Does Thailand's Proposed ETA Recreate "Visa" Requirements for All?

#ElectronicTravelAuthorization #ThaiImmigration #ThailandTravel
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[@brianwaite1465]

It's a softly softly approach trying to get the masses used to digital identity. All done under guise of making "things" easier for the consumers. Say no to cashless and this digital corral.

[@Porkypies6m]

u cant even buy stuff on Lazada and pay at 711 anymore

[@620EDA]

Totally agree that this will hurt tourism. It makes no sense to offer a visa exemption but have to apply for an ETA before travel. Let’s hope they rethink this.

[@Steve-o6w]

@@620EDA it won’t impact tourism at all. Many other countries have implemented the same process with no negative effects on tourism and “True” tourist will have no issue doing this. The only ones that will have an issue will be those trying to “live” here without a proper visa. I’ll gladly take the extra security layer to keep the bad elements out and deny entry to those that try to play the system.

[@bossanova4982]

Ben, i think the expression on your face when you talk about this says it all...😂

[@brahimchab]

I've been following all your videos. It's interesting to see how much the country is changing and basically trying to be more westernized.

[@Mrbimdrummer]

My understanding is the 60 day exempt isn't permanent. So when go back to 30 and have the ETA on top of it then yes it will affect tourism.

[@dreadlord76]

I’ve experienced Electronic systems entering Singapore and Taiwan. Both reduces the time to wait at the immigration checkpoint. Both are much faster than the current BKK immigration lines.

[@gegaoli]

Every day it’s something. Thank you for all the timely content. Once again Thai people looking for foreign tourist revenue will be hurt the most.

[@janerikkvarsten2273]

I agree, it's dumb, because there are so many tourits that are not up to date when it comes to digital abilities, and or are good enaugh in English to handle a form like that. Before they could get help to fix it, but now it will be a big headake for them.

[@mst6429]

Every time there's some new thai immigration or visa implementation i have this urge to reach for the bottle.

[@paultomkins4145]

🍼🍹😮😊😅

[@barrydwyer2039]

From what I have heard this basically a 60 day tourist visa without the charge requiring all the same information, being exempt was easy as you could choose where you wanted to go without having to prebook accomadation or give flight details etc. Once you turn up at immigation they take your finger prints and your photo, I'm sure anything untoward would be flagged up then, not only that If you want a sim card for your phone you have to supply your passport details too. The thai government have cc tv everywhere so you can be tracked down almost to the nearest toilet or bar or restaurant. When ever you use a hotel or guesthouse all you info is forwarded to the authorities the only thing they don't know is when you fart.

[@vassanab4243]

Isn’t that the same when going to US, UK?

[@susanzimmerli5178]

I‘m so happy now to read here the reactions of people not coming to Thailand because of this ETA. I live here and now I‘m hoping that we‘ll have less tourists in high season 2025, thanks to ETA 😉

[@susanzimmerli5178]

@@Male666chauvinist ? what?

[@warrpedd]

It's a visa by another name.

[@Nomad_Dan]

I'm a Canadian about to go on a trip there in November for 30 days, and being able to pick up visa on arrival is a factor. Not dealing with an extra obstacle makes a difference in decision making for sure.

[@maxlim3673]

Step 1 roll out ETA for free Step 2 charge everyone for ETA Its just another way thai govt want to generate revenue

[@robbatayaki5505]

Exactly: same for the US Esta, the New-Zealand NZeta. NZ is even more vicious. The Eta for transiting is not the same as the Eta for entering the country. If you have to pick-up your bags, you need to have the latter, which is a bit more expensive.

[@Jeff-sm8of]

It's the same for tourists to Singapore Malaysia Indonesia Vietnam.

[@christianpatton9364]

On the surface it seems much like the travel authorisation for Singapore which isn’t a big deal and only takes a few minutes to get online. The big question is can the Thai authorities make it work efficiently like Singapore.

[@PzKnight07]

Definitely no, their system have no central data server. Every departments keep datas independently, there still a long way for Thailand in this kind of infrastructure.

