Proposal would see Thailand continue with relaxed entry rules for tourists

[webfact 167159]

File photo

 

By Online Reporter

Thailand is set to continue with its major easing of entry rules in a bid to further boost tourism throughout 2023.

 

Since October 1 2022, tourists eligible to enter Thailand with a visa exemption have been able to stay in the country for up to 45 days – an increase from the previous 30 days.

 

In addition, tourists entering Thailand under the Visa on Arrival (VOA) program have been able to stay in the country for 30 days – an increase from the previous 15 days.

 

Currently a total of 64 countries are eligible for visa exemption, including the UK, USA, Germany, Singapore, Canada and others, while VOA is the visa class of choice for tourists visiting from countries such as India and China.

 

The current visa exemption / VOA policy is due to end on March 31, but according to Governor Yuthasak Supasorn the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will propose the policy be extended until the end of the year.

 

Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/thailand-news/proposal-would-see-thailand-continue-with-relaxed-entry-rules-for-tourists/

 

-- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2023-01-18

 

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[rabang 975]

Give at least 60 or even 90 days like most normal countries do. 15 additional days to a meagre amount of 30 days is a joke for a country as obsessed about tourism as TH.

Edited January 17 by rabang

[sezze 2221]

I would love to see that rule being extended, 45days is good enough for me .

[scubascuba3 24062]

They can't find any logic to go back to 30 days

[Regyai 1283]

Lack of logic has never been an impediment to them previously

 

 

[spidermike007 63936]

No sound reason not to extend it. They are desperate for tourists, now that they realize just how devastating the Prayuth decimation was. The sabotage could barely have been more complete. 

 

They need to ease rules, improve the country, fix many things, and make Thailand more appealing for tourists. Basic stuff. But complicated for goons. 

[Derek B 487]

To improve tourism in Thailand have the Chinese go through Thai Immigration in China. 

[d4dang 821]

1 minute ago, Derek B said:

To improve tourism in Thailand have the Chinese go through Thai Immigration in China. 

Immi will love your idea so you should get 5% of the income flow

[d4dang 821]

the shorter the visas the more overstays

[IamNoone88 5192]

Judging by the majority of people on my return flight to Thailand, there is certainly no focus on quality.

[cheapcanuck 1366]

22 minutes ago, d4dang said:

the shorter the visas the more overstays

Just wondering if there is some data to back that up? 

[bluejets 562]

45 days is good move......should make it permanent...even 60 wouldn't go astray.

 

Problem is, international airlines start charging like scrub bulls for anything over 30 day return flights

along with travel insurance fees....and for the latter, doesn't appear to be any pro rata rate apply, just a larger than expected fees. 

[Jingthing 91158]

Should do six months for the favored countries on arrival like Mexico or three plus three in country extension like Colombia, then restrict going back in during that calender year (to six months total), like Colombia.

 

Why not?

Edited January 17 by Jingthing

[Wuvu2 1372]

The government is pushing on the wrong end of the string. The average tourist only stays in Thailand 2.8 days. By imposing a MINIMUM stay requirement Thailand could be back to pre-covid tourism income in a heartbeat. 

 

Spend money for at lest seven days - then you are welcome to leave. I can't believe they didn't think of this sooner 😉 

[Jingthing 91158]

Just now, Wuvu2 said:

The government is pushing on the wrong end of the string. The average tourist only stays in Thailand 2.8 days. By imposing a MINIMUM stay requirement Thailand could be back to pre-covid tourism income in a heartbeat. 

 

Spend money for at lest seven days - then you are welcome to leave. I can't believe they didn't think of this sooner 😉 

That sounds pretty crazy.

[smedly 57159]

and last week what was it ?

 

the biggest cluster I have ever seen here 

 

and these people will be back in power no matter how the Thai people vote 

 

 

it really is a joke - nobody is laughing - how do the Thai people get rid of these clowns ? - I know how but it will not be pretty unfortunately 

[hotchilli 51750]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand is set to continue with its major easing of entry rules in a bid to further boost tourism throughout 2023

That's a novel idea.

[ikke1959 12034]

On one hand they want to ease the tourist visa and with the other hand they make restrictions like 300 THB entry fee... I changes but keep it 30 days and no entry fee. People who want to stay longer can apply for a 3 month visa... Same as a Schengenvisa for example...

[AAArdvark 862]

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

They can't find any logic to go back to 30 days

Since when does logic come into play. 

[jacko45k 39373]

I would like to see how many Russians and Chinese we get living here long term in the future and Thailand can continue with their current regulations for now. I have this fear of the place being completely swamped....by those from less agreeable places with huge populations. 

[gejohesch 523]

5 hours ago, rabang said:

Give at least 60 or even 90 days like most normal countries do. 15 additional days to a meagre amount of 30 days is a joke for a country as obsessed about tourism as TH.

But maybe maybe, they don't really like tourists, they only like their money (expenditures being forecast to the nearest 100 baht). There are genuine doubts whether people staying for longer periods are genuine tourists = donkeys loaded with bags of cash 😀. Probably, there are stats showing that those are rather likely to hunkering down on the cheap 🤔- that's not what they want! 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dexxter 469]

3 hours ago, Derek B said:

To improve tourism in Thailand have the Chinese go through Thai Immigration in China. 

