Phuket to go light on tourist visas, but don't 'look suspicious'

Tourists clearing Immigration at Phuket Airport are likely to receive a 'common sense' welcome.

PHUKET: Immigration officers at Phuket International Airport will not necessarily be stringent in enforcing the new requirements for 60-day tourist visas to Thailand, thePhuket Gazette has learned. Popular expat forum ThaiVisa.com published the changes yesterday, saying that all embassies and consulates abroad were notified of the changes and that the new requirements were effective immediately. “The Royal Thai Embassies, Consulates and Consulates-General will from now require a confirmed airline ticket with flight numbers and dates of entry/exit, plus confirmed hotel reservations with name and dates of checking in/out,” said the report.

• One completed and signed application form
• One photo (color, size 4 x 6 cm)
• Passport (valid for no less than 6 months)
• Hotel reservation in Thailand with name and dates of checking in/out
• Airline ticket or confirmation slip with flight number and date of entry/exit

However, an officer at Phuket International Airport Immigration this afternoon told thePhuket Gazette, “We are not going to ask each and every person landing in Phuket for evidence of a hotel reservation or a return air ticket. We will only ask if you look suspicious. “It doesn’t matter what kind of visa you have; if you look suspicious, then it is our job to check,” he added. The officer did not elaborate on how one might "look suspicious".As if to confirm selectivity in enforcing the rules, she highlighted, as an example, that "even backpackers may not be asked [for the required documents]." “We will check your travel history in your passport, then let you go. Thailand tourist visas are for tourists to come and enjoy holidays in our kingdom,” he said. The officer added that any information provided about where the tourist will be staying will be recorded. “This makes it much easier to find or contact people in case something happens, such as they go missing, are injured or need any help,” he said. Regarding whether the new rules apply to “visas on arrival” – the most common visa used by tourists coming to Thailand – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directed the Phuket Gazette to call Immigration at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. An officer there, who asked not to be named, said the new requirements will be applied to people from countries granted visas on arrival valid for 15 days, but not for people arriving from countries granted “visa exemptions” allowing stays up to 30 days.

• Passport or travel document valid not less than 6 months
• Completed visa application form
• Recent (4 x 6cm) photograph
• Evidence of travel from Thailand (air ticket paid in full)
• Hotel reservation in Thailand with name and dates of checking in/out.

“In case you are not staying in a hotel, you will need to provide the address of a friend, or where you will be staying while you are in the Kingdom. “You do not have to provide any letter of invitation; just a valid address in Thailand filled out on the visa application form will be fine,” the officer said. “Any people looking to stay in Thailand longer than 15 days should contact their nearest Royal Thai embassy or consulate [about] which type of visa would suit their requirements,” the officer added. - Chutharat Plerin 27 Aug 2011 For more news and updates, assistance with your visa needs or for a Free Assessment of your profile for Immigration or Work Visa’s just visit www.y-axis.com