Thailand Holds Off on 30-Day Visa-Free Change Decision

[VBF]

4 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

<snip>

No mention of those that do come to Thailand for 60 - 90 days every year.

I have friends who come every year to get away from the cold weather.

I do precisely that 

[PETERTHEEATER]

3 hours ago, jas007 said:

Yep. I just looked.  For some reason, 180 stuck in my mind.  Still, 90 days is not bad.  

 

I think it's Mexico that will routinely give you 180 days.  Maybe some other countries do that as well. 

Is that 180 days to live?

[VBF]

1 hour ago, Robert_Smith said:

Jaysus wept...

 

is there anything they don't flip-flop on????

 

regards,

bob.

Corruption?

[pomchop]

So file this away along with all the hype re foreigners paying taxes....got it.

 

As said, do not get yourself all worked up or worried or anything over any rumoured changes or changes that are being proposed or discussed or somebody on a forum says is next to certain.

 

When and if something is actually done and started and if and when it actually is enforced and if and when it actually impacts your life just carry on as if it never existed and ignore it.

[watchcat]

3 hours ago, redwood1 said:

 

Thailand the Hub of flip flops.....And the Hub of misunderstandings....

 

And the hub of puppets,

[ronster]

#1 hub of flip flops !! 🙄

[retayl]

2 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

They won't make any changes because it would be an admission they made mistakes. 

 

The sheer volume of Russian and Chinese visitors working (when you stray beyond the tourist path) is astonishing. The Chinese visitors especially are just piliging Thailand for everything. 

 

The 60 day rule, with an extension - essentially allows you to stay non stop with the odd flight back to reset. To go back to 30 day, will highlight those abusing the system. It won't stop illegals working, but it will greatly reduce it. 

 

WIll they do it? No. Because it's the current administration that has basically opened the borders with it's ridiculous easy entry to the whole world, esentially making Thailand an open border to the world - something no other country has done - politics of the playground not real world.

 

The results have been a disaster - with an increase of low rent visitors, crime risen, cheap tourists who spend low, the mass turn off of quality high spending tourists, and open hostility growing from locals (which will only increase if you see what is happening in European tourist spots and Japan). If you allow visitors to stay long term in Thailand (with little checks) they will seek income - it's obvious, and they will take local jobs that should be protected for Thais.

 

You have videos of indian tourists sleeping 20 to a small room, never mind the horrific worldwide viral videos of them sleeping on beaches. The sexual predatory nature of their visits to Pattaya. A visa on arrival would have ensured every India visitor had a hotel booking in their name. But nope this adminstration just threw everything out, including visa outs with a sheer lunacy stimulus. Irony being India doesn't even let Thai's in visa free, despite a much worst economy per person. Vietnam, Malaysia all have checks and balances (including return tickets and accomdoation checks with their visas for Indians). 

 

As i say, other countries may offer an increased amount of stay for certain nationalities - but they also mix in greater controls on certain nationalities. For example, Vietnam ensures Indians obtain a visa before arrival, and ensure every visitor has a hotel booking and return ticket. Thailand has no such checks.

 

The real issue is the extreme lax in the implentation of the DTV. It needs reviewing immediately. 

 

The goal may have been to increaase tax revenues from foods and goods, and help the struggling real estate market. But all that's happened is cheap tourists who don't spend alot per head flood the country, pile pressure on infrustructure, and increase crime, and take jobs from local Thais. The real estate market has become decimated by the short term rental as potential buyers fear a shiny new condo will become a short term rental hub flooded by horrific tourists. 

 

The issue with short term rentals and has priced out local Thai's  - forcing them to move to the outskirts as visitors take up more space. In countries that are still developing it's dangerous to begin to use homes as investment opportunities. The Thai population still need protecting. 

 

Policing has become soft, with fears for putting of tourists - ironically having the opposite effect, as visuals on social media show the growing volume of crime and violence in Thailand, fuelled by drugs and alcohol. There should be a no nonsense approach to the hoardes of Bendirom British and drunk Russians misbehaving. 

 

Thai solution is to add more cheap visitors into this mix is beyond parody. Thailand is bordering on nearly 40 million tourists, and now mix into that you have a set that are staying long term. No other country is having such a huge influx of visitors like this. Countries like Singapore, Malaysia seek out quality tourists with higher spends per net. Singapore offers no free entry to Indian visitors for example. To simply say 'Singapore offers so many days more' is misleading. 

 

The enviromental and physical impact with mass increase in visitors on the country is startling. Go see the impact on Phuket and the horrific over development as a result. Beautiful islands wrecked by over tourism. 

