Whilst another reminds those potential visitors that they are liable to be arrested, jailed, humiliated in the local press, deported, and banned from Thailand for 5 years, just for as little as a 1 day overstay
The council of the economic ministers on October 11th approved in principle new measures, proposed by the Tourism and Sports Ministry, to enhance tourism in the short, medium, and long terms.
The short term measures, to be implemented this year, will see an increase in the numbers of agents and locations offering VAT refund service to foreign tourists. Also, some rules governing the travel of foreigners in Thailand will also be
reviewed (TM30?)
The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, also acknowledged the latest assessment of the local and global economies.
Meanwhile in Ko Samui, a contingent of immigration and tourist police arrested a German man who had overstayed in the kingdom, by two weeks. The unfortunate victim was taken into custody, presumably deported, and his details published in a
humiliating way in the local press.
The paper reported that the arrest was in line with immigration chief Lt-Gen Sompong Chingduang's policy, and should anyone like to inflict this treatment on someone else, then they can call 1178 to report violators.
Foreigners applying for a Non O-A visa will be required to purchase health insurance from 31 October.
The requirements, which were first proposed back in May, have now been confirmed in a police order posted on the Immigration website.
Applicants are required to have 40,000 baht outpatient coverage and 400,000 baht inpatient coverage.
According to the order, health insurance is not required for those applying for an extension of stay based on retirement and only applies to Non O-A visas.
Non O-A visas are obtained from an embassy or consulate outside of Thailand.
The European Association for Business and Commerce (EABC) was established in 2011 as a platform representing interests of the European business community in Thailand.
The group has now joined in the chorus of criticism of Thailand's TM 30 nightmare where foreigners are forced to report to the police every time they change where they are staying. The EABC writes:
The European Association for Business and Commerce (EABC) has today proposed cessation of TM.30 (and TM.28), with immediate steps to streamline it by greatly reducing its scope.
EABC is the voice of European business in Thailand. Mr. Jan Eriksson, President of EABC, stated:
The Immigration form TM.30, or 24 hour reporting, requires property owners and lessors (Thai as well as foreign) to report the movements of foreigners using such properties. Both Thai citizens and foreigners have found the situation difficult and
unnecessary, and the situation has caused some unfortunately negative views about Thailand both as an investment and doing business location, and as a tourism destination. This is surely not good and need not be so.Â
A correctly completed TM.30 is now a pre-condition to being able to use normal visa services. Mr. Eriksson also noted: We anticipate that discussions for a Thailand Free Trade Agreement will reÂ-open. That agreement should bring much higher,
mutual value and not be burdened by troublesome ease of doing business issues which can be addressed now for the benefit of all parties, not only European, and not only foreigners.
We commend the government for positive steps in ease of doing business. Currently we feel that TM.30 is undoing those good achievements.
A senior government official said on Tuesday that TM30 will stay on the books but that the government will try and make it easier to comply.
Kobsak Pootrakool, deputy sec-gen to the Prime Ministe said that foreign visitors will soon no longer have to fill out TM6 arrival and departure forms. He also touted a mobile app in the works for 24-hour reporting under the TM30 form
system. He said:
We made the decision last Friday. Within two to three months, life will be much easier [for foreign tourists and expats].
He spoke at a gala dinner where audience members included ambassadors from ten or so countries. He said arrival and departure forms for tourists, known as TM6 forms, have led to a storage problems requiring a huge warehouse to store these papers
and that the police rarely look at the information in the forms.
Immigration gave a little information hinted that QR codes will likely be used for an improved TM 30 app.
The council of the economic ministers on October 11th approved in principle new measures, proposed by the Tourism and Sports Ministry, to enhance tourism in the short, medium, and long terms.
Foreigners applying for a Non O-A visa will be required to purchase health insurance from 31 October.
The European Association for Business and Commerce (EABC) was established in 2011 as a platform representing interests of the European business community in Thailand.
A senior government official said on Tuesday that TM30 will stay on the books but that the government will try and make it easier to comply.