[@davidfrench7130]

This will definitely affect Thailands tourism. I have two issues; the first being confirming your exit from the country. With the current regulations I can potentially stay for 90days with an extension. Great, but I have to predetermine when I'm leaving. Maybe I want to leave after 2weeks, or a month, or stay for the entire 90days. But with a visa and/or ETA I supposedly have to identify that date before I arrive. Well that sucks. Secondedly I think this will impact one day border runs as well. Overall poor decision. Why dont they just cut to the chase and charge 1900baht per month. Finally why would I travel all the way from North America for the nonsense when I can go to Cambodia, or Vietnam without all the red tape.

[@miggie5147]

im getting really tired of all this visa crap in Thailand...i might have to just look at neighboring countries now

[@maniac1367]

I've been thinking about this and maybe it could be useful if they have both. Like if you rock up with it then you know you're good to go. But I don't trust the immigration wouldn't still turn people away at the gate. My last visa cost me a lot and and took ages to arrange. I did everything they wanted but they still questioned me at the airport immigration. . Made me scared to get another visa if they have that much power. There are too many variables.

[@charleswall3770]

It sounds a nightmare, it will certainly put me off coming … so sick of all this complicated “high tech crap”

[@littleones-yeahh]

usa started it (also need to pay) korea has it, singapore has it, malaysia now has it, EU have one now (paid) soon the whole world will have these mini visas. how awful

[@littleones-yeahh]

@@Male666chauvinist whats the difference between an eta/esta and a digital arrival card?

[@littleones-yeahh]

@@Male666chauvinist im reading that thailands eta will be free. so really no different to what i filled out to go to singapore or malaysia. the really onerous ones are the ones with fees, korea, uk, usa, eu

[@klokohler]

It is exact the same set up that USA or Canada have in place. People still travel there

[@Steve-o6w]

@@Male666chauvinist , 66.5 Million to the USA vs 28.15 Million to Thailand. Those numbers clearly show it has Zero impact using this system

[@pauluk8700]

Exemption means we can get on a plane and just come, now we will have to get a online clearance, which knowing Thailand will be complicated difficult online procedure ,

[@DawnDelVecchio]

At some point I think we have to look at these many policies overall - in Thailand and elsewhere- and consider the possibility that this is intentional. In other words, the ultimate goal is not to build economies but to break them in order to more easily implement WEF policies.

[@alexfrog9191]

It's not necessarily a big problem per se. Australia's was great - free and simple to apply online and I got emailed it a few hours later - flexible on dates, covering a 12 month period and multiple entries of up to 3 months each. Kenya's newly introduced ETA this year was more annoying - $35 and they wanted to know dates, flight details, where I'd be staying, photo, etc - however I received the ETA by email a day later.

[@clrodrick]

Huh, I found Australia's system a complete PITA

[@downundermtb4744]

The impression I get is the Thai government is trying to streamline the process through the airport. Expected high flow of tourists this coming season. Looking like no more stamps just scan your passport and go. It does feel like I would be applying for a visa for free , for how long though before the Thai government sees the money they can grab from this.

[@AlexTheLi0n]

I don’t think that this is going to be that big of a problem if it’s implemented. Considering the amount of problems that some tourists are causing. Although misplaced they want you to deny anyone that they deem could potentially cause problems in the kingdom. Let’s be 💯 honest here. The vast majority of tourists aren’t going to have a negative experience using this system.

[@fungary1984]

Agree...countries that want international tourist, need to offer easy short term Visa free entry....otherwise people just go somewhere else for their holidays.

[@QuicknStraight]

I suspect they will not only use the ETA system for checking convictions and outstanding warrants, but also to check previous entries and possibly deny permission to travel if they think you've used visa waiver too many times in a certain period.

[@notyohit]

Who gets denied entry to Thailand, unless they're doing something shady? I'm from the US. Last year I got 14 visa exempt (30day) stamps and 12 the prior year, or 26 entires over a 24 month period. Never once did immigration give me problems.. in fact the opposite.. they always smile and go "Wow, you must REALLY like Thailand". lol

[@QuicknStraight]

@@notyohit You have been leading a charmed life. I managed it for 6 years, from 2013-19, before they got fed up with it and told me that they'd let me one more time and then stop me if I tried it again. You see, you're at the mercy of the immigration officer on arrival. If he's having a bad day, he'll just deny you entry. He doesn't need any reason other than that you've been "over-using" the visa waiver scheme, And you don't have to be doing anything dodgy. I wasn't. IMO, if you keep doing it, you're on borrowed time. The ETA system will not even let you try and win over the immigration officer on arrival. The system will be programmed to flag up people with a certain number of entries within a fixed period and either automatically deny your ETA, or have it looked at by some immigration officer who is fed up that his entire working day is spent looking at flagged up ETA entries and he'll just deny them all.

