Thailand exempts visa fees for Chinese passport holders: Special report

[webfact]

Special Report: Thailand exempts visa fees for Chinese passport holders

BANGKOK: -- Holders of Chinese and Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) passports will be exempted from paying visa fees when visiting Thailand for the purpose of tourism.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the short-term waiver, from 9 August to 8 November 2014, has been passed by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) as part of a package of measures to rapidly revive Thai tourism in the second half of 2014.

The exemption will apply only to visitors coming to Thailand for tourism, and submitting their tourist visa applications at Thai diplomatic missions or via the visa-on-arrival desks at the international checkpoints.

Only a Tourist Visa is applicable to this measure; visitors who apply for other categories of visa; such as, Transit Visa or Non-Immigrant Visa still have to pay for the visa fee as normal.

TAT Governor Thawatchai Arunyik said Thailand and China had very close relations and much in common in terms of food, cultural, and ethnic relationships with many Thai prominent businessmen and political families having roots in China. Chinese visitors were selected for the exemption as part of the commemorative activities marking the 40th Anniversary of Thailand – China Diplomatic Relations.

Moreover, this measure is also to help the Thai private sector and many small and medium sized enterprises to recover.

From both mainland China and Chinese Taipei, Thailand is considered a short-haul and value-for-money destination with good airline connections and an excellent range of accommodations and tour products for people of all age groups.

The Kingdom is well-known for its long-standing tradition of friendliness and hospitality. Bangkok also has a very large and bustling Chinatown area where Chinese visitors can regularly be seen shopping for herbal medicines.

[nnt]2014-08-12[/nnt]

[MaxLee]

Kissing China's behind and kick out the Falang... Edited August 12, 2014 by MaxLee

[trainman34014]

Does this include exit fees from Phuket ?

[Thanet]

Kissing China's behind and kick out the Falang...

 

Perhaps it's got more to do with economics. Thailand is flooded with Chinese tourists, most on package tours and spending much needed cash.

 

Farangs are going elsewhere, voluntarily - no one is kicking them out. When farangs came to Thailand in larger numbers, tourism was geared towards them. Now it seems to be China's turn.

[toybits]

Tourism slump must be beginning to bite.

[Bluespunk]

Good to see the publicity department is doing their job at TAT.

Small point, but the second half of 2014 began six or seven weeks ago. Edited August 12, 2014 by Bluespunk

[212traders]

Supposedly the visa fee is waived and they get landing visa. However, I have Taiwanese friends who just entered Thailand 2 days ago. The immigration officers charged them 200 Bahts each for "handling fee". But when my friends asked for a receipt, the officers said, "No receipts." It's kind of like extortion.

[tbthailand]

A "natural move" ... The two counties' governments have so much in common now... and Thailand has been snubbed by every democracy in the world... 

[DrLom]

Racism at its best.

 

 

[ginjag]

A "natural move" ... The two counties' governments have so much in common now... and Thailand has been snubbed by every democracy in the world... 

 

The two counties have always had so much in common  20% of personnel from original China controls Thailand and has done here for yonks.

 

The second from ..................and.....................Is a complete lie,  what a stupid bit of pro Shin rhetoric. it gets more silly comments like this every day.

This is not aimed personally at you BUT at what was posted.

[ginjag]

Good to see the publicity department is doing their job at TAT.

Small point, but the second half of 2014 began six or seven weeks ago.

 

As far as I know ALL visitors have a fee tourist on arrival visa-flying in for holiday purposes. at 30 days.

[thesetat2013]

Does the TAT actually believe that chinese tourist are shopping in chinatown for herbs and other assorted chinese products they could find easier and cheaper when they go home? Unbelievable

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

[Gweiloman]

Racism at its best.

 

 

 

Some western country citizens get visa exempt entries (FOC of course) whereas Chinese citizens will still have to apply for a visa. Racism, still? 

 

Does your country accept Thais coming on a visa exempt status? No? Racist.

[Prbkk]

Taiwan is a good market: people with money, seasoned travelers, good manners, 3 hour flight. They should get the 30 day on arrival waiver.

[Tomtomtom69]

Taiwan is a good market: people with money, seasoned travelers, good manners, 3 hour flight. They should get the 30 day on arrival waiver.

 

True, but I think Thailand needs to negotiate a bilateral visa exemption with Taiwan first. The current rules for Thais entering Taiwan are that Thais can only receive a visa waiver with evidence of a visa for Australia, NZ, Canada, the EU or the USA (I think it has to be a permanent residency visa although student visas may possibly be acceptable too), so it can't just be a one-sided deal for Taiwanese and the Thais still have the same restrictions as now.

 

Taiwan can surely benefit from exempting visas from Thai tourists too, just as Japan recently has after waiving visas for Thais for visits of up to 15 days. This is not quite as fair as the 30 days Japanese get coming to Thailand by air, though they too get only 15 days coming by land so I guess it's close enough and logically only the most adventurous travellers enter Japan by sea.
 

[chainarong]

It really doesn't matter who is a tourist in Thailand, everyone has a good time , one way or another, I have been boarding the Perth Oz flight and some of the derogatory remarks would make TAT hair stand on end , but generally most like the stay , unfortunately most of the Chinese are not so well loaded, they spend cheap, are only short time visitors (4days) are regarded as the worst tourists in the world and if you have been in a hotel foyer when they arrive you know what I mean , they tend to drive other tourists away, so you will hear from some of the large tour operators complaining, within a year, like they did in H.K. 

