Doesn’t the TAT want tourists here in Thailand?

[Chongalulu]

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

With Cha Cha moving the nation backwards, we seem to be moving in the opposite direction of progressive and innovative. Regressive, is more like it. As much as the  sabateurs talk about wanting the tourists back, they are not offering much in the way of concessions or sacrifices to get them.

 

Tourism will never be the same again here. My heart goes out to those dependent on the industry. 

The military mindset is not best suited to commercial and economic understanding and plans to revive a vital industry are largely confined to wishful thinking.

[khunjeff]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

According to online information, the period of stay permitted is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer upon arrival at the Singapore Changi Airport. It is normally between 14 to 30 days.

According to the stamps in my passport, I've been admitted for 90 days every single time I've entered Singapore.

 

4 hours ago, ukrules said:

They could make it simple and just issue 90 day stamps for everyone

 

That would indeed make the most sense, which is why it will never happen. 

[daveAustin]

1 hour ago, Neeranam said:

If the US and UK extend visas for Thais then we can extend for Brit/yank tourists. 

Actually they do. In fact those countries make it so that Thai people can gain citizenship, are able to vote and even buy property!

[HappyExpat57]

4 hours ago, bluebluewater said:

Until I can fly in under the same situation that there was 10 years ago I will not make any plans to visit.

I kinda think that will never be the case.  So be it . . . . .

How is it different? I thought all restrictions were lifted - no mandated quarantine, no ankle bracelets upon arrival. Honest question, not trying to start an argument.

[chricha]

sawadee1947 and jacko45k both make good points. Australia does not offer anything but 90 day tourist visas which must be preapproved.

And they cost $300 (about 7500B) which means you are less likely to be poor to afford to come here.

The exception is 18-30yo who can come for a year or more to work - only $150.

In Thailand the difference is that visitors who have Visa Exemption are from countries such as Oz, US, UK where they can earn much more and typically have more money. The Visa on Arrival countries are not so well off and more likely to overstay and work.

They don't have a youth work program - who would want to work for 300b a day when they get $200 a day in Oz?

 

The comments about the journalist writing this story are accurate unlike his/her facts. They don't seem to understand the visa types here or elsewhere.

Not really hard - websites abound. Just takes a bit of professionalism (and/or a good editor) to achieve. 

 

 

[actonion]

33 minutes ago, LOG54 said:

...and no medical insurance cover verification announced, which would be very easy to put in place.... when they continuously claim foreigners contract debts in Thai hospitals, preferring to pressurize long term expats who are however easier to trace and mainly have a private medical insurance covering the costs which Thai rules don t accept if not Thai insurance..

Have a nice day

I think its a Thai government excuse (again) blaming foeigners for running up debts in the hospitals, i have had overnight stays in three Thai hospitals over a 20 year period, each one demanded  payment in full at least one day before  treatment began, and an escort  to the cashier  on discharge incase there was more money to pay or  to be refunded

[bert bloggs]

3 hours ago, VinnieK said:

Everything is regressing...English proficiency, driving habits and more.

https://www.thailand-business-news.com/news/76941-thailands-english-proficiency-falls-to-very-low#:~:text=The report shows that Thailand,a “very low” competence.

 

Yes ,English regressing,our son spent his first 7 yrs in school in England,speaks perfect English,over the years it has helped him so much that he now runs an inport export business.

[MrMuddle]

1 hour ago, Stargeezr said:

I wish Thailand would be like Mexico. No visa needed for 90 days.

  It would be nice to have this in Thailand as my Spanish is terrible.

Que?

[high plane drifter]

When someone goes to Thailand for holiday, it's more like going to a visa run and have a little holiday,,,

[Bobydog]

1 hour ago, milesinnz said:

"Of course, the idea is that the longer they stay the more money they will spend"... wow such insight... I never knew such insight existed in people in high places in Thailand.. I am astounded...

Any  day now they will stop calling visitors Tourists and call them "Cash Cows " to follow their focus on money

[Bangkok Barry]

1 hour ago, billp said:

The author of the article is confusing the 30-day visa exemption with the 60-day tourist visa. There is no 30-day tourist visa.

