METV: I'm confused

[The manic]

The whole point of a multiple entry visa is you come and go as you please. No 60 day issues. No forced exits

No limits to exits and entries. That's what I mean by a multi visa. Otherwise it is hardly different to my current 6 month visa. Can somebody clarify this please?

Edited November 2, 2015 by The manic

[monk213]

I just spoke to the thai embassy in canberra australia and to apply for the new 6 month visa you have to be in your own country of residence and you cant do it from neighbouring countries so every 6 months you have to go home to re apply.. Its a multiple entry visa and you have to leave thailand every 60 days and it cost 225 australian dollars...

Are you <deleted> kidding me? So in practice if foreigners want this new visa we have to apply for it in our home land and then leave every 6 months to reapply in our home country? Ok then that is that idea out of the window for me the

Me too. I was looking forward to it until I realised I have to travel 24 hours to home country. My house there is rented out, and have no relatives able to accommodate me (at least not the ones that are talking to me). Maybe friends could help out there, but time moves on and they start families etc and I feel I would be imposing, so that would leave me with hotel as the only option.

I guess I'm reduced to 60+30 until I reach retirement age. A couple of people are suggesting we go take a look at neighbouring countries, which I'm not overly enthusiastic about, but it could be an option.

There's no way I am heading back to the UK twice a year just to live in Thailand forget that for a laugh. I wouldn't mind living in Laos if the visas were allowed to be back to back as unlimited, I in fact prefer Laos to Thailand often so that wouldn't be an issue, Cambodia or Myanmar is not up my street though

[elviajero]

The whole point of a multiple entry visa is you come and go as you please. No 60 day issues. No forced exits

No limits to exits and entries. That's what I mean by a multi visa. Otherwise it is hardly different to my current 6 month visa. Can somebody clarify this please?

• You can enter as often as you want during 6 months.
• The maximum time you can stay on each entry is 60 days.

[The manic]

Returning to Blighty every six months is ideal. You keep your right to free NHS treatment and you can see late spring, summer, and some autumn. Under current new rules if you are non resident for over three months you lose your your right to free NHS treatment.

[monk213]

Returning to Blighty every six months is ideal. You keep your right to free NHS treatment and you can see late spring, summer, and some autumn. Under current new rules if you are non resident for over three months you lose your your right to free NHS treatment.

One downside yes, especially for older folk unlike myself. But it is not really cost effective to me and it isn't something I would feel happy doing, SE Sia feels like home to me now in all honesty

[juice777]

I just spoke to the thai embassy in canberra australia and to apply for the new 6 month visa you have to be in your own country of residence and you cant do it from neighbouring countries so every 6 months you have to go home to re apply.. Its a multiple entry visa and you have to leave thailand every 60 days and it cost 225 australian dollars...

Are you <deleted> kidding me? So in practice if foreigners want this new visa we have to apply for it in our home land and then leave every 6 months to reapply in our home country? Ok then that is that idea out of the window for me the

Me too. I was looking forward to it until I realised I have to travel 24 hours to home country. My house there is rented out, and have no relatives able to accommodate me (at least not the ones that are talking to me). Maybe friends could help out there, but time moves on and they start families etc and I feel I would be imposing, so that would leave me with hotel as the only option.

I guess I'm reduced to 60+30 until I reach retirement age. A couple of people are suggesting we go take a look at neighbouring countries, which I'm not overly enthusiastic about, but it could be an option.

Same boat as me house rented out,friends all moved on and most of my family dead, suppose if i go back will just have 2 get a bed sit for a while work a bit come back, or a different country is there any cheaper ones in south East Asia I doubt it, but can i still get the 60 day visa?

Is that for certain at the moment anyway?

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Edited November 2, 2015 by juice777

[juice777]

Forget the METV for long stay it's just a trap. The easier way to stay in LOS is still the ED VISA. Of course it cost more but you can stay 1 year n Thailand whitout showing any proofs of revenue earned. I live in Pattaya so i know a scholl called Excel Language Centre who offer a 1 year ED Visa with english courses for 17 000 baths. And if you purpose is to stay Thailand only for sunny vacation you don't need to follow the english lesson. Ask the manager when you will apply, she is very comprehensive. You just need to be present when the police immigration come to check. That's all.

