Phuket: Kremlin hits back at out-in visa ban
Alasdair Forbes


The longtail boatmen at Ranong have been finding things rather quiet since multiple out-in visa runs were banned. Photo Krisna

MOSCOW: The Russian government has hit back at the Thai Immigration rules, introduced recently, banning multiple “out-in” visa runs for tourists.

In an “official message to the media” issued yesterday (September 10) the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “On September 1, the Thai authorities reported that on August 29 this year an amendment [was made] to the immigration rules of stay for foreign tourists, whereby citizens of 48 countries may extend [only] once, for 30 days, the term of the visa-free stay in Thailand.

“This rule applies to the citizens of those states with which Thailand does not have a specific agreement facilitating the visa regime.

“Citizens of the Russian Federation do not, however, fall under the new rules.

“According to Paragraph 1 of a bilateral intergovernmental agreement [between Russia and Thailand], Russian tourists are allowed to enter Thailand for up to 30 days, after which they must leave the country, [but] the number of entries is not limited.”

On May 13 the former national commander of Thai Immigration, Lt Gen Pharnu Kerdlarpphon told The Phuket News that Russians, South Koreans and Vietnamese in particular were thought to be abusing the out-in visa run in order to stay in Thailand to work illegally.

“Thirty days should be enough for a normal tourist. If they really want to travel around the country for more than 30 days, then they must show us a plausible plan. If officers are suspicious, then they will carry out checks.

“If we believe their purpose in coming to Thailand is not what they say it is, then we will order them to leave and they will be blacklisted. They will not be able to return to Thailand, ever.”

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/kremlin-hits-back-at-out-in-visa-ban-48682.php


-- Phuket News 2014-09-11

So how exactly is the Russian government 'hitting back'? What a piece of garbage journalism.

Did TAT shoot themselves in a leg?

Whatever I might think of Russian tourists, - moneywise they were a huge chunk of tourist dollars here.

So how exactly is the Russian government 'hitting back'?

Well, they are saying "Citizens of the Russian Federation do not...fall under the new rules." So Russia feels that their citizens should be able to exit and re-enter Thailand as often as they like with no limit on the number of back-to-back visa exempt entries.

Putin gonna invade Thailand too?

So how exactly is the Russian government 'hitting back'? What a piece of garbage journalism.

Need some glasses?

“According to Paragraph 1 of a bilateral intergovernmental agreement [between Russia and Thailand], Russian tourists are allowed to enter Thailand for up to 30 days, after which they must leave the country, [but] the number of entries is not limited.”

i.e. they can do in and outs as many times as they wish.

Well, if they have bilateral agreements they better stick to those and don't make decisions and announcements without using their brains.

good to see a western country standing up for it's citizens

wish mine would

Entry into Thailand (or anywhere else) is always at the discretion of the immigration officer. They don't need to give any reason for refusing entry no matter what the Kremlin might believe.

good to see a western country standing up for it's citizens

wish mine would

Which is your country?

A post containing overly derogatory comments toward Thais has been removed.

Reaction from this youtube clip?

Did TAT shoot themselves in a leg?

Whatever I might think of Russian tourists, - moneywise they were a huge chunk of tourist dollars here.

It wasn't TAT that changed the rules.

Maybe Putin just doesn't want some of them back?

So how exactly is the Russian government 'hitting back'? What a piece of garbage journalism.

Need some glasses?

“According to Paragraph 1 of a bilateral intergovernmental agreement [between Russia and Thailand], Russian tourists are allowed to enter Thailand for up to 30 days, after which they must leave the country, [but] the number of entries is not limited.”

i.e. they can do in and outs as many times as they wish.

I think this is the case with all/most countries. I think it's still allowed as long as you're a genuine tourist. What they are clamping down on is people using this to work illegally in the country.

Did TAT shoot themselves in a leg?

Whatever I might think of Russian tourists, - moneywise they were a huge chunk of tourist dollars here.

