Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin today announced that Thailand is offering a visa-free scheme to Russian visitors for three months from May 1 to July 31.

 

PM Srettha held a press conference at Government House at 11.50am, today, April 23, following a Cabinet meeting earlier in the day. In a part of his speech, the 62 year old Thai PM mentioned that the Cabinet agreed to offer visa-free travel to government officials from Bangladesh while also approving visa-free travel for Russian nationals.

 

The PM explained that Russian visitors would be allowed to enter Thailand and stay for 60 days without the need to apply for a visa. This special measure will come into effect for three months, from May 1 to July 31, according to a report on PPTV HD.

This measure will replace the former visa-free arrangement, which expires at the end of this month. Under the previous arrangement, Russian citizens were permitted to enter Thailand and stay for 90 days from November 1 of last year to April 30 of this year.

While Thailand prepares to extend a visa-free plan for Russian nationals, MRG Online reported last month that Sri Lanka had cancelled its visa exemption plan for both Russian and Ukrainian nationals due to racism.

 

This decision followed an incident at a nightclub called The Sarayka Lounge, where locals were banned from entering with a sign that read “Face Control: White.”

 

Thai people, especially in Phuket, previously expressed concerns about the behaviour of Russian nationals on social media. They accused Russians of taking their jobs by illegally working and operating businesses. Several crimes committed by Russian nationals have also made headlines in Thai news outlets.

 

According to a report from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, more than 9.9 million foreign visitors entered Thailand between January 1 and April 7, generating over 480 billion baht in income for the country.

 

Russian nationals ranked among the top three foreign visitors with 661,000 people entering during the period. The other two top countries were China (1.8 million people) and Malaysia (1.2 million people).

 

Thailand began implementing a visa-free scheme for visitors from China and Kazakhstan last year. The country then reached a mutual visa-free agreement with China to allow residents from both countries to travel and stay for 30 days without visas, starting from March 1 onwards.

 

by Petch Petpailin

Photo via Facebook/ เศรษฐา ทวีสิน - Srettha Thavisin

 

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-04-24

 

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Thai Cabinet Approves Visa Exemption for Russian Tourists, But Changed from 90 Days to 60
By Adam Judd

 

 

Thailand-In a move to boost tourism and economic growth, the Thai cabinet has announced an extension of the visa-free scheme for Russian visitors.

 

Starting May 1st, Russians can enjoy a 60-day visa exemption, but this is shorter than before, replacing the previous 90-day programme set to conclude at April’s end.

This strategic decision aims to enhance tourism revenue and invigorate the national economy, as articulated by government spokesman Chai Wacharonke.

 

The initiative, proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reflects the government’s commitment to fostering international relations and tourism, according to Chai.

 

Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-04-24

 

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u cant make this sheite  up............... or is it  just click bait for the old fogies on TV?

Edited April 23, 20242 yr by Rampant Rabbit

So where the <deleted>'s my 60 day free entry?

 

Russians, what a joke.

And what would happen if another 50 or so countries were offered 90 day no visa?  Let me guess.  The number of tourists would increase substantially but the size of brown envelopes would decrease.

II don't see the problem, most Russians spend money when they are here, you don't see them hanging around the cheap charlie bars looking for 50 baht beers at Happy hours,

We are entering low season here in Phuket is slowing right down, you can see it on the roads, I have spoke with a few people here and they are saying the same,

so basically , you need to come from a dictator country , be willing to invade another country and kill thousands, and they will welcome you and give you special treatment 

21 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

II don't see the problem, most Russians spend money when they are here, you don't see them hanging around the cheap charlie bars looking for 50 baht beers at Happy hours,

We are entering low season here in Phuket is slowing right down, you can see it on the roads, I have spoke with a few people here and they are saying the same,

Yeah walking round with beers from the 7/11 and then walking into bars to play pool for free without buying a drink and then protesting when thw bar owners ask them to buy a drink from the bar i probably spend more in a week than they do in a month.

Edited April 23, 20242 yr by cookie1974
Misspelling

China, Russia, Thailand. Good trio. Hopefully it will stop western investment in Thailand. 

