dundee_thailand Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 TOURIST VISA EXEMPTION IN EFFECT FROM 5TH MARCH In a bid to promote tourism Thailand is removing the requirement of a tourist visa for all travelers for a period of three months starting from Thursday, 5th March 2009. The exemption was announced by Tharit Charungvat, Director-General of the Department of Information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Usually, Thailand gives a Visa On Arrival to citizens of 20 countries for a period not exceeding 15 days, and a visa-free stay for travelers from another 42 countries for up to 30 days. The new ruling effectively waives the Tourist Visa On Arrival and visitors no longer have to apply for a tourist visa to Thailand at Thai consulates and embassies worldwide. However those wishing to stay for longer periods will have to apply for a visa before arriving in Thailand. This allows for a stay of up to 60 days and will be free of charge. All foreigners applying for a visa other than a tourist visa must still pay the regular price. On 3rd February the Thai government also approved a visa exemption scheme for transit passengers at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. Aimed specifically at the 1000 passengers a day who have to wait for up to 8 hours for connecting flights, the waiver will allow transit passengers to leave the airport for a short visit to the local area. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is personally involved in the efforts to revive tourism following the political unrest, and to offset the impact of the global financial crisis. The TAT is expecting tourist arrivals to reach 14 million in 2009, producing revenue of 505 billion Baht. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grezzzy_greer Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Hm... I wonder how much effect this will have - its a good idea I would say - but I thought the main tourist numbers come from countries that get a Visa Waiver for 30 days anyway (UK, Germany, Australia, US etc)...I could be wrong of course... I am glad to see the TAT and government working on plans to help the industry - I really hope it can help the small operators as well - they are usually the ones who feel the pinch first... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeusbheld Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 i think they're desperate enough to accommodate border runners and illegal english teachers at this point, and fishing for any contribution to the economy they can get. also, its' less about who it affects than about recreating the perception of a tourist-friendly place, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oo.Cloud.oO Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 interesting.... think its gonna make much of a difference though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riga71 Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Well, the OP should have posted the sourece od the new. Anyway as I uderstand it the Visa exemption will last for the next 3 months (from 5th march to 4th June), in which case zhere wont be a great effect on tourism. Maybe they are doing tests on how such a new policy would work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dundee_thailand Posted March 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Do a border run to Cambodja on the 4th of june, and that's another 3 months you can stay. So this exeption is working at least until 4th. of september. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beej Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Its not a 3 months VOA is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riga71 Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Do a border run to Cambodja on the 4th of june, and that's another 3 months you can stay.So this exeption is working at least until 4th. of september. Here the source I found: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Tourist-Visa-Fee-Exemption-Begins-T-t247371.html According to this you wont get a entry visa of 3 months, but only that you wont riquire a Visa to stay in the country until 4th of june. A run to Cambodia on 4th of June will provide you a 30 days tourist visa I guess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oo.Cloud.oO Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Do a border run to Cambodja on the 4th of june, and that's another 3 months you can stay.So this exeption is working at least until 4th. of september. hmmmm what if u gota non immigrant education student visa that ends in april do one run, then another in june? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nzguy Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 this is very good news if it is accurate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riga71 Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Do a border run to Cambodja on the 4th of june, and that's another 3 months you can stay.So this exeption is working at least until 4th. of september. hmmmm what if u gota non immigrant education student visa that ends in april do one run, then another in june? It should be so. But maybe you can avoid the first run going to the immigration office and ask if you are allowed to stay until 4th of june without a visa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LakeGeneve Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Do a border run to Cambodja on the 4th of june, and that's another 3 months you can stay.So this exeption is working at least until 4th. of september. I would be careful about giving such suggestions until enough people have tested the temp waiver. I would not be surprised if whoever went across the border at Aran, spent a few hours on the tables with all the Thais in the refined atmosphere of the tacky Poipet casinos, would then return to Thailand and receive a 15 day visa per the recent rule change of VOA at land border crossings. When it comes to immigration rule changes don't assume implemetation, conformity or uniformity at every immigration point. Wait until a few have tested the system first and then expect the unexpected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterMatlock Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Nothing like a country, who wants to be seen as a tourist-friendly destination, making things so crystal clear when it comes to their immigration rules and regulations. :thumbleft: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beej Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 You know what? ....Its all a pile of ****, there will be a new equally as bullshit new rule next month, then the month after, no one will follow them, none of them will work and it'll all be as f**ked as it normally is! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterMatlock Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 You know what?....Its all a pile of sh*t, there will be a new equally as bullshit new rule next month, then the month after, no one will follow them, none of them will work and it'll all be as f**ked as it normally is! Agreed. If there's one certainty in this country, it's changing the rules every month just to keep the farang from getting too comfy here. Even on a one year visa, I need to go to immigration every 90 days to give them my address. I could tell them I live in Timbuktu, Nakhorn Si Nowhere, Thailand... And the immigration "official" (read "bored off his/her ass paper pusher") wouldn't even blink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeusbheld Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 You know what?....Its all a pile of sh*t, there will be a new equally as bullshit new rule next month, then the month after, no one will follow them, none of them will work and it'll all be as f**ked as it normally is! Agreed. If there's one certainty in this country, it's changing the rules every month just to keep the farang from getting too comfy here. Even on a one year visa, I need to go to immigration every 90 days to give them my address. I could tell them I live in Timbuktu, Nakhorn Si Nowhere, Thailand... And the immigration "official" (read "bored off his/her a*s paper pusher") wouldn't even blink. a confession? a friend of mine <coughs> ... did that .... made up addresses and stuff. it wasn't--according to him, i mean--it wasn't out of spite, he just can't remember his address. don't worry though i--errrr he--can find his way home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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