Government officials meet to discuss long-term visa options for foreigners

A government spokesman says the Thai PM has met with several members of his cabinet to discuss long-term residency options for foreigners. Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana says PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is currently in talks with a number of ministries and relevant agencies as to how to attract more foreign investment to the kingdom.

The Bangkok Post reports that the PM met yesterday with Deputy PM Supattanapong Punmeechaow, Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda, Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Customs Department director-general Patchara Anuntasilpa, and members of related agencies. Thanakorn says the officials discussed various long-stay visa options aimed at highly-skilled professionals and wealthy investors. The Cabinet recently approved in principle 2 draft regulations related to the visas.

At yesterday’s meeting, officials also reviewed visitor numbers since Thailand re-opened with minimal quarantine for vaccinated tourists from approved quarantines. Since the November 1 re-opening, over 20,000 foreign visitors have arrived. According to the Bangkok Post report, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has previously forecast an average of 300,000 arrivals every month between now and the end of 2021.

Meanwhile, Dr. Apisamai Srirangson from the CCSA says out of the 22,832 who’ve received in Thailand since the beginning of the month, just 20 have tested positive for Covid-19. So far, most arrivals are from Germany, the US, the UK, Japan, and South Korea.

“The policy to allow fully vaccinated tourists to get into the country without quarantine will benefit the economy and enhance public health security.”

Thanusak Phungdet from the Phuket Chamber of Commerce says there’s been a steady increase in foreign tourist numbers since the start of the month and this is expected to increase by 30% during the forthcoming peak season.

The Russians too, are making a return, with the first Aeroflot flight from Moscow touching down in Phuket on Saturday. As Russia has not made Thailand’s list of 63 approved countries, arrivals will be participating in the island’s sandbox scheme.

For more information on how to get into Thailand during the pandemic, CLICK HERE.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post