sriracha john Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Tourist visa exemption effective Thursday BANGKOK, March 4 (TNA) - Tharit Charungvat, Director-General of the Department of Information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the Cabinet’s decision to exempt the need for a tourist visa for those traveling to Thailand would be in effect from this Thursday to June 4. In regard to the Cabinet’s approval on January 20 as part of the economic stimulus package, the need for a tourist visa for all travellers would be waived for three months starting from March 5. This included the waiving of a tourist visa on arrival and visitors having to apply for a visa to Thailand at Thai consulates and embassies worldwide. Foreigners applying for a visa other than a tourist visa must still pay the regular rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lite Beer Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Tourist visa exemption effective ThursdayBANGKOK, March 4 (TNA) - Tharit Charungvat, Director-General of the Department of Information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the Cabinet’s decision to exempt the need for a tourist visa for those traveling to Thailand would be in effect from this Thursday to June 4. In regard to the Cabinet’s approval on January 20 as part of the economic stimulus package, the need for a tourist visa for all travellers would be waived for three months starting from March 5. This included the waiving of a tourist visa on arrival and visitors having to apply for a visa to Thailand at Thai consulates and embassies worldwide. Foreigners applying for a visa other than a tourist visa must still pay the regular rate. As I understood it. You still need to apply in the normal way but there would be no fee.http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Free-Tourist...-4-t246136.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tropo Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Tourist visa exemption effective ThursdayBANGKOK, March 4 (TNA) - Tharit Charungvat, Director-General of the Department of Information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the Cabinet’s decision to exempt the need for a tourist visa for those traveling to Thailand would be in effect from this Thursday to June 4. In regard to the Cabinet’s approval on January 20 as part of the economic stimulus package, the need for a tourist visa for all travellers would be waived for three months starting from March 5. This included the waiving of a tourist visa on arrival and visitors having to apply for a visa to Thailand at Thai consulates and embassies worldwide. Foreigners applying for a visa other than a tourist visa must still pay the regular rate. As I understood it. You still need to apply in the normal way but there would be no fee.http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Free-Tourist...-4-t246136.html This doesn't make any sense at all. No tourist visa required? Just stay until June without a visa? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baramunchies Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 (edited) they canceled the fee, not the application process. so still visa runs, but safe 1000 baht. Edited March 5, 2009 by baramunchies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario2008 Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Thai Ministery of Foreign Affairs press release: http://www.mfa.go.th/web/35.php?id=21943 Exemption of Visa Fee for Foreign Tourists from 5 March to 4 June 2009 March 4, 2009, 1:51 pm According to the Cabinet Resolution dated 20 January 2009, all foreigners who apply for Tourist Visa at the Royal Thai Embassies, the Royal Thai Consulates-General and The Honorary Consulates worldwide, including eligible foreigners who apply for Visa on Arrival at designated checkpoints, will be exempted from Tourist Visa fee from 5 March to 4 June B.E. 2552 (2009). Such arrangement is for Tourist Visa only. For travelers entering Thailand not for tourism purpose are required to obtain appropriate visa and pay for visa fee as usual. Passport holders from 42 countries and countries which have concluded agreements on the exemption of visa requirements (for tourist visa exemption) with Thailand are still permitted to enter Thailand without visa requirements. For more information please look at Consular Affairs So yes, you still have to apply for one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barryloei Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Tourist visa exemption effective ThursdayBANGKOK, March 4 (TNA) - Tharit Charungvat, Director-General of the Department of Information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the Cabinet's decision to exempt the need for a tourist visa for those traveling to Thailand would be in effect from this Thursday to June 4. In regard to the Cabinet's approval on January 20 as part of the economic stimulus package, the need for a tourist visa for all travellers would be waived for three months starting from March 5. This included the waiving of a tourist visa on arrival and visitors having to apply for a visa to Thailand at Thai consulates and embassies worldwide. Foreigners applying for a visa other than a tourist visa must still pay the regular rate. As I understood it. You still need to apply in the normal way but there would be no fee.http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Free-Tourist...-4-t246136.html This doesn't make any sense at all. No tourist visa required? Just stay until June without a visa? Yes this needs clearing up from one of you guys in the know . Can i just leave thailand when my current tourist visa finishes turn around walk back in and recieve a free 3 month stamp without the hassle of applying to the consulate and waiting 24 hours etc etc . