New visa-free regime plan for Chinese tourists will see more criminal elements entering Thailand

[webfact]

 

The Immigration Bureau has also expressed concern about queues and pressure at Suvarnabhumi Airport caused by the large number of Chinese arrivals expected to avail of visa-free travel. Senior officers call for special lanes for Chinese tourists and promise to provide 200 more staff to cope with the demand. 

It is accepted even by police that a new policy ordered by the incoming Pheu Thai government to offer visa-free access to Chinese visitors from October 1st will see more criminal elements from China entering the kingdom. On Monday, senior officers with the Immigration Bureau flew to China to meet with police and security officials there to help minimise the threat from October 1st.

 

Senior officers with the Immigration Bureau of the Royal Thai Police on Monday made it clear that they are ready to cooperate with a new policy introduced by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to issue a visa-free dispensation to Chinese tourists from October 1st.

 

The move, a short-term measure to boost foreign tourism, is expected to see an increase in the number of Chinese visitors to the kingdom this year by 700,000 people after arrivals from China have been disappointing due to tighter screening introduced earlier in the year with an economic downturn and loss of consumer confidence in the Communist country.  

 

by James Morris and Son Nguyen

TOP: Senior Immigration Bureau police officers briefed the media on plans to cope with the new visa-free plan for Chinese tourists, due to be introduced on October 1st.

 

Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2023/09/04/visa-free-plan-for-chinese-tourists-a-risk-immigration-bureau-officers-in-china/

 

-- Thai Examiner 2023-09-05

 

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[webfact]

Thai Immigration Prepares for Visa-Free Entry for Chinese Tourists

 

 

BANGKOK,  (TNA) – The Immigration Bureau is preparing plans to implement the prime minister's policy of granting visa-free entry to Chinese tourists starting from October 1.

Immigration Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Pakphumpipat Sajjaphan disclosed that TAT is ready to welcome the policy after Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the visa-free entry for Chinese nationals by October 1.

 

However, it is acknowledged that this policy may lead to overcrowding at entry points, notably airports. Consequently, adjustments and increased staffing will be required, and discussions will be held with aviation authorities to create special channels for Chinese tourists, minimizing the impact on travelers from other countries.

 

Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-1233048

 

-- TNA-MCOT 2023-09-05

 

- 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.

 

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[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The move, a short-term measure to boost foreign tourism

That's all Thailand ever does... short term.

[2baht]

  

2 hours ago, webfact said:

visa-free access to Chinese visitors from October 1st will see more criminal elements from China entering the kingdom.

................and the Emperor said "Go forth and pillage!" 

[Bim Smith]

How did they cope pre COVID when the number of Chinese well exceeded the numbers today. Me thinks immigration are liking the low numbers. More lunch breaks.

[madmitch]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The move, a short-term measure to boost foreign tourism, is expected to see an increase in the number of Chinese visitors to the kingdom this year by 700,000 people after arrivals from China have been disappointing due to tighter screening introduced earlier in the year with an economic downturn and loss of consumer confidence in the Communist country.  

Am I reading this correctly? The numbers were down partly due to tighter screening, meaning more Chinese were denied entry. Yet those denied a visa for whatever reason can now enter Thailand anyway? Seems an odd move to me but when has anything in Thailand ever been thought through properly?

[arick]

At the moment their are not even China airlines flying out of the Country. So much for flights from China every hour by the end of August.  

[ezzra]

I don't think so, criminals who look at Thailand as a place to commit crimes will not be deterred because of a visa fee.

[impulse]

10 minutes ago, arick said:

At the moment their are not even China airlines flying out of the Country. So much for flights from China every hour by the end of August.  

I've been flying to Thailand from China once a month since April.  On Chinese airlines.   I'm in that rare group of people who go to Thailand for a monthly visa run.  I have another flight booked next week.

 

Edited September 4, 2023 by impulse

[jacko45k]

Just now, impulse said:

I've been flying to Thailand from China once a month since April.  On Chinese airlines.   I'm in that rare group of people who go to Thailand for a monthly visa run.

 

Seems to be a long way to go.....nowhere closer? Or perhaps other reasons. 

[impulse]

1 minute ago, jacko45k said:

Seems to be a long way to go.....nowhere closer? Or perhaps other reasons. 

Before I worked in Thailand, I used to go to Seoul or Hong Kong.  And I loved it.  But now I have friends to visit in Thailand.  Costs more, and the flights are longer, but so far it's worth it.  I am open the the possibility I may get tired of it and go back to Seoul.  Or Hong Kong.

[Bangkok Barry]

So the first task that the new PM has chosen to undertake, his number priority, is to encourage more Chinese to visit. That will go down well....with no-one.