 

There needs to be an immediate return to a 30 day visa programme. 

Implentation of visa on arrival protocols for certain nationalities (like India) to ensure there are return tickets, and each person has a hotel booking in their name. 

The DTV has to be stopped, and a more easier to obtain version of the Elite visa implemented (that isn't ridiculous expensive and impossible to obtain, but stronger than DTV). 

 

 

Nothing will change. The only ones to gain are 7/11 shops and cheap tourists spending money on cheese toasties. 

 

 

Cheese & ham actually - bloody lovely!

[Paul Henry]

Thai Govt. Once I thought I was indecisive now i am not so sure! 

[newbee2022]

5 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

have friends who come every year to get away from the cold weather.

They can apply for a regular visa. No problem

[TheFishman1]

The government here does so many flip-flops first they say they’re gonna do the 60 days make it shorter 30 days then you’re saying they’re gonna next week they’ll be something else different and new this country needs to get its act together why don’t they look at the corruption in the police department and all the government

[Pompeygeezer]

Just now, jas007 said:

Politics doesn't usually work that way.  Even in business, change is the rule of the game.  No matter how well the old system is working, some new regime or some new boss comes along and wants to "fix" everything.  I'm sure you've seen that.  Some consultants show up, look at the workflow and the workers, and no matter what, they always have way to fix everything.  

Possibly but I'm pretty sure when it comes to visa rules or visa waivers i think most countries make a rule and stick to it for at least a few years if not longer.  Not change their mind after less than a year.  

[thecyclist]

4 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

Strange that most of the countries that offer 90 day visa free entry seem to stay the course while LOS flip  flops from 30 to 60 then 30 and "ah never mind back to 60 until the next flip flop".  Perception when it comes to planning for international travel is important.   I wonder what travelers will think after hearing about this flip, flop? Obviously this will not affect those who are only planning for 30 days or less but those who want to stay longer it will.  Does LOS not want long stay tourists? 

You forgot the 45 days in between. Flipping and flopping, knee jerk reactions that's the only thing they are really good at, other than cooking, eating, showering, and gender reassignment surgery. 

[Toby1947]

5 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

Rubbish.

If people are going to work illegally, they will not care how long the visa lasts.

They will just overstay  - as usual.

 

No mention of those that do come to Thailand for 60 - 90 days every year.

I have friends who come every year to get away from the cold weather.

Spot on and spend far more than the 2 week millionaires. And probably don't get involved in any drunken trouble. It's just another Visa money grab.

[Pompeygeezer]

Just now, webfact said:

Notably, industry insiders such as the Thai Travel Agents Association observe that most tourists typically remain in the country for 21 days or less, inferring that shortening the visa-free period wouldn't greatly impact genuine tourists.

I've never understood this statement.  Yes,  the fact that the majority of tourists only have 21 days or less could well be true but what harm is it doing the TTAA to allow people who do want to stay longer than 21 days? The Thai Travel agents association make this announcement but don't actually say why they're against it.  the supposed general reason is an increase of crime which anyone with any sense knows is nonsense.   But the thai travel agents association can't comment on that as that isn't anything to do with them.   Only the authorities who deal with crime who can comment on that.   It amazes me they're against it. Surely they want more tourists and to promote Thailand.  Classic Thai logic or is it they would just have more work to do if it encourages more tourists to come.   Thais aren't exactly the hardest working nation on the planet🤔

[CygnusX1]

Schengen Zone in Europe visa free entry for citizens of certain countries is 90 days in any 180 day period. Might be a good idea for Thailand, would let snowbirds stay for a reasonable length of time, and provide reassurance for frequent visitors that they wouldn't be accused of visiting Thailand too often by an immigration officer.

[DonniePeverley]

1 hour ago, pomchop said:

So file this away along with all the hype re foreigners paying taxes....got it.

 

As said, do not get yourself all worked up or worried or anything over any rumoured changes or changes that are being proposed or discussed or somebody on a forum says is next to certain.

 

When and if something is actually done and started and if and when it actually is enforced and if and when it actually impacts your life just carry on as if it never existed and ignore it.

 

Pretty much this. It's rubbish as usual. Nothing will ever change. 

 

The country has been told so many times to diversify it's economy, and not rely solely on tourism. It does nothing to implement any changes, the population constantly stuck in a cycle of cheap mass tourism. All it would take is a war, or some economic hit effecting tourism and the country will be in the mire again.

 

The difference being this adminstration has turned tourism into a free mass for all on steroids. There is not a single soul who can tell me being in Thailand now is better than say 10 years ago. It's just appalling out there, and the soft approach from law enforcement, lack of spend in infrustructure has been appalling.