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddi Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 I arrived in BKK in January. got a 30 day visa on arrival, no charge, what's changed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sriracha john Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share Posted March 5, 2009 (edited) Tourist visa exemption effective ThursdayBANGKOK, March 4 (TNA) - Tharit Charungvat, Director-General of the Department of Information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the Cabinet’s decision to exempt the need for a tourist visa for those traveling to Thailand would be in effect from this Thursday to June 4. In regard to the Cabinet’s approval on January 20 as part of the economic stimulus package, the need for a tourist visa for all travellers would be waived for three months starting from March 5. This included the waiving of a tourist visa on arrival and visitors having to apply for a visa to Thailand at Thai consulates and embassies worldwide. Foreigners applying for a visa other than a tourist visa must still pay the regular rate. As I understood it. You still need to apply in the normal way but there would be no fee.http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Free-Tourist...-4-t246136.html This doesn't make any sense at all. No tourist visa required? Just stay until June without a visa? Light Beer: That's what I thought, too... and figured that perhaps this was how they decided to do things to avoid foreign consulates complaining about having to process visas without any remuneration (free visas) for their efforts. Simply waive the need for a tourist visa would accomplish that. Just stamp people in for 60 days when they arrive. Tropo: The program runs until June, not that you can stay until June if you arrive now. I would presume that when you enter Thailand, they stamp you in for the normal duration of a tourist visa... 60 days. Edited March 5, 2009 by sriracha john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baramunchies Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Yes this needs clearing up from one of you guys in the know . Can i just leave thailand when my current tourist visa finishes turn around walk back in and recieve a free 3 month stamp without the hassle of applying to the consulate and waiting 24 hours etc etc . No, you can not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario2008 Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 I arrived in BKK in January. got a 30 day visa on arrival, no charge, what's changed? That's not a tourist visa, that is a visa exempt entry which are already free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baramunchies Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 I arrived in BKK in January. got a 30 day visa on arrival, no charge, what's changed? nothing changed for that type of visa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario2008 Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Light Beer:That's what I thought, too... and figured that perhaps this was how they decided to do things to avoid foreign consulates complaining about having to process visas without any remuneration (free visas) for their efforts. Simply waive the need for a tourist visa would accomplish that. Just stamp people in for 60 days when they arrive. Tropo: The program runs until June, not that you can stay until June if you arrive now. I would presume that when you enter Thailand, they stamp you in for the normal duration of a tourist visa... 60 days. See my above post about MFA press release. You have to apply at an embassy/consulate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baramunchies Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 The program runs until June, not that you can stay until June if you arrive now. I would presume that when you enter Thailand, they stamp you in for the normal duration of a tourist visa... 60 days. that would be too hands on, so very sure that is NOT how they are going to manage it. from what they write it will stay as it is, except you don't have to pay the fee. that's all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sriracha john Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share Posted March 5, 2009 Thai Ministery of Foreign Affairs press release: http://www.mfa.go.th/web/35.php?id=21943Exemption of Visa Fee for Foreign Tourists from 5 March to 4 June 2009 March 4, 2009, 1:51 pm According to the Cabinet Resolution dated 20 January 2009, all foreigners who apply for Tourist Visa at the Royal Thai Embassies, the Royal Thai Consulates-General and The Honorary Consulates worldwide, including eligible foreigners who apply for Visa on Arrival at designated checkpoints, will be exempted from Tourist Visa fee from 5 March to 4 June B.E. 2552 (2009). Such arrangement is for Tourist Visa only. For travelers entering Thailand not for tourism purpose are required to obtain appropriate visa and pay for visa fee as usual. Passport holders from 42 countries and countries which have concluded agreements on the exemption of visa requirements (for tourist visa exemption) with Thailand are still permitted to enter Thailand without visa requirements. For more information please look at Consular Affairs So yes, you still have to apply for one. Thanks for that additional clarification (sorry consulates, I was trying to explain your guys' predicament)... In light of that, could we please modify the thread title: Tourist Visa Fee Exemption Begins Today thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sriracha john Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share Posted March 5, 2009 Light Beer:That's what I thought, too... and figured that perhaps this was how they decided to do things to avoid foreign consulates complaining about having to process visas without any remuneration (free visas) for their efforts. Simply waive the need for a tourist visa would accomplish that. Just stamp people in for 60 days when they arrive. Tropo: The program runs until June, not that you can stay until June if you arrive now. I would presume that when you enter Thailand, they stamp you in for the normal duration of a tourist visa... 60 days. See my above post about MFA press release. You have to apply at an embassy/consulate. yep... simultaneous posting can be a bear (no pun intended).... see my other post above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lite Beer Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Thanks for that additional clarification (sorry consulates, I was trying to explain your guys' predicament)... In light of that, could we please modify the thread title: Tourist Visa Fee Exemption Begins Today thank you. Changed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario2008 Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Cosulair Affairs department put it more clearly as this: All foreigners who apply for Tourist Visa at the Royal Thai Embassies and the Royal Thai Consulates-General worldwide, including eligible foreigners who apply for Visa on Arrival at designated checkpoints, will be exempted from Tourist Visa fee from 5 March to 4 june B.E. 2552(2009). (The fee exemption is not extended to other types of visas, i.e. Non – Immigrant visa and Transit visa.) http://www.consular.go.th/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baramunchies Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 In light of that, could we please modify the thread title:Tourist Visa Fee Exemption Begins Today wonder if that is still a good headline tomorrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sriracha john Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share Posted March 5, 2009 (edited) In light of that, could we please modify the thread title:Tourist Visa Fee Exemption Begins Today wonder if that is still a good headline tomorrow Lordy... you do you have a point... but I'm afraid to ask the moderators for yet another change... after all, they all will be doing the extra work without remuneration, just like the poor consulates will have to.... BUT...if they are so inclined: Tourist Visa Fee Exemption Begins March 5 Edited March 5, 2009 by sriracha john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lite Beer Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 In light of that, could we please modify the thread title:Tourist Visa Fee Exemption Begins Today wonder if that is still a good headline tomorrow Lordy... you do you have a point... but I'm afraid to ask the moderators for yet another change... after all, they all will be doing the extra work without remuneration, just like the poor consulates will have to.... BUT...if they are so inclined: Tourist Visa Fee Exemption Begins March 5 I will change it tommorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario2008 Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Too late, I already did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lite Beer Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Too late, I already did. Changed it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tropo Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 In a previous post about this fee waiver it was mentioned that it only applies to a single entry tourist visa. Has this changed? Perhaps they'll issue a single entry tourist visa free but charge full fee for a double or triple entry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sriracha john Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share Posted March 5, 2009 (edited) Too late, I already did. Changed it again. I won't say anything about adding a comma after Thursday and dropping the period after the 5th Edited March 5, 2009 by sriracha john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario2008 Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Too late, I already did. Changed it again. I won't say anything about adding a comma after Thursday and dropping the period after the 5th Don't worry, just a couple of hours and it is midnight: New title! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario2008 Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 In a previous post about this fee waiver it was mentioned that it only applies to a single entry tourist visa. Has this changed? Perhaps they'll issue a single entry tourist visa free but charge full fee for a double or triple entry. That is still the question. The press releases don't answer it, so we have to look on some websites from embassies telling us more or reports from people who applied for a double tourist visa. Hopefully we will know more soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcys Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 If you are a member of a nation that gets a visa exemption (ie canada, USA...) can you apply for a tourist visa when you arrive at the airport say in BKK? Or do I still have to apply for a tourist visa outside of Thailand? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maestro Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 You still have to apply for the tourist visa at a Thai consulate, ie outside Thailand. -- Maestro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christensen Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 Dear members Im ready to read about the NEW experiences with tourist visas from Penang and if some make in Naratiwatarea (2 entries). Thanks if you respond thats very polite at this time in the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christensen Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 and then everybody left Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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