Minister Kobkarn: Thailand needs to focus on quantity of tourism

[phoenixdoglover]

You do know she and Hillary Clinton went to the same school?

"... her stunning incompetence and blinding naivety..." does not lead her or any other tourism authorities to read this forum or any other media to find out what tourists think or want! No research into tourism is the way of the Ostrich (with head in sand). Ostrich = Kobkarn?

Seems to be a Thai trait - not wanting to learn from more successful people anywhere in the world. Promotion without research is a waste of time and money. But, I guess, do not understand "thainess".

I understand what Singapore has done in 50 years that Thailand cannot do in 100s of years!

Define "school". School of thought or what?

University

Kobkarn did not stick it out at Wellesley. She transferred to RISD. Maybe she wasn't into bra burning, or whatever else was going on at the time.

[elviajero]

The Farangs who come here year after year, and stay 2-3 months, have it harder and harder with ever changing ever more difficult visa policies. So the strategy is, let's make it more difficult for the tourists who are staying longer, and spending more, but try to get more of the same?

• A single entry tourist visa gives someone 2-3 months if they use the 30 day extension. One easy to obtain option.
• They are about to offer a 6 month multi entry tourist visa.

How exactly are they making it more difficult?

[thaimat]

The Farangs who come here year after year, and stay 2-3 months, have it harder and harder with ever changing ever more difficult visa policies. So the strategy is, let's make it more difficult for the tourists who are staying longer, and spending more, but try to get more of the same?

• A single entry tourist visa gives someone 2-3 months if they use the 30 day extension. One easy to obtain option.
• They are about to offer a 6 month multi entry tourist visa.

How exactly are they making it more difficult?

tourist visas have been getting shorter and shorter, the last few years. Student visas also more difficult. So if they do, in fact, offer a 6 month multi entry, hooray! Holding my breath on that one.

[elviajero]

The Farangs who come here year after year, and stay 2-3 months, have it harder and harder with ever changing ever more difficult visa policies. So the strategy is, let's make it more difficult for the tourists who are staying longer, and spending more, but try to get more of the same?

• A single entry tourist visa gives someone 2-3 months if they use the 30 day extension. One easy to obtain option.
• They are about to offer a 6 month multi entry tourist visa.

How exactly are they making it more difficult?

tourist visas have been getting shorter and shorter, the last few years. Student visas also more difficult. So if they do, in fact, offer a 6 month multi entry, hooray! Holding my breath on that one.

Actually tourist visas haven't changed in years, but you're right that student visas are more difficult. More difficult because of the abuse by people using them to stay long term in the country. The new tourist visa will be available from mid November.

[thaimat]

The Farangs who come here year after year, and stay 2-3 months, have it harder and harder with ever changing ever more difficult visa policies. So the strategy is, let's make it more difficult for the tourists who are staying longer, and spending more, but try to get more of the same?

• A single entry tourist visa gives someone 2-3 months if they use the 30 day extension. One easy to obtain option.
• They are about to offer a 6 month multi entry tourist visa.

How exactly are they making it more difficult?

tourist visas have been getting shorter and shorter, the last few years. Student visas also more difficult. So if they do, in fact, offer a 6 month multi entry, hooray! Holding my breath on that one.

Actually tourist visas haven't changed in years, but you're right that student visas are more difficult. More difficult because of the abuse by people using them to stay long term in the country. The new tourist visa will be available from mid November.

Haven't changed? You must be joking! From thaivisa: Final crackdown for border runners - New strict Immigration regulation in force from today http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725053-final-crackdown-for-border-runners-new-strict-immigration-regulation-in-force-from-today/

http://explorekohchang.com/updates-blogs/news/30-day-visa-exemption-rules-spotlight/

http://asiancorrespondent.com/122578/thailand-visa-run-crackdown-could-create-headaches-for-expats/

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/336015-no-more-free-thai-tourist-visas-from-march-5-2010/

http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/thailand/5051_thailand-visa-change-important-

[elviajero]

tourist visas have been getting shorter and shorter, the last few years. Student visas also more difficult. So if they do, in fact, offer a 6 month multi entry, hooray! Holding my breath on that one.

Actually tourist visas haven't changed in years, but you're right that student visas are more difficult. More difficult because of the abuse by people using them to stay long term in the country. The new tourist visa will be available from mid November.

Haven't changed? You must be joking! From thaivisa: Final crackdown for border runners - New strict Immigration regulation in force from today http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725053-final-crackdown-for-border-runners-new-strict-immigration-regulation-in-force-from-today/

http://explorekohchang.com/updates-blogs/news/30-day-visa-exemption-rules-spotlight/

http://asiancorrespondent.com/122578/thailand-visa-run-crackdown-could-create-headaches-for-expats/

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/336015-no-more-free-thai-tourist-visas-from-march-5-2010/

http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/thailand/5051_thailand-visa-change-important-

You said "TOURIST VISAS have been getting shorter. They haven't!

Now you talk about the Tourist Visa Exempt Scheme. This is not a Tourist visa. It is entry without a Tourist visa. But even if we include visa exempt entry you're still wrong. They reduced land border (only) entry to 15 days back in 2008. Later they increased that back to 30 days for G7 countries, and in 2014 they changed regulation to allow for visa exempt entries to be extended by 30 day extension making it possible to stay up to 60 days on one entry. That's longer not shorter as you claim.

The crackdown on border runners has nothing to do with tourist visa holders. It is to tackle illegal workers abusing the visa exempt scheme.

Edited October 7, 2015 by elviajero

[fred Kubasa]

Well at least it is immediately apparent, before too much damage is done,

toknow the new minister hasn't a clue how to do her job. There is NO

conceivable/legal/ nondiscriminatory way to qualify tourists as she

outlined !

You cannot tell airlines to get passenger financial statements

Travelers will not be told how much they must spend

How do you, other then money, determine who is " upscale" ?

What you do is offer incentives only affordable/desireable to

" upscale"travelers, not limited to money "deals" but,maybe:

A newspaper outside your door at 7 AM Coffee/tea maker in room

A Personal, your language, tour guide with auto

In room computer so you can leave yours at home

If wanted, top rated golf clubs at hand

Classy, educated, bilingual, ( no sex promised ), escort

Ala Carte food menue room or dining room for pre order

Room having, ( info collected ),favorite beverages/snacks ON ARRIVAL !

And hundreds of other " must haves" for VIPs giving them what THEY want

and not what Thailand offers -- damn little actually !