Thailand Urged to Enhance Tourist Screening Amid Visa-Free Boom

[webfact]

File photo courtesy: Thai Rath

 

Thailand's visa-free policy, aimed at boosting tourism, is under scrutiny as local business leaders call for improved tourist screening to prevent potential issues.

 

Thailand's initiative to attract more tourists by waiving visa requirements has indeed spurred significant growth in this sector. However, Mr Boon-anan Pattanasin, president of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, has expressed concerns that the current lack of stringent screening might inadvertently allow individuals with dubious intentions to enter the country.

 

The visa-free policy undoubtedly simplifies the travel process, encouraging more visitors. Yet, Boon-anan warns of the potential downsides, such as tourists entering under false pretences or overstaying illegally.

 

Particular worry centres around those from visa-required countries who may circumvent regulations, alongside those not providing clear accommodation details.

 

Call for Stricter Measures

 

In a recent discussion with Tourist and Immigration police, the business association emphasised the need for better screening procedures. While police agree that the visa-free entry has helped tourism, they echo calls for more robust checks.

 

There's a specific concern regarding the discontinuation of requiring foreign arrivals to declare their Thai address on form TM.6. This omission could hinder efforts to track visitors staying in unregistered accommodations or involved in unlawful activities.

File photo courtesy: Thai Rath

 

Tourism Dynamics in Pattaya

 

Despite these challenges, Pattaya continues to thrive as a tourist hotspot. Russian tourists, in particular, dominate the city, making up a remarkable 90% of hotel bookings, followed by Indian and Chinese visitors. However, the influx of Chinese tourists has dipped, possibly due to concerns following news of call-centre scams in the country.

 

Preserving Thailand's Tourism Reputation

 

To safeguard Thailand’s reputation as a safe and attractive destination, Mr Boon-anan strongly advocates for stricter tourist evaluations. By doing so, the government can ensure a sustainable and secure tourism environment.

 

In conclusion, while the visa-free policy has invigorated the tourism sector, it is crucial for Thai authorities to bolster their screening processes. By addressing these security concerns, Thailand can continue to offer an inviting yet secure destination for global tourists.

 

Current exchange rates place one Thai Baht at approximately £0.021, translating into a lucrative opportunity for budget-conscious travellers drawn to the kingdom's rich culture and vibrant destinations, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

-- 2025-02-26

 

 

[JackSinclair]

Ladies and Gentlemen........ The Hokey Pokey.

 

 

[lordgrinz]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

safeguard Thailand’s reputation as a safe and attractive destination

 

That ship has sailed.

[StayinThailand2much]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Current exchange rates place one Thai Baht at approximately £0.021, translating into a lucrative opportunity for budget-conscious travellers drawn to the kingdom's rich culture and vibrant destinations, reported Thai Newsroom

 

What?? Hello, pssst, Thai Newsroom, not all travellers pay with ££, and why, once more, fishing for the bottom-travellers, i.e. backpackers? Already tired of the 'rich' Russians and Indians? Boo-hoo, the Chinese don't seem to love you anymore (or are they just afraid to get 'kidnapped', perhaps in Soi Pattayaland)?...

[Emdog]

"...alongside those not providing clear accommodation details. " I started coming to Thailand and SE Asia in 1982. Since that time I have NEVER had reservations, yet somehow I always found good accommodations reasonably priced.

Mr B-A is worried about tourists not checking in at the pricier joints he represents, nothing to do with disreputable types coming here. Admittedly with internet even lower priced places can have a presence on the net, but not as fancy as the $100+ a night places

[newbee2022]

Bad apples out ❗

[Ricky Koh Samui]

Phuket/Pattaya = already doomed beyond control

[VBF]

47 minutes ago, Emdog said:

"...alongside those not providing clear accommodation details. " I started coming to Thailand and SE Asia in 1982. Since that time I have NEVER had reservations, yet somehow I always found good accommodations reasonably priced.

Mr B-A is worried about tourists not checking in at the pricier joints he represents, nothing to do with disreputable types coming here. Admittedly with internet even lower priced places can have a presence on the net, but not as fancy as the $100+ a night places

Oddly, years ago when one needed a visa for longer than 30 days and applied on paper rather than online, you were asked to list previous trips to Thailand and give an address. 

Perhaps it's time to reinstate that?

Of course, the local address could be entirely fictitious!

[Andrew65]

Thailand lies within 4 or 5 hours flying  of where about 3 billion people live, I suspect that at some time in the future they might need to restrict the number of arrivals?

[milesinnz]

"There's a specific concern regarding the discontinuation of requiring foreign arrivals to declare their Thai address on form TM.6"... Right, I have nefarious intentions, maybe some fraud, but I will put my correct address on the TM6 = Thai logic.....

