An update on the coup and visa crackdown in Thailand.

[Joe Underwater]

Just in case anyone is being scared off of Thailand due to either the coup or the recent crack down on visa's, please understand that neither is a legitimate concern for the tourist.

Coup:

There were some warning about protests in Bangkok, but nothing ever effected the tourist areas and the coup has actually peacefully put a stop to any protests. The military did have several days of night time curfews that were enforced nationwide (10pm-6am) but those have long been lifted and everything is back to normal. Things are actually overall much better as the military has embarked on a huge anti-corruption campaign targeting tourist areas. They are dismantling local mafias in tourist areas and returning the beaches back to the people. This coup has been a God send for nature lovers, beach lovers, and people that have had it with widespread corruption by local beach town officials. Things are far from perfect, but they are visibly much better.

Visa's

There has been a major crackdown on "long stay tourists" in Thailand who would make a back to back boarder runs every 30 days in order to enjoy the 30 day visa exempt status most countries get in Thailand. many of these people are working illegally in Thailand and the immigration knows this. The military government has put a stop to this, but this crackdown does not effect actual tourists. You can still get 30 days visa exempt stamp upon arrival, and in fact starting Sept 1st, tourists can even extend their visa exempt entry stamps at immigration inside Thailand for another 30 days. The showing of 10,000B per person or 20,000B per family and onward tickets is not being enforced for people that are not serial visa runners, however international airlines may ask you to show onward tickets out of Thailand or that you obtained a tourist visa at a Thai embassy or consulate in your home country before departing for Thailand.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.

divethailandwithjoe@gmail.com

 

[lord khram]

I am currently back in the UK for the summer. But friends around Pattaya tell me tourist numbers are down massively this year even taking into consideration that it is currently low season.

 

[Buadhai]

One reason tourist numbers are down is that the country is still under martial law. Travel insurance may not cover travel to countries under martial law. So, if you're considering travel to Thailand and you rely on travel insurance, you need to check with your carrier to see if your policy will be valid in Thailand.

 

[CarcharodonCarcharias]

Was in BKK over the wknd. Business as usual and the tourism business is still humming. No sign of military presence in the major tourist areas and to be honest, no one can tell the difference between before and after the coup.

 

[Scuba Cat Diving]

I am living in Phuket and have been for many years, the Coup is actually very welcome here. There is no visible presence of it but the clearing of the beaches, illegal taxi's and general improvements made by the army are a greatly welcomes by many of us. Tourism is down a little but that is due to low season.

 

[Buadhai]

Who can tell is the Department of Tourism.

From the Bangkok Post:

The number of international tourists arriving in Thailand in July fell 10.9% from a year earlier, according to data from the Department of Tourism, showing the industry has not recovered from the impact of prolonged political tension.
The lucrative tourism sector, which accounts for about 10% of the economy, suffered its biggest drop in visitors in June - the first full month after the army took power on May 22 in a bid to end tensions and get economic activity going again.
International arrivals in July totalled 1.91 million, compared with 1.56 million in June and 2.15 million in July 2013, according to data posted on the department's website late Friday.
Arrivals from China, the country's single biggest visitor source accounting for 18% of all tourists in July, tumbled 25.3%.

 

[CarcharodonCarcharias]

There is no visible presence of it but the clearing of the beaches, illegal taxi's and general improvements made by the army are a greatly welcomes by many of us. Tourism is down a little but that is due to low season.

Does that mean ppl can just hail any cab in Patong and go anywhere they want? Or still subjected to the taxi mafia's turf/territory? The whole taxi mafia thing in Phuket is really a turn-off.

 

[chillyinCanada]

How does this taxi mafia work?

 

[CarcharodonCarcharias]

How does this taxi mafia work?

Basically, no metered taxi (when it should be) outside of Phuket airport. You are only subjected to use the taxi (which is not taxi - just private cars) parked outside of your hotel or resort at a given rate that is dictated by them. The rate is also fixed amongst the mafias. This page should provide better idea for you:

taxi mafia - Phuket Forum - TripAdvisor

 

[Scuba Cat Diving]

There were many arrests of Taxi drivers last month by the army (more than 100) who were alleged to be in taxi mafia, including high up officials, they are due in court next month so we are waiting on news of this, but things are getting better. At the moment it is still fixed price for taxis from one area to another but there is a campaign to introduce metered taxi's throughout the island.
The problems with only being able to use the taxi outside the hotel have been removed by these illegal taxi stands being taken down by the army.
Things will take time to be fixed completely but it is moving in the right direction.