Yeah but will that be the next crack down, I would like to learn Thai but I can't be arsed if after I learn it I have 2 leave the country whats the point of that, also is that the total price 17000b what about extending it and is there a visa run before u get it?

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[juice777]

Returning to Blighty every six months is ideal. You keep your right to free NHS treatment and you can see late spring, summer, and some autumn. Under current new rules if you are non resident for over three months you lose your your right to free NHS treatment.

Yeah and I herd u will loose your tax free allowance soon,can you post a link where u herd about that please

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[muffinzman]

Sorry guys i just talked to the thai embassy in canberra again and now im confused. Today i was told you can apply from any country that has a thai embassy and when i asked do i have to be a resident of that country she said she didnt know so i have no idea now.... she did not know if there was a waiting period between applying either....I guess we have to wait until someone actually applies....

[monk213]

Sorry guys i just talked to the thai embassy in canberra again and now im confused. Today i was told you can apply from any country that has a thai embassy and when i asked do i have to be a resident of that country she said she didnt know so i have no idea now.... she did not know if there was a waiting period between applying either....I guess we have to wait until someone actually applies....

hahaha wow so it seems that the immigration officials there in Aus are just as incompetent as they are here.. must be in their genes or something man, or simple lack of communication coming from the top brass. Thanks anyway though and keep trying for us if you can

[monk213]

Forget the METV for long stay it's just a trap. The easier way to stay in LOS is still the ED VISA. Of course it cost more but you can stay 1 year n Thailand whitout showing any proofs of revenue earned. I live in Pattaya so i know a scholl called Excel Language Centre who offer a 1 year ED Visa with english courses for 17 000 baths. And if you purpose is to stay Thailand only for sunny vacation you don't need to follow the english lesson. Ask the manager when you will apply, she is very comprehensive. You just need to be present when the police immigration come to check. That's all.

Yeah but will that be the next crack down, I would like to learn Thai but I can't be arsed if after I learn it I have 2 leave the country whats the point of that, also is that the total price 17000b what about extending it and is there a visa run before u get it?

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

I had 4 years of EDs back to back in my passport and recently obtained a new multi entry tourist visa from Laos. When that is over and I have hd my extension, I may try my luck with another tourist visa (I like tripping it to Laos) and then by that point we all should know what's going on with this new shady illusive visa. If it is one where I need to head back to blighty every 6 months and that bs then I would either get an ED again (can speak Thai really we'll as it is obviously after 4 years of learning it) or I would pack up and head to Laos, lovely country and lovely people... dare I say more so than here

[monk213]

Returning to Blighty every six months is ideal. You keep your right to free NHS treatment and you can see late spring, summer, and some autumn. Under current new rules if you are non resident for over three months you lose your your right to free NHS treatment.

Yeah and I herd u will loose your tax free allowance soon,can you post a link where u herd about that please

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Back home I had never voted because I never agreed totally with what any of the parties represented, but the conservatives have really screwed a lot of people over this term and especially this law about leaving the country for x amount of months and not being able to have the benefit of the NHS, I can see why but that was set up for it's citizens, wherever we live, we are still their citizens at the end of the day. What a prick he is

[fey]

Seems like the easiest thing to do to keep things simple if your under 50 is:

Go in on a single entry and extend for the 90 days

Make plans to visit a neighboring country where the visa is guaranteed (ex cambodia, vietnam, phillippines, hong kong)

Apply for another single entry Thai visa while there

That way you don't have to make advance arrangements like buying plane tickets to show for multiple entries, and you don't have to worry about getting stranded with no backup plan or dealing with losing deposits on rentals

It just makes things easier and gives you control over flakey regulations and a system that's not implemented consistently and fairly

[kekalot]

Forget the METV for long stay it's just a trap. The easier way to stay in LOS is still the ED VISA. Of course it cost more but you can stay 1 year n Thailand whitout showing any proofs of revenue earned. I live in Pattaya so i know a scholl called Excel Language Centre who offer a 1 year ED Visa with english courses for 17 000 baths. And if you purpose is to stay Thailand only for sunny vacation you don't need to follow the english lesson. Ask the manager when you will apply, she is very comprehensive. You just need to be present when the police immigration come to check. That's all.

Yeah but will that be the next crack down, I would like to learn Thai but I can't be arsed if after I learn it I have 2 leave the country whats the point of that, also is that the total price 17000b what about extending it and is there a visa run before u get it?

