george Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Free tourist visas between June 25, 2009 and March 2010 BANGKOK (thaivisa.com): -- Continuing its efforts to expedite the revival of the Thai travel and tourism industry, the Royal Thai government has agreed to exempt the fee for tourist visa applications, effective 25 June 2009 to March 2010. All foreigners who apply for Tourist Visa at the Royal Thai Embassies and the Royal Thai Consulates-General worldwide will be exempted from tourist visa fee from 25 June 2009 to March B.E.2553 (2010). Such arrangement is for Tourist Visa single entry only. -- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangkok 2009-06-24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfieconn Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Watch out for the stampede !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwarmcheua Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 sweet! will be going to get a tourist visa in Laos next week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mobi Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 I really don't see the point of this. Do they seriously think that by issuing free tourist visas it is going to increase the number of tourists coming to Thailand? Firstly, how would any potential tourists even know that the visa was free until they went to apply for one. It's not as though the news of this wonderful freebie is going to be plastered all over the press, radio and TV. And secondly, once they goe to apply for said visa, they have probably already booked their holiday or their flight, so the fact that it is free will no no way influence their decision to come here. If this is the best idea they can come with to boost tourism, then they are in for a lean time in the coming months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threedot Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 What kind of deluded idiots think that a free visa is the answer to the revival of the tourist industry? The complete lack of thought process in government here never ceases to amaze me. I would be interested to know how effective the previous 'free visa' strategy was before... any figures out there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yabaaaa Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 How long exactly is a "tourist visa" 30 days 60 days??? I usually get a Non O but I only ever stay 60-90 days per time so it may be worth remembering this for my next trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asianrider Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 List of FREE things might include tourist visa's, shoelaces, bullet proof vests, bus ticket in case they close airport again - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damian5000 Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 anyone know what will happen with double entry? this applies to single, but what if want double? pay for one or pay for 2? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesMemphis Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 WOW! What an Idea! LOL! What kind of deluded idiots think that a free visa is the answer to the revival of the tourist industry? The complete lack of thought process in government here never ceases to amaze me. I would be interested to know how effective the previous 'free visa' strategy was before... any figures out there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 How long exactly is a "tourist visa" 30 days 60 days??? I usually get a Non O but I only ever stay 60-90 days per time so it may be worth remembering this for my next trip. Tourist visa are good for an entry of 60 days that can be extended at immigration for 30 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancelot Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 A buddy received a free TV in Manila during the last "Free Visa" offer, but he said at first they tried to charge him. Maybe staff confussion about the rules or some corruption going on. Anyway, its a positive move on behalf of Thailand. Wonder if we farangs will receive discounts on som tom as well?!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_Pat_Pong Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 anyone know what will happen with double entry? this applies to single, but what if want double? pay for one or pay for 2? It'd be up to the Thai Mission concerned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stub Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 What kind of deluded idiots think that a free visa is the answer to the revival of the tourist industry? The complete lack of thought process in government here never ceases to amaze me. I don't think anyone thinks it will revive the tourist industry, or that there is any single action that will do so. It might help though, just a little bit. At least there is someone with some power actually trying to do something. If a lot more people try and do something positive too, perhaps it will revive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sourdough Al Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 A free tourist visa may not solve all the tourism woes, but I'll take one. It is a lot better than a poke in the eye . You don't get much else free from the Thai government. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mobi Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 I've just heard it on the BBC News. There are queues ten miles long outside the Thai Consulate in London. Apparently there was a mad scramble involving thousands of people, all desperate to get their free visas before the consulate runs out of rubber stamp ink. Major employers in London are complaining that their offices are unmanned as the stampede for visas reches crisis proportions. Riots and mayhem on the streets are feared. The Home Secretary is considering mobilising the Home Guard to restore order to the capital Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
