Thai Embassy in New Zealand increases visa fee 600%

[snoop1130]

 

The Royal Thai Embassy in Wellington announced an increase in visa fees for individuals from New Zealand intending to visit Thailand. The new fees will be effective from March 19 onwards. The announcement has caused concern among netizens on social media that there could be a possible visa fee increase for other nationalities.

 

The embassy announced on its official website on February 23 that the visa fees would be raised in accordance with relevant laws, regulations, and the exchange rate. The embassy also provided a document detailing the updated fees.

 

For instance, the cost of a single-entry tourist visa will be NZ$300 (6,600 baht), while the multiple-entry tourist visa (with a six-month validity) will be NZ$1,000 (22,000 baht).

 

In addition to the fee increase, the embassy informed citizens that it will cease accepting physical visa applications starting from March 19. Those wishing to travel to Thailand will need to apply for a visa online only.

 

No other announcement on the visa fees has been made by other embassy offices. Following the clarification from the Royal Thai Embassy in Wellington, these new fees apply only to citizens from New Zealand. However, there is a possibility that fees for visa applications from other countries may also rise.

 

The Royal Thai Embassy in Wellington advised people planning to enter Thailand to stay updated on announcements from each embassy office.

 

The Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson, Chai Watchaong, shared that Thailand granted visa-free access to 60 countries in 2023 and plans to expand this to more countries in the future to boost Thai tourism.

 

New Zealand is not included in the plan to stimulate tourism of the Thai government. Thailand recently approved permanent visa-free travel for Chinese nationals and extended a visa-free scheme for Kazakh nationals until August of this year to enhance Thai tourism.

 

Tourists from China remain the country’s main target as the spokesperson mentioned that Thailand anticipates welcoming 8 million Chinese travellers this year and aims to increase the number of flights between the two countries to facilitate tourism.

 

More visa news updates to follow.

 

By Petch Petpailin

Caption: Photo via Unsplash

 

From discussion thread:

https://aseannow.com/topic/1320861-new-visa-fees-beginning-on-19th-march-2024/

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-02-27

 

- 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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[Pouatchee]

bageeeeezzzzz... who else but ruskies and chinese and indians do they want here?

[Pouatchee]

8 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand anticipates welcoming 8 billion Chinese

 

8 billion? thats more than the world population.

these numbers from the TaT?

[khunpin]

Smart move. 

It will definitely help to boost the tourism ... 555

[BestB]

What if a Kiwi applies in Australia?😁

[BestB]

1 minute ago, khunpin said:

Smart move. 

It will definitely help to boost the tourism ... 555

how much tourism is coming out of NZ to Thailand?

[KannikaP]

22 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The embassy announced on its official website on February 23 that the visa fees would be raised in accordance with relevant laws, regulations, and the exchange rate. The embassy also provided a document detailing the updated fees.

So why will this not apply to ALL countries?

And what has the exchange rate got to do with it, quote the price in THB and any moron  potential visitor can work that out in his own currency.

[IamNoone88]

14 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

bageeeeezzzzz... who else but ruskies and chinese and indians do they want here?

North African French arabs

[itsari]

Accomodation rates should raise significantly when the 8 billion Chinese arrive.

 

Big question, what is there next increase on immigration services going to be.

[Skeptic7]

Did I miss something???

What's the current price❓

What's the percentage of the increase❓ 

[elektrified]

8 billion Chinese tourists? B.S.

[Accidental Tourist]

Good that the world is full of pretty destination without paying such extortion entry fee; there a even destination where you can make a week holiday with this amount. Thailand definitely goodbye...

[Neeranam]

I thought NZ had an agreement with Thailand so no visa was required for up to 90 days.

[george]

3 minutes ago, Skeptic7 said:

Did I miss something???

What's the current price❓

What's the percentage of the increase❓ 

 

Increase: 600%

[sambum]

8 minutes ago, BestB said:

how much tourism is coming out of NZ to Thailand?

 

Probably going to be a lot less with this news!

[animalmagic]

8 minutes ago, BestB said:

how much tourism is coming out of NZ to Thailand?

None from March 19!

[1happykamper]

Sooooo.. Russian and Chinese tourists in.... Old expats... Just F O. 

 

If that's the case I'll start packing. Seriously... 6x?? That's doesn't seem... Sane. 555 555

[McTavish]

Kiwi's can enter Visa-Exempt for 30 days. 

 

Seems like the Thai embassy in Wellington is simply moving to online Visa's and jacked fees to pay the webmaster, among others.😎

[0815]

So that's why i meet so many Kazakhs everywhere. 🤣

[gomangosteen]

11 minutes ago, Skeptic7 said:

Did I miss something???

What's the current price❓

What's the percentage of the increase❓ 

From the NZ Thai embassy site:

 

Currently NZ $60 for SETV, and NZ $270 METV

 

Proof of funds $2000 (44,000b) and $9000 (198,000b) respectively.

 

SETV must have proof of outgoing flight not more than 60 days after intended arrival - bothersome for someone intending to apply for a 30 day extension.

 

But still the option of 30 days visa-exempt. Minimal impact, more interesting is whether they intend to increase fees from other countries by a similar %.

 

 

[Ironman1958]

Hey Thailand!

You keep saying you want MORE people to visit!

This IS NOT the way to do that

[bluemoonpattaya]

so the whole population of the world 8 billion, will be visiting Thailand according to TAT........🤣

[Pdavies99]

It looks like New Zealand is on Thailand's "s..t" list

[digbeth]

'legitimate tourists' according to the Thais should be fine with existing Visa-Exempt entry, those that needed the tourist visa can probably fork out the visa fee probably can't afford to Holiday in Thailand that long

Tourist Visa for Thais going to New Zealand has been 5,000+ Baht for sometime now

[Neeranam]

4 minutes ago, gomangosteen said:

From the NZ Thai embassy site:

 

Currently NZ $60 for SETV, and NZ $270 METV

 

Proof of funds $2000 (44,000b) and $9000 (198,000b) respectively.

 

SETV must have proof of outgoing flight not more than 60 days after intended arrival - bothersome for someone intending to apply for a 30 day extension.

 

 

Due for a raise then as for Thais to go to NZ, it's NZ$120 

[Iron Tongue]

Never knew Kazakhstan had so much clout with Thailand.

Not like those dirty Kiwis!

[Nickcage49]

Well that will really encourage people to come to Thailand. How to kill tourism, by the land of fake smiles.

[Mark17AA]

Now Thailand is also the Hub of extortion. Not long the Hub of everything.

[sirineou]

NZ$300  is a lot !!

6x of the cost in the US, $40 USD or NZ$64 in todays exchange. 

what did you guys do to piss them off? 

 

[John Drake]

45 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

bageeeeezzzzz... who else but ruskies and chinese and indians do they want here?

 

Need to streamline entry for Russian mafia and Chinese triads. Don't know where the poor ole Indians fit in.