Thailand Fears More Terror – May Change Visa Policy

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Thailand Fears More Terror – May Change Visa Policy


BANGKOK: -- After last week’s bombings in Bangkok and the arrest of a Lebanese-Swede last month the country of smiles are now considering their ‘open-door’ visa policy.

Thailand has annual revenue derived from tourism of $25 billion per year, and the country receives more than 12 million foreign tourists.

Tougher visa policy

The tourism industry makes for 6 percent of the Thai economy, but according to the Philstar, Thai officials are now considering a tougher visa policy, because of the incidents in the last months.

"We have to admit that there are threats all over the world, and our country is a weak link," said National Security Council chief Wichean Potephosree to the Philstar, without being to precise on how he sees the visa policy in the future.

The statement comes after authorities have found similarities between the bombs in Bangkok and India last week.

Visa on arrival for Middle East countries put on hold

Within days of the terror scare, the Thai Tourism Ministry put on hold a plan to allow visas on arrival to citizens of Middle Eastern countries, including Iran. Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubumrung said he would order immigration authorities to "closely check people who enter the country, especially from countries that might have problems."

Since the bombings the security in all Thai airports, train stations and major streets has been strengthened.

Source 1: http://www.ajc.com/t...or-1355047.html
Source 2: http://www.scandasia...p?news_id=10186

 thaivisa.com 2012-02-20

[isanbirder]

I doubt whether a change in the visa policy would make much difference, except to make life more difficult for tourists.  Terrorists would have the best possible credentials, for sure.