Doesn't the government read thai news Russians are bad news!!

2 minutes ago, Gknrd said:

China, Russia, Thailand. Good trio. Hopefully it will stop western investment in Thailand. 

Yeah and every tourist town in thailand will soon be owned by the russian and chinese mafia be careful what you wish for...

1 hour ago, ukrules said:

So where the <deleted>'s my 60 day free entry?

 

Russians, what a joke.

Does your country offer Visa free entry to Thais yet?

Lucky us. Looking forward to it already. 

Ok, I'm out of here. I have had a greaat run in Thailand for more than 15 years but this country is even more poorly governed than the USA.

This country is run by iditots. They want to actively import criminals. Thailand deserves wih it gets. One day they will change the name of this website to "The Daily Russian Crime Report".

 

The big wigs in Bangkok do not give a damn about the Thai people. They only care about money. The reason the Russian flock here is quite simple, OTHER COUNTRIES DON'T WANT THEM. 

1 minute ago, Expat Tom said:

OTHER COUNTRIES DON'T WANT THEM. 

Really? you need to get more, 

5 minutes ago, Expat Tom said:

, OTHER COUNTRIES DON'T WANT THEM. 

From what I hear there are many in other countries too, Turkey, Indonesia, Cyprus.....

10 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Does your country offer Visa free entry to Thais yet?

Do the russians have visa free for thais? Didnt think so

Just now, cookie1974 said:

Do the russians have visa free for thais? Didnt think so

Didn't think, didn't know, sums it up better. 

Will they have to pay the 300 Baht fee to enter when it is implemented...

5 minutes ago, cookie1974 said:

Do the russians have visa free for thais? Didnt think so

Thailand passport holders can enter Russia visa free for up to 30 days. For longer periods of stay they have to apply for appropriate visas at the Consular Section of the Russian Embassy in Bangkok.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand-In a move to boost tourism and economic growth, the Thai cabinet has announced an extension of the visa-free scheme for Russian visitors.

In a post only yesterday they said they wanted to introduce a 300 baht levy to limit tourism ?

Edited April 23, 20242 yr by hotchilli

5 minutes ago, AhFarangJa said:

Will they have to pay the 300 Baht fee to enter when it is implemented...

Of course.

4 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

In a post only yesterday they said they wanted to introduce a 300 baht levy to limit tourism ?

That must be the guys in the office next door, who have a differing slant on things. 

Ugh, botched this post sorry.

Edited April 23, 20242 yr by greenhornfarang

23 minutes ago, Expat Tom said:

Ok, I'm out of here. I have had a greaat run in Thailand for more than 15 years but this country is even more poorly governed than the USA.

This country is run by iditots. They want to actively import criminals. Thailand deserves wih it gets. One day they will change the name of this website to "The Daily Russian Crime Report".

 

The big wigs in Bangkok do not give a damn about the Thai people. They only care about money. The reason the Russian flock here is quite simple, OTHER COUNTRIES DON'T WANT THEM. 

Don't let the door hit your ass

So the solution to Russians causing social problems, running illegal businesses, kidnapping and murder in some cases ... is to invite more of them. You cant make this up.

23 minutes ago, cookie1974 said:

Do the russians have visa free for thais? Didnt think so

Who wants to visit the invaders of democracy and a country that is a dictatorship with little or no freedom...

12 minutes ago, greenhornfarang said:

Don't let the door hit your ass

That's not nice. Guys like him leave you get 5 russians instead, have your pick.

30 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

From what I hear there are many in other countries too, Turkey, Indonesia, Cyprus.....

You are correct, they are causing trouble in Bali, which is where many have gone!

1 hour ago, Funkymover said:

so basically , you need to come from a dictator country , be willing to invade another country and kill thousands, and they will welcome you and give you special treatment 

bad guys in good guys out

 

1 hour ago, Funkymover said:

so basically , you need to come from a dictator country , be willing to invade another country and kill thousands, and they will welcome you and give you special treatment