Long stay visa: Cabinet decision today on "premium" visitors who will have "freedom" of Thailand

[DrTuner]

The entire immigration is a mess. If they had brains, they'd overhaul the whole thing now that they have a chance, specifically doing short term (90day), long term (1y at a time up to max 5y) and PR (applications accepted after 3 years). Dozens of countries have it right, Thailand has made a convoluted mess out of it in trying to keep the farangs in while making sure they can be kicked out at moment's notice.

Edited September 15, 2020 by DrTuner

[CorpusChristie]

4 minutes ago, DrTuner said:

The entire immigration is a mess. If they had brains, they'd overhaul the whole thing now that they have a chance, specifically doing short term (90day), long term (1y at a time up to max 5y) and PR (applications accepted after 3 years). Dozens of countries have it right, Thailand has made a convoluted mess out of it in trying to keep the farangs in while making sure they can be kicked out at moment's notice.

Thailand has quite lenient immigrations rules .

Many Countries only allow foreigners to stay a maximum of 6 months per year

[RichardColeman]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

He noted the devastating effect of the pandemic on the tourism sector. Foreign tourism is two thirds of the total and 20% of GDP and 2.5 million people in the tourism workforce face redundancy if the country is not opened up in the fourth quarter. 

If foreign tourism is now being admitted as 20% of Thai income , they will really be up the creek soon, and if those 2.5 hit the dole queues already million plus  then there'll be at least 10% unemployment in Thailand soon for the holiness PM to try and avoid paying out on.

[Dogbarker]

But I have a visa  with extension based on retirement with sentry permit and required 800,000 in the bank . I cannot come back. Have no Thai wife or kids.   Visa expires in February. I spend split time in Thailand and UK.  So at this point not welcomed on current visa but this  new tourist visa welcolmed..... Maybe I can get that and keep less money in Thailand.  !!!

[Emdog]

5 hours ago, Fex Bluse said:

Another half-baked scheme from these people. Let's see what visa they roll-out later this week. Seems like they propose a new, conflicting idea weekly. 

SE Asia not really known for baking, half or otherwise... "The Great Thai Bake Off"? More like "stir crazy fried"

Must admit spring roll (outs) tasty when fresh.

[yellowboat]

It is not a visa but a product from immigration LTD.  Thailand must have one of the most manipulated visa in the world.  ????    

[vandeventer]

4 hours ago, GeorgeCross said:

so anyone hear of any talk about amnesty extension on today's agenda?

 

There is no money in Amnesty only in 100 tourist visas. It would be nice if they let the thousands of people know whats going on with the Amnesty as many still can't fly home. It's called empathy!!!

[rumak]

5 hours ago, JCP108 said:

while a few I know have now bought in Palm Springs California

Hope they enjoy it .   The only problem with that for me is .......... I'd have to live in Palm Springs ...USA !

 

given that choice,  i'll take the quarantine .  throw in the waterboarding.   anything, but don't send me

back to the USA .     

[El Matador]

They should rename this as "Masochist Visa" instead of "Tourist Visa".

 

[Wuvu2]

"The long stay visa will be for 90 days but can be extended twice so that the visitor can stay up to 270 days. "

 

So a person can stay 270 days for 2,000 baht,  but to live here 365 supporting the local economy I need 800,000 baht in Thai bank + 1900/year for the renewal?  It's well past time for the Thai government show a little appreciation for those of us that contribute to the Thai economy as a long term lifestyle.  

[alyx]

1 hour ago, androokery said:

Are these the prices that you suggest should be offered?

I don't think @CapeTown is suggesting anything (correct me if I am wrong ) but is the current lowest cost for any allowed foreigner if one wants to go to Thailand (not mentioning the different hassles and hurdles before one gets the OK)

[alyx]

1 hour ago, androokery said:

What bank? Tourists don't have Thai bank accounts...

I guess that @GeorgeCross was referring to the bank account of the foreigner's country of residence 

That being said, I have a Thai bank account although I am a tourist

[rupert the bear]

its written the visitors  must abide to the rules that returning thais do.the biggest problem health wise is this-thais do not carry a covid 19 free pcr test so you must sit on a plane with many statistically proven infected cases,this is a big problem.make it equal get them tested.the insurance scam too,if theyve been tested pcr neg then in quarantine they upon leaving can only be infected internally from a thai infection ,so.....why the ned for this insurance they are equal to people with in the country by your own admittance.anyone can see this why cant the authorities,stupid stupid land again

[Enoon]

 

3/10

"Must try harder"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 15, 2020 by Enoon

[J Town]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

In many ways it will be a soft opening with only hundreds expected per month

Rather bold to think even this many will WANT to come under these circumstances.

[Bender Rodriguez]

place your BETS ....

 

add a poll to this post...

[androokery]

41 minutes ago, alyx said:

I don't think @CapeTown is suggesting anything (correct me if I am wrong ) but is the current lowest cost for any allowed foreigner if one wants to go to Thailand (not mentioning the different hassles and hurdles before one gets the OK)

I just thought the numbers were low, given the stories about how the coach/tourist class tickets sell out really quickly on the flights. Which means non-Thais are left with business and first class. And that the cheaper accommodations are not available when you want to book - and you really want to book something at that point since you have just managed to secure a flight. People also tend to take more than one PCR test, since the turn-around time is 48-72 hours for the results.

