Cabinet Approves Visa Extension for Russian Tourists

[MurakamiX]

Capitalism and marketing prevail for the Thai tourism board. To a Russian, even the most sewer-swamped soi of Pattaya likely looks like a slice of heaven, considering where they have been brought up and raised. It does make sense.. 

[ChipButty]

Could make a You Tube video, "Russians in Rawai"

[Srikcir]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This decision comes as part of a broader initiative to stimulate the tourism sector

Then why not extended tourist visa for all nations?

Or was this extension for Russians the price for a Thai government meet, greet and photo-op with Putin and Xi in China? 

[Srikcir]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

stimulate the tourism sector

New TAT promotion: Sponsor terrorism, get an extended 90-day tourist visa?

[Spock]

Give the most to the least deserving. That's pretty much how third world countries operate.

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Thai Cabinet has given its approval for an extension of the visa-free stay for Russian tourists to 90 days in an effort to boost tourism in Thailand.

I guess the Chinese don't fancy Thailand at the moment.. 

too may scams, injuries and deaths, plus things back home are going down the pan.

Keep the Russians here for as long as possible.

[jacko45k]

12 hours ago, ukrules said:

Well that's one way to crap all over the rest of the world who visit the country

Yes, it would not be seen so negatively if Russians were given the same arrangement as the many countries currently allowed a 30 day visa exempt and single 30 day extension. A special one looks like a bottom kiss prior to the meeting. 

Edited October 16, 2023 by jacko45k

[Jelli]

11 hours ago, Gknrd said:

Just goes to show you how Thailand political system is in step with the Chinese. China supports Russia, now Thailand supports Russia in their own way. Just another day with Thailands TCP..

Of course the Western expats and tourists will be the losers here in the long run. Most Westerners with a head on their shoulders and the funds have left Thailand or now know the problems they face.

Thailand is heading down the same road as China with out a doubt. 

I am curious to see what Thailand is like in ten years.  If China can make the changes to deal with the geopolitical problems it faces then Thailand may be in good shape. If not then what happens to Thailand is pretty dismal IMO.

You say it like it's a bad thing.

 

I'm really detesting Western governments these past decades but especially since COVID. I scarcely recognize the US and the other English speaking countries possibly worse save for the US neocon war machine.

[Jelli]

40 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

I guess the Chinese don't fancy Thailand at the moment.. 

too may scams, injuries and deaths, plus things back home are going down the pan.

Keep the Russians here for as long as possible.

Chinese economy is in the toilet. May not recover for decades.

[observer90210]

Soon Russian soapy fishbowls all over the Nation ? ????

[Skipalongcassidy]

This is the reason Putin wants to meet with the prime minister... to tell him "NO"... Putin needs the draft dodgers sent home now to bolster his troops. 

[Hall]

What's so special with the Russian? Someone got paid? Why not 90 day for everyone? Most Russian No have big spenders. Fighting for 10 baht for bathbuss because they paid 5 baht 10 years ago...

[Walker88]

Wow, this one got much more press than the special Hamas 90-day visa free entry!

 

I did think the paraglider lessons in Pattaya was a nice touch for the Hamas shebabs, but I'm not sure they believe that the Thai govt can supply them with 72 virgins. Certainly not in Pattaya.

 

I understand Kim Jong-un, anxious for his own Thai get-away, is considering invading the south, as that seems to be the calculus to win the favor of this new Thai govt.

[Gsxrnz]

Thank God the Russians don't play golf. 

[kinyara]

Incentivising longer stay tourism from one of their largest markets at this time when their primary market China is in such a shortfall is a common sense move. Asean Now members have been calling for easy longer stay tourist options for a long-time, while at the same time highlighting the unattractivess of the country to Western tourism due to all of Thailand's faults and global economic strains, high airfares etc. Srettha has clearly taken their advice onboard and offered an incentive to a grateful tourist nation.

[KannikaP]

9 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

ROFLMAO 

 

 

Come on, give us a clue please.

[bamnutsak]

It looks like they just slid Russia over into the 90 day column. temporarily, in the Bilateral section 

 

What about the Russians who are already stamped in? Can they get automatic 60 day extensions? And can this 90 day permission to stay be extended?

 

The problem with these ad hoc, random temporary visa extensions is that they give people little time to prepare/plan a trip. So the net effects are probably limited.

 

The biggest shocker in this announcement was that Srettha plans to meet with Putin tomorrow. Maybe this visa extension thing is a gift Srettha can hand to Putin for some goodwill?

 

 

An informed source told Thai PBS World that Srettha will meet Putin on Wednesday afternoon, after he attends the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum. On Thursday, before he leaves Beijing, he will also meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.

 

It will be the first such meeting for both leaders. 

 

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-pm-will-meeting-with-putin-in-beijing-on-wednesday/#:~:text=An informed source told Thai,such meeting for both leaders.