Edited September 4, 2023 by Bangkok Barry

[webfact]

Free visa for Chinese tourists stirs Thai transnational crime fears
by Mitch Connor 

 

Image by Serhii Yevdokymov

 

The newly proposed travel policy by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, which includes free visa privileges for Chinese tourists, could potentially escalate transnational crime rates, as per the Immigration Bureau (IB) of Thailand. The program, which is set to kick off on October 1, is designed to stimulate the influx of Chinese tourists, who once dominated the tourist arrivals.

 

However, despite the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, travel from China has not bounced back as expected. Adith Chairattananon, the honorary secretary-general of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta), pointed out that the economic burden and a weakened yuan have discouraged many Chinese from venturing overseas.

 

Furthermore, Adith mentioned that negative perceptions of Thailand, especially concerning safety, have been circulating on Chinese social media platforms, deterring prospective travellers. The Atta also highlighted the struggles of several Chinese travel agencies to cope with the lack of staff and escalating operational costs.

 

The planned free-visa program has sparked a divide in opinions, with Srettha in discussions with security and related agencies about potential risks. A particular concern of some tourism-related businesses is the potential influx of Chinese criminals due to relaxed entry regulations.

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/free-visa-for-chinese-tourists-stirs-thai-transnational-crime-fears

 

-- The Thaiger 2023-09-05

 

- 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.

 

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[impulse]

Maybe it's me being pedantic, but there's a huge difference between free visa and visa free.

 

I wonder which one they're actually proposing?

 

[mokwit]

I'm sure the crime can be cracked down on by making 1 year extensions harder to get.

[fallup88]

Tourist numbers are down due to the economy, it’s not just the Chinese tourist numbers.

 

Chinese government has not been approving a lot of group travels too. Which I suspect is due to the bad economy at home, they don’t want people spending more money overseas.

 

Lastly, there is a shortage of flights and flight numbers have not recover since Covid. Even on domestic routes, there are shortage of seats.

 

The increase in tourist number won’t effect Thailand causing any bottlenecks, the criminal part will. There is already a surge in Chinese criminals in Thailand.

[Purdey]

Like any other criminals, Chinese criminals can be arrested when they commit crimes. I doubt if the number will be so high the Thai government will have to rethink the visas. 

[ikke1959]

The Chinese are famous for heir Chinese maffia and drugskartels.... visa free in Thailand will surely attractive for these groups as Thailand has a lot of drugs already

[ignore it]

How about offering free flights too?

[wombat]

I wouldn't worry...if Scambodia was any indication  once the bad guys become a problem they are rounded up by the Chinese police and put on chartered flights back to  China  ???????? 

 

[Tropicalevo]

2 hours ago, arick said:

At the moment their are not even China airlines flying out of the Country. So much for flights from China every hour by the end of August.  

There are some flights leaving China. Admittedly, not ever hour.

 

Three direct flights a week to Samui's little airport.

https://www.flightsfrom.com/TFU-USM

 

Quite a few into Suvarnabhumi airport.

https://www.bangkok-airport.net/bkk-arrivals

[stix40]

Chinese

Why are they so noisy when they eat there food ?

 

[newnative]

Translation:  More tourists means we have to work harder so we are against more tourists.

[Kwaibill]

I recall many previous posts about how little the Chinese tour groups actually spend outside of their tour “ packages”. Not sure how much this scheme will benefit the overall economy.

[Kwaibill]

15 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

There are some flights leaving China. Admittedly, not ever hour.

 

Three direct flights a week to Samui's little airport.

https://www.flightsfrom.com/TFU-USM

 

Quite a few into Suvarnabhumi airport.

https://www.bangkok-airport.net/bkk-arrivals

I’m sure more flights could be added if the demand is there.

[Hakuna Matata]

This is a big mistake made by the new prime minister. Visa rules should be tightened for certain countries including China, Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Romania, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Romania, Nigeria, Korea, etc.

[Road Warrior]

a great idea !!! just need more police to sort the criminals 

[Gottfrid]

Criminality is only one problem. Mentality is even worse!

[Cabradelmar]

Criminals from anywhere love easy to get visas... not only Chinese 

[Arthur Mullard]

2 hours ago, fallup88 said:

Tourist numbers are down due to the economy, it’s not just the Chinese tourist numbers.

 

Chinese government has not been approving a lot of group travels too. Which I suspect is due to the bad economy at home, they don’t want people spending more money overseas.

 

Lastly, there is a shortage of flights and flight numbers have not recover since Covid. Even on domestic routes, there are shortage of seats.

 

The increase in tourist number won’t effect Thailand causing any bottlenecks, the criminal part will. There is already a surge in Chinese criminals in Thailand.

Most people won't know that in the T&Cs of flight bookings not so long ago (summer 2022) restricted travellers (native) leaving THAT country to 3 categories: business; education; work! Six months ago "tourists" had to apply for a special pass to go to HK or Macao. Imagine! Poor f***ers.