Thailand to waive visa requirements for tourists from 93 countries starting July 15

[Jonathan Swift]

9 hours ago, Korat Kiwi said:

Yippee ki yaay,  let's open the gates wider for all the less desirables to flow in. 

 

Give it a few months and await the about turn on this one. 

The percentage of "undesirables" will likely remain the same. So you're a little bit right, but mostly wrong. For every 1000 new arrivals there may be the same percentage, which is theoretically higher mathematically, but they will likely scrutinize these new categories more thoroughly, bringing that percentage down. Also, most undesirables  won't qualify for these new visa categories - the bad apples primarily come on tourist visas, in which case the numbers will stay the same. Thailand desperately needs more income, and the bottom line is risk vs benefit. But yes, for a variety of reasons things like this tend to waffle back and forth. 

[Jonathan Swift]

1 hour ago, Finspin said:

Purchased a 60 day tourist e-visa in London seven weeks ago 

I arrive in Thailand early August on that visa.

assuming that the 60 day visa exempt is operational on 15th July,

are there any benefits from presenting it to immigration on arrival, or not ?

 

As far as I know per my experience with the 60 day tourist visa, it is treated no differently on arrival. You go through the line, they review everything, take your photo, stamp it, and you're on your way. The only difference is you get 60 days rather than 30. You can extend it once for another 30 days.

[Chris Daley]

So I still have to queue for 8 hours at chang wattana and leave with a disease?

[DonniePeverley]

Disgusting mass tourism here we come. 

 

As citizens of other countries fight back against mass tourism, Thailand does the reverse. Totally disgusting. 

 

Low quality mass tourism here we come. 

[JoeyMac]

What happened to quality tourists reset ? 

 

Sigh ----- here we go for complete carnage. 

 

For me i'm done. Phuket is already a disaster. 

[DonniePeverley]

9 hours ago, Korat Kiwi said:

Yippee ki yaay,  let's open the gates wider for all the less desirables to flow in. 

 

Give it a few months and await the about turn on this one. 

 

 

There will be no 'about turn' .... they are committed to mass tourism, and to hell with the experience or enjoyment. You are going to see visitor numbers from India shoot up especially, and many will come to seek some employment. 

 

Indian economy is much less than Thailand, and many will seek an opportunity to come here and work. 

 

I can't literally believe only a few months ago Indians could only stay for 14 days, visa on arrival, and had to show savings evidence ... to now being given 2 months, and more with no need for any visa!

 

There was a reason Malaysia back tracked on opening up to Indians due to the volume of overstays. 

[JoeyMac]

"Digital nomads" - basically just a back packer with a laptop. 

[JoeyMac]

Complete carnage. I predict this next time year Local thai's will be protesting about the sheer volume of people coming. 

 

Furthermore, for a country struggling, this is another giveaway with not having to pay for a renewal to extend. On top of the giveaway free visas for China and India. 

[DonniePeverley]

Country addicted to cheap mass tourism, rather than looking to diversify it's population into different industries. 

 

Look at Malaysia, Vietnam for local countries who are diversifying their economy with great success. 

[dcalaska]

Starting July 15, 2024, great !  When will it change back to the old limited 30 or 45 days? I don't see anything about that.

[it is what it is]

1 hour ago, JoeyMac said:

Complete carnage. I predict this next time year Local thai's will be protesting about the sheer volume of people coming. 

 

Furthermore, for a country struggling, this is another giveaway with not having to pay for a renewal to extend. On top of the giveaway free visas for China and India. 

 

carnage? nope. thai's complaining? maybe a few in heavily touristed areas, the vast majority of thais don't give a hoot about the number of tourists.

[sanabavy IV]

I'm a true devote of T.T. 🥹

[sanabavy IV]

5 hours ago, Finspin said:

Purchased a 60 day tourist e-visa in London seven weeks ago 

I arrive in Thailand early August on that visa.

assuming that the 60 day visa exempt is operational on 15th July,

are there any benefits from presenting it to immigration on arrival, or not ?

 

I think you'll be refunded

[sanabavy IV]

13 hours ago, Korat Kiwi said:

Yippee ki yaay,  let's open the gates wider for all the less desirables to flow in. 

 

Give it a few months and await the about turn on this one. 

thank you, how charming!

[sanabavy IV]

12 hours ago, Will B Good said:

The image of a sluice gate being opened springs to mind.

thank you again 

[shdmn]

13 hours ago, john donson said:

DESPERATION mode.... tax hookers, allow casino's ....

But at the same trying to backpeddle on Marijuana.

 

 

  

Edited July 12 by shdmn

[shdmn]

I'm confused.  Isn't this just a re-announcement of the already announced 60 day visa waiver and that new 180 day DTV visa?  The only thing that appears new about this announcement is that they are adding more countries to the waiver.

Edited July 12 by shdmn

[shdmn]

1 hour ago, sanabavy IV said:

I think you'll be refunded

I seriously doubt that.  Pretty sure the visa fee is non-refundable.  Even if they reject the application.

[cowellandrew]

For more folks on the TAT numbers!

😂😂

 

[watchcat]

18 hours ago, webfact said:

The Ministry of Interior has confirmed that Thailand will waive visa requirements for tourists from 93 countries starting July 15, 2024, in an effort to boost tourism

 

They,Thailand, really are in problems.

[JimHuaHin]

Foreign criminal elements and the Chinese Communist Party will be happy.

[bamnutsak]

Is this change...

 

permanent

 

until some date, when it might be renewed or eliminated

 

 

[bamnutsak]

And can you extend the 60 visa-exempt entry for 30 days?

[bristolgeoff]

Talked about it and now they are putting it in place.Common knowledge for everyone mths ago

[thaibreaker]

3 hours ago, bamnutsak said:

And can you extend the 60 visa-exempt entry for 30 days?

Of course. Not announced, but everything points to that.

[Sir Dude]

Quote

This expansion, up from the current 57 countries, was announced by Traisulee Traisoranakul, secretary to the Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, on Friday.

 

I guess Anutin couldn't take the humiliation of announcing this himself... might detract from his rep.

[Sir Dude]

A DTV visa could be a nice way to stay and work half the year, then bail on holiday for the other half (maybe remotely work), and still dodge the silly new tax-resident laws coming in. For example, it would be pretty sweet for a teacher to get a half-year contract at a school, then bail to the beach in another country and teach online for the other half... nice

[stix40]

Feck me they are going to regret this ! 

[kinyara]

On 7/12/2024 at 8:45 AM, mokwit said:

likely lives in a province where there are more IO's than foreigners. probably isn't mentioning a 60 mile drive each way.

 

Jomtien Immigration Office, they've added a couple of buildings to relieve volume in the main office, as well as some internal improvements that have improved the service level. 👍

 

15 minute walk actually, the office is ideally situated en-route for a nice lunch and beer on Jomtien beach road after handing in my documents and passport.

 

 

 

 

[Captain Monday]

On 7/12/2024 at 1:02 PM, bob smith said:

Well this is going to be fun!

when you decide to open the floodgates, don't be surprised if a few sharks make their way in.

 

'Foreigners behaving badly' is about to be taken to a whole new level...

Pass me the popcorn!

 

bob.

Have you ever had for visa application purposes presented your home country police report to Thai immigration or Consulate Geneneral? 

 

Should be required for most travelers so any history of arrests and social offenses may be reviewed prior to granting  entry of the Kingdom.