Thai Interior Ministry: Exemption of visa fees considered for European tourists

[webfact]

IMMIGRATION
Exemption of visa fees considered for European tourists

BANGKOK: -- Tourism Ministry is considering a proposal to exempt visa fees for visitors from European countries, said permanent secretary for interior Wiboon Sa-nguanpoing on Thursday.

The ministry has floated the idea with priviate sector on the possibility to do so, he said.

Referring to the exemption fee for visitors from China and Taiwan, Wiboon said the issue had got approval from the junta and will be effective when the junta’s chief signed the order.

When signed, the exemption will be in place for three months.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Exemption-of-visa-fees-considered-for-European-tou-30240466.html


-- The Nation 2014-08-07

[krislarter]

WOW.

I wonder if this would be for 1 entry 60 day visa.

[eeworldwide]

Wouldn't this kinda render moot the recent changes in visa regulations for 30-90 day visas?

[SoFarAndNear]

I don't understand the idea of free visas to boost tourism. Why should someone come for holiday in a country just because you don't have to pay 35 USD for a visa? I mean if I have to decide to do holiday in Thailand or in Vietnam will would I say "Ohh if I go to Thailand I would save 35 bucks now. So lets go to Thailand."

Edited August 7, 2014 by SoFarAndNear

[ParadiseLost]

TAT - If you want to attract more quality tourists, it is simple - CLARIFY the maximum number of days in a year you consider it okay for a person of any nationality to be a TOURIST.

Forget about freebies - do you want quality tourists who are excited and make their travel arrangements based on the fact they do not have to pay?

Okay?

Edited August 7, 2014 by ParadiseLost

[ParadiseLost]

What's next?

SALE signs outside the embassies?

[krislarter]

TAT - If you want to attract more quality tourists, it is simple - CLARIFY the maximum number of days in a year you consider it okay for a person of any nationality to be a TOURIST.

Forget about freebies - do you want quality tourists who are excited and make their travel arrangements based on the fact they do not have to pay?

Okay?

^^^THIS^^^

Just say you can only be in Thailand for 180 days in a 1 year period as a tourist.

[terryp]

it never stops ....massive clampdown , now free tourist visas that assist the very people they were trying to get rid of ....i find this really irritating for what non imm visa applicants have to do and pay

[SoFarAndNear]

it never stops ....massive clampdown , now free tourist visas that assist the very people they were trying to get rid of ....i find this really irritating for what non imm visa applicants have to do and pay

Thailand is not trying to get rid of tourists. It is getting rid of people who are working here with tourist visas.

[tubby johnson]

Nothing but bile being spewed here.

Do retirees own the Siamese Raj as their exclusive fiefdom? So much hatred towards our fellow foreigners. An odd reaction in the face of this encouraging proposal by the government.

[Thailand]

Free visas are not the way to bring back the tourists.

[ParadiseLost]

Nothing but bile being spewed here.

Do retirees own the Siamese Raj as their exclusive fiefdom? So much hatred towards our fellow foreigners. An odd reaction in the face of this encouraging proposal by the government.

Your bile resistance levels seem to be getting dangerously low there...

No, it's pure frustration with what to me seems a pretty logical thing: clarify the definition so people can plan accordingly. Right now no two embassies in major EU countries can agree on anything, which is creating enough confusion that some would rather avoid their (perceived) complications.

Nobody can explicitly guarantee how many days the EU tourists can stay - but it's free...

[khwaibah]

Must be a TAT brain fart.

[Ricardo]

Forget short-lived freebies, just make 90-day visa-on-arrival available, to everyone who previously got 30-days !

[Local Drunk]

Russians are not Europeans...

[useronthenet]

I can see it now .. Exemption of visa fees European tourists *

*conditions apply

All persons entering the Kingdom must at least 100 years of age, and accompanied by both parents

Visa waiver fee will only be valid on 29th February 2014.

[Basil B]

Maybe they should do it on a reciprocal basis, how may Brits would pay $142USD to visit Thailand? and provide proof of intent to return, income, where they stay, and if your application is turned down because some one in a back room thinks you maybe a sex tourist you do not even get the $142 returned?

[tonbridgebrit]

Free visas are not the way to bring back the tourists.

What, should they double the price ??

That will make Thailand look more up-market, more exclusive, might remove some of the down-market tourists.

[tonbridgebrit]

Maybe they should do it on a reciprocal basis, how may Brits would pay $142USD to visit Thailand? and provide proof of intent to return, income, where they stay, and if your application is turned down because some one in a back room thinks you maybe a sex tourist you do not even get the $142 returned?

But Thailand needs British tourists more than Britain needs Thai tourists. How many Thais actually go to Britain as tourists ??

[thesetat2013]

I don't understand the idea of free visas to boost tourism. Why should someone come for holiday in a country just because you don't have to pay 35 USD for a visa? I mean if I have to decide to do holiday in Thailand or in Vietnam will would I say "Ohh if I go to Thailand I would save 35 bucks now. So lets go to Thailand."

Agreed! Although it looks good for thais talking about it the reality is that it might work as a good ploy for other asian countries to come here but a european travelling is not going to base their decision to travel here on measley 35 dollars.

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[chotthee]

Why not just remove all immigration booth.

Falang walk in/out free, don't even need a passport.

That will surely attract West African tourist escaping Ebola at home.

[FangFerang]

In translation

"Tourism Ministry is considering a proposal to exempt visa fees for visitors from European countries" = Please come back.

[lifeincnx]

In other words 'discrimination based on nationality'. This is not such wonderful news for Australians, Americans, and Canadians, just to name a few nations which have well-supported Thailand's tourism industry for years.

[Ianatlarge]

Does that include Australia?

[tubby johnson]

Does that include Australia?

Is Australia still a British penal colony?

If not, consult an atlas. Check whether Australia is located near Europe enough to qualify as European.

[jpinx]

It's not a new idea -- they did free tourist visas a few years ago for a year or so. Not sure if there are any figures to show the effect, but it's a feel-good thing. The reality is that if someone is factoring in the visa fee as a major item in their travel budget they maybe need to re-consider their plans altogether.

[Christie Paul]

Too little too, too late.

[balo]

Too late , I will never visit Thailand as a tourist anymore. Still I live here. But I'm not working here.

[theguyfromanotherforum]

They will be giving away Elite memberships soon enough.

[kimamey]

Does that include Australia?

Is Australia still a British penal colony?

If not, consult an atlas. Check whether Australia is located near Europe enough to qualify as European.

A lot depends on how they define 'European'.

If they decide to base it on the Eurovision Song Contest participating countries then Russia would be included but not Australia. However all is not lost as Israel, Morocco, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia have all entered so it heading towards Australia and the UK could use it's influence to help our friends in Oz.

Of course Russia might annex the eastern part of the Eurovision Song Contest to protect Russian language singers leading to Vladimir Putin entering for Russia and winning with a 100% vote.

This is intended only as humour but I accept no responsibility if despite it's stupidity any or all of it actually happens.

Edited August 7, 2014 by kimamey