Thailand’s new e-visa system targets African tourists in travel boost

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Toechok

 

By Bob Scott

 

The Embassy of Thailand rolled out the e-visa carpet for nine African nations on January 1 in a further bid to boost tourism.

 

The popular e-visa programme is designed to bolster security and streamline the application process, as reported by VisaGuide.World. By simplifying the visa procedure, Thailand hopes to lure more visitors, vital for its thriving tourism sector.

 

While Thailand’s tourism is heavily concentrated in major hubs like Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai, the rest of the country sees far fewer visitors, reported The South African.

 

The Kingdom of Thailand offers a range of visas, including tourist visas, special tourist visas (STV) for long-term stays, and transit visas for quick stopovers. Non-immigrant visas cater to business, work, or educational purposes. These visas are available for single or multiple entries, subject to specific criteria.

 

Applicants must prove their presence in one of the approved countries and provide all travel-related confirmations, including return flight details featuring the applicant’s name, travel dates, and all connecting flights from the country of origin to Thailand.

 

 

In a statement, the Royal Thai Embassy announced it will no longer accept physical applications from citizens of the e-visa-approved countries. Eligible applicants must now submit their applications online via the embassy’s official website. Typically, visa applications are processed within five working days, although unforeseen delays can occur.

 

So, which African nations made the list? Here are the approved countries, as highlighted by Business Insider:

 

• Federal Republic of Nigeria
• Republic of Benin
• Republic of Cameroon
• Republic of Ghana
• Central African Republic
• Republic of the Congo
• Republic of Equatorial Guinea
• Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
• Republic of Chad

 

Thailand’s connection with Africa has grown significantly since the early 2010s, notably through the Look West Policy and the 2013 Thai-Africa Initiative.

Kenya and Sudan have emerged as important trade partners in this evolving relationship. With these new e-visa advancements, Thailand is set to further strengthen its ties with the continent, paving the way for more African tourists to explore the Land of Smiles.

 

For any inquiries or support regarding the e-visa process, travellers can reach out via email at [email protected] or call the hotline at +66 (0) 2203-5000. This service is set to open a smoother path for those planning their Thai adventures, making the journey as enjoyable as the destination itself.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2025-01-06

 

 

[harryviking]

Thailand is on its way to dig its own grave....😆

[zmisha]

Saw a lot of African pretties near Sukhumvit. Thanks e-visa!

[Hawaiian]

Look for the headlines to read, "Russian Mafia Battles Nigerian Scammers".

[DonniePeverley]

Insanity in charge

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Embassy of Thailand rolled out the e-visa carpet for nine African nations on January 1 in a further bid to boost tourism.

Ohhh dear...

[Denim]

Scraping the bottom of the barrel.

 

I thought Thailand wanted to be the hub for wealthy , well healed tourists ? 

[actonion]

The Taliban will be invited next

[Hawaiian]

54 minutes ago, Denim said:

Scraping the bottom of the barrel.

 

I thought Thailand wanted to be the hub for wealthy , well healed tourists ? 

They want well heeled tourists.  Not sure about the super healthy (well healed) because they have the energy to get into a lot of mischief. 

LOL. Only kidding.  No offense.  Just couldn't help myself.

All kidding aside, I agree, it does seem rather odd.

[Denim]

8 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

They want well heeled tourists.  Not sure about the super healthy (well healed) because they have the energy to get into a lot of mischief. 

LOL. Only kidding.  No offense.  Just couldn't help myself.

 

So, tourists with nice shoes who have just recovered from a nasty illness.

Narrows it down a bit.

[KhunBENQ]

2 hours ago, zmisha said:

Saw a lot of African pretties near Sukhumvit. Thanks e-visa!

Will also add more color to beach road 🤣

[mikeymike100]

1 hour ago, actonion said:

The Taliban will be invited next

Love the sarcasm, but it looks like it may be on the cards!

[newbee2022]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Picture courtesy of Toechok

 

By Bob Scott

 

The Embassy of Thailand rolled out the e-visa carpet for nine African nations on January 1 in a further bid to boost tourism.

 

The popular e-visa programme is designed to bolster security and streamline the application process, as reported by VisaGuide.World. By simplifying the visa procedure, Thailand hopes to lure more visitors, vital for its thriving tourism sector.

 

While Thailand’s tourism is heavily concentrated in major hubs like Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai, the rest of the country sees far fewer visitors, reported The South African.

