EU-Thailand Pact: Visa-Free Access for Thai Passport Holders

[webfact]

 

EU-Thailand Pact: Visa-Free Access for Thai Passport Holders

 

 

EU and Thailand to reveal new agreement this year, offering visa-free access for Thai passport holders.

 

The pact aims to strengthen trade and cooperation between the two parties. PM Srettha Thavisin is set to visit France and Italy to further solidify ties with the EU.

 

The government is positive about finalizing a trade and cooperation framework with the EU, which will include visa-free travel to the Schengen zone for Thai citizens. This agreement is expected to boost investment opportunities for Thailand.

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is scheduled to travel to France and Italy next week in a bid to enhance relations with the EU.

 

Minister Jakkapong Sangmanee recently announced the plans to seal a free trade deal with the EU this year. Discussions between Thailand and the 27 EU member states began last September in Brussels, followed by talks in Bangkok in January 2024. The final round of negotiations is slated to occur within the EU in June.

 

The EU-Thailand Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement will enable Thai passport holders to enter the EU's Schengen zone without a visa. This agreement aims to facilitate economic growth and enhance business opportunities for both parties.

 

During a recent event commemorating Europe Day, Minister Jakkapong highlighted the importance of fostering stronger ties between Thailand and the EU. He emphasized the mutual benefits of the FTA and expressed hope for EU support in granting visa-free access to Thai nationals in the Schengen zone.

 

Picture courtesy: Thai Citizenship

 

-- 2024-05-13

 

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[anchadian]

That would be a remarkable achievement if this ever came to fruition but personally, i doubt this will happen.

[ikke1959]

I don't believe it, as several countries will not agree and for visa free entry all Schengen countries have to allow it....

[lordgrinz]

You would think there is no way the EU would be that naive, especially after recent issues with Thai's overstaying in South Korea and Japan, but who knows.

[Andrew65]

At last, the same as every nationality in the world then!

[NorthernRyland]

What does EU gain from this arrangement? Flight risk is high with Thai's and only a small percent could afford to travel in Europe anyways. 

[paahlman]

If so it would be the achievment of the year.

Edited May 13 by paahlman

[NevisIndustry]

5 hours ago, anchadian said:

That would be a remarkable achievement if this ever came to fruition but personally, i doubt this will happen.

With the currently existing level of politics and politicians governing the countries and Schengen I would not be surprised this move pushing trough and getting approved. 
 

[khunjeff]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

EU and Thailand to reveal new agreement this year, offering visa-free access for Thai passport holders.

 

The pact aims to strengthen trade and cooperation between the two parties.

 

The Thai-EU Free Trade Agreement has nothing to do with visas - that's just something that the Thai side keeps mentioning at every opportunity, in the hope that someone will take the bait. The EU always nods politely and says, "yes, now back to the trade agreement that we were discussing..."

[Sydebolle]

The country's CEO has spoken again "This agreement is expected to boost investment opportunities for Thailand?"  

No, Sir, it will facilitate the travels of the oligarch elite which does not sit on diplomatic or service passports. But, from a business point of view it is not a bad idea - on a reciprocal basis this makes sense.

The hookers and pimps though do not have to worry about the stringent Thai rules on overstay or jail - these apply only in Thailand whereas in Europe they are glad, if an overstayer just gets out of their country. 

[Andrew65]

4 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

I don't believe it, as several countries will not agree and for visa free entry all Schengen countries have to allow it....

Especially in view of immigration being such a 'hot topic'.

I wonder how many people in the EU/Schengen still think that having no borders is really a good thing?

[newbee2022]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

 

EU-Thailand Pact: Visa-Free Access for Thai Passport Holders

 

 

EU and Thailand to reveal new agreement this year, offering visa-free access for Thai passport holders.

 

The pact aims to strengthen trade and cooperation between the two parties. PM Srettha Thavisin is set to visit France and Italy to further solidify ties with the EU.

 

The government is positive about finalizing a trade and cooperation framework with the EU, which will include visa-free travel to the Schengen zone for Thai citizens. This agreement is expected to boost investment opportunities for Thailand.

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is scheduled to travel to France and Italy next week in a bid to enhance relations with the EU.

 

Minister Jakkapong Sangmanee recently announced the plans to seal a free trade deal with the EU this year. Discussions between Thailand and the 27 EU member states began last September in Brussels, followed by talks in Bangkok in January 2024. The final round of negotiations is slated to occur within the EU in June.

 

The EU-Thailand Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement will enable Thai passport holders to enter the EU's Schengen zone without a visa. This agreement aims to facilitate economic growth and enhance business opportunities for both parties.

 

During a recent event commemorating Europe Day, Minister Jakkapong highlighted the importance of fostering stronger ties between Thailand and the EU. He emphasized the mutual benefits of the FTA and expressed hope for EU support in granting visa-free access to Thai nationals in the Schengen zone.

