Thailand goes high-tech: New E-Visa set to transform travel

[anotherfarangishere]

Am I the first one to read this?
https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailand-launches-global-thai-e-visa-for-2025

Or did I miss some post?

[Upnotover]

Yes, you missed it.

Thailand Unveils E-Visa System, Streamlining Travel for 2025

[DrJack54]

17 hours ago, anotherfarangishere said:

Or did I miss some post?

No. Read that article previously.

I noticed one interesting thing.

Actually 2.

I won't read again and cut and paste.

Firstly stated eVisa application available from "anywhere in the world".

What about application while in Thailand.

 

Also Kasikorn looking to provide online payment.

Without that eVisa applied for in  Laos useless.

 

[bigt3116]

9 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Firstly stated eVisa application available from "anywhere in the world".

What about application while in Thailand.

 

The article does say "covering 94 Thai embassies and consulates globally. ", so it is safe to say that you won't be applying from inside Thailand as there is no Thai embassy or consulate there.

 

As for Laos, a simple search brings this up;

 

Making online payments from a foreign bank in Laos can be challenging due to a combination of factors, including regulatory, technological, and financial infrastructure limitations. Here's an overview of the main reasons:

1. Regulatory Restrictions
Currency Control Laws: Laos has strict currency control regulations to protect its economy. These laws can make it difficult to process cross-border transactions smoothly.
Foreign Exchange Limits: Banks in Laos often have restrictions on how much money can be exchanged or transferred abroad.
Compliance and Documentation: Payments from foreign banks may require additional documentation to comply with Lao government and banking regulations.
2. Limited International Payment Gateways
Many online platforms in Laos don't have full integration with widely-used global payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, or Apple Pay. This limits the options for making international payments.
Local e-commerce sites and services often rely on cash-on-delivery or domestic bank transfers.
3. Banking System Challenges
Slow or Outdated Systems: The banking infrastructure in Laos is less advanced compared to many other countries, leading to delays in processing international transactions.
Lack of SWIFT Integration: Not all banks in Laos are fully integrated into the SWIFT network for seamless international transactions.
High Fees: Cross-border payments often involve high fees, making them less appealing for routine online transactions.
4. Currency and Exchange Rate Issues
Lao Kip (LAK) Volatility: The local currency is not widely traded internationally, and fluctuating exchange rates can complicate online transactions.
Limited Support for LAK: Many foreign banks and payment platforms do not support Lao Kip, requiring currency conversion that can add complexity and cost.
5. Fraud Prevention Measures
Foreign banks often flag transactions originating from less familiar regions like Laos as high-risk, leading to frequent declines or extra verification requirements.
Payment systems may block transactions to prevent fraud, especially if the foreign bank does not recognize the recipient's country or payment processor.

[Upnotover]

44 minutes ago, bigt3116 said:

Making online payments from a foreign bank in Laos can be challenging

Paying online for a Laos e-visa is not problematic.

Paying online for a rail ticket on the LCR Ticket app is not problematic.

 

So there must be another reason for the strange in person payment requirement for a Thai e-visa.

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, Upnotover said:

So there must be another reason for the strange in person payment requirement for a Thai e-visa.

Have no idea what the problem with online payments being possible.

This cut paste from Thaiger caught my eye.

 

"Regarding the transition to online fee payments in countries where travellers currently need to show payment proof at embassies or consulates, a representative from Kasikornbank stated that the online payment system is under development and could be ready within six months" 

[Tod Daniels]

That article and the bangkok post one as well as that b/s info-graphic from the PR dept of the gov't all leave out some critical tidbits of information 😞 

As a rule you have to be IN the country whose thai consulate you are using the eVisa system to apply at

AND
You prove you're in that country by uploading your visa/entry stamp and then you stay IN that country until your visa is approved or rejected. 😮 <- that is the one that people have a hard time wrapping their heads around 😕 

We are seeing more and more consulates once the application is submitted sending a "request for additional documentation" email after 3-5 days asking for scans of EVERY passport page including blank pages

Clearly this is to see IF you left the country you applied in or entered thailand

and yes before you even ask. . . .. 😉 

people have been rejected once it was discovered they did indeed come back here after applying for the eVisa in another country  

 

[alex8912]

2 hours ago, Tod Daniels said:

That article and the bangkok post one as well as that b/s info-graphic from the PR dept of the gov't all leave out some critical tidbits of information 😞 

As a rule you have to be IN the country whose thai consulate you are using the eVisa system to apply at

AND
You prove you're in that country by uploading your visa/entry stamp and then you stay IN that country until your visa is approved or rejected. 😮 <- that is the one that people have a hard time wrapping their heads around 😕 

We are seeing more and more consulates once the application is submitted sending a "request for additional documentation" email after 3-5 days asking for scans of EVERY passport page including blank pages

Clearly this is to see IF you left the country you applied in or entered thailand

and yes before you even ask. . . .. 😉 

people have been rejected once it was discovered they did indeed come back here after applying for the eVisa in another country  

 

I'm not following you.  Many countries don't use stamps when entering and exit. Also I think almost no " home " countries stamp you out or in. 

[Phillip9]

1 hour ago, alex8912 said:

I'm not following you.  Many countries don't use stamps when entering and exit. Also I think almost no " home " countries stamp you out or in. 

 

It's very, very common for people to apply for visas in countries nearby Thailand.  All the nearby countries except Singapore stamp. 

[Greenwich Boy]

1 hour ago, Phillip9 said:

 

It's very, very common for people to apply for visas in countries nearby Thailand.  All the nearby countries except Singapore stamp. 