[@Steve-o6w]

@@QuicknStraight , you can bet your last dollar this system will do exactly that, as it should. People want to live here, they can get the proper visas.

[@hfunhoff]

Singapore has an e-arrival card which you have to submit online before you arrive. Guess Thailand plans on something similar?? It works perfect in Sing.they have enough e-channels so there is no waiting time anymore and one officer can control a lot of gates. If Thailand manages something as efficient I am all in but with Thailand I have my doubts 😂😉

[@Steve-o6w]

I think it’s the smartest thing Thailand could do to get their Immigration house in order. As it is now, people live here on various types of “ tourist” Visas illegally by doing boarder runs exploiting the system. As a result, this raises the cost to all of us that legally reside here on the proper visas. So implementing this does away with long term stays as the system can look at immigration history of said traveler and deny entry prior to arrival.

[@EricAndOrn]

Require the ETA from every tourist, with or without visa, and charge 300 Baht -- Pretty sure that is the goal here.

[@street2030]

Own nothing and be happy gang are trying hard

[@nicehiss9982]

Really, I don't see this as being all that problematic or onerous. It really just looks like it's a digital version of the TM.6 entry/departure card with the added benefit of allowing people to use digital gates and to crack down on people doing border runs as someone could be denied entry without actually seeing an immigration officer in person.

[@stevenjustice105]

the visa free exemption...visa. been enjoying cambodia over thailand the last 2 years.

[@stevenjustice105]

@@Male666chauvinist enjoy the insurance protection.

[@stevenjustice105]

another "great idea" that makes people not want to come ....followed by the inevitable..."come back farang:" 55555

[@hubbards]

This will be set up as a way to collect the new 300. Baht entrance fee. When you apply for this Electronic Travel Authorization, you will be required to pay 300. Baht

[@paultomkins4145]

Nah. Added on airline ticket.

[@hubbards]

@@paultomkins4145 That's why he last PM dropped it. The airlines refused to add it on to their ticket price.

[@BB-ui1cg]

This seems to pick who travels as a tourist There are many rough characters who travel to Thailand, it is restricting unwanted I don’t mind ETA

[@BB-ui1cg]

@@Male666chauvinist yes I have Have you?

[@bigjonzey1987]

This ETA will just be annoying. I read it starts 1 December? I have a trip planned that I will arrive in November and leave in December. Do we think this is going to be an issue? I am American, coming from Germany. I would hate to have issues at the Airport leaving here or trying to leave Thailand in December. Any advice would help. Thanks

[@TomMiller-b5h]

Does this include people with a re-entry permit.

[@PantaRhei-j9g]

expect the worst then you won`t be surprised

[@paulcockley-gf4bc]

Spend 5m online or 1hr in a queue.

[@Gizifs]

Seems to be the worldwide trend - US, Canada, EU, Singapore, Malaysia just to name a few. In the long term dont think it will impact tourism because all countries will require one if you want to travel. Hope they do implement it like Singapore through - you apply online with minimal information and approval within a day. Then at the airport no immigration delay - automatic gates and no lineups.

[@Jeff-sm8of]

It's a no brainer. They don't want long stay foreigners They only want high spending 2 week tourists.

[@clrodrick]

I guarantee you all the changes to Thai VISA and ETA and new tax laws are giving me serious pause in my plans to relocate there next year. That is 1+ million baht I won't be spending in Thailand for 2025 if I decide to hold off and stay in USA another year to see what all the fallout is. Or perhaps I make BGC Manila Philippines my home base for 2025 and just do a 30-60 trip to Thailand as a tourist and deal with the ETA crap. I have a lot to think about the next few months.

[@clrodrick]

@@Male666chauvinist I don't know about better option but maybe so. I honestly prefer Thailand a lot more to Philippines, but the red tape Thailand is putting out may just be too much (plus the tax law changes). As for Cambodia I hope to visit next year and check out a few cities. I think it is still too third world for me though, but I won't judge until I visit in person.