[max72]

Supposedly the visa fee is waived and they get landing visa. However, I have Taiwanese friends who just entered Thailand 2 days ago. The immigration officers charged them 200 Bahts each for "handling fee". But when my friends asked for a receipt, the officers said, "No receipts." It's kind of like extortion.

 

Obviously. When there are no laws other than the jungle law, the corruption skyrockets. 

[ebean001]

We own a bar in Chiang Mai. A male chinese tourist is a guy with his hands behind his back. A chinese female tourist is holding hands with another female tourist. I think they do this to keep their money in their pockets. many chinese tourist here but never, never, never does one go into a bar. they might stop in front of the bar and look at the ladies but that is it.

[Alwyn]

 

Good to see the publicity department is doing their job at TAT.

Small point, but the second half of 2014 began six or seven weeks ago.

 

As far as I know ALL visitors have a fee tourist on arrival visa-flying in for holiday purposes. at 30 days.

 

Nope, visa on arrival is limited to just 19 countries and free 30/15 day visa-free is for 50 countries

[Sirbergan]

Racism at its best.

 

 

 

Do you mean countryism?
 

[phantomfiddler]

Oh goody, more quality tourists :) 

[DrLom]

 

Racism at its best.

 

 

 

Some western country citizens get visa exempt entries (FOC of course) whereas Chinese citizens will still have to apply for a visa. Racism, still? 

 

Does your country accept Thais coming on a visa exempt status? No? Racist.

 

Western country citizens get free entries into where? Thailand? Give me an example please.

[tbthailand]

 

A "natural move" ... The two counties' governments have so much in common now... and Thailand has been snubbed by every democracy in the world... 

 

The two counties have always had so much in common  20% of personnel from original China controls Thailand and has done here for yonks.

 

The second from ..................and.....................Is a complete lie,  what a stupid bit of pro Shin rhetoric. it gets more silly comments like this every day.

This is not aimed personally at you BUT at what was posted.

 

yes, they have been snubbed by every democracy, and no, that is not "pro-shin" or what ever you want to call it.

[ginjag]

 

Good to see the publicity department is doing their job at TAT.

Small point, but the second half of 2014 began six or seven weeks ago.

 

As far as I know ALL visitors have a fee tourist on arrival visa-flying in for holiday purposes. at 30 days.

 

 

 

Ha Ha   sorry   it shall read   FREE  not  (fee)  I am ting tong

[ginjag]

 

 

A "natural move" ... The two counties' governments have so much in common now... and Thailand has been snubbed by every democracy in the world... 

 

The two counties have always had so much in common  20% of personnel from original China controls Thailand and has done here for yonks.

 

The second from ..................and.....................Is a complete lie,  what a stupid bit of pro Shin rhetoric. it gets more silly comments like this every day.

This is not aimed personally at you BUT at what was posted.

 

yes, they have been snubbed by every democracy, and no, that is not "pro-shin" or what ever you want to call it.

 

 

What is it YOU want to call it then ???  It is a LIE  (snubbed by every)   stupid---but why put that.

[ginjag]

 

 

Racism at its best.

 

 

 

Some western country citizens get visa exempt entries (FOC of course) whereas Chinese citizens will still have to apply for a visa. Racism, still? 

 

Does your country accept Thais coming on a visa exempt status? No? Racist.

 

Western country citizens get free entries into where? Thailand? Give me an example please.

 

 

I would call visa on arrival 30 days free, I have never paid anything only entry form and departure form. example--UK,  free 30 day,  and most European on entry-30 day free.

Edited August 12, 2014 by ginjag

[DrLom]

 

Racism at its best.

 

 

 

Some western country citizens get visa exempt entries (FOC of course) whereas Chinese citizens will still have to apply for a visa. Racism, still? 

 

Does your country accept Thais coming on a visa exempt status? No? Racist.

 

My country's Thailand. What's yours?

 

Also, was that last remark calling ME racist?

[ginjag]

 

 

Good to see the publicity department is doing their job at TAT.

Small point, but the second half of 2014 began six or seven weeks ago.

 

As far as I know ALL visitors have a fee tourist on arrival visa-flying in for holiday purposes. at 30 days.

 

Nope, visa on arrival is limited to just 19 countries and free 30/15 day visa-free is for 50 countries

 

 

I was just generalizing ---maybe most of the western/European/Assie/USA and the like get a 30 day on arrival.

I didn't want to go into the technicalities--like Madagascar Angola etc.  So in future I will have to not put ALL.

[DrLom]

 

 

 

 

Some western country citizens get visa exempt entries (FOC of course) whereas Chinese citizens will still have to apply for a visa. Racism, still? 

 

Does your country accept Thais coming on a visa exempt status? No? Racist.

 

Western country citizens get free entries into where? Thailand? Give me an example please.

 

 

I would call visa on arrival 30 days free, I have never paid anything only entry form and departure form.

 

Are you seriously telling me, ginjag, that everytime you come you arrive with no visa, have not made application to enter Thailand from your home country, and simply get in free each time? What do/did you pay for entry/departure card - is paying making it free?

[chotthee]

Does this include exit fees from Phuket ?

 

Make more money collecting exit fee.

 

Reminds me of desert tour.

The sign say FREE camel tour of the desert.

Once it the middle of the desert, the camel owners say "That's it, I hope you enjoyed the tour. Now, do you need any transport back?"