…and not just for Russian tourists this time.

 

Thailand’s tourism ministry is discussing a proposal to offer ‘European’ tourists visa-free stays of up to 60 days. The current visa-free entry for arrivals from Europe is 30 days, with the possibility of extending while in the kingdom (for an additional 30 days at the cost of 1900 baht and a visit to the nearest immigration office).

 

The government plans to extend this in the hope of boosting tourism from over 50 countries.

 

According to tourism minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, the extension would mainly apply to countries in and around Europe, including Germany, Scandinavia, the UK and the Commonwealth of Independent States, which includes Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.

 

By Peter Roche

Phuket crowds tourists

 

Full story: PhuketGO 2023-11-14

 

- 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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Thailand should make it easer to get tourist visas .

Not having to book all the accommodation before being given a visa and not having to book flights beforehand . 

More signs of absolute desperation

This is a step in the right direction.

 

Now rescind the visa exemptions for russians and chinese. 

 

thanks.

Increase to 90 days + 90 days extension.

 

Simplify requirements for non-o retirement. Less and easier requirements, more remains in country.

 

Stop plan to tax foreigners.

 

 

Whom do they want to attract?

For typical holidaymaker 30 days is enough. How many working people can do more than 30 days in Thailand?

For snowbirds fleeing winter, 60 days is not enough.

 

Still the main hurdle are the expensive flights. A mate arrived yesterday for 3 weeks from Germany with wife. Paid 2500 Euro for the couple.

Edited November 14, 20232 yr by KhunBENQ

Yep, great idea, extend it from 30 days to 60 days, then notice an increase in tourists after a few months, and get alarmed about all these dirty foreigners all over the place, so drop it back down to 30 days again and stuff up everyone's travel plans who have already booked tickets based on getting a 60 day entry. 

do it now! don't consult on it for 4 months

Why not 90 days? It's cold in my country in winter, too...

44 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Whom do they want to attract?

For typical holidaymaker 30 days is enough. How many working people can do more than 30 days in Thailand?

For snowbirds fleeing winter, 60 days is not enough.

  

That's because they don't have a clue about their target groups. They are not thrilled about the snowbirds (unless they're Russian, apparently), and they don't know about the average tourists' travel needs in regards to time available, and things they want to do while in Thailand...

Edited November 14, 20232 yr by StayinThailand2much

26 minutes ago, webfact said:

countries in and around Europe, including Germany, Scandinavia,

I think you have pretty much destroyed goodwill with these countries.

That´s not true. Just for fun, they will discriminate and make a test period only for Chinese the first year.

1 hour ago, bob smith said:

Now rescind the visa exemptions for russians and chinese

 

Why?  

About time.

These people are so slow in their head, it's just nuts.

And arrogant on top of that.

"The hell with low life Westerners, we have rich Chinese people now."

Yeah right.... lol

 

 

Next step: back to normal with the damned prices.

 

BF: 0THB

ST/LT: 1000 / 2000THB

Pad Thai: 40 THB

Beer: 60 THB

 

You'll increase your prices the day you increase the added value, you cheap f.....s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Thailand’s tourism ministry is discussing a proposal to offer ‘European’ tourists visa-free stays of up to 60 days

We just came back from Greece this summer, and there you can stay visa free 90 days every 180 days.

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

ccording to tourism minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, the extension would mainly apply to countries in and around Europe, including Germany, Scandinavia, the UK and the Commonwealth of Independent States, which includes Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.

So, not France? Too  many Arabs, right.

They hate the French, as they've been told (and taught) for ages that the "French stole Laos and Cambodia" from them... (Strangely though, using French whitening creams is okay.)

Edited November 14, 20232 yr by StayinThailand2much

what a scheme! why not just make it a 60 day no additional charges (1900bht)?

Edited November 14, 20232 yr by Pouatchee

Whatever empties out the lines of people at Chaengwattana milling around for extensions. Maybe some immigration officers can be sent back from the extension desk to the 90 Day approval desk, where the last two times it has now taken me 14 days to get my receipt after I submitted the request online.

3 hours ago, keith101 said:

More signs of absolute desperation

i call that insight

3 hours ago, keith101 said:

More signs of absolute desperation

Some people are never happy. 

3 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Thailand should make it easer to get tourist visas .

Not having to book all the accommodation before being given a visa and not having to book flights beforehand . 

 

Such bs when you compare that process to what is needed to get a visa for Laos, Vietnam or Cambodia.

I agree no booking, no flights and I would go as far as to say no financial checkup.

The flights are especially annoying if you wanna move to a neighboring country by bus or train.

Thai tourist visa policies are a total fail.

It annoying to be forced a camera up the cheesecake to have the right to visit a third world country.

 

Just now, John Drake said:

 

Wasn't trying to be rude. Just wanted to know. The page for Thais of Chinese descent, btw, has 258.

 

No problem :)

12 minutes ago, vangrop said:

where did you read that, no France?

"According to tourism minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, the extension would mainly apply to countries in and around Europe, including Germany, Scandinavia, the UK and the Commonwealth of Independent States, which includes Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan."

 

I didn't read "no France", but I read no France.

 

Malay, Japan, Sing are 90 days

Thai is just slow slow

3 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

Whom do they want to attract?

For typical holidaymaker 30 days is enough. How many working people can do more than 30 days in Thailand?

For snowbirds fleeing winter, 60 days is not enough.

 

Still the main hurdle are the expensive flights. A mate arrived yesterday for 3 weeks from Germany with wife. Paid 2500 Euro for the couple.

funny post. I am sure if they introduce it will  be possible to extend it for 30 days more, like any ordinary 30 days visa-free entry, Probably your mate does not know how to search for cheap tickets online

6 minutes ago, bignok said:

Malay, Japan, Sing are 90 days

Thai is just slow slow

since when?? Only Peru, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, South Korea, and recently russia have had 90 days. Where did you read about Singapore, Japan and Malaysia??

1 minute ago, anandra said:

since when?? Only Peru, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, South Korea, and recently russia have had 90 days. Where did you read about Singapore, Japan and Malaysia??

What are you on?

6 minutes ago, bignok said:

What are you on?

what are you on this post? 

Malay, Japan, Sing are 90 days

Thai is just slow slow

Just now, anandra said:

what are you on this post? 

Malay, Japan, Sing are 90 days

Thai is just slow slow

Cant be bothered explaining it. Obvious.