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

I had 4 years of EDs back to back in my passport and recently obtained a new multi entry tourist visa from Laos. When that is over and I have hd my extension, I may try my luck with another tourist visa (I like tripping it to Laos) and then by that point we all should know what's going on with this new shady illusive visa. If it is one where I need to head back to blighty every 6 months and that bs then I would either get an ED again (can speak Thai really we'll as it is obviously after 4 years of learning it) or I would pack up and head to Laos, lovely country and lovely people... dare I say more so than here

are you sure that is still an option?

I might be ignorant about specific provinces law but in Phetchaburi I just signed up a few weeks ago for Walen and I can only get up to 1.5 years total nowadays.

which is split into 3x 6 months, something like beginner/intermediate/advanced

I was told it was "new rules" .

[JackThompson]

The biggest problem for me (& I suspect a lot of other people as well) would be the requirement for proof of employment/business ownership (I mean, who has a job where they can take 6 months off)!!! Do any of the guys who've asked the UK consulates know if the UK will be asking for this?

How hard is it to set up an LLC (or whatever business-entity) in the UK? Or, for that matter, in some other Euro country? The business does not have to incorporated in your residency. It's easy in many USA States - you could do it all via the Post. So far, no "income" requirements for the METV, so do not have to prove a salary.

Set up a shell company and documentation to show employment just to apply for a tourist visa? Note that there is no guarantee it will even be acceptable if they detect that the sole purpose of the company is to employ you. I will pass on that option, thank you very much.

"Documentation to show employment" - Not necessarily. Because they do not have an income requirement, you should need only show you own the company - ala "business registration" - and this would meet the "self employment" requirement. In the USA, what I do does not require a "license", but one can still "register" the business with the state or municipality for a small fee.

I formed one of my businesses for the sole purpose of making money for me as sole owner. I'll save the digression into US-law, paying a salary to self vs distributions of profits, taxes, etc. But for purposes of this visa - "self employed" - there is no need to show it is profitable and paying you a salary or other compensation. If it does not make a profit, you may even be able to deduct any expenses to maintain it as a loss / deduction from your total taxable income. See tax-regs in your country.

[Kitsune]

Forget the METV for long stay it's just a trap. The easier way to stay in LOS is still the ED VISA. Of course it cost more but you can stay 1 year n Thailand whitout showing any proofs of revenue earned. I live in Pattaya so i know a scholl called Excel Language Centre who offer a 1 year ED Visa with english courses for 17 000 baths. And if you purpose is to stay Thailand only for sunny vacation you don't need to follow the english lesson. Ask the manager when you will apply, she is very comprehensive. You just need to be present when the police immigration come to check. That's all.

Yeah but will that be the next crack down, I would like to learn Thai but I can't be arsed if after I learn it I have 2 leave the country whats the point of that, also is that the total price 17000b what about extending it and is there a visa run before u get it?

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

I had 4 years of EDs back to back in my passport and recently obtained a new multi entry tourist visa from Laos. When that is over and I have hd my extension, I may try my luck with another tourist visa (I like tripping it to Laos) and then by that point we all should know what's going on with this new shady illusive visa. If it is one where I need to head back to blighty every 6 months and that bs then I would either get an ED again (can speak Thai really we'll as it is obviously after 4 years of learning it) or I would pack up and head to Laos, lovely country and lovely people... dare I say more so than here

are you sure that is still an option?

I might be ignorant about specific provinces law but in Phetchaburi I just signed up a few weeks ago for Walen and I can only get up to 1.5 years total nowadays.

which is split into 3x 6 months, something like beginner/intermediate/advanced

I was told it was "new rules" .

under this rule, you can reapply after 2 years

[JackThompson]

There's no way I am heading back to the UK twice a year just to live in Thailand forget that for a laugh. I wouldn't mind living in Laos if the visas were allowed to be back to back as unlimited, I in fact prefer Laos to Thailand often so that wouldn't be an issue, Cambodia or Myanmar is not up my street though

Parts of Phnom Penh aren't bad - they even have decent Thai restaraunts there - but I know what you mean - it's just not the same. And if you have a Thai gf, not ideal at all. We haven't tried Vietnam, yet. The Philippines is back on the table as a backup. The gf has good English, so she would not be severely alienated there.