[@paulpedersen295]

A lot of expats here with spouse/retirement visas are wondering whether this will apply to them too. We, who have been here for many years, getting visa extensions yearly, already vetted many times, wonder why if this will apply to us. Also, people on 90 day visas, who have had to apply through a Thai embassy, and therefore vetted on application, does this affect them as well?

[@susanzimmerli5178]

no if you listen carefully

[@paulpedersen295]

@@susanzimmerli5178I have listened very carefully, and have checked many sites and it appears that no one is exempt at this point in time, except diplomatic and a couple of other categories.

[@wr6293]

Really? An American explaining how pre-registration before going on the plane is bad? Your country requires that as well from countries not required Visa. And even if you are cleared on that by the USA you are NOT guaranteed angry!!!

[@clrodrick]

Dude calm down. Do you think all Americans think *their* travel and immigration system is the wonder of the world?!?!? Of course not it is laughably awful. Just because our system is garbage doesn't mean Thailand's system isn't also garbage

[@wr6293]

@@clrodrick 😂😂😂😂 I was simply upset on the „American law dude“ being so agitated about the Thai plans that I had to call remind him of who started that whole nonsense of pre-registration for no Visa required countries…. Just like the intense checks and takin& shoes off for safety check, liquid limit of 100 ml etc etc…. I know, all just applied for our safety 🤪 but flying feels now more like being punished for wanting to see other countries…

[@robbatayaki5505]

@@wr6293 He has Thai citizenship. He considers himself as a Thai LOL ! you meant "entry" ieo "angry" ?

[@clrodrick]

@@wr6293 I'm pretty sure he would agree with you regarding USA insanity. I mean he is living in Thailand after all right? 🙂 Whenever he mentions USA policy he seems to do it in a mocking way.

[@robbatayaki5505]

Nothing will beat the viciousness of New Zealand who has a NZeta for transit, and another one for entering the country. Different prices. If you are unfortunate enough to have to pick up your luggage, even for connecting to another flight, you need the second NZeta LOL Granted, it is valid 1 year, which make the NZeta or the US Esta (2 years) different from the Philippine ETravel, or apparently the Thai one (?)

[@ddyeo503]

If this becomes law with the ETA, then there will be no need to have an exempt visa in Thailand, because without the ETA visa you simply can't come in and use the exempt visa. Yes the 60 days might still be available, but the exempt visa will not need to be offered since you will need the ETA visa to enter Thailand. Plus I have heard that the airlines will be forced to enforce this new policy, so there will be no special treatment for people who don't have the ETA visa arriving in Thailand, because the airline will stop that totally. If this is approved by the Royal Gazette, then I will reduce my trips to Thailand, or stop coming altogether,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[@vassanab4243]

It’s just an online form. I went to Taiwan, free VISA but also have to complete the online form and show it when check in at the airport. You may take like not more than 5 mins to finish the form, then wait like 1-2 days for them to approve. It’s very easy.

[@ddyeo503]

@@vassanab4243 But I don't have a smartphone, so they are basically saying, no smartphone, then you cannot come,,,,,,,,,,,,And if you believe it will be free for very long, well I disagree with that, each year they will raise the fee. And maybe it only takes 5 mins to fill out now. But they will keep adding more questions and before long it will take an hour at least to fill out the form,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Let's hope the Royal Gazette never approves this ETA,,,,,,,,,,,

[@peterparello8319]

Is this something similar to what Vietnam requires?

[@ho2786]

apec card need to apply ETA ?

[@DippGee]

Last night Nana Plaza was Booming..

[@KingNeptune185]

Why do they need this?….because on that website you’ll probably have to pay that 300baht tax…😂

[@crazyg74]

you need a holiday Ben!

[@ianwallace16]

Maybe if there wasn’t so many overstaying their normal visas then it wouldn’t be implemented.

[@KeithFLOOK-wd3uw]

It works already in other countries in Asia (Philippines) and being introduced in Europe and the UK. The only people it would put off visiting those countries are, most likely, the people those countries don't want in their country anyway. The simple matter of it is if you don't want to give the information required for any reason then don't travel anywhere .. similar systems are being rolled out in countries all around the world.

[@merckxbelgium]

Agreed!