Plan to scrap visa causes confusion

Confusion abounds after the government gave out conflicting information pertaining to the cancellation of visa exemptions and visa-on-arrival services for 18 countries and three other territories, as it seeks contain the Covid-19 outbreak in Thailand.

The cancellation was announced on Wednesday by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, after he met with Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob to discuss measures to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country.

After the announcement, Gen Anupong said the measures could be implemented immediately.

That said, later on the same day, government spokesperson Narumon Pinyosinwat said that the restrictions won’t come into effect immediately as it must be approved by the cabinet first — citing the need to respect existing bilateral agreements.

Yesterday morning, director-general of the Department of Consular Affairs, Chatri Archjananun, also said the cancellations have yet to be officially enforced, as the restrictions still require cabinet approval before they can come into effect.

Mr Chatri said while Thailand’s Covid-19 coordination centre announced the plan on Wednesday, no restrictions will be put in place until the measures are approved by the cabinet on March 17.

He explained that since Thailand has bilateral agreements with many countries regarding visa exemptions, the proposed cancellation must be studied carefully.

But yesterday evening, Gen Anupong changed his tune and insisted that the visa changes will take effect from today until Sept 30.

The announcement was co-signed by Prime Minister Prayut and himself under the Communicable Diseases Act, said Gen Anupong.

Under normal circumstances, nationals of 18 countries or territories — namely Bulgaria, Bhutan, China (including Taiwan), Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Vanuatu — could apply for a visa on arrival (VoA) for stays not exceeding 14 days at Thai immigration checkpoints.

Meanwhile, citizens of visaexempted countries and/territories such as Hong Kong, Italy and South Korea, are to be permitted to stay in the kingdom for tourism purposes for a period of no more than 30 days.