Visa-free entry to Thailand for the Chinese: pros and risks
The Thai government intends to abolish the visa regime for Chinese citizens from October 1, 2023. This decision is made in the hope to revive the country's tourism industry after the decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, at the same time, there are fears that visa-free entry will lead to an increase in transnational crime. Let's take a closer look at the arguments of supporters and opponents of the innovation.
Hopes for the recovery of the tourism industry
Before the pandemic, PRC citizens made up the largest share of foreign tourists in Thailand - about 28% of the total number of entrants in 2019. After restrictions were lifted, tourist traffic from China has not fully recovered for several reasons:
- Economic difficulties and the weakness of the yuan are reducing the purchasing power of Chinese tourists.
- Many travel companies in China have yet to recover from the lockdowns and are understaffed and under-resourced.
- A negative image of Thailand as a dangerous destination for tourists is spreading on Chinese social media.
The Thai government hopes that the visa-free regime will simplify travel and boost tourist traffic from China to pre-pandemic levels. Experts predict that in the first year after the abolition of visas, Chinese tourists could bring the country an additional 300 billion baht ($8.2 billion) in revenue. This will revive the hospitality industry, restore jobs, and replenish the budget.
Fears of rising crime
At the same time, the government's plans have alarmed a number of experts and law enforcement officials. They warn that the simplification of entry will lead to an influx of Chinese organized crime into the country. First of all, we are talking about the following threats:
- Expansion of phone fraud networks. There are already about 60 Chinese call centers operating in Thailand, whose employees swindle money from Chinese residents. Without visa controls, the influx of scammers will increase significantly.
- The growth of clandestine businesses that violate migration laws. It is about organizing illegal labor, prostitution, human trafficking.
- Increase in the flow of drugs. China is the largest market for local drug cartels.
According to the Royal Thai Police, in 2022, 1.6 thousand Chinese citizens were detained for links with organized crime. This figure could increase many times over once visas are abolished. Additional resources will be needed to identify and deport criminal elements.
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Preparing for visa-free travel
Despite concerns, the government has no intention of abandoning its plans. The Thai Immigration Bureau has already begun preparations to ensure visa-free entry for Chinese from October 1, 2023.
Specifically, the following measures are being taken:
- Recruiting additional staff and increasing the capacity of border crossing points.
- Allocating separate channels for PRC nationals at airports.
- Negotiating with the Chinese side to jointly counter transnational crime.
- Tightening monitoring of foreigners' activities inside the country.
According to the head of the Immigration Bureau, the agency is fully prepared for the transition to a visa-free regime. However, many analysts believe that technical measures alone are not enough. It is necessary to strengthen international cooperation of law enforcement agencies, to toughen penalties for illegal activities, to educate the population about the potential risks. Only a comprehensive approach will minimize the negative consequences of visa-free entry for Thailand.
The abolition of visa-free travel for Chinese tourists promises significant economic dividends for Thailand, but also carries potential threats. The success of this policy will depend on the effectiveness of measures to prevent the infiltration of criminal elements into the country and strict control over their activities within the kingdom. Close coordination among all agencies will be required to protect national security in the new environment.
Author of the article: Ekaterina Antonova
