OMGImInPattaya Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 You would imagine that a country in the early stages of tourism decline and economic demise would scrap visa fees and visa tedium. Clearly that's not the case in LoS. It would seem that a hidden agenda is playing out. Every new procedure or announcement from immigration seems to add another layer of difficulties or costs to staying here. Is the real agenda to drive out everyone other than short stay tourists?What does an increase in VISA ON ARRIVAL fees have to do with any supposed "difficulties or costs" of staying here long term? I would say Thailand is one of the most easy countries in the world to stay long term if one is retired or meets some basic requirements if not...try washing up in most countries with a a pension of a couple thousand dollars and attempt to live there.Who mentioned long term ... Not me. This thread is about tourist (visa on arrival) visas. Let me explain in another way ......Normally a country wishing (hoping) to encourage tourism scraps or reduces visa procedures and fees. Clearly, the powers that prevail (at the moment) in Thailand do not subscribe to that train of thought. Maybe try re-reading your own post...something about driving out everyone except short stay tourists. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happysanook Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 My take on this is that they want people to apply for visas in their own country to enable proper checks to be done. Increasing the price may encourage that.Or it may encourage people to look at alternative destinations which don't overcharge and scrutinise you. So fine...who cares. If they don't want some scrutiny Thailand doesn't need them mucking about and if a $50 visa fee on a 2000-3000 vacation is a deciding factor disuades them from coming, well, Thailand doesn't need them either. And my reading is the visa fees at embassis and consulates remains the same...and it's being raised for arrival visas to cut down on the horrendous lines and congestion at the airport. With that reasoning, why not just make it 10k baht. Or 20k. That's not much compared to what one usually spends on a holiday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jspill Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 You would imagine that a country in the early stages of tourism decline and economic demise would scrap visa fees and visa tedium. Clearly that's not the case in LoS. It would seem that a hidden agenda is playing out. Every new procedure or announcement from immigration seems to add another layer of difficulties or costs to staying here. Is the real agenda to drive out everyone other than short stay tourists? What does an increase in VISA ON ARRIVAL fees have to do with any supposed "difficulties or costs" of staying here long term? I would say Thailand is one of the most easy countries in the world to stay long term if one is retired or meets some basic requirements if not...try washing up in most countries with a a pension of a couple thousand dollars and attempt to live there. Ahem... maybe Bill was right about every new procedure or proposal adding a layer of costs... http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888637-maintenance-fee-for-all-foreign-tourists-proposed-by-tourism-governor/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sree777 Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 Increasing visa fees by 100% is criminal looting. In the name of security? Can Thai govt control security by increasing visa fees? Is the country very secure internally and drugs and killings taking place is sponsored by support from corrupt govt officials including police.why should we go to Thailand? Shopping is not that cheap compared to before.then their sex business.foreigners should stop visiting Thailand cos that will stop their greedy for money by this type of loot.what are they selling to tourists?their sex bars? Hell with Thai sex tourism and visa fee looting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannot Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 a much bigger threat are the officers themselves who will let you in no questions asked for a fee under the table but obviously we cant do anything about that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannot Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 On 1/21/2016 at 6:40 PM, brewsterbudgen said: VOA affects such a small proportion of tourists so it will minimal effect on general tourist numbers. not according to immigration who are unable to deal with it and all the "delays" its causing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMA_FARANG Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 As has been poinyed out before on this subject there is a big difference between a visa exempt arrival available to certain nationalities and a visa on arrival. A visa exempt arrival is what many European and U.K. arrivals are familiar with. It is free, and allows a free 30 day stay to those who qualify for it. A visa on arrival is different and it is often what a indian national gets on arrival. if as a European, U.K. or U.S. tourist if you had your eyes open to see while you were on the walkways to immigration, you probably wnt past a groip of indians queued up before you got to immigration where there was a sign that said "Visa on Arrival" at the airport. Many people don't even notice it, but that is where those that need to pay for their visa on arrival. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 There is a newer topic about the VOA fees that stated the fee was raised to 2000 baht on September 27th. Then new fee is shown on this VOA application form. http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/download/form_voa.pdf No need for further discussion. Topic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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