Bruce1 Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 If you roll up to a national park gate with your Thai social security card they are supposed to give you the local price, but sometimes they refuse to believe it. Get a Thai partner to do the negotiating... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deejay777 Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 No need to waive entrance fees to National parks - just charge 1 price for all, instead of dual pricing And tell those <deleted> at Flight of the Gibbon in Chiang Mai to charge 1 price for all. My wife was disgusted yesterday when she phoned for info and was told 1,300 baht for Thais and 2,300 baht for farangs. Doesn't exactly help tourism here and just irritates, as does the old Thai motto of putting up prices when times are hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingLex Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 And what about the hunting ad foreigners who living hier ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SomchaiCNX Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 No need to waive entrance fees to National parks - just charge 1 price for all, instead of dual pricing And tell those <deleted> at Flight of the Gibbon in Chiang Mai to charge 1 price for all. My wife was disgusted yesterday when she phoned for info and was told 1,300 baht for Thais and 2,300 baht for farangs. Doesn't exactly help tourism here and just irritates, as does the old Thai motto of putting up prices when times are hard. And.... spending almost 2 hours in a car do something "so called" eco-friendly is ...... they (behind the project) most be from Texas for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rethaired Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 Visa fees, low air rates, <<< have you SEEN some of the deals to Vegas? There are travel deals everywhere right now.My mom won't come with us to Thailand and my oldest daughter won't let me take my grandaughter, either, even though it would be FREE for them. They have this strange notion that there is political unrest, riots, bombings, and airport closures, plus increased crime against tourists. What can I tell them? Maybe the Thai Minister should do something about the little * on the Official Canadian Government Travel advisory site!?>>> Travel Reports offer information on safety and security, local laws and customs, entry requirements, health conditions and other important travel issues. Countries with an asterisk (*) currently contain a Travel Warning, indicating that Canadians should either avoid non-essential travel to the country or to specific region(s) of the country, or avoid all travel to the country or to specific region(s) of the country. I KNOW, some of the coutries with NO * probably have more dangerous areas than most of Thailand; but a few years of political stability would do more for tourism than some 'travel deals.' Thailand * Exercise high degree of cautionAvoid non-essential travelAvoid all travel During the fall of 2008 mass demonstrations in Bangkok caused many casualties and injuries as a result of violent clashes and the use of explosive devices. Demonstrators also forced the temporary closure of Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, while political conflict and protests on a smaller scale in other areas of the country also resulted in casualties and temporarily closed some provincial airports. Political uncertainty remains and further demonstrations could occur at any time. Canadians are advised to avoid any areas that appear to or are affected by protest activity. Canadians in Bangkok should exercise caution, follow advice of local authorities, and monitor local media. I suspect the idea is that countries like Canada do not want Canadians to go abroad to spend their money or is it about scaring everyone so you can control them a little bit more? Considering past events I am getting to be more and more skeptical about the ethics of anyone or any reports. Maybe I should change my name to "Cynical"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatman Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 So... now they should go further and change the banking system. It's stupidly difficult and expensive to get money into Thailand banks for family back in Thailand. I always thought that situation was the epitome of dumb. A country with roadblocks that keep funds out is self-destructive. From my own personal experience I can send funds from uk to thai bank takes less than 2 days done this several times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud96 Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Shucks, just got a 2x 60 day Tourist visa from Laos last week! Any word on if the waiver will apply to visa extensions? And is it safe to assume that the visa is waived if applied for in that time frame (3 months or 6 months, whatever it is), or is it only if you enter the country within that time? Wonder if the airfare reductions will include one way flights to the states booked within the timeframe but taken out of the timeframe... