Spend an exotic holiday in Asia


Coping with Thailand's Tightened Visa Regulations

It is the end of an era in Thailand.can interview me in the Tuk Tuk on the
Political changes occur rapidly in SEway to the airport."
Asia. Nowhere is that more evident thanClaude DeVosjoli - France
inside the Land of Smiles. In the wake"I had many plans for my six months-
of the John Karr / JonBenet Ramseysure to travel, but more. I'm always
fiasco, Thailand has tighteneddoing something. Mahout training, an
restrictions on Tourism Visas andexpansive meditation experience, maybe I
stymied the lives of tens of thousandslearn to cook Thai. And, there's
of travelers. Officials claim the twotrekking, Muay Thai courses... There's
are not connected.so much to do here. Now I can do only
For many years now, backpackers havehalf. Half lose my francs. It's so hard
flocked to Thailand. It's tropicalto choose."
climate, gentle citizens, invitingBarry Anderson - Australia
beaches and ease of travel beckon"Funny thing is Burma (a.k.a. Myanmar)
youthful exuberance. Over time, many oflost business because of the Thai regs.
us have matured to suitcases and stillI 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 traveluse up one of my precious two visa runs
visitors form 39 countries could enterearly. Don't wanna torch thirteen days I
the Kingdom of Thailand for thirty daysfigure."
without obtaining a visa before theirKathy 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 ofcouple years. The thinking was I would
the country and return, often withinmaintain a small apartment in Chiang
minutes. Whish! Stamp! Boom! They hadMai, take some classes, travel around a
another thirty days.bit and have a place to nest and write
Currently details of the new regulationsin between. Now when I travel to other
are as clear as mud in an unlit cave. Itcountries it will go lock, stock and
appears starting October 1, 2006,barrel, along with my tourism dollars
travelers such as myself will be able tofor many months."
make a maximum of two border runs. WeAlan McLawrie - UK
receive thirty days on arrival. Then, we"I'm currently taking classes to learn
receive thirty days each for the twoto speak Thai. I'll miss the third level
reentries. After that we may not enternow. Of course, I'll be off in Vietnam
Thailand again for ninety days. In othernot able to practice what I just learned
words, after ninety days in, we mustanyway. 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! Fromto meet the 50 year old requirement for
taxi drivers and guest houses, toa 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 Tukpeople and not hurt good people. Well,
Tuk driver will look up this January andif financially successful, charitable
think, "Hey, where'd everybody go?" Ivolunteers who study their culture are
like to believe the cumulative economicbad guys, send me to the front of the
loss will be more than the Kingdomline."
fathoms and policies will loosen againAnita 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-termspring. 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 tofour months, not three. I'll need the
individuals is negligible, consider thewhole next lot of ninety days to cover
following. Here are some examples.my class time. The course starts in late
Donald Wood - UKApril and I'm out in December. I wish
"My sister and her family were to spendthere had been more notice before the
February in Thailand with me. They havegovernment changed things, though in
canceled their trip. Why? Because, I'llretrospect I did not have to pay in
be out for ninety days by then."advance."
Kelly Laidlaw - USAAs you see there are dozens of ways
"I paid for a one month TEFL Course andThailand's new policies will cause
two months 'volunteer' teacher traininglittle inconveniences. But, how little
on Samui next year. That's three monthsare they? You see, I am Anita. I am
total. I lose days from each 30 dayAlan. I am Kathy, Barry, Kelly, Donald
allotment, because I have to do my visaand even Claude DeVosjoli. All these
border runs on weekend (to not mississues occurred for just one peaceful
class). This is what I'm left with. Igal who simply loves Thailand. What else
leap into Thailand the day before classdo these issues have in common? That's
starts and sprint for Samui. Then, I flyeasy. They take money away (Whish!) from
out the day after I finish teachingthe Kingdom of Thailand and its
graduate. Perhaps a prospective schoolcitizens.



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