I expect the total cost to be more like USD 4500-6000.  

Edited September 15, 2020 by androokery

[ourmanflint]

Unless this is a normal 2000 baht 90 day visa, I doubt it will be very popular. Adding any financial requirements will be a big hindrance to visitors

[NorthernRyland]

1 hour ago, CorpusChristie said:

Thailand has quite lenient immigrations rules .

Many Countries only allow foreigners to stay a maximum of 6 months per year

But Thailand is a 3rd world country which foreigners enjoy because it's cheap and easy living. The reason immigration is harder in other countries is because they're trying to keep OUT poorer people (like Thais) which are coming to work and make more money then they could back home. Essentially, Thailand is importing foreign currency and European countries are importing foreign labor. The calculation for immigration is completely different.

 

The Thai government seems to think because they've imported some fancy cars and Starbucks that now they're comparable to European countries. I think however they're seriously mistaken and they'll find out whitey simply will not come back to Thailand if they make it too difficult for us.

[Psimbo]

Open to 'Premium' visitors- so only poor people carry the virus do they? Sa-weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet. ????

[Mung]

How about applying a visa and treatment that most Thais can expect when they travel to the US or the UK as example? Once the visa is obtained, they are free to go where they like, whenever they like, without reporting every 90 days like a criminal. Here in the UK I have a guy who lives 2 doors down with a Thai wife and their little baby son, I am sure she hasn't seen the inside of an immigration office here whatsoever.  

[Psimbo]

2 minutes ago, genericptr said:

But Thailand is a 3rd world country which foreigners enjoy because it's cheap and easy living. The reason immigration is harder in other countries is because they're trying to keep OUT poorer people (like Thais) which are coming to work and make more money then they could back home. Essentially, Thailand is importing foreign currency and European countries are importing foreign labor. The calculation for immigration is completely different.

 

The Thai government seems to think because they've imported some fancy cars and Starbucks that now they're comparable to European countries. I think however they're seriously mistaken and they'll find out whitey simply will not come back to Thailand if they make it too difficult for us.

Errrr- no and it hasn't been for years. '3rd World' is a mis-used phrased and used to apply to non-aligned countries. I can assure you Thailand is NOT cheap and hasn't been for about ten years

 

Thailand is regarded as a 'developing Nation'- its healthcare, transportation infrastructure, education, communicatios, etc is far ahead of other countries in the region such as Laos, and Cambodia and is well above the carpholes that constitute most true '3rd world' countries in Africa.

[NorthernRyland]

2 minutes ago, Mung said:

How about applying a visa and treatment that most Thais can expect when they travel to the US or the UK as example?

We should give Thais the same visa we get in Thailand when they arrive in our country. Most importantly they should be banned from owning property until Thailand lifts restrictions here.

[NorthernRyland]

1 minute ago, Psimbo said:

Thailand is regarded as a 'developing Nation'- its healthcare, transportation infrastructure, education, communicatios, etc is far ahead of other countries in the region such as Laos, and Cambodia and is well above the carpholes that constitute most true '3rd world' countries in Africa.

None of these are technical terms. The point is Thailand imports foreign currency with immigration and the 1st world nations import foreign labor.

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Visitors must follow all the health department regulations just as Thais do and must go to hotels for the 14 day quarantine under the Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) guidelines. They must also have health certificates like "fit to fly" within 72 hours and adequate insurance.

They will choose other more friendly destinations for 2021 and possibly come back here when sense prevails.

[NorthernRyland]

4 minutes ago, CorpusChristie said:

Thailand is no longer "Cheap" , its only cheap if you want to live like a local , if you want a Western standard existence , costs are comparable to the West .

That's because everything is imported and prices are inflated. If you're living a western lifestyle in Thailand then I have no idea why you'd stay here.

[nickmondo]

hilarious

[mybeat]

Quote

They must also have health certificates like "fit to fly" within 72 hours and adequate insurance.

Does this mean that no pre-flight test is required now? 

[newnative]

   Way over-thinking this.  Just let anyone in who agrees to a 14 day quarantine and testing.  Give them all a 1 year free visa and the thanks of a grateful nation. 

[alyx]

41 minutes ago, androokery said:

I just thought the numbers were low, given the stories about how the coach/tourist class tickets sell out really quickly on the flights. Which means non-Thais are left with business and first class. And that the cheaper accommodations are not available when you want to book - and you really want to book something at that point since you have just managed to secure a flight. People also tend to take more than one PCR test, since the turn-around time is 48-72 hours for the results.

I expect the total cost to be more like USD 4500-6000.  

From my friends’ experience the cost quoted is correct. They have secured a repatriation flight for the end of the month. The only difference would be the hotel ( 32000 Baht is the cheapest option ) which you have to have confirmed prior to ask for repatriation