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgarfriendly Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 free visas? is there any info on this?? or not? ef Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maestro Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 At the moment it is only newspaper reports about what some politicians say. Don't hold your breath waiting for it to happen. -- Maestro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rinrada Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Price Per Adult: GBP 497. Price Per Adult: GBP 497.00 Including GBP 182.00 Tax and Fees Flight from London (LHR) to Bangkok (BKK) View Fare Rules Thai Airways International From: London - Heathrow Airport (LHR) Departure: 12 February 2009 21:35 Economy To: Bangkok - Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) Arrival: Flight No: TG 917 13 February 2009 15:55 Direct Flight Inbound Thai Airways International From: Bangkok - Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) Departure: 19 February 2009 13:30 Economy To: London - Heathrow Airport (LHR) Flight No: TG 916 19 February 2009 19:35 Direct Flight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rinrada Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Price Per Adult: GBP 497.Price Per Adult: GBP 497.00 Including GBP 182.00 Tax and Fees Flight from London (LHR) to Bangkok (BKK) View Fare Rules Thai Airways International From: London - Heathrow Airport (LHR) Departure: 12 February 2009 21:35 Economy To: Bangkok - Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) Arrival: Flight No: TG 917 13 February 2009 15:55 Direct Flight Inbound Thai Airways International From: Bangkok - Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) Departure: 19 February 2009 13:30 Economy To: London - Heathrow Airport (LHR) Flight No: TG 916 19 February 2009 19:35 Direct Flight sorry didnt mention company...West East..... although have also seem some other similar £££ prices around. Wiffee has to go back to LOS for a week or so to deal with some business ...so.after looking went with TG Even Etii is getting bit peng....and she dosnt fancy a stop on her own in Bombay... so not too bad for less the 25K bt..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pui Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Nobody cares about the price of national parks. its just annoying (for some) that locals enter for free. Air tickets don't matter that much as long as its cheap when you get here. The bigger problem in my opinion is the exchange rate. Lots of queries about Non-b and other long terms visa. Will they be discounted? Not likely as these are not tourist incentives. The post states that tourism accounts for 7 - 8% of GDP My understanding is that exports account for about 70% I export furniture from Thailand on a relatively small scale and this project is completely on hold until the exchange rate improves. Simply cannot make a profit. But consider the impact of companies like Tesco who export from Thailand on a very large scale. With the British economy doing so badly it wouldn't surprise me if these and similar foreign companies with a lot of buying power, can't bring the baht down. My hope is that after the tourist season the government will devalue the baht to encourage exports. If they do not larger companies may stop spending as tourists are. This would have a much bigger effect on the Thai economy than less tourists. Losing a chunk of 70% would be catastrophic, surely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnwills Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 "the main target markets are China, India, the Middle East, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan." Maybe they consider us Farang too "clued up" on the way things work over here and that they cannot empty our wallets so easily these days and that tourist from the countries mentioned above are easier targets and less likely to complain? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neeranam Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I am getting an extension to my Non Imm B this week -do I have to pay? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I am getting an extension to my Non Imm B this week -do I have to pay?YesIt's onlk talk so far about visa fees not immigration fees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siamsmile33 Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I have strong doubts the "free visa"- thing will happen.. .. The Embassy doesn't have a clue about this matter.It's just so dam_n quiet since the paper wrote about these measures. I was hoping (given the information we have) today (20th) would be the day the free visas would become available.Since I'm leaving for LOS the 1st of february this measure would be nice lol.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samuian Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I am getting an extension to my Non Imm B this week -do I have to pay? I don't think so as they are NO tourist visa! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Update but no details. TOURISM INDUSTRY Free visas for all tourists By Suchat Sritama The Nation The Cabinet on Tuesday waived travel visa for all nationals for over the next three months as one of four short-term recovery measures to restore tourism industry. The move is expected to draw more Chinese travellers, one of the main target group, to the country. Full storey:http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/01/20/headlines/headlines_30093727.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinkelbell Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 if thailand wants to get tourist, get the baht back to 42 to 1 usd I'm all for that too. If the baht back to 42 and up. I'll be the first to catch the flight to LOS in a heart beat. The year 2008 will stay with me as the first time (in two decades) I didn't spend my annual Thai visiting here. There is a good reason for that.....While in TL, it was always costed me ( me only) as much as my expenses living in the US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MobileContent Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 If the Baht is 42 to the Dollar it would be bad for the Thai economy. Of course I would like it .. The problem is the global financial and currency crisis. If you see the current exchange rates that has been going on for the past few months it shows that