The Daytona 500 Race fans in Daytona welcomed President Trump's flyover of the racetrack and his leading the racecars in The Beast in the Pace Lap around the race track.
(Click on YouTube link...it opens up.).
By Barry Kenyon
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travelerjim1
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travelerjim1
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takes Pace Lap around the Daytona 500 NASCAR track...Re: By Barry Kenyon
I'm surprised Dickhead isn't being chauffeured around the track in a Tesla.
U.S. Secret Service Agents have to love this clown!
U.S. Secret Service Agents have to love this clown!
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Gaybutton
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Re: By Barry Kenyon
hailand’s Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) risks some teething issues
By Barry Kenyon
April 20, 2025
Other countries which have already introduced a pre-entry online arrival registration advise there are likely to be issues for a minority of travelers. But Thailand’s TDAC from May 1 will be cost nothing and will thus avoid the UK’s Electronic Travel Authority’s version which requires online payment. There have been problems over there with processing credit and debit card transactions with tempers raised on social media.
The Malaysian version, which parallels the Thai TDAC, was introduced in 2024 and has sometimes experienced high traffic and slow loading times at busy periods. One suggestion, if that happens, is to change the browser with Firefox being the favorite. Certain details in both systems – such as passport number, name, nationality and date of birth – cannot be changed once submitted. In TDAC, a mistake of that sort will require a totally new application. Although TDAC has a website in several languages, the actual individual or group written submission must be in the English language and script.
The Philippines’ e-travel portal and Cambodia’s e-arrival card has caused problems for elderly foreign visitors who are not computer literate. However, the immigration authorities in both countries have staff at major entry points assisting foreign visitors and even filling in the online application forms. Thailand is likely to face the same issues and has wisely not instructed airlines to ban from boarding passengers without their QR code. In other words, at least for now, those without a mobile phone or unable to submit the TDAC will not be barred from entering. However, delays at immigration entry points are inevitable for defaulters.
One of the more complex systems is Singapore’s digital arrival card. SGAC, which exempts several categories of foreigners such as Malaysians, permanent residents and some categories of workers and students. Thailand does not have this problem as there are few exemptions apart from diplomatic personnel and transit passengers. There is a TDAC exemption for “border pass” foreigners but they market traders, drivers or other locals crossing the border on a regular basis. In spite of misinformation on social media, those westerners on visa runs or wanting a border hop are certainly not border pass holders.
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recently updated relevant information. The option of listing your home country as THA (Thailand) will be available in the final online version. The form also acts as a personal health declaration and will require applicants to answer carefully personal questions and any countries recently visited if they are to avoid questions at Thai immigration on entry. It should be noted that TDAC registrations cannot be processed more than 72 hours ahead of travel. The email reply and confirmation should be received within hours.
https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... ues-498168
By Barry Kenyon
April 20, 2025
Other countries which have already introduced a pre-entry online arrival registration advise there are likely to be issues for a minority of travelers. But Thailand’s TDAC from May 1 will be cost nothing and will thus avoid the UK’s Electronic Travel Authority’s version which requires online payment. There have been problems over there with processing credit and debit card transactions with tempers raised on social media.
The Malaysian version, which parallels the Thai TDAC, was introduced in 2024 and has sometimes experienced high traffic and slow loading times at busy periods. One suggestion, if that happens, is to change the browser with Firefox being the favorite. Certain details in both systems – such as passport number, name, nationality and date of birth – cannot be changed once submitted. In TDAC, a mistake of that sort will require a totally new application. Although TDAC has a website in several languages, the actual individual or group written submission must be in the English language and script.
The Philippines’ e-travel portal and Cambodia’s e-arrival card has caused problems for elderly foreign visitors who are not computer literate. However, the immigration authorities in both countries have staff at major entry points assisting foreign visitors and even filling in the online application forms. Thailand is likely to face the same issues and has wisely not instructed airlines to ban from boarding passengers without their QR code. In other words, at least for now, those without a mobile phone or unable to submit the TDAC will not be barred from entering. However, delays at immigration entry points are inevitable for defaulters.