 

Picture courtesy: Thai Citizenship

 

-- 2024-05-13

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Wow, let's hope for the best🙏

[sampson]

The knocking shops of Europe will be well stocked

[Andrew65]

1 minute ago, khunjeff said:

 

The Thai-EU Free Trade Agreement has nothing to do with visas - that's just something that the Thai side keeps mentioning at every opportunity, in the hope that someone will take the bait. The EU always nods politely and says, "yes, now back to the trade agreement that we were discussing..."

In a similar way, India are trying to link trade negotiations with the UK with increased migration.

[plahgat]

What ever happened to allowing 3 monh visafree entry to Thailand for EU citizens!? Been talks about it for years but still nothing? 🤨

[Andrew65]

1 minute ago, plahgat said:

What ever happened to allowing 3 monh visafree entry to Thailand for EU citizens!? Been talks about it for years but still nothing? 🤨

When he was P M Khun Abhisit said that he pushed for the 90 days on arrival, but to no avail.

[Destiny1990]

So thais don’t need to show pictures of their bedroom and their partner sit on the bed and 300 other photocopies, and statements and bla bla. What did us farangs get out of this deal?? 

[Taboo2]

Do not, repeat, do not bring your babe to the EU or UK.  You think cheating here is a painful nightmare, just wait until you take them back to your home country and get rinsed for 10 x the costs.

 

You do not believe me, then go ahead....take the pain!

[sandyf]

3 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

You would think there is no way the EU would be that naive, especially after recent issues with Thai's overstaying in South Korea and Japan, but who knows.

Obviously there is no possibility of EU citizens overstaying in Thailand.

[Taboo2]

9 minutes ago, Sydebolle said:

The country's CEO has spoken again "This agreement is expected to boost investment opportunities for Thailand?"  

No, Sir, it will facilitate the travels of the oligarch elite which does not sit on diplomatic or service passports. But, from a business point of view it is not a bad idea - on a reciprocal basis this makes sense.

The hookers and pimps though do not have to worry about the stringent Thai rules on overstay or jail - these apply only in Thailand whereas in Europe they are glad, if an overstayer just gets out of their country. 

Yes...human trafficking on another level.

[Andrew65]

1 minute ago, sandyf said:

Obviously there is no possibility of EU citizens overstaying in Thailand.

The big difference being that Thailand doesn't offer the 'free stuff' to foreign nationals that many Western countries do.

[bkk_mike]

10 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

What does EU gain from this arrangement? Flight risk is high with Thai's and only a small percent could afford to travel in Europe anyways. 

I've come to the conclusion that an awful lot of people on this website have never met rich Thais, and think they don't exist.

 

[RandolphGB]

I have every confidence that Thais will follow the rules and avoid working illegally in restaurants and massage parlors. Their relatives will definitely declare any income sourced from abroad and pay the statutory tax rates. 

Edited May 13 by RandolphGB

[cjinchiangrai]

4 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

I don't believe it, as several countries will not agree and for visa free entry all Schengen countries have to allow it....

The Germans.

[cjinchiangrai]

Just now, RandolphGB said:

I have every confidence that Thais will follow the rules and avoid working illegally in restaurants and massage parlors. 

The Thais will be way more compliant than the Indians and Pakistanis.

[bkk_mike]

9 minutes ago, plahgat said:

What ever happened to allowing 3 monh visafree entry to Thailand for EU citizens!? Been talks about it for years but still nothing? 🤨

That's probably the other side of the deal.

I.e. Russians gets visa free entry for 90 days because Thais can go to Russia. Chinese are about to get the same because Thais are about to get visa free entry to China.

And next it will be EU nationals, meaning pretty much the only country in Europe that won't let Thais in visa-free will be the UK. And the Brits will be the ones left getting 30 days on arrival in Thailand instead of 90.

[cjinchiangrai]

8 minutes ago, Destiny1990 said:

So thais don’t need to show pictures of their bedroom and their partner sit on the bed and 300 other photocopies, and statements and bla bla. What did us farangs get out of this deal?? 

They do if they want residency status, just like Thailand.

[Cabradelmar]

Classic Thai... announcing something before it's finalized as if it's some sort of accomplishment. The only people that benefit from a visa-free EU travel scheme for Thais are Hi-So's and prostitutes (and of course their customers/pimps). 

[Dont confuse me]

My wife and I have been trying to sponsor her life long friend to visit us in Spain. As far as I can see we have more than covered the requirements for a 2 week holiday without success. 

They just ain't giving out visas! So if this comes to fruition I will be amazed.

[Hakuna Matata]

2 way visa free travel will never happen

 

EU is not as foolish as to allow Thailand passport holders to enter EU without any visa.

 

This is UTOPIA.