Thai Tourism Minister Urges Avoiding Stereotyping Chinese Tourists Amid Visa Policy Crime Concerns

[webfact]

The Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, cautioned against making sweeping assumptions about Chinese tourists visiting Thailand and claiming they all have the intention of exploiting the country and participating in illegal businesses and acts.

Sudawan’s statement was made in response to concerns raised regarding the proposed three-month temporary visa exemption for Chinese tourists. Critics said that the free visa policy, initially proposed by PM Srettha Thavisin, would lead to more transnational crime involving Chinese nationals.

 

In particular, the concerns center around the fear that the free visa could result in an influx of Chinese people into Thailand, among whom could be operators of call center gangs, owners of illegal businesses, and other type of criminal entities.

 

The planned policy could also worsen congestion at immigration counters, and cause some Thai people to lose their jobs to certain Chinese individuals who secretly seek to exploit the policy to their own benefit.

 

However, Minister Sudawan responded that the Ministry of Tourism and Sports will rigorously enforce the law to eliminate all types of illegal businesses, whether they are run by Chinese nationals or others. She did not, however, give a clear plan on how they would do this.

 

By Tanakorn Panyadee

PHOTO: INN News

 

Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2023/09/12/thai-tourism-minister-urges-avoiding-stereotyping-chinese-tourists-amid-visa-policy-crime-concerns/

 

-- THE PATTAYA NEWS 2023-09-13

 

- 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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[timendres]

41 minutes ago, webfact said:

However, Minister Sudawan responded that the Ministry of Tourism and Sports will rigorously enforce the law to eliminate all types of illegal businesses...

All good then...

 

41 minutes ago, webfact said:

She did not, however, give a clear plan on how they would do this.

Oh.

[ikke1959]

If someone wants to be a criminal it is very hard to keep him/her from doing that.. But there are more non criminals than criminals.. and Chinese they are decades known for their maffia all over the world so keep the visa system intact for them just to control, but it is not certain that no criminals are comin. An policeforce that works should help ... but in Thailand.... with money you can buy the police to look to the other way 

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

In particular, the concerns center around the fear that the free visa could result in an influx of Chinese people into Thailand, among whom could be operators of call center gangs, owners of illegal businesses, and other type of criminal entities

If you're not concerned about the minority of corrupt Chinese sneaking in as tourists why is the free visa going to be for only 3 months?

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

However, Minister Sudawan responded that the Ministry of Tourism and Sports will rigorously enforce the law to eliminate all types of illegal businesses, whether they are run by Chinese nationals or others. She did not, however, give a clear plan on how they would do this.

The RTP and immigration have a tough time trying to achieve this.. how are the  Ministry of Tourism and Sports going to do anything?

[jacko45k]

2 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

If you're not concerned about the minority of corrupt Chinese sneaking in as tourists why is the free visa going to be for only 3 months?

Are we to have a free visa policy or a visa free one, quite different I believe?

Edited September 12, 2023 by jacko45k

[NORDO]

Some people just don't know how to deal with trash.

 

1. Recyclables…..can be cleaned up and repurposed.

2. Consumables…one time use and must be discarded.

3. Organics….usually biodegradable and won’t harm the environment.

4. Rotting trash... filthy, scum sucking, infectious, bottom feeder’s that have no place in a civil society.

If you’re going run the Tourism department, you gots to know your trash.

 

[Andycoops]

Seems like the new minister is turning into a Muppet just like the previous incumbent.

As for the tourism ministry ensuring compliance with all laws this is clearly a joke as they have no jurisdiction whatsoever.

[mokwit]

So no comments about the prawns not lasting very long on the buffet table then?

[bamnutsak]

Given the wide-spread RTP/Immigration corruption involving the Chinese gangsters in the recent past, these folks came in on VOA (2,000 baht), then proceeded to buy longer term visas/extensions directly from Immigration offices.

 

The cost of the VOA was immaterial.

 

Most Chinese tourists are honest, some are criminals. Unlike the RTP, where few are honest.

 

110 bent immigration cops busted in visa scam swoop

 

The Royal Thai Police (RTP) yesterday revealed they uncovered a massive visa scam involving 110 bent immigration cops.

 

The Deputy Commander of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, held a press conference at the Police Club, where he exposed details of the illegal operation. The corrupt cops illegally offered visas to foreigners, especially Chinese investors.

 

According to Big Joke, the outlaw officers formed a network with local visa agencies, illegally issuing visas to foreigners, especially Chinese investors looking to do business in Thailand.

 

https://thethaiger.com/guides/visa-information/110-bent-immigration-cops-busted-in-visa-scam-swoop

[WHansen]

With the Chinese economy in such a bad state of affairs, there is a real possibility of even more undesirables looking to prey on the gullible Thais.

The powers at be know this but the predicted numbers of Chinese visitors must be met to save loosing face.

[Caldera]

16 hours ago, webfact said:

The Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, cautioned against making sweeping assumptions about Chinese tourists visiting Thailand and claiming they all have the intention of exploiting the country and participating in illegal businesses and acts.

He's right, there are a few honest Chinese tourists as well. 

[geisha]

I’ve seen the havoc they caused in Sihanoukville! Drove all decent foreigners and Cambodians out, and only kept the poorest to work in construction etc. The Cambodians lost their businesses and homes. 

From a sleepy beach village with some lovely beaches and the main road fresh seafood restaurants, it turned into a casino/ Chinese mess. Don’t know what it looks like now but I’ve heard it’s deserted. 
im happy when they’re not around me. They should learn how to behave in public.