Was in Malaysia 2 weeks ago, no stamp. Automated gates, same as Singapore. May depend on nationality.

[Greenwich Boy]

5 hours ago, Tod Daniels said:

That article and the bangkok post one as well as that b/s info-graphic from the PR dept of the gov't all leave out some critical tidbits of information 😞 

As a rule you have to be IN the country whose thai consulate you are using the eVisa system to apply at

AND
You prove you're in that country by uploading your visa/entry stamp and then you stay IN that country until your visa is approved or rejected. 😮 <- that is the one that people have a hard time wrapping their heads around 😕 

We are seeing more and more consulates once the application is submitted sending a "request for additional documentation" email after 3-5 days asking for scans of EVERY passport page including blank pages

Clearly this is to see IF you left the country you applied in or entered thailand

and yes before you even ask. . . .. 😉 

people have been rejected once it was discovered they did indeed come back here after applying for the eVisa in another country  

 

I will be applying for a TR60 from Vietnam next month. Hopefully my Viet. entry stamp and flight from Vietnam to Thailand will be enough (I will be there a month) I have a new passport so copies of 30 odd blank pages will be a chore.

[DrJack54]

6 minutes ago, Greenwich Boy said:

I will be applying for a TR60 from Vietnam next month.

Why would you be applying for a tourist eVisa for Thailand when visa exempt entry provides same 60 day stamp. 

 

9 minutes ago, Greenwich Boy said:

I have a new passport so copies of 30 odd blank pages will be a chore

What does this mean

[Phillip9]

18 minutes ago, Greenwich Boy said:

Was in Malaysia 2 weeks ago, no stamp. Automated gates, same as Singapore. May depend on nationality

Interesting.  I'm in Malaysia now. Entered at Penang and got a stamp.  No autogates for foreigners there.  Maybe it depends on the arrival airport.

[Greenwich Boy]

16 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Why would you be applying for a tourist eVisa for Thailand when visa exempt entry provides same 60 day stamp. 

 

What does this mean

I currently have a METV which I ballsed up by applying too early, it will have expired by the time I return to Thailand. I figure a month in Vietnam, a SETV and avoiding Bangkok will improve my chances of not getting any grief on arrival, I only need this entry before I get a non imm O.

Tod Daniels mentioned in this thread that some applicants are being asked to scan all passport pages including blank ones

[DrJack54]

16 minutes ago, Greenwich Boy said:

Tod Daniels mentioned in this thread that some applicants are being asked to scan all passport pages including blank ones

Tod would know. Thinking that will not be required (hopefully) in future.

 

18 minutes ago, Greenwich Boy said:

I figure a month in Vietnam, a SETV and avoiding Bangkok will improve my chances of not getting any grief on arrival, I only need this entry before I get a non imm O.

If you send month in Vietnam thinking you would be fine entering visa exempt even after a METV..

Did you consider obtaining Non O eVisa for Thailand while in Vietnam. 

 

Do you have a Thai bank account in your name only? 

[alex8912]

20 hours ago, Phillip9 said:

 

It's very, very common for people to apply for visas in countries nearby Thailand.  All the nearby countries except Singapore stamp. 

Malaysia, Japan and Hong Kong no stamps. What are you on about?? You're wrong. 

[Greenwich Boy]

19 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Tod would know. Thinking that will not be required (hopefully) in future.

 

If you send month in Vietnam thinking you would be fine entering visa exempt even after a METV..

Did you consider obtaining Non O eVisa for Thailand while in Vietnam. 

 

Do you have a Thai bank account in your name only? 

Luckily I have had a Thai bank account in my name only for a few years

Funds for the Non O (retirement) wont be available till I get back to the UK in the summer, so will apply from there.

Definitely not going to miss all these border hops but I like Vietnam and I get 45 days visa free.

[Phillip9]

3 hours ago, alex8912 said:

On 12/21/2024 at 4:49 PM, Phillip9 said:

 

It's very, very common for people to apply for visas in countries nearby Thailand.  All the nearby countries except Singapore stamp. 

Malaysia, Japan and Hong Kong no stamps. What are you on about?? You're wrong. 

 

Japan is about 4,000km away from Thailand.  I don't think you understand the meaning of nearby.   And last time I was there about a year ago they still stamped.

 

Hong Kong is a bit closer, but still 3 countries away from Thailand.  I wouldn't call that nearby either.

 

I just entered Malaysia 5 days ago and got a stamp.....  They stamp at all land borders and all airports except KL. 

 

 

 

[DrJack54]

55 minutes ago, Phillip9 said:

 I don't think you understand the meaning of nearby.

I understood what you meant.

In particular Non O popular at places in Laos... Savannakhet and Vientiane.

Hopefully the process time will be under 5 days. 

Anything much longer would become unattractive option.

Moreso as there is option to border bounce and obtain the Non O in Thailand from visa exempt entry.

The added kicker  is that seems no online payment possible for the eVisa in Laos as least in initial months. 

[anotherfarangishere]

5 hours ago, Phillip9 said:

 

Japan is about 4,000km away from Thailand.  I don't think you understand the meaning of nearby.   And last time I was there about a year ago they still stamped.

 

Hong Kong is a bit closer, but still 3 countries away from Thailand.  I wouldn't call that nearby either.

 

I just entered Malaysia 5 days ago and got a stamp.....  They stamp at all land borders and all airports except KL. 

 

 

 

I was in Japan from Tuesday to Thursday this week: I was stamped at Kansai Airport.