Thailand waives Tourist Visa fee for ALL nationalities

[Jonathan Fairfield 7,535]

Thailand waives Tourist Visa fee for ALL nationalities

file photo

 

BANGKOK:-- Thailand is waiving the 1,000 baht fee for a single entry tourist visa for all nationalities from Dec 1st 2016 to 28 February 2017.

 

Earlier this month Thailand’s Ministry of Interior had announced it was waiving visa fees for applicants from 19 countries.

 

However, notices posted outside the Royal Thai Embassies in Vientiane and Washington DC and at the Royal Thai Consulate in Penang suggests that ALL applicants will now be exempt from paying the 1,000 baht fee.

 

The notice also states that during the same period, the Visa on Arrival (VoA) fee will be decreased from 2,000 baht to 1,000 baht for those who are entitled to apply for the VoA.

 

A report from Vientiane that the single entry tourist visa fee was being waived was first posted on Thaivisa on Thursday, with further reports from other Thai embassies and consulates around the world seemed to confirm that Thailand had extended its offer of waiving the tourist visa fee from 19 nations to all applicants.

 

It will be hoped that by offering free single entry tourist visas will help to boost tourism during the high season.

 

Earlier this week, the Tourism Authority of Thailand revealed a sudden drop in arrivals from China, following the recent crackdown on ‘zero dollar tours’.

 

Figures released on Wednesday from Thailand’s Central Bank said that Thailand saw a 10 percent drop in tourist arrivals in the month of October.

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2016-12-02

 

 

[Thailand 18,699]

Does make one wonder if the tourist figures may have been exaggerated a little?

[Luckysilk 1,290]

Great more Cheap Charlie's arriving soon.

 

If 1000 measly baht is an inticement I can't wait to see these quality tourists.

[Micbozy 54]

No wonder Thai taxi drivers ask for double rate when at crowded tourist sights, and going for normal meter rate when less tourists.

[Brer Fox 4,079]

This initiative speaks for itself and confirms the numbers are not what they are claimed to be. 

Next move could be 1000 baht down to zero baht and as desperation creeps in they may even pay Chinese "quality" tourists 1000 baht to come to Thailand. 

Nothing would surprise with TAT.

[helloagain 1,179]

39 minutes ago, Thailand said:

Does make one wonder if the tourist figures may have been exaggerated a little?

Yes i think so. Not so many coming here. Fed up with getting beaten up. Scammed. Etc etc etc

[fish monger 483]

If one can't afford the 30 bucks for a visa, maybe they shouldn't be traveling in the first place......

[poohy 6,429]

Aha seems the Tourist figures  decimal point was in wrong place 

[PattayaBoy 207]

Wonder why Romania Cyprus Bulgaria Cyprus Malta as they are EU countries. All other EU are visa exempt for 30 days.

[AdamRich 221]

I wonder if Thai Air will be refunding me that visa fee for a ticket that I have already purchased. 

[captainhornblower 234]

Apart from all the above comments, this comes way to late in the day to attract tourists. if you want to attract a market segment it requires a minimum of 6 months notice before the first date of it going into effect.

[ezzra 44,135]

One thing is for sure, who's ever is in charge on those visa fees sure is having hard

time deciding, tossing and turning and moving the goal posts every couple of

days when it comes to those fees, yes, no, some yes, some no, cheaper and

dearer fees... make your head spin already....

[LALes 484]

Desperation time.  December is here and the crowds are not-except in Jomtien, which moves to its own yearly rhythms.

[siam2007 1,279]

I believe you all got that wrong. This is rather to wipe out all honorary consulates worldwide, as they cannot survive without those fees

[mmail2you 37]

Doesn't make any difference to Aussies