But not these who make the visa run every months......

Entry into Thailand (or anywhere else) is always at the discretion of the immigration officer. They don't need to give any reason for refusing entry no matter what the Kremlin might believe.

They have a contract with Russia. If they brake this contract Russia can also change the Visa rules for Thais.

good to see a western country standing up for it's citizens

wish mine would

True.....I doubt my country would care......The only citizen who count are the banksters....

So how exactly is the Russian government 'hitting back'? What a piece of garbage journalism.

Need some glasses?

“According to Paragraph 1 of a bilateral intergovernmental agreement [between Russia and Thailand], Russian tourists are allowed to enter Thailand for up to 30 days, after which they must leave the country, [but] the number of entries is not limited.”

i.e. they can do in and outs as many times as they wish.

I think this is the case with all/most countries. I think it's still allowed as long as you're a genuine tourist. What they are clamping down on is people using this to work illegally in the country.

Which was already in the rules - they are always allowed to ask to see hotel booking, money and proof of already booked onward travel.

The problem I think is they may be just denying entry without asking these questions first.

eg, A few years ago I was working in Singapore monday to friday, then returning to my home and family here. Yes, in hindsight I probably should have changed visa to marriage visa - but the immigration department themselves advised just going to tourist entry each weekend????

Watch out Thailand. Putin might annex Thailand next!

good to see a western country standing up for it's citizens

wish mine would

Western Country, do you need a map?

Entry into Thailand (or anywhere else) is always at the discretion of the immigration officer. They don't need to give any reason for refusing entry no matter what the Kremlin might believe.

They have a contract with Russia. If they brake this contract Russia can also change the Visa rules for Thais.

A contract??? Russia is not exactly a good place to go vacation for Thais or anyone

“If we believe their purpose in coming to Thailand is not what they say it is, then we will order them to leave and they will be blacklisted.
They will not be able to return to Thailand, ever.”

If we do not believe?
For what reason is there then the blacklisting?
That sounds like arbitrariness, according to there daily mood.

So how exactly is the Russian government 'hitting back'?

Dunno mate but there's a column of T-80's just rolled past me outside mid-town Asoke and the commander asked if I knew of any cheap seafood buffets in the area.

Thais do not need visa to go to Russia, that may change, maybe here is the warning.

“If we believe their purpose in coming to Thailand is not what they say it is, then we will order them to leave and they will be blacklisted.

They will not be able to return to Thailand, ever.”

If we do not believe?

For what reason is there then the blacklisting?

That sounds like arbitrariness, according to there daily mood.

Yes, the rules are based on personal judgement and belief and not actual prof of any kind. Its a total personal decision based on the immigration officers feeling and belief in the situation. Maybe that is why so much attention is put on the word "luck" here :-) Crossing borders is just like playing the lottery. Nothing called "benefit of the doubt" here.

Good luck to all :-)

Edited September 11, 201411 yr by khunpa

So how exactly is the Russian government 'hitting back'? What a piece of garbage journalism.

Need some glasses?

“According to Paragraph 1 of a bilateral intergovernmental agreement [between Russia and Thailand], Russian tourists are allowed to enter Thailand for up to 30 days, after which they must leave the country, [but] the number of entries is not limited.”

i.e. they can do in and outs as many times as they wish.

I think this is the case with all/most countries. I think it's still allowed as long as you're a genuine tourist. What they are clamping down on is people using this to work illegally in the country.

Right, because they are too lazy and incompetent to go out and actually catch them working

Russians?? Hold on while I switch on part of me that gives a damn............... FAILED

the former national commander of Thai Immigration, Lt Gen Pharnu Kerdlarpphon

Former, yeah, Thankfully he's not in that job anymore. No need to quote him really.

Edited September 11, 201411 yr by jspill

So how exactly is the Russian government 'hitting back'? What a piece of garbage journalism.

Maybe Thai Air should avoid over flying Russian territory (and any territory control by Russian backed terrorists).