Thailand Extends Visa-Free Visits for Russian Tourists

[terryofcrete]

3 hours ago, Scottie12 said:

I'm surprised Putin is letting potential cannon fodder leave the country.

He's been invited to visit and he said yes so he'll personally round them all up and bring them home to sign up.... 

Edited October 24, 2023 by terryofcrete
Error

[NobbyClarke]

*Amazing Thailand*!!!??? 

[Fairynuff]

3 hours ago, fluffs said:

First Chinese and Indians, now Russians. Do the government really believe these are the saviours of the thai economy. 

You grab what you can today. You think about tomorrow tomorrow.

[sambum]

6 minutes ago, NobbyClarke said:

*Amazing Thailand*!!!??? 

No - Apparently now it's :- "Even More Amazing Thailand!"

[Gknrd]

To be expected. First China then Russia. Next will be 180 days.

[HOOD Robin]

4 hours ago, Scottie12 said:

I'm surprised Putin is letting potential cannon fodder leave the country.

I guess you are the funniest person in your family ?   😆  👎

 

[Irish star]

5 hours ago, anfh said:

Lets see how they feel about this in a years time, go look at what is happening on Phuket already !!!

Let’s have more organized crime ffs 

[Grabbit]

Agree with some of the other posts - if it's good enough for Russian tourists, they should extend the same courtesy to other nations who have contributed to the Thai economy for so long. 

[twizzian]

Maybe another Submarine deal on the way.

 

With an Engine!

[Dickie Dee]

As a Canadian labouring away a tell all to get 77 days in Thailand I kinda feel second class now. And I am not even on the run as a deserter. 

[mokwit]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand has already witnessed an influx of nearly one million Russian visitors this year,

"visitor" implies someone who will go back fairly quickly, rather than stay 3 years on an Ed visa.

[Canadian Snowbird]

How about a similar visa free for those from the east side of Canada. Waiting for over 4 weeks now and still no METV via the Thai Embassy in Ottawa, yet only a 1 week turnaround through the Thai Consulate in Vancouver. I have a number of friends who have cancelled plans to spend 3 months in Thailand because of the hassles and up-front costs of the evisa program and the uncertainty of getting their METV in time for their flights. Two years in a row and the Thai Embassy in Ottawa keep moving the goal posts. Last year their website said 10 business days at time of application, then doubled it to 20 after application submission. It took 6 weeks to get that METV. This year it said 20 business days at time of application, and now up to 25 after application submission. My expected approval time this year .... maybe 8 weeks if lucky. So much for Thailand being a good winter destination for snowbirds.

[Kalasin Jo]

5 hours ago, Topah said:

We all know that Russian tourists are the best and they should have this benefit over others. Why would you give this same benefit for Baltic countries or scumbags from other EU countries. After Russia maybe North Korean tourists will get the next 90 day visa. 

Probably because EU countries which are members of the Schengen zone plus the UK and the Irish Republic do not offer Thais any form of visa exempt status. So the scumbags as you put it from these countries are lucky to get 30 day visa exempt status here.

[thailand49]

Consistent with the discriminating nature of the leadership of Thailand. 🫢

[MrJ2U]

Russians aren't good for anything.

 

Hopefully Thailand will eventually realize this and ban them outright.

 

 

[Dickie Dee]

50 minutes ago, Canadian Snowbird said:

How about a similar visa free for those from the east side of Canada. Waiting for over 4 weeks now and still no METV via the Thai Embassy in Ottawa, yet only a 1 week turnaround through the Thai Consulate in Vancouver. I have a number of friends who have cancelled plans to spend 3 months in Thailand because of the hassles and up-front costs of the evisa program and the uncertainty of getting their METV in time for their flights. Two years in a row and the Thai Embassy in Ottawa keep moving the goal posts. Last year their website said 10 business days at time of application, then doubled it to 20 after application submission. It took 6 weeks to get that METV. This year it said 20 business days at time of application, and now up to 25 after application submission. My expected approval time this year .... maybe 8 weeks if lucky. So much for Thailand being a good winter destination for snowbirds.

That's worse than me. Do sorry for that. I am going to forget the “O” visa bull<deleted>. I will file a TR… wtf

[AloisAmrein]

Welcome Russian overstayers, illegal workers and criminals. 

[couchpotato]

9 minutes ago, AloisAmrein said:

Welcome Russian overstayers, illegal workers and criminals. 

And of course the draft dodgers. Who wants to go to war, when you can sit on the beach in Phuket.

[TravelMate1]

Thai government corruption, as usual. Bowing down to the Russians (and Chinese)? Shows real weakness. If it truly is only about tourist money, then why not open 90 day visa-free travel for all of Europe, Americans, Aussies, Canadians, etc? Why not? Because of a corrupt .. we have no morals when it comes to money .. Thai government. Weak. 

[sambum]

5 hours ago, twizzian said:

Maybe another Submarine deal on the way.

 

With an Engine!

I think you're getting mixed up with your nationalities!

[QuantumQuandry]

9 hours ago, marquess said:

Remember Thais have visa free travel to Russia, this cant be said for other European countries. 

 

Might be a good point if any tourists actually wanted to go to Russia these days...

[Hanuman2547]

Would be great if this were to be extended to the European Union countries as well as the UK, USA, Australia, & New Zealand.  

[Autonuaq]

Thailand and South Korea where about the same level when ASEAN started.

We all seen what the development from the about same start what that did brought to South Korea and Thailand.

 

If you cannot change then you can try to change in a different way. This is probably the reason why BRICS is chosen by Thailand when you read the news around this development.

When you look into the list of countries that also explains what it is wiser to extend the Visa for Brics Members.

 

I am just not sure if the Thai view on things on the long or short term also will fit with the other members. not sure because Thai governments come will bring changes.

[jacko45k]

Here's a bot of melodrama..... unlike their previous arrival, they will not be met by dignitaries and red carpets, but given damp cloths to wipe the sweat from their brows, and blood from their hands. 

[twizzian]

7 hours ago, sambum said:

I think you're getting mixed up with your nationalities!

Nope!

[sidneybear]

Russia lets Thais visit visa-free, so reciprocation is not such a surprising thing.

[Rudey]

I don’t see any issue with this. Just wish this “90 day visa option” was available to all countries on Thailand’s “good countries list”

🙂

[Montnoveau]

19 hours ago, AloisAmrein said:

Welcome Russian overstayers, illegal workers and criminals. 

Thailand: "We welcome gangsters and other criminals". Yes, why is Thailand always siding with the bad guys?

[Frankie baby]

The Thais need to be very careful they don't break any international sanctions regarding Russia. It will only take a mention at the UN meeting to point the finger at Thailand & the Thais would be facing some real financial sanctions. If that happens the free visa lark wouldn't be worth a carrot compared with what could happen as a back-lash.   

[jacko45k]

On 10/31/2023 at 2:08 PM, Frankie baby said:

The Thais need to be very careful they don't break any international sanctions regarding Russia. It will only take a mention at the UN meeting to point the finger at Thailand & the Thais would be facing some real financial sanctions. If that happens the free visa lark wouldn't be worth a carrot compared with what could happen as a back-lash.   

Well they seem to allow Russian flights and accept their currency etc etc, what 'International' sanctions are there? Doubt they could pass any at the UN as there is the Russian and Chinese veto, and India and others will vote against. Sanctions seem to have little impact on Russia judging by them overrunning Phuket enjoying life... retaliatory sanctions against Thailand are unlikely.