realbadgirl Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 (edited) I believe that those who don't agree with the freebie do not like the fact that we will attract a lot of tourists and make previous expats not be able to stand out of the crowd.It Cha la si Edited June 24, 2009 by realbadgirl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldgit Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 (edited) I would have thought that most of the tourist types they are trying to attract, the ones that might stay in a top notch hotel and actually spend some serious money, wouldn't need a tourist visa anyway. Edited June 24, 2009 by theoldgit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iang Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Most genuine tourists from western countries don't need to get a visa for Thailand in advance anyway, as they qualify for the already completely free 30 day stay visa on arrival programme! And a 30 day stay is plenty long enough for most tourists vacation. Sadly, don't feel this initiative is really going to help too much........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapfries Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 (edited) I really don't see the point of this.Do they seriously think that by issuing free tourist visas it is going to increase the number of tourists coming to Thailand? Firstly, how would any potential tourists even know that the visa was free until they went to apply for one. It's not as though the news of this wonderful freebie is going to be plastered all over the press, radio and TV. And secondly, once they goe to apply for said visa, they have probably already booked their holiday or their flight, so the fact that it is free will no no way influence their decision to come here. If this is the best idea they can come with to boost tourism, then they are in for a lean time in the coming months. 'PONG', you're missing the 'PING' ! You sign off with: “Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace.” — Buddha Better start practising what you're preaching . . . . or, from now on be known as Moby-DICK. Perhaps look at this free-visa-effort as something POSITIVE; and maybe it infers that the Thai Government is beginning to wake-up a bit to the needs of the country ?? Give them a chance; obviously your keepers gave you (more than) one ?!? JGK/Pattaya Edited June 24, 2009 by jaapfries Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minxwhale Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Watch out for the stampede !!! Wow how completely meaningless since most people secure a tourist visa upon arrival without charge! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capealava Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 anyone know what will happen with double entry? this applies to single, but what if want double? pay for one or pay for 2? Double or triple entry all free. I got s double free from Los Angeles Consulate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsdwd Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 What is particularly ironic is that many (most?) of the graduates of Thai business schools study marketing. Does the concept of 'know your customer' have any meaning to these folks at all. What this really demonstrates is how little the management of Thai Tourism understands it's customers. I guess they have their jobs because of who they know and competence doesn't enter into it. Obviously.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capealava Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Watch out for the stampede !!! Wow how completely meaningless since most people secure a tourist visa upon arrival without charge! This is a 60 day tourist visa that can be extended for 30 days easily-total 90 days-with 2 entries 180 days. The visa on arrival is only 30 days with a 15 day extension Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaibaht Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Cool! I'll visit Thailand again this year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrpositive Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 (edited) I believe that those who don't agree with the freebie do not like the fact that we will attract a lot of tourists and make previous expats not be able to stand out of the crowd.It Cha la si I think this juicy little comment deserves its own thread. Don't worry 'realbad' girl. Most of us long time thai supporting farangs won't be bumping into you at Kao Sahn or Q-Bar/ BedSupper anyway. There will be plenty of new boys around to keep you amused, and to throw a little farang buck over a tiny, but needy percent of the population. Edited June 24, 2009 by mrpositive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingjok Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Does anyone know if this will apply to Non-Imm O multi-entry visas from, say, Birmingham UK? Usually about ninety quid a pop. I didn't bother to renew my last one and have been coming and going on 30-day satmps without comment. If not, it's a trivial concession: as someone else said, hardly anyone who is a genuine 'tourist' needs the ordinary tourist visa anyway. They just come in on the 30-day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
touseefashfaq Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Its True i got free Visa from Abu Dhabi .and going to thai on AUG. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybangkok Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Last month went to Vientiane, Laos and have a 2 entries visa free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajuismythainame Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 it will boom the thailand traffic .. or u can say its good step for thai tourism industry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieH Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 I would have thought that most of the tourist types they are trying to attract, the ones that might stay in a top notch hotel and actually spend some serious money, wouldn't need a tourist visa anyway. yeah. quite how the thai government thinks that this initiative is going to lead to a jump in the number of couples and families spending their two week holidays on phuket or samui is a source of bafflement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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