Then they can be unloaded at the bulk freight terminal once they arrive in Thailand. 😁

[Red Phoenix 776]

This extension should normally have an impact on the number of applications for a 60-day Tourist Visa at Thai Embassies abroad.  Because who would go through the trouble of applying for such a Visa, when you can enter Thailand WITHOUT any Visa and receive a 45 day Permit to Stay on entry?  And those that do want to stay longer can apply for a 30-day extension at any Thai Immigration office for 1.900,- THB. 

So it's only when you plan to stay between 75 and 90 days in Thailand, that a 60-day Tourist Visa would now make any sense to apply for.

[K2938 188]

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

and make Thailand more appealing for tourists.

...oh, of course, that is why they now want to introduce the 300 THB tourist entry levy.  Now I understand🙃

[Gottfrid 6773]

4 hours ago, d4dang said:

the shorter the visas the more overstays

Yeah, I also asked for two potato, but I only got one, so I didn´t eat. 😂

[Mad mick 727]

Go Philippines 30 days on entry if you want stay longer no problem extend 60 days cost Approx for 2 month extension US =$60 At local immigration office fast easy after that can extend 6 months + included is Tourist Alien 👽  card ID Pic chip address where you reside without leaving Philippines up to max 3 years on tourist visa after 3 years want stay leave for day or 2 rtn start all over again upto another 3 years no need prove income or pensions 7000 + islands to visit have id card easy send money to yourself lots of outlets pick up cash from as long you have tourist visa id Philippine gov id card no house registration your agent or landlord submit  paper work for you all done never had any issue reason ! l'm going back this coming May & leave Vietnam enough of monthly visa runs expensive cost round  trip inclusive of Cambodia visa + new Vietnam  visa US = $127. Per month where Philippines US = $30 Aprox per month . Decided  go Vietnam for change great food infrastructure wifi utilities cell phone data very cheap " compared to Philippines , also abundance of fresh produce in Vietnam compared to Phili ! Down side stuck in  HCMC  due close to Cambodia border give it go for 6 months thats up this coming May Will rtn  back Philippines bonus Filipino speak English language as second language & Visa access renew inside Philippine ! May 2 cnd bye bye Vietnam times up ! Hello Philippines here i come  to stay retired forever  .. 

Edited January 18 by Mad mick

[Harveyboy 1843]

will they relax the scamming of farangs also ..as if 

[biggles45 1372]

'have an impact on the number of applications for a 60-day Tourist Visa at Thai Embassies abroad.  ' 

 

Yes In our case the Thai embassy in Manila is a 3 hour trip away. They take 2 working days to issue one so you need to stay one night in an over priced hotel, all for an extra 15 days. They also want lots of supporting paperwork. 

We had 2 a year for 7 years Pre Covid but no more as long as this continues

[alex8912 3647]

4 hours ago, jacko45k said:

I would like to see how many Russians and Chinese we get living here long term in the future and Thailand can continue with their current regulations for now. I have this fear of the place being completely swamped....by those from less agreeable places with huge populations. 

The Russians I've seen over the last 7 weeks of traveling quite a lot around Thailand are actually exceptional. These people all have money , are quiet and friendly, travel with extended family and friends, dress better than most other tourists and again are spending big! The best quality of tourists I've ever seen in going to Koh Samed after New Years in 30 years!  It's not easy for me to say this but I find these " new" Russians unlike any pre 2020.  I have not been to Walking St in Pattaya just places like Koh Samed , Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Koh Chang and all over BKK. 
More on topic but not really directed towards you many on here THINK tourists come here 3 days or one week! That is complete bull. After spending about three hours at Hua Hin Immigration on Monday everyone there except the 90 day report guys were extending their 45 day stay or 60 day visa another 30 days. I spoke with many tourists there. Staying 3-6 months is VERY common more than many posters realize. They HAVE to make the METV at least similar to the old way.  The new METV regulations are confusing ,confusing, confusing and stupid!! I got 5 METV's five years in a row before Covid and several double and triple entry visas that were easy to get and not confusing at all before that. The E visa system here is just set up to make people hate it and ditch it! 

[alex8912 3647]

3 hours ago, gejohesch said:

But maybe maybe, they don't really like tourists, they only like their money (expenditures being forecast to the nearest 100 baht). There are genuine doubts whether people staying for longer periods are genuine tourists = donkeys loaded with bags of cash 😀. Probably, there are stats showing that those are rather likely to hunkering down on the cheap 🤔- that's not what they want! 

 

 

 

 

 

You are one million percent wrong about most long term ( 3-6 month ) tourists.  I bet you have not spoken to anyone who stays here that long as a tourist because you either don't travel in Thailand much or don't stay at expensive condos or hotels where we mostly stay!  Stop spreading FAKE news! Soo many people here known as snowbirds and digital nomads as well spend huge bucks mister!!  I HATE posts like yours!