Long-term tourists not catered for in Thailand
My wife and I love to come to Thailand to rest and recuperate. Thailand deserves its name of Land of Smiles. After more than 15 visits lasting between a week and three months, we decided this year to obtain a six-month visa with multiple entry.
Before applying for the visa, I sent three requests for information to the Thai Embassy in Ottawa, Canada.
Six months later, I’m still waiting for an answer. Thailand likes to receive tourists but seems to give little service at its Canadian embassy.
My main surprise on this trip was having to go to Cambodia after 60 days in Thailand to stamp my passport for another 60 days here. I will have to make this trip again for the last 60 days of our holiday. Why not stamp my passport in Jomtien, as for the 30-day periods?
Our original visa cost us Bt10,000, while the trip to Cambodia added another Bt5,600 (Bt3,800 for the visa) including transport. We will have to pay the same amount for our last 60 days. That’s a total of Bt21,200. It’s a lot, but I like coming to Thailand.
The other option would be to leave the country for a few days and spend my money in a country other than Thailand.
Why not simplify all this for those who want to spend a few months in Thailand without leaving the country? Offer them a visa that would be more expensive but permit them to avoid all these unnecessary trips.
Jean-Pierre Viau
Repentigny, Canada