 

So I’m guessing the Thai government is considering lengthening the visa exempt entry to 45 days. I wish there were an article written by someone who knows what he or she is talking about.

At the same time, perhaps they could have researched how many tourists actually need longer than a 30 day permission to stay. I'd guess that far in excess of 90% come for only a couple of weeks because they have a job to return to. And if they don't have a job to return to they probably can't afford to come anyway.

[darrenr]

Most Latin/South American countries offer 90 day visas on arrival with up to 186 days per year (need to leave country after 90 days but can come back for another 90 days in the year )

[Bangkok Barry]

9 minutes ago, bert bloggs said:

Yes ,English regressing,our son spent his first 7 yrs in school in England,speaks perfect English,over the years it has helped him so much that he now runs an inport export business.

And a nephew dumped on us by his mother has been learning English for seven years and still can't put a sentence together. Ridiculous.

[farangroby]

5 hours ago, ukrules said:

They could make it simple and just issue 90 day stamps for everyone

Wanting is power

[bert bloggs]

26 minutes ago, actonion said:

I think its a Thai government excuse (again) blaming foeigners for running up debts in the hospitals, i have had overnight stays in three Thai hospitals over a 20 year period, each one demanded  payment in full at least one day before  treatment began, and an escort  to the cashier  on discharge incase there was more money to pay or  to be refunded

Luckily i have a pink card and a hospital card for a few hospitals,when i had to stay at Chonburi for 3 nights,when i t came time to pay ,our son went and they even asked if i wanted time to pay,like a few instalments, we never have had to pay upfront in any Thai hospital ,even Bangkok Pattaya.

Must be lucky 

[decca60]

1 hour ago, Stargeezr said:

I wish Thailand would be like Mexico. No visa needed for 90 days.

  It would be nice to have this in Thailand as my Spanish is terrible.

your Spanish is maybe terrible but Thai English is even more terrible. So in theory you cannot leave in both countries with your wonderful mother tong....???? Cuidate hombre.... ( nine years in Argentina for me)

[spidermike007]

4 hours ago, VinnieK said:

Everything is regressing...English proficiency, driving habits and more.

https://www.thailand-business-news.com/news/76941-thailands-english-proficiency-falls-to-very-low#:~:text=The report shows that Thailand,a “very low” competence.

 

Prayuth, Anutin and Prawit are leaving quite a legacy behind. Seems "anything for money and power" is their motto. 

 

It really does not affect most of us very much, but woe are the vast majority of Thai people. 

[Chongalulu]

2 hours ago, Neeranam said:

There is a big problem here with illegal immigrants. There are even agents in Pattaya that help them bypass immigration requirements for £500. As a result, we get undesirables, who have fake year visas. 

 

 

But the preposterous reciprocal arrangements you originally suggested (and rightly ridiculed by another) don’t in anyway address the problem you then identify here. You’re thinking with 'Thai logic'! ???? 

[Thailand]

3 hours ago, Kerryd said:

Probably referring to the "Visa on Arrival". Certain nationalities have to apply for it at the airport and it's good for just 15 days.

If I recall, there's a booth a few meters short of the first entry to the Immigration queues. (I think there is one booth on the other side, just before the other entryway to Immigration as well.)

Won't bother copying which countries can apply for this (Australians, Russians, Indians and Chinese amongst others) but the details are here:
https://extranet.immigration.go.th/voaonline/voaonline/VoaonlineAction.do

Note - Visa on Arrival is NOT the same as "Visa Exemption Stamp" - which is good for 30 days of course.

We have a few Chinese friends and I recall them telling me that in those days the going rate to expedite the visa on arrival was 1000 baht in the passport!

[ThailandRyan]

Wanting tourists and getting them in the numbers they want us a bleak proposition  sure folks are traveling but then because of economic issues many are rethinking travel.

 

[ThailandRyan]

2 hours ago, Purdey said:

I noticed that Singapore is the only country that doesn’t care what you want, in terms of visa length, but gives what they think you deserve. Clearly they are not dependent on tourists as one of the region’s most boring destinations (never understand why people go there except for business). They have developed their business without much heavy manufacturing.

