An immigration issue that may be of interest

[jvt22222]

Immigration Regulations Tightened In Thailand

http://www.1888pressrelease.com/immigra ... 01537.html

Tourists Face Jail Time for Overstaying, As Thailand Tighten Immigration Laws.

(1888PressRelease) May 12, 2011 - Bangkok, Thailand - The Thai embassy in Vientiane, Laos is no longer issuing 60 day tourist visas to applicants who have 3 previous visa stickers already on their passport. Tourists returned from Vientiane said that the embassy had taken a stern stance towards tourists who have been using tourist visas to stay indefinitely in Thailand.

An embassy spokesperson said that tourist visas are meant for visitors who are genuine vacationers and not for people choosing permanent haven in Thailand. He added that there is substantial suspicion that many such tourists securing Thailand tourist visas are working the country illegally.

The 60 day tourist visas are free for the time being, at least till the end of March. However, a 30 day extension is allowed by Thai immigration for Bt 1,900.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs sources confirmed that Thai embassies around the world can refuse issuance of 60-day visas if they fear misuse or manipulation of visas.

The ministry of foreign affairs sources went on to say that instead of repeatedly applying for tourist visas, foreigners looking to permanently stay in Thailand can apply for other types of visas suited for long term residence. Business visas, education visas, one year retirement visas for individuals 50 and above and a one year marriage visa for foreigners who have Thai spouses are all options for long term tourists.

Other Thai embassies in South East Asia however have no such policy and are issuing visas as usual. Applicants have reported no problems when securing visas through the Phnom Penh and Vietnam embassies. Tourist accounts although have confirmed that the Singapore embassy is issuing second time tourist visas after a gap of 6 weeks since the first visit.

"The Vientiane embassy is the biggest issuing authority of Thai visas in the region", claim several tourism agents. "The current tightening of immigration laws maybe to limit the number of visas being issued through them and encouraging other Thai embassies in Asia", tourism agents say.

Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry is although doing the right thing by tightening immigration laws and keeping illegal workers out of their economy, at the same time they are killing their tourism industry. Unstable government, airport closure, the economic crises and now these harsh visa laws are deserting the Thai tourist attractions.

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[thonglor55]

Completely outrageous!

and now these harsh visa laws are deserting the Thai tourist attractions.

Different visas are easily available here in Thailand. If you wish to stay for a year, apply for the correct visa. Running to the border every 60 days to circumvent Thai Laws? Well I certainly would not consider it "harsh" requiring that one applies for the correct visa. Just an opinion.
:dontknow:

I'm not sure if it is full, accurate and official info, coz it is just private company's press release. There aren't any info about that on MFA's website

Tourists Face Jail Time for Overstaying, As Thailand Tighten Immigration Laws.

Interesting headline they used since the body of the "press release" didn't say anything about overstays - could it be an attempt to drum up business for the law firm that issued the "press release?"

If you read Thaivisa.com, some of the Thai Embassy/Consulates in neighboring countries have been refusing for some time to give more tourist visas if the person already has several - so this is not anything new or earth shattering.

Also obtaining several tourist visas back to back is, IMHO, not for being a tourist, but rather for residing in Thailand. Also, rather than harming Thailand's tourist business (mostly made of vacationers - and here lately, it seems most of them come from Russia/Eastern Europe), it will harm only those that are living in Thailand rather than visiting. If these people are not working in Thailand, it begs the question how can they afford to do that - unless they are wealthy or in process of exhausting their savings. If they have the financial resources to stay without working, they could probably get a Non-Immigrant Visa and then apply for a long stay extension (e.g., ED visa for study if they are not married to a Thai, are under 50 years of age). Anyway, just my thoughts on the subject.

[thonglor55]

(e.g., ED visa for study ...

Note to the Viagra Crowd - this is not an Erectile Dysfunction visa.

[zinzone]

Completely outrageous!

Why say that?

Good job to try to get rid of these people who misuse tourist visa's.

[Beachlover]

Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry is although doing the right thing by tightening immigration laws and keeping illegal workers out of their economy, at the same time they are killing their tourism industry. Unstable government, airport closure, the economic crises and now these harsh visa laws are deserting the Thai tourist attractions.

I don't see how it's "killing" their tourism industry at all...

Most people who get tourist visas back to back in an attempt to stay in Thailand aren't tourists. They're trying to reside in Thailand. And if they haven't got the means to go out and get the proper visa as Justme suggests, then they're probably not too well off and Thailand might be better off losing them.

[Marsilius]

Completely outrageous!

Why say that?

Good job to try to get rid of these people who misuse tourist visa's.

What about those who misuse apostrophes?

[thonglor55]

What about those who misuse apostrophes?

I think he missed Irony 101.