Visa-free access to the UK in new roadmap pact signed in Bangkok on flying visit by Cameron

[webfact]

VISA WAIVER FOR THAIS GOING TO THE UK | One of the goals of the UK-Thai Strategic Partnership agreement signed with UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron on Wednesday is to allow Thai passport holders visa-free access to the United Kingdom on short-term visits for tourism or business.

On Wednesday, Thailand signed a roadmap agreement with the United Kingdom elevating the Western country as a strategic partner. The deal was inked on a flying visit to Bangkok by newly appointed UK Foreign Secretary and former Prime Minister, David Cameron.

 

A key upshot of this agreement is that active talks will now focus on granting visa-free access to Thai passport holders in the United Kingdom. It comes with a mounting number of Thais living in the United Kingdom and Brits in Thailand. At the same time, the agreement is coming with rising geopolitical tension in the Indo-Pacific. Part of this week’s agreement was enhanced security cooperation between the two kingdoms.

In a significant diplomatic move, Thailand and the United Kingdom have elevated their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership. This has been described as a roadmap for closer ties between the countries.

 

In Bangkok, on Wednesday, top Foreign Ministry officials were certainly upbeat.

 

by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor

TOP: Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton (left), the UK Foreign Secretary exchanged signed agreements at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok with Deputy Prime Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nu-Kara (right) on his visit this Wednesday.

 

Full story: Thai Examiner.com 2024-03-22

 

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[Deserted]

So thais can now go to the UK for a holiday and not need a visa?

[chang1]

1 hour ago, Deserted said:

So thais can now go to the UK for a holiday and not need a visa?

Eventually, maybe, not now.

[Muhendis]

That'l please the old folk in my village.

[ChasingTheSun]

In Future News, “hundreds of thousands of Thais are now living in the UK illegally.”

[it is what it is]

1 hour ago, Deserted said:

So thais can now go to the UK for a holiday and not need a visa?

 

yup, that's the idea

[AhFarangJa]

Why not, They allow boatloads of people every day to enter, and they house, feed, and clothe them.

[Kinok Farang]

I'd check the small print if i was Thai.

This probably only applies to Muslim Thais.

[Aussiepeter]

I predict they will rue this decision - New Zealand surely did. They allowed Thais to enter NZ visa-free for three months back in the 1990's, with the end result being many thousands of Thai illegal over-stayers, who no doubt fell in love with the clean air in NZ and the easy ability to get a cash job. Kiwi's got a reciprocal deal from Thailand at the time - enter with no visa. New Zealand woke up & went back to making Thais apply for a visa and of course, Thailand responded to that decision by doing the same thing to NZ passport holders. 

[Mickboy]

A new walking street in London ?

[CANSIAM]

Maybe the UK will end up having their own little Crackdown on 'breaking the law foreigners-working without permission-overstaying'  etc ........

[MangoKorat]

Road Map - doesn't say its happened yet.

[Mike Teavee]

 

I'm all for easy travel & this is great news for me personally if it comes off as I plan on taking the GF for a trip to the UK next year, but I can't stand Cam-a-moron.

 

 

No idea how he was let back into the government never mind Foreign Secretary (Though it wouldn't surprise me if he's prime minister once Sunak gets the push).

 

Life is the farce which everyone has to perform

 

[sungod]

44 minutes ago, ChasingTheSun said:

In Future News, “hundreds of thousands of Thais are now living in the UK illegally.”

you wouldnt notice them amongst all the Arabs, Indian Sub continent, eastern Europeans.

[prakhonchai nick]

More than likely if it becomes law, it will allow entry for 30 days. Any more time would need a visa

[blazes]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

A key upshot of this agreement is that active talks will now focus on granting visa-free access to Thai passport holders in the United Kingdom.

 

As I read this sentence, it means that Thai passport-holders already living in the UK will be allowed visa-free access when returning to the UK.

 

If it meant "all Thai persons holding a passport" can now visit UK visa-free, that sentence should read "to the United Kingdom".

 

Naturally, I could be wrong....

[stoner]

bad idea.

[quake]

Oh look it's runaway school boy Cameron. 

 

 

[tom158]

Can't find any other references to this post, not even on UK gov site or Siam legal. They still cite the old requirements. 

[CFCol]

I hope he signed a new double taxation agreement while he was here as the current one runs out in June I believe.

[sammieuk1]

The photo looks like Dave has been back on the pork again 🤔

[arick]

Put that on GBN!  Conversation's love digging their graves. 

[RichardColeman]

This article will well be worth following - UK people can stay here for say 1 month on a free visa, but UK visa for a Thai currently would be 6 months (paid), so chances are that either UK people can come here for free for 6 months or a UK visa for a thai would/could be reduced to 1 month , with a special 6 month visa also available. I'm hopeful that there will be free 6 month reciprocal visas.

[Denim]

We don't mind applying for a UK visit visa but NOT using that bunch of money grabbing crooks at VFSglobal. There have been many complaints about some of their sharp practices that squeeze applicants for more money.

 

Applying for a UK visit visa should be a straightforward process not needing an agent.

I have never used an agent myself but can understand why others feel one is necessary. Over complicated and too much paperwork with lots of dumb questions.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

In a significant diplomatic move, Thailand and the United Kingdom have elevated their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership. This has been described as a roadmap for closer ties between the countries.

I wonder if they will un-freeze British Expats pensions

[sungod]

5 minutes ago, Denim said:

We don't mind applying for a UK visit visa but NOT using that bunch of money grabbing crooks at VFSglobal. There have been many complaints about some of their sharp practices that squeeze applicants for more money.

They insisted my wife print off more stuff she didn't need at extortionate rates, it was under the guise of 'helping her.' They said it never happened, I told them to check their CCTV, it went all the way back to London and eventually VFS paid up and made a grovelling apology.

 

 

[quake]

if bad things are going on at VFS.

then you should report them to the correct office in the uk.

 

[quake]

10 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

I wonder if they will un-freeze British Expats pensions

 

Ok your turn now. 

 

[Denim]

21 minutes ago, quake said:

if bad things are going on at VFS.

then you should report them to the correct office in the uk.

 

 

Already been done by many :

 

https://iasservices.org.uk/vfs-global-receives-criticism-after-string-of-severe-issues/

 

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/latest-updates/two-vfs-employees-forge-visa-appointment-letters/articleshow/101848572.cms?from=mdr

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/home-office-investigation-complaints-vfs-global-outsourcing-visas-immigration-a9214306.html

 

These are just a few examples. A google search turns up many more.

 

Some of the questions about terrorism are absurd. If I had ever been a member of a terrorist group and actively participated in terrorist activity would I be dumb enough to write it all down on a request for a UK visit visa ??

 

Related to the visa issue :

 

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/sep/01/home-office-makes-800-profit-on-some-visa-applications?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

 

 

 

[picctrainop]

1 hour ago, Mike Teavee said:

 

I'm all for easy travel & this is great news for me personally if it comes off as I plan on taking the GF for a trip to the UK next year, but I can't stand Cam-a-moron.

 

 

No idea how he was let back into the government never mind Foreign Secretary (Though it wouldn't surprise me if he's prime minister once Sunak gets the push).

 

Life is the farce which everyone has to perform

 

No Chance…