One of the more complex systems is Singapore’s digital arrival card. SGAC, which exempts several categories of foreigners such as Malaysians, permanent residents and some categories of workers and students. Thailand does not have this problem as there are few exemptions apart from diplomatic personnel and transit passengers. There is a TDAC exemption for “border pass” foreigners but they market traders, drivers or other locals crossing the border on a regular basis. In spite of misinformation on social media, those westerners on visa runs or wanting a border hop are certainly not border pass holders.
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recently updated relevant information. The option of listing your home country as THA (Thailand) will be available in the final online version. The form also acts as a personal health declaration and will require applicants to answer carefully personal questions and any countries recently visited if they are to avoid questions at Thai immigration on entry. It should be noted that TDAC registrations cannot be processed more than 72 hours ahead of travel. The email reply and confirmation should be received within hours.
https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... ues-498168
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Gaybutton
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Re: By Barry Kenyon
No sign of Thailand’s tourist entry tax starting anytime soon
By Barry Kenyon
April 22, 2025
The Tourism and Sports Ministry had envisaged that the long-delayed 300 baht (US$9) fee would be announced in the Royal Gazette in March 2025, with a view to implementation later this year. That never happened. The priority just now is to monitor the no-charge TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) – the entry registration for all foreign passport holders from May 1 – before linking it to a tourist entry fee paid online.
Many countries do indeed charge an online fee for arrival registration whether visitors need a visa or not. The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorization costs 16 pounds and the US’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization US$30. Some Asian countries, such as Cambodia, require most foreigners to obtain a pre-paid e-visa whilst claiming the accompanying electronic landing card is free of charge.
The previous Pheu Thai government, led by Srettha Thavisin, had hoped that the spending income from foreign visitors would exceed 3 trillion baht thus removing the need for supplementary cash from new fees. However, the current predictions are that reduced international tourism to Thailand will result in far less income in 2025, thus reviving the notion of a special tax on arrivals to increase revenue.
There are several practical problems to be solved before a new entry tax can be linked to TDAC. Software developers must be recruited and definitions of a “tourist” have to be agreed. The government has promised that up to 20 percent of each 300 baht collected will be spent on accident and emergency medical insurance, but who exactly can claim and under what circumstances is unknown. If a new landing tax is ever introduced, the devil will certainly be lurking in the detail. Maybe the whole idea really isn’t worth the trouble.
https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... oon-498465
By Barry Kenyon
April 22, 2025
The Tourism and Sports Ministry had envisaged that the long-delayed 300 baht (US$9) fee would be announced in the Royal Gazette in March 2025, with a view to implementation later this year. That never happened. The priority just now is to monitor the no-charge TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) – the entry registration for all foreign passport holders from May 1 – before linking it to a tourist entry fee paid online.
Many countries do indeed charge an online fee for arrival registration whether visitors need a visa or not. The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorization costs 16 pounds and the US’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization US$30. Some Asian countries, such as Cambodia, require most foreigners to obtain a pre-paid e-visa whilst claiming the accompanying electronic landing card is free of charge.
The previous Pheu Thai government, led by Srettha Thavisin, had hoped that the spending income from foreign visitors would exceed 3 trillion baht thus removing the need for supplementary cash from new fees. However, the current predictions are that reduced international tourism to Thailand will result in far less income in 2025, thus reviving the notion of a special tax on arrivals to increase revenue.
There are several practical problems to be solved before a new entry tax can be linked to TDAC. Software developers must be recruited and definitions of a “tourist” have to be agreed. The government has promised that up to 20 percent of each 300 baht collected will be spent on accident and emergency medical insurance, but who exactly can claim and under what circumstances is unknown. If a new landing tax is ever introduced, the devil will certainly be lurking in the detail. Maybe the whole idea really isn’t worth the trouble.
https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... oon-498465
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Gaybutton
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Re: By Barry Kenyon
Collapsing the 60 days visa exemption only a partial answer
By Barry Kenyon
April 24, 2025
The Thai premier has called for a reduction in the two months’ visa exempt stamp which currently applies to over 90 percent of all tourist arrivals. She is concerned about the abuses which lead to foreigners defaulting on work permit regulations or indulging in nominee shareholding deals and allied iniquities.
