New fee rates for thai visas

[george]

Cont'd from this thread: http://forum.thaivisa.com/cgi-bin/ikonboar...t=ST;f=1;t=1648

NEW FEE RATE FOR VISAS

In reference to Thai Ministerial Regulation No. 27 (B.E. 2546) which was issued by the Immigration Act B.E. 2522, the new fee rate for Thai visas has been proclaimed in the Royal Gazette.  The new fee rate as listed below will go into effect on August 26, 2003:

Transit Visa  US$20.00

Tourist Visa  US$25.00

Non-Immigrant Visas:

- Single Entry              US$50.00

- 1 Year Multiple-Entry  US$125.00

- 3 Year Multiple-Entry for persons who hold the travel documents of the APEC member countries to enter the Kingdom of Thailand for the purpose of business   US$125.00

http://www.thaivisa.com/index.php?514&backPID=10&tt_news=481

[flackjacket]

Well that is what we expected. The IMF loan is "paid off" so the foreign help is no longer needed. Thailand's economy is capable of sustaining itself now along with all the corruption,

(at least until the next time)!!! Rest in peace the Golden Goose. Lets wait and see what the TRUE tourist figures are for the rest of 2003, that is if we can ever get the truth.

On a sad note, todays tragic terrorist attack in Jakarta should wake the Thai Government from its complacent sleep so that they see that tourists may well still avoid Thailand. In many peoples view Thailand is not far from INDONESIA.

[jairak]

::

I've read a lot of negative response pertaining to the various visa fee increases with much apathy.  None of these fees have been changed since over 30 years ago before I first came here, a time when 1 Baht could buy a cup of coffee or hot tea and a delicious Thai pasty at any country "local's" coffee shop and not more than 10 Baht could buy nearly more than you could eat at most any local fast food "Raad Naa Kao" or fried rice food shop.  I inherently trust the judgement of the "local powers" to have done their homework and not out priced these fees in relation to other countries in the region.  Even if they may seem to some tight budgeted persons to be a bit extreme, Thailand still has a lot more to offer in all respects than any of it neighbors.  

My only reservations pertain to the new residence permit fee of around USD. 4,700.  Without automatic entitlement to subsequent and automatic entitlement to Thai citizenship, this seems a bit over priced because except for being able to have one's name registered on a household registration document (Tabien Baan), there are no special advantages other than pure prestige (and very local only among the ex-pat and uninformed Thai community) over the easily obtainable and much cheaper annually renewable Non-Immigrant "B" visa (business visa with a work permit) or Non-Immigrant "O" visa (retirement visa with only 800,000 Baht on bank deposit, etc).

Chaiyo!!!

[DaveYo]

Greetings fellas.   Just returned back home here in USA, and george your right as to the fees, and flakjacket your right as to the IMF deal too.  Also by the way, they are going to do away with the 11 laws that the IMF imposed on thailand.  Also read a clipping in Bangkok of the new 1M card.  Benefits, FREE HOSPITAL PRIVILEDGES!  Best they can offer besides free golfing, and some other do dads.  Last I heard, 1 year visas is going to be ancient history.  As to when, that is still on the table.  Government working on the details now.  Right now I am really wondering the shape of things yet to come for the expiates.    ???     :blues:

[KenUdon]

Even if they may seem to some tight budgeted persons to be a bit extreme, Thailand still has a lot more to offer in all respects than any of it neighbors.  

errr.......Like What?........Love to know. There must be SOMETHING!

[Thailand]

Hi Guys,

My "retirement visa" is due for renewal 30 Sept so I think I can apply from 1st Sept - is that correct?

Any chance I could do it 5 days earlier and save the new fees?

Knowing my luck it's bite the bullet and pay up!

Thanks,

Thailand

[dr_Pat_Pong]

You never know until you try....a decent bottle of scotch might do wonders.

[z21rhd]

what will it cost for a 30 tourist visa - now free - after 26 aug ??? ???  ???

[george]

what will it cost for a 30 tourist visa - now free - after 26 aug ??? ???  ???

Free of charge as before.

[Thailand]

You never know until you try....a decent bottle of scotch might do wonders.

Will use my natural charm and the odd sheckel and advise back after the event!

Retirement Visa

[huski]

My "retirement visa" is due for renewal 30 Sept so I think I can apply from 1st Sept - is that correct?

Any chance I could do it 5 days earlier and save the new fees?

BKK Immigration told me a week ago that the costs for visa extension renewals and the requirements in the bank are the same as your previous year. Only new applicants will be charged more & require a higher bank balance.

[blueman]

I confirm that on 26th August Royal Thai embassy in Prague starts to issue tourist visas (60d) for 700Kč (used to be 600Kč) and non-immigrant visas (90d) for 1400Kč in 2 days. That´s 17% increase.

[timba]

Last I heard, 1 year visas is going to be ancient history.  As to when, that is still on the table.  Government working on the details now.  

wow, what substitute will they possibly offer to business people making frequent trips in/out of Thailand then?

Hmmm... not sure the hassle of getting a new visa whenever you enter the Kingdom for biz will really benefit to Thailand economy.

???

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Visa's up to one year are here to stay....where oh where do the rumours start ?

[marty]

Anyone know where I can get the Thai version of Ministerial Regulation No. 27 (B.E. 2546)?

[PREM-R]

I have been following this thread since the news of the Visa increases were announced and like all the Thailand based people who contribute to this forum am affected by them.  If you consider for a moment that a Tourist Visa (TR) will cost US$20 (around 12.50 GBpounds) per entry from 26th August and that it will remain possible to  obtain multiple entries from Thai consulates in your home country (I have not seen anything on this site that says otherwise), then a one  year stay in LOS could be covered by obtaining 6 (sixty day) entries at a cost of 75GBpounds, obtaining 6 entries would remove the need for extending the TR at the rate of 1,900baht(pre August 26th 500baht) for a one month extend.

 It may be that the Thai Government will make changes to the rules regarding the number of TR entries that can be purchased, but as it stands it would seem that even after August 26th, it will be possible to stay in LOS for less than 1.50GBpounds per week,which doesn't seem so bad.  

I assume that the Thai based contributors to the forum are here because they choose to be and as such if they find the new charges not to their liking then they have the option  to move on (or back) to a country that suits them better. Nobody likes price increases, but if you look at the positive things about being here in Thailand, then surely one pound fifty per week is a bargain!  

[wilson steer]

The embassy I use in the U.K. will issue me up to a quadruple tourist visa. This is good for nine months (arrival), three border runs, and a one month extension. Total cost £32 for visa, 500 baht for one month extension. This seems pretty good to me.

From August though, It will cost £64 and 1900 for the extension. Not the end of the world, when you think how much one can spend on beer and ladies!