Thailand is reducing how long visitors from visa waiver countries can stay, cutting the time in half from 60 to 30 days over concerns that businesses are exploiting the allowance.
Tourism industry operators had told the government they were concerned, because, they say, long-haul tourists usually stay 14-21 days and short-haul travelers tend to spend around 7 days on average.
The Association of Thai Travel Agents told officials, including the Tourism and Sports Ministry that they believe the long period has allowed foreign individuals and agencies to operate businesses and disguise foreign workers without permits as visitors. The Thai Hotel Association says it also results in a large number of condos being illegally rented on a daily basis.
Authorities have agreed in principle on the change, but have not yet set details or written a regulation. In July, Thailand raised from 57 to 93 the number of countries whose residents do not require a visa for visiting the country.
Image: Foreign arrivals s at Suvarnabhumi airport. (Bangkok Post)