If you do head to Laos, please let us know what the current "fixer" price is for a long-term (business) visa. I considered this option, as my gf (Thai who speaks Lao-dialect) would be happy to live there for short periods. But getting into a "grey area" visa, and paying higher living-costs to not live on a cooler-coast (they don't have one) for poorer Internet and even electric service, is not what I am after.

[Asiantravel]

There's no way I am heading back to the UK twice a year just to live in Thailand forget that for a laugh. I wouldn't mind living in Laos if the visas were allowed to be back to back as unlimited, I in fact prefer Laos to Thailand often so that wouldn't be an issue, Cambodia or Myanmar is not up my street though

Parts of Phnom Penh aren't bad - they even have decent Thai restaraunts there - but I know what you mean - it's just not the same. And if you have a Thai gf, not ideal at all. We haven't tried Vietnam, yet. The Philippines is back on the table as a backup. The gf has good English, so she would not be severely alienated there.

If you do head to Laos, please let us know what the current "fixer" price is for a long-term (business) visa. I considered this option, as my gf (Thai who speaks Lao-dialect) would be happy to live there for short periods. But getting into a "grey area" visa, and paying higher living-costs to not live on a cooler-coast (they don't have one) for poorer Internet and even electric service, is not what I am after.

I do have to say though that having just spent two weeks in Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville and even Koh Kong , Cambodia is booming compared to Thailand. There is frantic construction work going on everywhere and there didn’t seem to be any sign at all of the economic desperation that seems to be setting into some businesses in Thailand such as the massage shops and bars being virtually empty.

The guesthouses and hotels there seem well patronised and I was told the Chinese are fuelling the construction boom including new casino hotels. There was also a noticeable presence of small business people from Taiwan and what I like is there just seems to be a lot more variety in Cambodia in terms of what businesses are offering compared to Thailand.

Many of these small businesses have been started by foreigners who are allowed complete ownership of their business unlike in Thailand so perhaps one is seeing more creativity there without the restrictions imposed here in Thailand.

[ubonjoe]

The door is starting to close on this topic. I have not seen an on topic post about the METV for several posts. Posts that are not on topic will be removed.

[monk213]

Forget the METV for long stay it's just a trap. The easier way to stay in LOS is still the ED VISA. Of course it cost more but you can stay 1 year n Thailand whitout showing any proofs of revenue earned. I live in Pattaya so i know a scholl called Excel Language Centre who offer a 1 year ED Visa with english courses for 17 000 baths. And if you purpose is to stay Thailand only for sunny vacation you don't need to follow the english lesson. Ask the manager when you will apply, she is very comprehensive. You just need to be present when the police immigration come to check. That's all.

Yeah but will that be the next crack down, I would like to learn Thai but I can't be arsed if after I learn it I have 2 leave the country whats the point of that, also is that the total price 17000b what about extending it and is there a visa run before u get it?

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

I had 4 years of EDs back to back in my passport and recently obtained a new multi entry tourist visa from Laos. When that is over and I have hd my extension, I may try my luck with another tourist visa (I like tripping it to Laos) and then by that point we all should know what's going on with this new shady illusive visa. If it is one where I need to head back to blighty every 6 months and that bs then I would either get an ED again (can speak Thai really we'll as it is obviously after 4 years of learning it) or I would pack up and head to Laos, lovely country and lovely people... dare I say more so than here

are you sure that is still an option?

I might be ignorant about specific provinces law but in Phetchaburi I just signed up a few weeks ago for Walen and I can only get up to 1.5 years total nowadays.

which is split into 3x 6 months, something like beginner/intermediate/advanced

I was told it was "new rules" .

Again Thailand seem to make their own rules from province to province and immigration office to office. I live in HH and my school I've been with, TLC, has been amazing for the standard of teaching and how they help you with visa issues.

One of the directing managers there told me before I went to Laos last month because my ED had ran out, she stated that I should get a tourist visa and then as my passport is going to be renewed it won't be an issue, then I can decide what I wish to do i.e. study with them, elsewhere or go somewhere else different visa etc

[monk213]

The door is starting to close on this topic. I have not seen an on topic post about the METV for several posts. Posts that are not on topic will be removed.

Well then lets get back on topic because it is does concern / intrigue me. It is also just the natural evolution of conversing, to tail form this to that and so forth.