 

 

Edited October 17, 2023 by bamnutsak

[Skeptic7]

Russians, Chinese, Thaksin. Who's next up for special treatment...Palestinians, Iranians and N Koreans❓

[zyphodb]

2 hours ago, Spock said:

Give the most to the least deserving. That's pretty much how third world countries operate.

Pretty much how the western governments operate too, the rich get richer while the poor get poorer...

[Cabradelmar]

So it's now possible to live year round in Thailand as a Russian tourist (no visa required). 90 day visa free entry, 30 day in country extension. Do 2 land boarder bounces per year, rinse and repeat, and you're in for 360 days. 

[Jiggo]

90 days, 

I thought it was money 60 days more money have another 30 days, then go home.

[Cabradelmar]

50 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

The biggest shocker in this announcement was that Srettha plans to meet with Putin tomorrow. Maybe this visa extension thing is a gift Srettha can hand to Putin for some goodwill?

Thai PM just being a suckup. Under normal circumstances Vladimir wouldn't even bother to meet Srettha. But since Russia has few friends (other than China and N Korea), Vladimir has an open calendar. But he might not be so keen on Thailand rolling out the welcome mat to all Vladimir's military recruits. 

[bamnutsak]

2 minutes ago, Cabradelmar said:

So it's now possible to live year round in Thailand as a Russian tourist

This scheme is temporary, through 30 April 2024.

 

One assumes it may be extended? And that Russians arriving up to 30 April 2024 will get a 90 day stamp?

 

It's not clear to me that this 90-day permission to stay can be extended?

[shackleton]

Well we can see that Thailand favours certain nationalities Russian Chinese 

By giving 90 day visas 

But not if you are from the West who probably spend more ???? ???? on holiday here in Thailand 

Why do the Thai Tourist board always look for quick fixes  rather than the long term ???? 

Give everyone a 90 day visa on arrival 

[brianthainess]

1 hour ago, bamnutsak said:

It looks like they just slid Russia over into the 90 day column. temporarily, in the Bilateral section 

 

What about the Russians who are already stamped in? Can they get automatic 60 day extensions? And can this 90 day permission to stay be extended?

 

The problem with these ad hoc, random temporary visa extensions is that they give people little time to prepare/plan a trip. So the net effects are probably limited.

 

The biggest shocker in this announcement was that Srettha plans to meet with Putin tomorrow. Maybe this visa extension thing is a gift Srettha can hand to Putin for some goodwill?

 

 

An informed source told Thai PBS World that Srettha will meet Putin on Wednesday afternoon, after he attends the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum. On Thursday, before he leaves Beijing, he will also meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.

 

It will be the first such meeting for both leaders. 

 

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-pm-will-meeting-with-putin-in-beijing-on-wednesday/#:~:text=An informed source told Thai,such meeting for both leaders.

 

 

I think that will be at most a video link, Putin 'aint going nowhere, unless by train. I doubt that meeting will take place IMO

[crazykopite]

Who will be the next aggressors they allow In on free visa’s

[bamnutsak]

2 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

I think that will be at most a video link, Putin 'aint going nowhere, unless by train. I doubt that meeting will take place IMO

News reports from this AM indicate that Putin has arrived in Beijing.

 

 

Putin and his entourage flew into the Beijing Capital International Airport on Tuesday morning, according to Reuters video footage, in the Kremlin chief's first official trip outside of the former Soviet Union this year.

 

https://www.reuters.com/world/putin-visits-dear-friend-xi-show-no-limits-partnership-2023-10-17/

 

 

 

Putin in Beijing to hold meetings with heads of Vietnam, Laos, Mongolia, Thailand

 

https://tass.com/politics/1691489

 

 

[KannikaP]

10 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

ROFLMAO 

 

 

Now, if you had put ROTFLMAO I would have known what you meant. 

[Bobthegimp]

13 hours ago, Gknrd said:

Just goes to show you how Thailand political system is in step with the Chinese. China supports Russia, now Thailand supports Russia in their own way. Just another day with Thailands TCP..

Of course the Western expats and tourists will be the losers here in the long run. Most Westerners with a head on their shoulders and the funds have left Thailand or now know the problems they face.

Thailand is heading down the same road as China with out a doubt. 

I am curious to see what Thailand is like in ten years.  If China can make the changes to deal with the geopolitical problems it faces then Thailand may be in good shape. If not then what happens to Thailand is pretty dismal IMO.

Wherever Thailand is going, Canada will get there sooner and be much worse. Thankfully, covid is working its magic back home so there will be a cull of the weak and compliant.  There may yet be hope, but not with those people casting their ballots. 

Edited October 17, 2023 by Bobthegimp

[Henryford]

Why not? the Russians haven't totally destroyed Phuket yet.