[Krillin]

Can you imagine if the Thai Government began effectively pre-screening would-be expats and tourists for previous arrests for violent crimes, crimes involving drugs, crimes involving rape, or crimes perpetrated against minors? 

 

... Hmm. You're right. The tourist-based economy would take a significant hit. 

 

Yeah, maybe that's why they haven't been doing that. 

[ScubaGuy]

2 minutes ago, VBF said:

Oddly, years ago when one needed a visa for longer than 30 days and applied on paper rather than online, you were asked to list previous trips to Thailand and give an address. 

Perhaps it's time to reinstate that?

Of course, the local address could be entirely fictitious!

 

54 minutes ago, Emdog said:

"...alongside those not providing clear accommodation details. " I started coming to Thailand and SE Asia in 1982. Since that time I have NEVER had reservations, yet somehow I always found good accommodations reasonably priced.

Mr B-A is worried about tourists not checking in at the pricier joints he represents, nothing to do with disreputable types coming here. Admittedly with internet even lower priced places can have a presence on the net, but not as fancy as the $100+ a night places

These xenophobic clowns seem to think the TM6 ever had any useful purpose. I always had reservation for the first night or few nights. Then move on to different locations. Nothing to do with my intentions or if I might overstay. Really, putting an address on a form somehow magically prevents overstay. 

The same thing goes for all the whining about having a 60 day visa-exempt instead of 30 day, or visa-free for previously requiring VISAs somehow has any bearing on "bad behavior" or other issues. Malaysia has 90 day visa exempt and no issues at all.

It is really funny and pathetic at the same time Thais get their panties in a bunch over some tourist acting like a Jack-ass but it is perfectly fine for tourists to be attached with swords and iron pipes or some 23 year old Thai coward punching a 70 year old woman.

[Jonathan Swift]

6 minutes ago, milesinnz said:

"There's a specific concern regarding the discontinuation of requiring foreign arrivals to declare their Thai address on form TM.6"... Right, I have nefarious intentions, maybe some fraud, but I will put my correct address on the TM6 = Thai logic.....

Yes. But maybe this is just a premature press release for public consumption so as to appear like something practical is being done. Maybe they’re working at other measures that MIGHT work. Maybe they just don’t have the problem solving skills. Putting myself in their shoes (yikes!) I would find this task daunting. They may yet come up with something useful, but always at a cost to law abiding folks

[VBF]

4 minutes ago, ScubaGuy said:

 

These xenophobic clowns seem to think the TM6 ever had any useful purpose. I always had reservation for the first night or few nights. Then move on to different locations. Nothing to do with my intentions or if I might overstay. Really, putting an address on a form somehow magically prevents overstay. 

The same thing goes for all the whining about having a 60 day visa-exempt instead of 30 day, or visa-free for previously requiring VISAs somehow has any bearing on "bad behavior" or other issues. Malaysia has 90 day visa exempt and no issues at all.

It is really funny and pathetic at the same time Thais get their panties in a bunch over some tourist acting like a Jack-ass but it is perfectly fine for tourists to be attached with swords and iron pipes or some 23 year old Thai coward punching a 70 year old woman.

Does Malaysia also have a functioning and even efficient police force?

Just wondering....

[harryviking]

I find Thailand to be over populated with tourists . If tourists are the only way to make the economy better, something is terribly wrong somewhere! Also, with 30 plus million tourists each year, it will be IMPOSSIBLE to screen out all the "imbeciles" and troublemakers. Best system is to deport all that creates the problems and banned them for life! Once an idiot always an idiot! And do not blame 60 days visa exemption! Idiots do not see the difference between 1 and 60 days anyway!!😆

[Jonathan Swift]

“To safeguard Thailand’s reputation as a safe and attractive destination, Mr Boon-anan strongly advocates for stricter tourist evaluations”. Yes, good idea, but can and will it be done, and will it help in any measurable way?

[wensiensheng]

Well if there is a concern over the quality of tourists, and 90% of bookings are Russians, it would suggest exactly where the authorities need to look! 

[norsurin]

Time to demand criminal records.After the scumbags want come.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand's visa-free policy, aimed at boosting tourism, is under scrutiny as local business leaders call for improved tourist screening to prevent potential issues.

What tourist screening...

[hotchilli]

17 minutes ago, Jonathan Swift said:

“To safeguard Thailand’s reputation as a safe and attractive destination, Mr Boon-anan strongly advocates for stricter tourist evaluations”. Yes, good idea, but can and will it be done, and will it help in any measurable way?

No

[Luka77]

It was bad idea to allow countries like Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, India and the African countries. Unless they are millionaires, they are not quality tourist because they come with bad intentions. Thailand is a fairly safe country.