10 minutes ago, Andrew65 said:

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

Thailand offers visa free access to many foreign nationals, how many western countries offer visa free access to Thais.

Why not let Thais and other SE Asians have visa free travel to the EU , far better than what’s already been entering over the last 10/15 years with no visa or even ID for that matter.

Just throwing something out there......Are France, and Italy not signatories of the Schengen Visa. If so, then surely All Schengen visa Countries would have to agree?

29 minutes ago, bkk_mike said:

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.

 

 They are few and far between, this a country of poor people.

Does anyone even believe this this fake news article? Since, Thailand and Thais are considered a high risk country in the Schengen area, and many Thais get denied schengen visa every year. Thailand is not a industrial country, but a developing country and the reason for all the denied schengen visas is that the embassies doesn't believe that the Thais will go back to Thailand after their visa has ended.

 

So, in my personal opinion, with many years of professional immigration/migration experience within the EU/Schengen, I would say this is fake news. And if it's not,my wife doesn't need to apply for her mother to come 🤣

30 minutes ago, bkk_mike said:

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.

Given the relative numbers, that's not surprising! But in the present instance in any case it's not RICH Thais who are the (potential) problem.

Every foreigner will need an ETIAS it's an online visa (not called a visa) that allows the Schengen database to take time to check you out who you are ..... iF FOR SOME REASON it cannot identify you or you have some bad shet on yer file you can be sure you won't get a ETIAS pass ( it's not a visa ..ha ha ha ). 

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....

only the governing body need to approve it.......individual countries can abstain from voting but cannot opt out. 

I doubt this will happen though tbh, but if it does it will be great news. 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

to enter the EU's Schengen zone

Switzerland is NOT member

They are in Europe in June elections, may be they don't know, many agreements can change.

49 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. 

Thats quite a blinkered viewpoint. Many Thais can afford to travel to Europe. This would benefit those seeking employment too. 

I would be surprised if it ever came to pass though. 

53 minutes ago, sandyf said:

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

Indeed, but not so much incentive to overstay with the intent of working illegally.

What the OP meant was that visa free travel to the Schengen area is on the Thai wish list but won't be granted by the EU.  Just trying to get political credit for asking, then blame the EU for not agreeing to something the Thai side knew it was not going to get from the getgo.  Germany used to allow 3 month visas to Thais prior to Schengen,, which kept the German bordellos stacked with Thai women,  but the other EU countries would not allow this to continue. 

 

It would be great to get this but it is probably still decades away. EU countries have nothing much to gain - maybe 3 months transit visa to Thailand as opposed to 1 month, as Germans used to get. 

Well maybe because of ETIAS in Europe, all travellers to Europe will in future need a pre travel authorisation and make a payment

 

https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias/what-you-need-apply_en

 

Information

When filling out the application, you will be asked to provide the following information:

• Personal information including your name(s), surname, date and place of birth, nationality, home address, parents’ first names, email address and phone number;
• Travel document details;
• Details about your level of education and current occupation;
• Details about your intended travel and stay in any of the countries requiring ETIAS;
• Details about any criminal convictions, any past travels to war or conflict zones, and whether you have recently been subject of a decision requiring you to leave the territory of any country.

You will need to declare that the data you submit and the statements you make are correct. You will also need to confirm that you understand the entry conditions

to the territories of the European countries requiring ETIAS and that you may be requested to provide the relevant supporting documents each time you cross the external border.

Edited May 13, 20242 yr by freeworld

Total BS it’s all a pipe dream trade and visa are two separate issues and let’s face it 80+ % of Thais could afford to spend time in Europe on the wages they earn 

Can't imagine VFS is pleased with this news.

 

 

Seriously though, this seems wildly aspirational. And that's OK. Just don't mislead your citizens.

 

More like the Thai trait that talking about something enough can wish it into existence.

 

 

 

49 minutes ago, sandyf said:

Thailand offers visa free access to many foreign nationals, how many western countries offer visa free access to Thais.

Also, if Thailand wishes to deport a foreign national it's free to do so. They don't have to refer to a court in France which would almost invariably block it

There a similar announcement about Visa Free travel to the UK a couple of months back

 

But haven't heard a dickie bird since... 

 

11 minutes ago, crazykopite said:

Total BS it’s all a pipe dream trade and visa are two separate issues and let’s face it 80+ % of Thais could afford to spend time in Europe on the wages they earn 

 

I assume you meant 80+ % of Thais couldn't afford to spend time in Europe on the wages they earn 

1 hour ago, Sydebolle said:

No, Sir, it will facilitate the travels of the oligarch elite which does not sit on diplomatic or service passports. 

Rich Thai people don't have any problem getting a visa to the US or EU.

1 hour ago, paahlman said:

If so it would be the achievment of the year.

Thaksin's already got that title.

54 minutes ago, DjSilver said:

 Since, Thailand and Thais are considered a high risk country in the Schengen area, and many Thais get denied schengen visa every year. Thailand is not a industrial country, but a developing country and the reason for all the denied schengen visas is that the embassies doesn't believe that the Thais will go back to Thailand after their visa has ended.

So why does all mid america counties like Colombia Brazil Venezuela Guatemala ...    or  Malaysia  get visa free ?

If the past year is any example, there are probably more criminals, low lifes and bad actors coming to Thailand then will ever go to the EU.  The EU would be lucky to have the Thais.

One result of Thailand being an OECD member and signing and implementing the CRS agreement. 

Believe when I see it approved. Until that just talking among many other talks. 

Well EU retirees might reconsider their stay in LOS as the price of massage with happy ending will drop significantly in Europe. My dream would be half a dozen of lineups available in every mountain resort. Walking in the sky and finishing in heaven.

 

1 hour 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 think you significantly underestimate the number of Thais who can afford such travel.  Apart from the Covid period, the number of Thais visiting Japan, as an example, has been running at over a million a year.  This year's number looks like it will be about 1.3 million.  

EU is already witnessing massive invasion of non-passport holders / illegal immigrants from South and East - time to remove barriers for SEA tourists into Schengen

2 hours ago, Andrew65 said:

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

I can name 10 off the top of my head that can't, and.rhwre is probably a load more

31 minutes ago, VirgoSG said:

I think you significantly underestimate the number of Thais who can afford such travel.  Apart from the Covid period, the number of Thais visiting Japan, as an example, has been running at over a million a year.  This year's number looks like it will be about 1.3 million.  

And how many are counted more than once