keith doug Posted December 19, 2001 Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 was reading a cnn article it said.there is a visa clamp down from 57 countries to 37 who can arive without prior visas . That included ussr!! what ever next .Has anyone heard this as well !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 19, 2001 Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 Post deleted by DoxyBlue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palatkik Posted December 19, 2001 Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 quote: Originally posted by db_sed_aloha: [QB]If you have the link to this article please post it. [QB] Thailand tightens visa regulations to combat crime BANGKOK, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Thailand cut the number of countries whose citizens are eligible for visas on arrival to 17 from 96 on Tuesday, saying the move was aimed at clamping down on illegal activity. At its weekly meeting, the cabinet approved a plan submitted by security agencies which also included a cut in the countries whose citizens can stay for 30 days without a visa to 37 from 57. The cabinet said in a statement the border measures would deter illegal employment and criminal activities. "These (illegal) activities have threatened the country's economic and social stability as well as national security," the cabinet said in the statement. Thailand, a major tourist destination, has generally been seen as lenient towards foreign arrivals, and has gained a reputation as a safe heaven for fugitives and organised crime. Diplomats and law enforcement officials say Thailand is a major hub for drug trafficking, people smuggling and prostitution. Nationals that would retain the visa exemption must be from Thailand's major tourist markets, pose no security threat, and provide the same exemption treatment to Thais, the Thai cabinet said. It said Russia and Uzbekistan were among the countries whose citizens would no longer qualify for visas on arrival. Details of other affected countries were not immediately available. 04:51 12-18-01 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palatkik Posted December 19, 2001 Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 Tuesday December 18, 7:59 PM Thailand strips visa on arrival for 81 nations BANGKOK, Dec 18 (AFP) - Thailand Tuesday axed 81 nations including Russia and Uzbekistan from a list of 96 whose nationals can obtain a visa on arrival, in a bid to crack down on criminals entering the country. China and India were also touted for removal from the easy-entry list, but the cabinet decided at a meeting Monday to maintain their visa privileges. Other countries stripped of visas-on-arrival provisions include Albania, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Paraguay and the Solomon Islands. Government spokesman Kuthep Saikrajang said the move was designed to increase security and prevent undesirables from entering the kingdom. "Tourists from those countries don't make much revenue for Thailand, and some commit crimes and cause problems here like overstaying and illegal work which harms the country's economic and social situations," he said. China was kept on the list because otherwise "we would lose tourists from Taiwan which are classified in the same group," he said. The visa review was proposed by the foreign ministry after a rash of cases involving foreign nationals who exploited the liberal visa provisions and became involved in prostitution and robbery in Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 19, 2001 Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 Interesting to consider that Thailand is both a big exporter AND importer of prostitutes. How unique a situation is this, I wonder? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregchambers Posted December 19, 2001 Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 It's nice if you are in one of the favoured countries and it looks like they are going to do some kind of long stay tourist visa for people from those 17 countries only - reading between the lines of a recent Bangkok Post article which said they were setting up a new dept to encourage long stay tourists. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 19, 2001 Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 Well methinks it is the country's prerogative to tighten up their security while giving due weightage to the number of tourists from different countries. I dont see UK, Germany or USA changing their visa formalities. They do not have visas on arrival at all. If Thailand was rather lax it would end up being a base for all sorts of people and problems and we as tourists would end up having a hard time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith doug Posted December 19, 2001 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 wow!!! what replies .Just go to show this board is so informative,Hey i read bernard trinks column in bangkokpost fridays under realm .Im sure he say something. Thanks ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted December 20, 2001 Report Share Posted December 20, 2001 Since almost all the Uzbekis you see here are hookers, their inclusion is no surprise. Russians also provide a lot of streetwalkers -- and Pattaya "mafia" types. But actually Thailand's open doors policy was one of the most liberal in the world. It still is easy enough for those not on the list to gain entry, but they have to apply for a visa BEFORE they arrive here. p.s. This move has been discussed for a long time. It finally happened. [ December 19, 2001: Message edited by: Flashermac ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 20, 2001 Report Share Posted December 20, 2001 quote: I dont see UK, Germany or USA changing their visa formalities. They do not have visas on arrival at all. Actually, the U.S. has a visa waiver program. If you are from a country on the visa waiver list, you don't need a visa. Singapore, for example, was recently added to the visa waiver list. There may be an exaggerated sense of how difficult it is for Thais to get visas to the U.S. given – and I hope I will be excused for saying this – the type of girls that some guys try to bring back. I occasionally have to use US citizen services at the US Embassy on Wireless, and while waiting in line, I have taken a look at some of the…uh…couples applying for 'tourist' visas to the U.S. in the other line. He 53; she barely 19, but it is a long-term stable relationship and there is no risk of any immigration violation even though there is no history of them traveling or living together. No, really. In my experience, if the girl has a university education, a decent job, speaks English, and has traveled before with her farang boyfriend (multiple trips in the region) and the farang is educated, polite, and has a decent job (particularly a legitimate job in Thailand supported by a long stay visa and work permit), there will probably be no problems getting that first visa, although it may require her to accompany him on the first trip. After one or two more trips and provided she doesn't overstay her visa, she will probably get a ten year multiple entry visa where she can come and go to the U.S. as she pleases with our without her boyfriend. [ December 19, 2001: Message edited by: Gadfly ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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