Thai tourism embraces easier visa rules, faster approvals for Chinese tourists

[webfact]

 

In a move geared towards promoting Thai tourism, the government has implemented policy changes that lessen the rules for obtaining a tourist visa and slashes approval time for Chinese visitors.

 

Chinese travellers emerged as the majority of international arrivals over the past week, the deputy government spokeswoman, Rachada Dhnadirek, confirmed yesterday.

 

Statistics displayed that 95,581 visitors from China arrived in Thailand during this period, far outstripping the numbers from Malaysia (73,810), South Korea (37,754), India (27,707), and Vietnam (25,717).

 

In line with the renewed visa norms, Chinese tourists applying for Thai visas will now need to submit only six forms of documentation.

 

These include their passport, three photographs, an airline ticket, proof of their accommodation in Thailand, evidence of permanent residence, and financial statements.

 

Rachada pointed out that this adjustment will cut down processing time from two weeks to one week.

 

by Mitch Connor

TOP: Chinese tourists in Thailand, courtesy of Taweechai Tawatpakorn, Bangkok Post.

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/economy/thailand-eases-visa-rules-and-speeds-up-approvals-for-chinese-tourists

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-08-11

 

- Cigna 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.

[webfact]

Thailand eases visa requirements for Chinese tourists

By Peter Roche

 

PHOTO: Tasty Thailand

As mooted by immigration officials last month, visa requirements for Chinese travellers to Thailand will now relaxed and the processing time accelerated, according to a Bangkok Post report today. The government is making the changes in a bid to make travel to Thailand easier for Chinese tourists.

 

Deputy government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek says the Chinese made up the largest proportion of foreign travellers last week, with 95,581 arriving in the kingdom. This number was followed by 73,810 from Malaysia, 37,754 visitors from South Korea, 27,707 from India, and 25,717 Vietnamese.

 

In Phuket, during July, Chinese were the most numerous visitors (74,766), Russians (35,521) Australians (24,761), Indians (17,224) and Hong Kong visitors (13,817).

 

Full story: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/national-news/thailand-eases-visa-requirements-for-chinese-tourists/

 

-- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-08-11

 

- Cigna 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.

[Kwasaki]

I thought that anyone could just arrive with passport and get 30 days.

[John Drake]

Will the Chinese embassy still require Thailand to funnel Thai visa applications through them and  have the authority to approve or disapprove Thai visas?

[observer90210]

Lovely. It will attract even more quality tourist skateboard fans entering at Don Muang airport.

[ukrules]

15 hours ago, webfact said:

Chinese tourists applying for Thai visas will now need to submit only six forms of documentation.

Pathetic. No wonder they don't want to come - if it's 6 now I wonder what it was before.

 

Also as I like to point out - don't forget that there's a special list of countries kept by the Chinese government where ordinary people aren't allowed or are discouraged to travel to unless they're on a tour - and Thailand is on that list.

 

[mania]

16 hours ago, webfact said:

he government has implemented policy changes that lessen the rules for obtaining a tourist visa and slashes approval time for Chinese visitors.

How nice ????

Will Anutin Charnvirakul be greeting them at the gate again?

Edited August 11, 2023 by mania

[soalbundy]

Getting a little desperate now are we.........what about the stricter checks put forward?

[hotchilli]

17 hours ago, webfact said:

In line with the renewed visa norms, Chinese tourists applying for Thai visas will now need to submit only six forms of documentation.

Down from?

[ikke1959]

The Chinese... no other are so important than the Chinese tourists... 

[ross163103]

Thailand has never been colonized, be careful, Tibet comes to mind. 

[jacko45k]

19 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

I thought that anyone could just arrive with passport and get 30 days.

Not so, depends on Nationality. Chinese could get a Visa on  arrival or apply on-line for tourist visa before travel.

[RichardColeman]

20 hours ago, webfact said:

the government has implemented policy changes that lessen the rules for obtaining a tourist visa and slashes approval time for Chinese visitors.

I would imagine they need to help fix the Chinese economy before addressing tourism.

 

Watching a youtube video yesterday that was saying chinese youth unemployment is now 22-25% - that will not end well

 

 

[lapamita]

21 hours ago, webfact said:

21 hours ago, webfact said:

These include their passport, three photographs, an airline ticket, proof of their accommodation in Thailand, evidence of permanent residence, and financial statements.

if this applied to everybody , this will be a problem for many . bcs many " no have a permanent residence incl the LT visa  holders,penison visas" , me i have a temporary residence in another country and here on visas  , but No permanantresidence ,as so many who leave their homecountry .  This is already an issue on taxes ,and will be more more and more in the future

 

[patman30]

so they have a problem with Chinese organized crime gangs entering Thailand on tourist visas
and to solve this problem they make it easier and quicker for Chinese people to obtain a tourist visa

[OttoPollmann]

what was the requirement before the change? What they now got is no difference to a regular tourist visa, like for everyone else.

[ross163103]

Chinese, chinese, chinese....I'm sick of hearing about the Chinese! Just get it over with; bow down and roll over to your Chinese overlords.