currencies such as the GPB is in a lot of trouble. The Euro has been relative stable. BTW: Cheap flights to Asia can be booked by AirAsiaX online. I booked a ticket for 8900Baht from KL to London for May 2009. if thailand wants to get tourist, get the baht back to 42 to 1 usd I'm all for that too. If the baht back to 42 and up. I'll be the first to catch the flight to LOS in a heart beat. The year 2008 will stay with me as the first time (in two decades) I didn't spend my annual Thai visiting here. There is a good reason for that.....While in TL, it was always costed me ( me only) as much as my expenses living in the US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_Pat_Pong Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Anyone got any news on when they are going to reduce the air fares!! Wiith ThaiAirways, I am trying to look elsewhere for any info but dont seem to find any news elsewhere? Anybody got any ideas or information on when they may start to reduce prices, Tinytot It won't happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiep Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 From Sydney to Bangkok the TG price back in July 08 was for "Q" class ( 3 month ticket ) AUD$ 860 ticket AUD$ 515 taxes and charges $1375 total As of 20/01 AUD$ 890 ticket AUD$ 340 taxes and charges $1230 total As you can see they reduced the fuel tax by AUD$175 but increased the basic ticket price by AUD$30. These are cheap prices from a small travel agent who specialises in Asian travel The Flight Centre for same ticket is AUD$1376. Travel agent has hinted that TG might be dropping their prices. Hope this happens soon as must pay for my ticket before 17/02/09 Maybe this is of some help ( not holding my breath on TG prices ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThaiRack Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 From a translation I read of a Thai press release, the visa waiver is effective immediately. However, Hull Consulate know nothing about it today, other than it was up for discussion at the cabinet meeting this week. So don't hold your breath on that one. The details of the visa waiver are sketchy too, and there's no mention yet of how many entries on a multi-entry tourist visa will be free of charge, although I suspect it will only be one, for various reasons. The airfare collusion plan with Thai Airways was not approved, although it's reported that Thai Airways will be heavily discounting key routes over coming months anyway. You can see why Thai Airways are pushing for something here though, because these moves in general are designed primarily to draw in tourism from countries within Asia, particularly China. Thai Airways know that as the low cost budget carriers expand their networks across Asia, which they are doing at quite a rate, Thai Airways is gonna be losing market share fast. Maybe it's writing on the wall time for Thai Airways on their 5 hour radius Asian routes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 It was approved by the cabnet yesterday for 3 months. Go back a page and you will see the post I made about it. Had a post from a member that apparently got a free tourist visa in KL today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henryalleman Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 I would like them to reduce the outrageous fee of 800,000 baht, charged for people obtaining a retirement visa. It seems far out of proportion to the quota married farang have to have, and thai/farang couples. This year with the drastic exchange rate I can't get my retirement visa. I came here because I couldn't afford to live in my home country and it is getting so that I cannot afford to live here either. The 800,000 Baht requirement is not a "fee". It is your money to keep! If you can't afford to put 800,000 Baht in the bank then you should not be thinking about retirement! The exchange rate has nothing to do with it. I know this is off topic but where else would i reply to this post ? I agree with his point about requiring 800,000 baht in the bank or 65,000 per month for a single retiree. The old saying used to be that 2 can live as cheaply as 1 not 2 can live for 50% that one can live for. Some people have no choice but to retire. My mother worked until she was 78 but was forced to retire. Notice that he said he can not afford to live in his home country so he came here where it cost less to live. the same house that cost 30,000 baht per month at home can be rented for 3,000 baht per month here if you get away from the big cities. Thailand would benefit greatly by allowing anyone(except criminals) that can bring 40,000 per month from over sees to the country to live here.Up Country Retirement communities could provide jobs for entire villages here if it was allowed but most people that can afford to put 800,000 in the bank will not want to live in a retirement village. In wich barbaric country do you live where an 78 year old still have to work to keep ends meet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henryalleman Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 if thailand wants to get tourist, get the baht back to 42 to 1 usdActually I see more European tourists than American. It would be much better to make Euro more expensive than $ Probably due to the fact that America will almost fill all of Europe land wise. 3 full days maybe more on rotating shifts to drive nonstop one coast to the other Texas almost 2 days speeding to get through it. I wonder how many countries you can go through in Europe in that amount of time.Most Americans don't even travel to other countries & can care less. Hawaii is almost the same weather as Thailand. No bullshit with visas & extensions. I wish my buddies would come down but I understand why . It is pretty nice in some parts of the country! Crossing Italy take about 3 day's, Spain about 2 day's also. Germany about 2 day's, once you are in a Shengen country no more border control, you can go from skiing in the mountains to a warm sandy beach in a few hours by car. reading your reaction I'm not surprised that some candidate for Vice President proclaimed that she can see Russia our from her window. If the state of texas was a country it would rank #40 for land mass. Texas is almost 25% larger than France. It is obvious that you are missing his point. It is that the USA has a huge area in which people that live in the USA can visit without leaving the country or getting a visa or paying air fare. They can experience Arctic conditions, desert conditions sub tropical and whatever without leaving their home country. In the USA you can rent or buy a travel trailer (mobile Home) RV or whatever and travel for years and still not see every thing there is to see. Can a person from Italy, Spain or Germany do that ? You emphasize his point by stating that it takes 3 days to cross Italy when it takes 3 days to cross the entire USA. I assume the difference is traffic. who wants to spend 3 days sitting in traffic ??? When i travel by car i want to get where i am going and i want to see something other than the bumper of the car in front of me. You are missing the point that the Europe has Chengen agreements. You can drive from the artic circle to a sub-tropic climate without one border stop and using the same Currency. You can cross mountains by car of an altitude of more than 3500 meters. In the midst of summer you can drive true 3 meters high walls of snow. Only visiting the numerous European Art cities you need several years. And yes you can drive 10 years in Europe without seeing the same. You clearly have no clue about Europe, otherwise you will not write such nonsense about European traffic, there are nice well maintained roads where you are practicly alone, on the Deutsche Autobahn you can drive at 200k in all safety. The accidents rate there are one of the lowest in the world despites the high speed. If you are to lazy to drive you can take trains with an speed of more than 200k/hour who bring you in all comfort to the place you like to be. You talk about distances, well from North to South Italy the distance is more than 1500 K. From Inary(Finland) to Gibraltar is 5400K by Higway, without any border or passport controle and using the same currency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henryalleman Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 I heard the Visa waiver will be augmented by the increase of visa-renewal fees ,now 1,900B, soon to be 10,000B !and the fine print for all other waivers apply only to those from the Asean block of countries.... Farang is out of the loop yet again. I dream of the occasion when I can,in my own country, tell a Thai that the price of the item they are buying from me is 10,000% higher than for anyone else... Why? because you are Thai... then I realize that I just wouldn't have the heart to do so and would most likely give it to them.... the Farang, too nice for his own good! You're totally out of touch with reality. Visa costs and entry requirements vary for most countries depending on the nationality of the applicant. Here's some examples to prove my point: 1. If you're applying for a tourist visa to visit the Philippines you'll get it free if you're from New Zealand, but if you're Australian you'll pay $50. Both are "Farang" countries. 2. ASEAN nationals get only 30 days when they visit Malaysia. Most farangs get 90 days. Farangs once again the winners. 3. Filipinos (and other ASEAN citizens) get a free tourist at the Thai consulates in Malaysia. Farangs pay 1000 baht. 4. There's a whole assortment of prices of VOA's for different nationalities when you enter Laos. Here's another interesting one: 5. US and Australian citizens (amongst others) will require a visa to enter Brazil. UK, NZ and Thai nationals (amongst others) do not require a visa. The cost of the tourist visa varies a lot with nationality too. Go figure! Some Farangs win, some lose. There would be thousands of examples of varying prices and policies according to nationality from hundreds of countries. It's all based on reciprocity between nations. This is not an example of TIT! Same in Laos, Americans pay 35 US$ Russians pay 15US$ Belgians pay 30 Us $ Thai pay 10 US$ I think there are about 4 or 5 different Visa rates depend on your nationaliy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutter007 Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Its window dressing tinkering, but it's a step in the right direction, and nice to have some good news ! Why don't they just make entrance fees the same for foriegners as it is for Thai's, rather than wiping them completely. Because that would make us look equal and they don't want to give that impression. They want to be able to change it back to dual pricing after the economy is running good again. Remember they aren't interested in addressing the racism issue here, this is about money only, and how to get more tourist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricci Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Hi, any updates on this subject? There must have been hundreds of visa travellers to Vientienne, Phnom Penh, KL, Penang etc. within the last week. I wonder why there is no response from those guys....... Or is there another Thread??? Cheers Ricci Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 No reports yet of any free visas. The most active is the Vientiane Laos topic and no reports from there yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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