Anyway we ALL need official word that is not hearsay or something not set in stone, we need to know

>how much it will cost

>how many border runs we must make

>where do we need to apply for it

>what are the requirements

>and can we re-enter Thailand an unlimited amount of times.

It's all so shady and they intend to release this new visa in 10 days ... pffft

[AYJAYDEE]

The door is starting to close on this topic. I have not seen an on topic post about the METV for several posts. Posts that are not on topic will be removed.

Well then lets get back on topic because it is does concern / intrigue me. It is also just the natural evolution of conversing, to tail form this to that and so forth.

Anyway we ALL need official word that is not hearsay or something not set in stone, we need to know

>how much it will cost

>how many border runs we must make

>where do we need to apply for it

>what are the requirements

>and can we re-enter Thailand an unlimited amount of times.

It's all so shady and they intend to release this new visa in 10 days ... pffft

I have friends trying to plan a holiday and they have no idea what kind of visas they will be able to get, how many times they can leave and re-enter thailand and when, how long they can be in the country etc etc

[chrisinth]

The biggest problem for me (& I suspect a lot of other people as well) would be the requirement for proof of employment/business ownership (I mean, who has a job where they can take 6 months off)!!!

Do any of the guys who've asked the UK consulates know if the UK will be asking for this?

How hard is it to set up an LLC (or whatever business-entity) in the UK? Or, for that matter, in some other Euro country? The business does not have to incorporated in your residency. It's easy in many USA States - you could do it all via the Post. So far, no "income" requirements for the METV, so do not have to prove a salary.

Considering at the end of the day that we are talking about a tourist visa, albeit multi entry, for the destination country needing all the information reference jobs, bank statements (as said, no income requirements yet............ ) from a potential tourist, would the average tourist not question the reasons for wanting to visit in the first place?

If i was a tourist, i certainly would. The METV visa will not be the right visa for all, that's for sure.

[BritTim]

Considering at the end of the day that we are talking about a tourist visa, albeit multi entry, for the destination country needing all the information reference jobs, bank statements (as said, no income requirements yet............ ) from a potential tourist, would the average tourist not question the reasons for wanting to visit in the first place?

If i was a tourist, i certainly would. The METV visa will not be the right visa for all, that's for sure.

I agree with you. However, it is worth mentioning that those from most African nations are already obliged to provide similar information to get a tourist visa. Plus, they must apply in person at their home country Thai embassy for potential interview. Perhaps, the ultimate aim of the MFA is home country applcation for all visas, and the only easy option for tourists, if lucky with your nationality, a limited number of visa exempt entries.

[AYJAYDEE]

Considering at the end of the day that we are talking about a tourist visa, albeit multi entry, for the destination country needing all the information reference jobs, bank statements (as said, no income requirements yet............ ) from a potential tourist, would the average tourist not question the reasons for wanting to visit in the first place?

If i was a tourist, i certainly would. The METV visa will not be the right visa for all, that's for sure.

I agree with you. However, it is worth mentioning that those from most African nations are already obliged to provide similar information to get a tourist visa. Plus, they must apply in person at their home country Thai embassy for potential interview. Perhaps, the ultimate aim of the MFA is home country applcation for all visas, and the only easy option for tourists, if lucky with your nationality, a limited number of visa exempt entries.

then theyre missing the boat on retiree tourism. Hawaii, Texas, Florida,Arizona, California, Carolinas, Mexico and Central America spend millions to lure that demographic.

[elviajero]

The biggest problem for me (& I suspect a lot of other people as well) would be the requirement for proof of employment/business ownership (I mean, who has a job where they can take 6 months off)!!!

Do any of the guys who've asked the UK consulates know if the UK will be asking for this?

How hard is it to set up an LLC (or whatever business-entity) in the UK? Or, for that matter, in some other Euro country? The business does not have to incorporated in your residency. It's easy in many USA States - you could do it all via the Post. So far, no "income" requirements for the METV, so do not have to prove a salary.

Considering at the end of the day that we are talking about a tourist visa, albeit multi entry, for the destination country needing all the information reference jobs, bank statements (as said, no income requirements yet............ ) from a potential tourist, would the average tourist not question the reasons for wanting to visit in the first place?

If i was a tourist, i certainly would. The METV visa will not be the right visa for all, that's for sure.

Would the average tourist need a 6 month multiple entry visa or would the single entry visa be more than enough for the average tourist?

