Thailand has lifted visa restrictions for most tourists
Thailand has gone to unprecedented lengths to lift visa restrictions to boost inbound tourism. After recent changes in the visa regime, the country has actually opened its borders to visitors from dozens of countries. Experts believe that such steps are in line with the new government's strategy to develop the tourism industry. However, there are also concerns about possible risks to public security.
Visa-free regime expanded for key markets
Previously, visa-free entry to Thailand was available to citizens of the US, Australia, the UK and a number of European countries. In 2016, the then Prime Minister increased the visa-free stay from 30 to 60 days. In addition, Thailand's visa-free agreements with ASEAN partners are in place.
Coming to power in September 2022, the current Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha promised to radically expand the number of countries whose citizens can visit Thailand without visas. As a result, Russians and Kazakhstanis have the right to stay in the kingdom for 30 days without a visa instead of the previous 15. For the Chinese for the first time introduced a 30-day visa-free regime.
According to unofficial statements of the government, in the near future similar conditions will be provided to tourists from India and Taiwan. Thus, according to experts' calculations, more than 90% of foreigners coming to Thailand will be able to do without visas.
Authorities consider post-entry control more effective than visas
Representatives of the Thai immigration police explain the refusal of visas by the need to optimize control over foreigners. In their opinion, checking documents and issuing visas before entry does not always allow to identify potential violators.
At the same time, modern digital technologies make the monitoring of visitors on the territory of Thailand much more effective. In particular, immigration databases can identify individuals even if their passport details have changed. And mobile apps locate suspicious users.
This approach has already yielded results. In recent years, there has been a marked increase in the number of detentions of foreigners who have exceeded their legal stay in the kingdom. According to the authorities, most of them are citizens of Russia and China.
Experts fear an increase in crime
The liberalization of the visa regime is in line with the new cabinet's intentions to revive Thailand's tourism industry after the pandemic. However, there are some alarming signals.
In particular, some analysts point to the risk of increased transnational crime. In their opinion, many long-term visas are issued without proper vetting of applicants.
In addition, there have been cases of foreigners working illegally under the guise of training. For example, last year a group of Russians were detected in Phuket illegally working as tour guides and drivers.
Nevertheless, so far Thai authorities are not going to change the chosen course on maximum simplification of visa formalities for tourists. According to their statements, this is the key way to revive the tourism industry and the Thai economy as a whole, which suffered during the pandemic.
Author of the article: Ekaterina Antonova
