover up the self inflicted damage. No airlines are going to rush to increase capacity to here when they see nothing but negative behaviour by those currently in charge. So TAT etc can kiss goodbye to any meaningful growth in tourism numbers this year.

[RichardColeman]

Sounds like the start of desperation due to no bookings - and only 'online searches' -  to me

[vandeventer]

15 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Sounds like the start of desperation due to no bookings - and only 'online searches' -  to me

Should have been done years ago VOA 90 days free.

[Rhys]

The HUB of discounts and Targets.

 

[ezzra]

Pulling tricks from the hat in desperation that's what they're doing now, all show no real substance...

[milesinnz]

They should just try 3 months tourist visa free entry, allowing two times a year and see what happens.. absolutely nothing to lose by giving this a go...

[aussiexpat]

39 minutes ago, vandeventer said:

Should have been done years ago VOA 90 days free.

That'd bring me back if visa exempt for 90 days. No need for TM30 or lining up with all the covid exemption people to get a 30 day extension

[jacko45k]

42 minutes ago, vandeventer said:

Should have been done years ago VOA 90 days free.

Many already get 30 days free on arrival..... 

If people choose to obtain Visas to get a  longer stay, I don't think a reasonable charge is a problem.  It may subsidize the Embassy and help them provide other services.

Anyhow,  this is dumb, talk about free visas and on the other hand charging an arrival fee at the airport....a nonsense!

[ikke1959]

nobody cares to ask a visa for 90 days I suppose.... Most tourists stay shorter. The problem is only all the same paperwork every time again and again.....copies, passport photo, marriage certificates and everything you have to proff over and over again.. 90 days reports .. Most tourist don't need to do that so 30 days visa free is allowed. not much more for 90 day visa free I thnk...Updating the visa system is better, as 3 year consecutive stay no more 90 days reporting, unless you move to other address. Easy re entry stamps and less paperwork by extensions by  not using paper files anymore and that kind of things.   

[Bim Smith]

2 hours ago, ukrules said:

The fees aren't the problem, it's the paperwork and financial audit that's the problem.

 

Absolutely spot on. Also Malaysia gives 90 exempt. Thailand still in the dark ages with 30.

[Bangkocker]

2 hours ago, ukrules said:

The fees aren't the problem, it's the paperwork and financial audit that's the problem.

 

Visa fees (everywhere) are legalised theft. Creeps are financing their losses due to the pandemic on the backs of tourists.

[Orinoco]

9 minutes ago, Bim Smith said:

Absolutely spot on. Also Malaysia gives 90 exempt. Thailand still in the dark ages with 30.

+1

They still think they are special.

Maybe in some ways they are,  but for all the wrong reasons.

[jacko45k]

19 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

nobody cares to ask a visa for 90 days I suppose.... Most tourists stay shorter. The problem is only all the same paperwork every time again and again.....copies, passport photo, marriage certificates and everything you have to proff over and over again.. 90 days reports .. Most tourist don't need to do that so 30 days visa free is allowed. not much more for 90 day visa free I thnk...Updating the visa system is better, as 3 year consecutive stay no more 90 days reporting, unless you move to other address. Easy re entry stamps and less paperwork by extensions by  not using paper files anymore and that kind of things.   

You are mixing up Visas, obtained outside of Thailand, and Extensions, made domestically at Immigration offices.  They want to make it easier for tourists...... and the topic is Visas.

 

I don't see what the issue is to waive the Tourist Visa charge, which gives people the opportunity to visit for 60days....

[jacko45k]

9 minutes ago, Bangkocker said:

Visa fees (everywhere) are legalised theft. Creeps are financing their losses due to the pandemic on the backs of tourists.

I do not see how a voluntary item like a Visa can be declared as theft......

Visas are an important security requirement. 

[Mike Teavee]

I'm guessing this is more about the Visa on Arrival fees (2,000 THB?) that people from places like Indian & China have to pay & it wouldn't be the 1st time they've waived this.

 

What really makes me laugh is 1 day they're openly (it's in the international press) saying that they're going to charge tourists a higher rate for hotel rooms & the next day scrapping a visa fee that shouldn't be there anyway. 

 

 

 

 

[Bangkocker]

4 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

I do not see how a voluntary item like a Visa can be declared as theft......

Visas are an important security requirement. 

Yes, visa's are visa's - it's the forced paying for the privilege of getting a visa,  and spending in the host country that gets me. Visa's should be free. OK ??

[micmichd]

2 hours ago, ukrules said:

The fees aren't the problem, it's the paperwork and financial audit that's the problem.

 

What problems exactly do tourists on a tourist visa have? 

[Daithi85]

1 hour ago, RichardColeman said:

Sounds like the start of desperation due to no bookings - and only 'online searches' -  to me

Can always rely on a Thaivisa commentator to turn a positive into a negative. 

[jacko45k]

Just now, Bangkocker said:

Yes, visa's are visa's - it's the forced paying for the privilege of getting a visa,  and spending in the host country that gets me. Visa's should be free. OK ??

So make it a burden of the taxpayer?

[micmichd]

4 minutes ago, Mike Teavee said:

I'm guessing this is more about the Visa on Arrival fees (2,000 THB?) that people from places like Indian & China have to pay & it wouldn't be the 1st time they've waived this.

 

What really makes me laugh is 1 day they're openly (it's in the international press) saying that they're going to charge tourists a higher rate for hotel rooms & the next day scrapping a visa fee that shouldn't be there anyway. 

 

 

 

 

Nobody said hotel prices go up. Just Thai people get a discount in their country. 

[brianthainess]

It can save 1,000 to 2,000 baht for visa on arrival that could be a saving of 4,000 baht for say a family of four Indians who will then have more money for gold, oh but wait the hotel charges are going up so they will be Thousands worse off.

Do TAT get completely wasted before and during their meetings ?

[Steve80]

39 minutes ago, Bim Smith said:

Absolutely spot on. Also Malaysia gives 90 exempt. Thailand still in the dark ages with 30.

Most real tourists will not go somewhere for more than 30 days. (from UK) Vietnam gives 15 days and Cambodia does not even offer a free entry visa at the moment.

[BritManToo]

29 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

I do not see how a voluntary item like a Visa can be declared as theft......

Visas are an important security requirement. 

How can a visa on arrival improve a countries security? 

Edited July 11, 2022 by BritManToo

[ChrisY1]

Tourist visa for Australia requires a mortgage!

[KhunLA]

I don't think the 'elite' tourist they are trying to attract is going to be concerned about saving 1900 baht.  That's not going to motivate anyone to spend 100sK baht for a stay in the Kingdom.  

 

Especially after hearing about a possible 'foreigner' tax once here added to you hotel bill.????

[jacko45k]

Just now, BritManToo said:

How is a visa on arrival improve a countries security? 

Visas obtained at Embassies are a better measure....

Visa on arrival is only available to a limited number of countries and territories https://extranet.immigration.go.th/voaonline/voaonline/VoaonlineAction.do

and I believe one has to apply in advance online.

[mikebell]

1 hour ago, Bim Smith said:

Absolutely spot on. Also Malaysia gives 90 exempt. Thailand still in the dark ages with 30.

And on buying a house, Malaysia continues to laugh up its sleeve at Myland, Pie-in-the-Skyland.

[starky]

1 hour ago, micmichd said:

Nobody said hotel prices go up. Just Thai people get a discount in their country. 

I would say for most it's more about the perception. 

Edited July 11, 2022 by starky