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The visa agreement with Russia is met with varied reactions.

The visa agreement with Russia is met with varied reactions.

Some in the tourism industry are worried about an influx of illegal workers as a result of the cabinet’s decision to extend the length of stay for Russian tourists, while those in the South are optimistic that the measure would generate an increase in expenditure.

On Monday, the cabinet decided to boost business during the peak season by increasing the number of days Russian people can remain without a visa from 30 to 90.

Srettha Thavisin, the prime minister of Thailand, has stated that he will meet with Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, to discuss potential areas of collaboration.

Former Chon Buri Tourism Council president and current Sunshine Hotels and Resorts group executive director Thanet Supornsahasrungsi expressed concern that the extension could encourage more Russians to enter Thailand illegally for work, which would have a negative impact on Thai citizens looking for legal employment in the service industry.

By allowing them to use nominees to bring in their own imported workers, Mr. Thanet claimed that foreign businesses would take advantage of this policy.

According to him, most Russians who visit Pattaya only end up staying for a week or two at most because their chartered aircraft from Russian cities only come at U-tapao airport once every 12 days.

Koh Samui and Phuket hoteliers, on the other hand, think they may gain from Russian tourists being in the nation for longer.

According to Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, president of the Koh Samui Tourism Association, “as a lot of long-stay tourists and remote workers from Russia have resided in Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, the extension will help attract this segment and benefit the overall local economy.”

While some Russians may be involved in criminal activity—for example, by running tour companies or forming new enterprises with Thai nominees—these are not major players, and most tourists still shop with locals.

Samui’s local operator communities are very robust. We can guarantee that local governments and businesses will benefit from increased tourism,” he said.

Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, head of the Phuket Tourist Association, predicts a boost in visitor spending as a result.

“The post-Covid trend has shown that tourists are keen to stay for longer at destinations,” Mr. Thaneth stated.

While there will likely be more positive outcomes from this plan than negative ones, authorities will nonetheless need to take tough action against any unlawful firms that exploit this opening.

Over 1.03 million Russians have visited Thailand by October 15; 1.47 million is the target number set by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Flight slots are in more demand during the chilly season, and TAT deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas Siripakorn Cheawsamoot attributes this to rising demand from the Russian market.

Mr. Siripakorn said TAT will keep an eye on so-called “Hub and Hook” packages, which encourage Russians to fly to other secondary sites from the three hubs of U-tapao, Bangkok, and Phuket.

READ MORE https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/faq_en/

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