| It is the end of an era in Thailand. | | | | can interview me in the Tuk Tuk on the |
| Political changes occur rapidly in SE | | | | way to the airport." |
| Asia. Nowhere is that more evident than | | | | Claude DeVosjoli - France |
| inside the Land of Smiles. In the wake | | | | "I had many plans for my six months- |
| of the John Karr / JonBenet Ramsey | | | | sure to travel, but more. I'm always |
| fiasco, Thailand has tightened | | | | doing something. Mahout training, an |
| restrictions on Tourism Visas and | | | | expansive meditation experience, maybe I |
| stymied the lives of tens of thousands | | | | learn to cook Thai. And, there's |
| of travelers. Officials claim the two | | | | trekking, Muay Thai courses... There's |
| are not connected. | | | | so much to do here. Now I can do only |
| For many years now, backpackers have | | | | half. Half lose my francs. It's so hard |
| flocked to Thailand. It's tropical | | | | to choose." |
| climate, gentle citizens, inviting | | | | Barry Anderson - Australia |
| beaches and ease of travel beckon | | | | "Funny thing is Burma (a.k.a. Myanmar) |
| youthful exuberance. Over time, many of | | | | lost business because of the Thai regs. |
| us have matured to suitcases and still | | | | I wanted to hop over there bouts for a |
| less-stylish travelers followed suit. | | | | week mid-November. Can't now. That would |
| During these Golden Years of Thai travel | | | | use up one of my precious two visa runs |
| visitors form 39 countries could enter | | | | early. Don't wanna torch thirteen days I |
| the Kingdom of Thailand for thirty days | | | | figure." |
| without obtaining a visa before their | | | | Kathy Taylor - Canada |
| arrival. Those staying on longer would | | | | "I sold my home to come to SE Asia for a |
| simply make a border run, cross out of | | | | couple years. The thinking was I would |
| the country and return, often within | | | | maintain a small apartment in Chiang |
| minutes. Whish! Stamp! Boom! They had | | | | Mai, take some classes, travel around a |
| another thirty days. | | | | bit and have a place to nest and write |
| Currently details of the new regulations | | | | in between. Now when I travel to other |
| are as clear as mud in an unlit cave. It | | | | countries it will go lock, stock and |
| appears starting October 1, 2006, | | | | barrel, along with my tourism dollars |
| travelers such as myself will be able to | | | | for many months." |
| make a maximum of two border runs. We | | | | Alan McLawrie - UK |
| receive thirty days on arrival. Then, we | | | | "I'm currently taking classes to learn |
| receive thirty days each for the two | | | | to speak Thai. I'll miss the third level |
| reentries. After that we may not enter | | | | now. Of course, I'll be off in Vietnam |
| Thailand again for ninety days. In other | | | | not able to practice what I just learned |
| words, after ninety days in, we must | | | | anyway. Also, I volunteer at a dog |
| leave for ninety days. Whish! Stamp! | | | | rescue and will miss the pups. I'm |
| Stamp! Out! | | | | financially independent, yet too young |
| The tourism industry will suffer! From | | | | to meet the 50 year old requirement for |
| taxi drivers and guest houses, to | | | | a Retirement Visa here. Officials |
| massage schools and laundry services, | | | | actually said this new law will stop bad |
| the impact will be felt. I imagine a Tuk | | | | people and not hurt good people. Well, |
| Tuk driver will look up this January and | | | | if financially successful, charitable |
| think, "Hey, where'd everybody go?" I | | | | volunteers who study their culture are |
| like to believe the cumulative economic | | | | bad guys, send me to the front of the |
| loss will be more than the Kingdom | | | | line." |
| fathoms and policies will loosen again | | | | Anita Kroll - USA |
| over time. I also still hang a Christmas | | | | "This change is a bit of a pickle for |
| stocking up for myself. | | | | me. I have a three month course this |
| Alongside Thais, how are long-term | | | | spring. So, in December when my 90 is |
| travelers being affected by the changes? | | | | up, I have to leave Thailand for almost |
| If you think the inconvenience to | | | | four months, not three. I'll need the |
| individuals is negligible, consider the | | | | whole next lot of ninety days to cover |
| following. Here are some examples. | | | | my class time. The course starts in late |
| Donald Wood - UK | | | | April and I'm out in December. I wish |
| "My sister and her family were to spend | | | | there had been more notice before the |
| February in Thailand with me. They have | | | | government changed things, though in |
| canceled their trip. Why? Because, I'll | | | | retrospect I did not have to pay in |
| be out for ninety days by then." | | | | advance." |
| Kelly Laidlaw - USA | | | | As you see there are dozens of ways |
| "I paid for a one month TEFL Course and | | | | Thailand's new policies will cause |
| two months 'volunteer' teacher training | | | | little inconveniences. But, how little |
| on Samui next year. That's three months | | | | are they? You see, I am Anita. I am |
| total. I lose days from each 30 day | | | | Alan. I am Kathy, Barry, Kelly, Donald |
| allotment, because I have to do my visa | | | | and even Claude DeVosjoli. All these |
| border runs on weekend (to not miss | | | | issues occurred for just one peaceful |
| class). This is what I'm left with. I | | | | gal who simply loves Thailand. What else |
| leap into Thailand the day before class | | | | do these issues have in common? That's |
| starts and sprint for Samui. Then, I fly | | | | easy. They take money away (Whish!) from |
| out the day after I finish teaching | | | | the Kingdom of Thailand and its |
| graduate. Perhaps a prospective school | | | | citizens. |