 

The Kingdom of Thailand offers a range of visas, including tourist visas, special tourist visas (STV) for long-term stays, and transit visas for quick stopovers. Non-immigrant visas cater to business, work, or educational purposes. These visas are available for single or multiple entries, subject to specific criteria.

 

Applicants must prove their presence in one of the approved countries and provide all travel-related confirmations, including return flight details featuring the applicant’s name, travel dates, and all connecting flights from the country of origin to Thailand.

 

 

 

In a statement, the Royal Thai Embassy announced it will no longer accept physical applications from citizens of the e-visa-approved countries. Eligible applicants must now submit their applications online via the embassy’s official website. Typically, visa applications are processed within five working days, although unforeseen delays can occur.

 

So, which African nations made the list? Here are the approved countries, as highlighted by Business Insider:

 

• Federal Republic of Nigeria
• Republic of Benin
• Republic of Cameroon
• Republic of Ghana
• Central African Republic
• Republic of the Congo
• Republic of Equatorial Guinea
• Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
• Republic of Chad

 

Thailand’s connection with Africa has grown significantly since the early 2010s, notably through the Look West Policy and the 2013 Thai-Africa Initiative.

Kenya and Sudan have emerged as important trade partners in this evolving relationship. With these new e-visa advancements, Thailand is set to further strengthen its ties with the continent, paving the way for more African tourists to explore the Land of Smiles.

 

For any inquiries or support regarding the e-visa process, travellers can reach out via email at [email protected] or call the hotline at +66 (0) 2203-5000. This service is set to open a smoother path for those planning their Thai adventures, making the journey as enjoyable as the destination itself.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2025-01-06

 

 

Well, and when the Africans came to Pattaya the nicked them in.🤣

[mikeymike100]

Well what could possibly go wrong, nine of the most dubious countries in Africa...???

[Callmeishmael]

1 hour ago, actonion said:

The Taliban will be invited next

Have you ever been to the disco in the basement of the Grace Hotel?  An Arabian friend took me there a few years ago and it looked like the happening spot for Talibanis doing R & R!

[actonion]

10 minutes ago, Callmeishmael said:

Have you ever been to the disco in the basement of the Grace Hotel?  An Arabian friend took me there a few years ago and it looked like the happening spot for Talibanis doing R & R!

 

10 minutes ago, Callmeishmael said:

Have you ever been to the disco in the basement of the Grace Hotel?  An Arabian friend took me there a few years ago and it looked like the happening spot for Talibanis doing R & R!

Is that place still going ? , was there many moons ago 

[Grumpy one]

3 hours ago, Denim said:

Scraping the bottom of the barrel.

 

I thought Thailand wanted to be the hub for wealthy , well healed tourists ? 

They do, that's why the wealthy Nigerian Princes are being invited to visit   

[roo860]

Nigeria, that's excellent, I need to get a new passport, in someone elses name.😀 😄 

[BarBoy]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

• Federal Republic of Nigeria
• Republic of Benin
• Republic of Cameroon
• Republic of Ghana
• Central African Republic
• Republic of the Congo
• Republic of Equatorial Guinea
• Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
• Republic of Chad

....Quality tourists, to be sure!!

 

😄 

[bkknirvana]

Shouldn't be a blanket ban on Africans coming into LOS. They bring only crime and disease.

[StayinThailand2much]

Yeah, lower Sukhumvit needs more tourists from Africa, holidaying at the BTS exits... 😆 

[Yagoda]

7 hours ago, zmisha said:

Saw a lot of African pretties near Sukhumvit. Thanks e-visa!

Ewwwwwww

[Will B Good]

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

• Federal Republic of Nigeria
• Republic of Benin
• Republic of Cameroon
• Republic of Ghana
• Central African Republic
• Republic of the Congo
• Republic of Equatorial Guinea
• Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
• Republic of Chad

 

The creme de la creme I see.....smart move.

[findlay13]

Just what is needed in Thailand. More quality tourists on their way.😉🤣

[Burma Bill]

21 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Federal Republic of Nigeria

 

I see this country heads the list!

 

More scammers and fraudsters, just what Thailand needs as "tourists"

[NoDisplayName]

4 hours ago, BarBoy said:

....Quality tourists, to be sure!!

 

😄 

 

Thailand understands "diversity be our strenf', yo!"

 

'Twould be unwise to depend on the Chinese to run all the phone scams and boiler rooms!

[harryviking]

9 hours ago, actonion said:

The Taliban will be invited next

.....And Putin ....🙄

[JoeyMac]

Genuine questions ... who is in charge and making these decisions in basically opening the borders ?

 

Is there any opposition to this in the Thai political sphere?