| 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 the | | | | Claude 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 and | | | | travel, but more. I'm always doing something. |
| stymied the lives of tens of thousands of | | | | Mahout training, an expansive meditation |
| travelers. Officials claim the two are not | | | | experience, 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 flocked | | | | half. Half lose my francs. It's so hard to |
| to Thailand. It's tropical climate, gentle | | | | choose." |
| citizens, inviting beaches and ease of travel | | | | |
| beckon youthful exuberance. Over time, many | | | | Barry 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 travel | | | | to hop over there bouts for a week |
| visitors form 39 countries could enter the | | | | mid-November. Can't now. That would use up |
| Kingdom of Thailand for thirty days without | | | | one of my precious two visa runs early. Don't |
| obtaining a visa before their arrival. Those | | | | wanna 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 are | | | | maintain a small apartment in Chiang Mai, |
| as clear as mud in an unlit cave. It appears | | | | take some classes, travel around a bit and |
| starting October 1, 2006, travelers such as | | | | have a place to nest and write in between. |
| myself will be able to make a maximum of two | | | | Now when I travel to other countries it will |
| border runs. We receive thirty days on | | | | go lock, stock and barrel, along with my |
| arrival. Then, we receive thirty days each | | | | tourism dollars for many months." |
| for the two reentries. After that we may not | | | | |
| enter Thailand again for ninety days. In | | | | Alan 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 taxi | | | | practice what I just learned anyway. Also, I |
| drivers and guest houses, to massage schools | | | | volunteer at a dog rescue and will miss the |
| and laundry services, the impact will be | | | | pups. I'm financially independent, yet too |
| felt. I imagine a Tuk Tuk driver will look up | | | | young to meet the 50 year old requirement for |
| this January and think, "Hey, where'd | | | | a Retirement Visa here. Officials actually |
| everybody go?" I like to believe the | | | | said this new law will stop bad people and |
| cumulative economic loss will be more than | | | | not hurt good people. Well, if financially |
| the Kingdom fathoms and policies will loosen | | | | successful, charitable volunteers who study |
| again over time. I also still hang a | | | | their culture are bad guys, send me to the |
| Christmas stocking up for myself. | | | | front of the line." |
| | | | |
| Alongside Thais, how are long-term travelers | | | | Anita 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 are | | | | have 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 - UK | | | | I'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 spend | | | | late April and I'm out in December. I wish |
| February in Thailand with me. They have | | | | there had been more notice before the |
| canceled their trip. Why? Because, I'll be | | | | government changed things, though in |
| out for ninety days by then." | | | | retrospect I did not have to pay in advance." |
| | | | |
| Kelly Laidlaw - USA | | | | As you see there are dozens of ways |
| | | | Thailand's new policies will cause little |
| "I paid for a one month TEFL Course and two | | | | inconveniences. But, how little are they? You |
| months 'volunteer' teacher training on Samui | | | | see, I am Anita. I am Alan. I am Kathy, |
| next year. That's three months total. I lose | | | | Barry, Kelly, Donald and even Claude |
| days from each 30 day allotment, because I | | | | DeVosjoli. All these issues occurred for just |
| have to do my visa border runs on weekend (to | | | | one 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 class | | | | That's easy. They take money away (Whish!) |
| starts and sprint for Samui. Then, I fly out | | | | from the Kingdom of Thailand and its |
| the day after I finish teaching/graduate. | | | | citizens. |
| Perhaps a prospective school can interview me | | | | |