If Thailand could get its act together, investing in education and business, perhaps this would not make the length of stay such an issue.

Singapore boring? Really, think again as they have many attractions that Thailand does not and people go there for those:

https://traveltriangle.com/blog/singapore-tourist-attractions/

 

54 Remarkable Places To Visit In Singapore In 2022 Where A Wandering Heart Finds Peace

[Robert Tyrrell]

5 hours ago, ukrules said:

They could make it simple and just issue 90 day stamps for everyone

 

This is Thailand ???????? Simple is NOT !! In the Dictionary or Vocabulary

here  !!! The word that is understood clearly and fully is

1. Baht

????  

[The retired guy]

3 hours ago, Neeranam said:

They're are reasons Thailand doesn't want to allow tourist to come on long visas, take a walk down Soi bukao and you'll see why. 

If the US and UK extend visas for Thais then we can extend for Brit/yank tourists. 

If thai men take care of their girls and children, the girls don’t need to sell their bodies in soi Buakhao.

[Robert Tyrrell]

1 hour ago, daveAustin said:

Actually they do. In fact those countries make it so that Thai people can gain citizenship, are able to vote and even buy property!

I’m a American ???????? Us yanks !! Sent you Britts packing and back home to your King and Queen , Don’t forget that 55555.

Your statement could also apply to dual pricing in Thailand with foreigners, But that’s never going to change.

Don’t expect what happens in Western Civilization to apply here ???? Thailand is literally 40 Years behind Western Logic, Just the way it is ???? 

Best Regards a Proud American ????????/ Yank 5555 ???? 

[Plus Esse Quam Simultatur]

No they actually don't want the psychical turists here only their money.

[The retired guy]

3 hours ago, Neeranam said:

There is a big problem here with illegal immigrants. There are even agents in Pattaya that help them bypass immigration requirements for £500. As a result, we get undesirables, who have fake year visas. 

And who are this ‘agents’? -Maybe thai-idiots?

 

 

[ikke1959]

Thailand doesn't really want to have a lot of tourists.. Foreigners have a other view on the Thai Culture and politics and they are afraid that they will influence the THai people or open their eyes. Foreigners are a threat for the Government, as you can see that there are almost no foreigners anymore in schools, requirements for long stay visa holders are changing time after time...( for example, go on holiday outside Thailand and when you come back you have to go to your immigration office again for adress notification and 90 days.) Than they want an entrance fee of 300 THB and double pricing is ok. It are all signs that Thailand doesn't want tourists really. They pretent to keep their own people quiet, and as there are no foreigners coming they have someone to blame... 

[JayBird]

6 hours ago, ukrules said:

They could make it simple and just issue 90 day stamps for everyone

 

Wasn't this the norm pre-thaksin?

[WinterGael]

TAT walks a fineline on this one.  On one side they want tourists because, simply put, they need those tourist baht (a strong sign the Thai economy and economic lead in SEA is on the decline), and on the other side, they have to deal with a population that numerous times have made it known that they do not approve of mass tourism from anywhere.  

 

I once talked to along yerm expat from Pattaya who told me Thai tourism works like this.  The Thais involved in it want you to come for a couple of weeks, spend as much as you can, then get the hell out.  And that's pretty much what Thai friends in the industry have told me, too (with the caveat, we not mean you).

 

But that said, will extending visas really earn that much more?  From family and friends who travel here, outside of hotels and restaurants, I'm not convinced.  I've had friends come for 10 days and spend 40,000 baht after hotel and food. I've had others come for 60 days and spend 50,000 after hotel and food.  How much one spends is a factor of how uch you can afford (seems like people come to Thailand for the cheapo holiday) and not so much how long you want to stay.

[trainman34014]

3 hours ago, Purdey said:

I noticed that Singapore is the only country that doesn’t care what you want, in terms of visa length, but gives what they think you deserve. Clearly they are not dependent on tourists as one of the region’s most boring destinations (never understand why people go there except for business). They have developed their business without much heavy manufacturing.

If Thailand could get its act together, investing in education and business, perhaps this would not make the length of stay such an issue.

Just one small problem; Thailand is totally incapable of 'Getting its act Together'.   And; never forget the Xenophobia factor !