Thailand tightened its visa rules to keep out rule-breakers. Six weeks later, the move is also keeping out paying tourists, and the tourism ministry already wants to reverse part of it.
Since Sept. 15, Thailand has admitted visa-exempt tourists for 30 days instead of 60, and the list of eligible countries and territories has shrunk from 93 to 60. Travelers from 21 of the dropped countries, including Mexico, now need a visa.
Slow visa processing in those markets is driving travelers away, many of them to Vietnam, the Bangkok Post reports. Airlines report large numbers of no-show passengers and have urged the government to fix the problem quickly.
Emirates is among the hardest hit. On its Mexico–Thailand route, the airline is recording 30 to 40 no-shows per flight because passengers could not get their visas in time, according to the report. Industry sources say many Latin American tourists have rebooked to destinations with faster visa procedures, chiefly Vietnam, which offers a similar beach-and-culture product.
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul acknowledged the problem. When the visa policy committee meets Nov. 9, his ministry will propose granting visa privileges to several Latin American countries, including Mexico, as well as Uzbekistan. The committee must still weigh security against economic concerns.
The timing is poor. Preliminary ministry data show 24,423,680 foreign arrivals from Jan. 1 to Oct. 17, 4.12% fewer than a year earlier. Arrivals were already slipping before the visa cut, but the new hurdles come just as high season begins.
More costs may follow. Two separate levies are under consideration: a proposed 450-baht entry fee for foreign tourists and a 1,000-baht air departure tax for all travelers. Neither has been approved.
Not every market is hurting. Forward bookings for the fourth quarter are up 34% from Russia and 45% from Kazakhstan, both of which keep 30-day visa-free entry under bilateral agreements.
The government’s goal was to stop foreigners from abusing long visa-free stays. Less than two months after the rules took effect, its own tourism ministry is pushing to loosen them. Again.
Wanna bet long-established European markets will also take a hit?
Lest we forget the newer hostile policies against foreigners.
Pride, as ever, goeth before a fall. Thailand’s just took a few weeks. Just in time for high season.