Tourism Dept Supports Visa-Free Initiative

[webfact]

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Department of Tourism has said it fully supports the government’s initiative to potentially extend visa-free arrivals to more nationalities. The move is expected to boost Thailand’s tourism sector.

 

Director-General Chaturon Phakdeewanich said a well-executed visa waiver policy could heighten Thailand’s competitive edge, especially considering the lower tour package costs in the country.

 

He emphasized that the government must weigh its options between a full visa waiver and merely waiving the visa application fee. Additionally, he stressed the need for alternative revenue streams to offset lost visa application revenues.

 

Chaturon assured that the department is ready to spearhead this policy, but emphasized the need for a thorough vetting process to safeguard national interests.

 

Thai authorities are projecting the number of international visitors to reach as high as 27.4 million by the end of the year, followed by further growth next year due to various tourism-promoting campaigns and policies.

by Paul Rujopakarn

Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230905104943853

 

-- NNT 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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[Olav Seglem]

Typical first thinking how to compensate lost visa fee.

They cant imagine more tourists and/or longer stays result in larger amount spendt and then more paid VAT and tax from beneficiaries of the tourists money ??

Edited September 5, 2023 by Olav Seglem

[StayinThailand2much]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

(...) he stressed the need for alternative revenue streams to offset lost visa application revenues.

Which might be the real reason behind it... Big publicity stunt of freeing some tourists from the visa fee, then using this as justification for charging all tourists, to generate a multiple income of this 'lost revenue'...

Edited September 5, 2023 by StayinThailand2much

[koolkarl]

A lot more food on the floor and in women"s  purses at all you can eat buffets.  I haven't met a Thai yet who even likes Chinese.  Don't forget mile long lineups at the airports too.

[Sticky Rice Balls]

seems to me when thais are willing to forgo visa fees aka money--things must be bad...

[soalbundy]

4 hours ago, Olav Seglem said:

Typical first thinking how to compensate lost visa fee.

They cant imagine more tourists and/or longer stays result in larger amount spendt and then more paid VAT and tax from beneficiaries of the tourists money ??

What happened to, "We want wealthy high quality tourists", now they are pandering to package tours. Seems a light has gone on.....they aren't coming.

[BarstoolChang]

4 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

What happened to, "We want wealthy high quality tourists", now they are pandering to package tours. Seems a light has gone on.....they aren't coming.

Yep. Pandering to package tours and to a demographic that doesn't actually put money into Thai owned businesses, only their own

 

I don't understand the Thai governments fetish for the Chinese, but as many are of Thai Chinese descent, it does somewhat make sense.

 

The rest of Thailand doesn't share their sentiments and fondness for the Chinese though.

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The Department of Tourism has said it fully supports the government’s initiative to potentially extend visa-free arrivals to more nationalities. The move is expected to boost Thailand’s tourism sector.

Of course they do, they don't have to deal with the criminal element.