 

Quality visitors who will spend money in Thailand - like myself, are genuinally looking to go elsewhere. 

[DonniePeverley]

6 minutes ago, CygnusX1 said:

Schengen Zone in Europe visa free entry for citizens of certain countries is 90 days in any 180 day period. Might be a good idea for Thailand, would let snowbirds stay for a reasonable length of time, and provide reassurance for frequent visitors that they wouldn't be accused of visiting Thailand too often by an immigration officer.

 

 

Schengen Zone does not offer visa free access to India, China, most of Africa, South American countries. It does not even offer visa free access to Thai people. Thailand has removed all restrictions to most of the world - just come and enter, even if you are criminal. If you are a Thai national the process of getting a Schengen or UK visa are soul destroying - as well as the mandatory insurance they make you get. 

 

Thailand is an open border. For example, it seems so enamoured with Indian tourists (often pointing out to the revenue they bring, whilst ignoring the revenue per head is actually pretty low, and the damage from low economic tourists will turn away other tourists). Thailand has removed all checks and balances it had on visitors - when was the last time they even asked to see a return ticket? There were dangers of removing all restrictions on Chinese visitors - there was evidence from neighbouring countries who have put protocols up. 

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is still deliberating the possibility of reducing the visa-free period for foreign tourists from 60 days to 30 days, with no decision made thus far. Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura reassured that no new visa regulations are currently in place, so tourists visiting Thailand remain unaffected for now.

If they had a mind they night actually be able to make it up.

[CygnusX1]

4 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

Schengen Zone does not offer visa free access to India, China, most of Africa, South American countries. It does not even offer visa free access to Thai people. Thailand has removed all restrictions to most of the world - just come and enter, even if you are criminal. 

Most countries in South America have visa free access to the Schengen zone.

[black tabby12345]

Why they just don’t simply delist the 36 nations added to the Visa Waiver Scheme(since July 2024)?

 

[black tabby12345]

4 hours ago, redwood1 said:

 

Thailand the Hub of flip flops.....And the Hub of misunderstandings....

 

Due to Bureaucrats' nature here:

Short memory.

Lack of coordination.

Telling, but not doing.

 

[black tabby12345]

The longer they stay, often started to spend lesser.

It is often the visitors(staying here very short period). who tend to spend more.

Due to their ignorance of local prices, and holidaymakers' psychology.

[mancub]

1 hour ago, TheFishman1 said:

why don’t they look at the corruption in the police department and all the government

Who are they going to find to "cast the first stone "though ?

[DonniePeverley]

15 minutes ago, black tabby12345 said:

The longer they stay, often started to spend lesser.

It is often the visitors(staying here very short period). who tend to spend more.

Due to their ignorance of local prices, and holidaymakers' psychology.

 

Very true. 

 

Those staying 2-3 months, will often also go into short term rentals (which apparently are now illegal), and will not pay to stay in hotels in general. As a result the benefitiary is not the state but the owner (usually Chinse) of the condo. 

[Ironman1958]

"Thailand Holds Off on 30-Day Visa-Free Change Decision"

Never in my very long life have I seen so much Brain Death, Working So Hard to Cut off it's own Nose to Spite it's own Face,

Thailand

[sandyf]

3 hours ago, factual monk said:

Country with a 24% of GDP dependent on tourism doesn't have much choice.  

Stop posting garbage.

Nearly half of Thai tourism is domestic, but I suppose in a way they are also visa exempt.

[Dr B]

4 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

  This isn't politics though, its immigration .

Immigration needs to decide what they want and to keep it that way .

Have clearly defined rules and all stick to them  

Unforunately it is not even immigration, which refers to permanent residence. Most of this is supposed to be Tourism, so there are already two different ministries involved. Best way to be able to extract the occasional "fee" is to keep it murky. Clarity restricts so many opportunities.

[sandyf]

1 hour ago, DonniePeverley said:

 All it would take is a war, or some economic hit effecting tourism and the country will be in the mire again

I first came shortly after financial crisis, If 70 odd to the pound was in the mire I will  gladly get another pair  of wellies.

The Thais are very resiliant, not too phased by the tsunami, but falangs just refuse to recognise the strong points.

After all according to them they have been manipulating the baht for the last 10 years, wouldn't getting away with it for that long be a strong point.

[Gandtee]

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs used to be indecisive. Now they just can't make their minds up. Much the same as most government departments.

[Karma80]

Dont think it really matters. This was Phuket airport immigration yesterday. Please enjoy your 3 hour wait.