Spend an exotic holiday in Asia


Coping with Thailand's Tightened Visa Regulations

It is the end of an era in Thailand.in  the  Tuk  Tuk on the way to the airport."
Political changes occur rapidly in SE Asia.
Nowhere is that more evident than inside theClaude  DeVosjoli  -  France
Land of Smiles. In the wake of the John Karr
JonBenet Ramsey fiasco, Thailand has"I had many plans for my six months- sure to
tightened restrictions on Tourism Visas andtravel, but more. I'm always doing something.
stymied the lives of tens of thousands ofMahout training, an expansive meditation
travelers. Officials claim the two are notexperience, maybe I learn to cook Thai. And,
connected.there's trekking, Muay Thai courses...
There's so much to do here. Now I can do only
For many years now, backpackers have flockedhalf. Half lose my francs. It's so hard to
to Thailand. It's tropical climate, gentlechoose."
citizens, inviting beaches and ease of travel
beckon youthful exuberance. Over time, manyBarry  Anderson  -  Australia
of us have matured to suitcases and still
less-stylish  travelers  followed  suit."Funny thing is Burma (a.k.a. Myanmar) lost
business because of the Thai regs. I wanted
During these Golden Years of Thai travelto hop over there bouts for a week
visitors form 39 countries could enter themid-November. Can't now. That would use up
Kingdom of Thailand for thirty days withoutone of my precious two visa runs early. Don't
obtaining a visa before their arrival. Thosewanna  torch  thirteen  days  I  figure."
staying on longer would simply make a border
run, cross out of the country and return,Kathy  Taylor  -  Canada
often within minutes. Whish! Stamp! Boom!
They  had  another  thirty  days."I sold my home to come to SE Asia for a
couple years. The thinking was I would
Currently details of the new regulations aremaintain a small apartment in Chiang Mai,
as clear as mud in an unlit cave. It appearstake some classes, travel around a bit and
starting October 1, 2006, travelers such ashave a place to nest and write in between.
myself will be able to make a maximum of twoNow when I travel to other countries it will
border runs. We receive thirty days ongo lock, stock and barrel, along with my
arrival. Then, we receive thirty days eachtourism  dollars  for  many  months."
for the two reentries. After that we may not
enter Thailand again for ninety days. InAlan  McLawrie  -  UK
other words, after ninety days in, we must
leave for ninety days. Whish! Stamp! Stamp!"I'm currently taking classes to learn to
Out!speak Thai. I'll miss the third level now. Of
course, I'll be off in Vietnam not able to
The tourism industry will suffer! From taxipractice what I just learned anyway. Also, I
drivers and guest houses, to massage schoolsvolunteer at a dog rescue and will miss the
and laundry services, the impact will bepups. I'm financially independent, yet too
felt. I imagine a Tuk Tuk driver will look upyoung to meet the 50 year old requirement for
this January and think, "Hey, where'da Retirement Visa here. Officials actually
everybody go?" I like to believe thesaid this new law will stop bad people and
cumulative economic loss will be more thannot hurt good people. Well, if financially
the Kingdom fathoms and policies will loosensuccessful, charitable volunteers who study
again over time. I also still hang atheir culture are bad guys, send me to the
Christmas  stocking  up  for  myself.front  of  the  line."
Alongside Thais, how are long-term travelersAnita  Kroll  -  USA
being affected by the changes? If you think
the inconvenience to individuals is"This change is a bit of a pickle for me. I
negligible, consider the following. Here arehave a three month course this spring. So, in
some  examples.December when my 90 is up, I have to leave
Thailand for almost four months, not three.
Donald  Wood  -  UKI'll need the whole next lot of ninety days
to cover my class time. The course starts in
"My sister and her family were to spendlate April and I'm out in December. I wish
February in Thailand with me. They havethere had been more notice before the
canceled their trip. Why? Because, I'll begovernment changed things, though in
out  for  ninety  days  by  then."retrospect I did not have to pay in advance."
Kelly  Laidlaw  -  USAAs you see there are dozens of ways
Thailand's new policies will cause little
"I paid for a one month TEFL Course and twoinconveniences. But, how little are they? You
months 'volunteer' teacher training on Samuisee, I am Anita. I am Alan. I am Kathy,
next year. That's three months total. I loseBarry, Kelly, Donald and even Claude
days from each 30 day allotment, because IDeVosjoli. All these issues occurred for just
have to do my visa border runs on weekend (toone peaceful gal who simply loves Thailand.
not miss class). This is what I'm left with.What else do these issues have in common?
I leap into Thailand the day before classThat's easy. They take money away (Whish!)
starts and sprint for Samui. Then, I fly outfrom the Kingdom of Thailand and its
the day after I finish teaching/graduate.citizens.
Perhaps a prospective school can interview me



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