[Kitsune]

The biggest problem for me (& I suspect a lot of other people as well) would be the requirement for proof of employment/business ownership (I mean, who has a job where they can take 6 months off)!!!

Do any of the guys who've asked the UK consulates know if the UK will be asking for this?

How hard is it to set up an LLC (or whatever business-entity) in the UK? Or, for that matter, in some other Euro country? The business does not have to incorporated in your residency. It's easy in many USA States - you could do it all via the Post. So far, no "income" requirements for the METV, so do not have to prove a salary.

Considering at the end of the day that we are talking about a tourist visa, albeit multi entry, for the destination country needing all the information reference jobs, bank statements (as said, no income requirements yet............ ) from a potential tourist, would the average tourist not question the reasons for wanting to visit in the first place?

If i was a tourist, i certainly would. The METV visa will not be the right visa for all, that's for sure.

That signs the death warrant of backpackers

[elviajero]

The biggest problem for me (& I suspect a lot of other people as well) would be the requirement for proof of employment/business ownership (I mean, who has a job where they can take 6 months off)!!!

Do any of the guys who've asked the UK consulates know if the UK will be asking for this?

How hard is it to set up an LLC (or whatever business-entity) in the UK? Or, for that matter, in some other Euro country? The business does not have to incorporated in your residency. It's easy in many USA States - you could do it all via the Post. So far, no "income" requirements for the METV, so do not have to prove a salary.

Considering at the end of the day that we are talking about a tourist visa, albeit multi entry, for the destination country needing all the information reference jobs, bank statements (as said, no income requirements yet............ ) from a potential tourist, would the average tourist not question the reasons for wanting to visit in the first place?

If i was a tourist, i certainly would. The METV visa will not be the right visa for all, that's for sure.

That signs the death warrant of backpackers

Why!

Do you know how many backpackers buy 2 or 3 entry TR's.

How long the average backpacker stays in Thailand.

How many times they exit/re-enter.

Most backpackers are gap year students that travel through many countries. Surely a 90 day stay in Thailand is enough for most. If not they could get another SETV or use visa exempt entry.

You're predicting unnecessary doom and gloom.

[BritTim]

The biggest problem for me (& I suspect a lot of other people as well) would be the requirement for proof of employment/business ownership (I mean, who has a job where they can take 6 months off)!!!

Do any of the guys who've asked the UK consulates know if the UK will be asking for this?

How hard is it to set up an LLC (or whatever business-entity) in the UK? Or, for that matter, in some other Euro country? The business does not have to incorporated in your residency. It's easy in many USA States - you could do it all via the Post. So far, no "income" requirements for the METV, so do not have to prove a salary.

Considering at the end of the day that we are talking about a tourist visa, albeit multi entry, for the destination country needing all the information reference jobs, bank statements (as said, no income requirements yet............ ) from a potential tourist, would the average tourist not question the reasons for wanting to visit in the first place?

If i was a tourist, i certainly would. The METV visa will not be the right visa for all, that's for sure.

Would the average tourist need a 6 month multiple entry visa or would the single entry visa be more than enough for the average tourist?

Most tourists of the kind you are visualizing would be perfectly well served by visa exempt entries. Those not well served by this approach fall into two main groups

• Wealthy individuals, digital nomads, oill workers who wish to enter the country frequently without hassle for varying lengths of time. Some of these may have special reasons to choose Thailand, and may be willing to accept hassles to come here. Most will simply go elsewhere if coming to Thailand is inconvenient.
• People of limited means who have a strong desire to live specifically in Thailand. Often, they have partners or children here. Often, they do not qualify for Non-O visas or long-term extensions. Some of these individuals will be working illegally, but (if Westerners) rarely in occupations where they compete with Thais for the same jobs. Such people are only mildly beneficial to the local economy, but do no harm and there are frequently compassionate reasons why it would be better if they could remain.

The METV , as I currently understand the requirements, is not appropriate for either group.

[AYJAYDEE]

Why!

Do you know how many backpackers buy 2 or 3 entry TR's.

How long the average backpacker stays in Thailand.

How many times they exit/re-enter.

Most backpackers are gap year students that travel through many countries. Surely a 90 day stay in Thailand is enough for most. If not they could get another SETV or use visa exempt entry.

You're predicting unnecessary doom and gloom.

a lot of them base themseves in thailand and come and go often