Adith Chairrattananon, honorary secretary general for Thai travel agents, has agreed that grey businesses require preventive measures such as reducing the visa-free stay for Chinese travellers because of exploitation of loopholes in the rules. He suggests “15-30 days” should be enough for bona fide Chinese vacationers.
Other spokespersons have noted that foreigners, usually but not always Chinese, have been working as non-authorized tour agents and introducing clients to illegal practices such as renting condominium units on a short-term basis or the chance to make money by temporary working. Under current regulations, arrivals receiving 60 days visa-exempt can easily obtain an extra 30 days at local immigration.
The problem for the Thai authorities is that restricting visa-exempt time scales isn’t straightforward. Would a revision apply to all nationalities, or only to some, or even only to the Chinese? Vacationers from China to Thailand are already in numerical decline and singling them out might prove to be counter-productive. Even if visa-exempt was reduced to 30 days, a further one month’s extension would presumably be available at local immigration. A lot of mischief can occur in two months.
Moreover, much visa abuse is committed by foreigners on longer-stay visas such as Elite, Destination Thailand Visa or even retiree options. None of these allow work-related activity in Thailand but policing the system is proving to be beyond the resources of the immigration bureau or the investigators of the Labour department. Recent non-Chinese examples of malpractice have included a British man with an annual retirement visa who was running several nightclubs.
Immigration lawyer Jessataporn Bunnag believes that the government, in addition to squeezing visa exempt, needs to review the procedure for applying for work permits. “The procedure can be very complex and can take up to two months or even more,” he said, “so some foreigners decide to take the risk.” Other experts say that Thailand must reform the alien labour legislation to permit foreigners having majority sharers in some companies and to reduce the number of occupations reserved for Thais only.
“If Thailand is to address the very serious problems of visa abuse, she should examine all relevant legislation about employment and not just rely on restructuring the amount of time people can stay here,” concluded Mr Bunnag.
https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... wer-498683
By Barry Kenyon
April 24, 2025
The Thai premier has called for a reduction in the two months’ visa exempt stamp which currently applies to over 90 percent of all tourist arrivals. She is concerned about the abuses which lead to foreigners defaulting on work permit regulations or indulging in nominee shareholding deals and allied iniquities.
Adith Chairrattananon, honorary secretary general for Thai travel agents, has agreed that grey businesses require preventive measures such as reducing the visa-free stay for Chinese travellers because of exploitation of loopholes in the rules. He suggests “15-30 days” should be enough for bona fide Chinese vacationers.
Other spokespersons have noted that foreigners, usually but not always Chinese, have been working as non-authorized tour agents and introducing clients to illegal practices such as renting condominium units on a short-term basis or the chance to make money by temporary working. Under current regulations, arrivals receiving 60 days visa-exempt can easily obtain an extra 30 days at local immigration.
The problem for the Thai authorities is that restricting visa-exempt time scales isn’t straightforward. Would a revision apply to all nationalities, or only to some, or even only to the Chinese? Vacationers from China to Thailand are already in numerical decline and singling them out might prove to be counter-productive. Even if visa-exempt was reduced to 30 days, a further one month’s extension would presumably be available at local immigration. A lot of mischief can occur in two months.
Moreover, much visa abuse is committed by foreigners on longer-stay visas such as Elite, Destination Thailand Visa or even retiree options. None of these allow work-related activity in Thailand but policing the system is proving to be beyond the resources of the immigration bureau or the investigators of the Labour department. Recent non-Chinese examples of malpractice have included a British man with an annual retirement visa who was running several nightclubs.
Immigration lawyer Jessataporn Bunnag believes that the government, in addition to squeezing visa exempt, needs to review the procedure for applying for work permits. “The procedure can be very complex and can take up to two months or even more,” he said, “so some foreigners decide to take the risk.” Other experts say that Thailand must reform the alien labour legislation to permit foreigners having majority sharers in some companies and to reduce the number of occupations reserved for Thais only.
“If Thailand is to address the very serious problems of visa abuse, she should examine all relevant legislation about employment and not just rely on restructuring the amount of time people can stay here,” concluded Mr Bunnag.
https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... wer-498683
Re: By Barry Kenyon
Beyond the resources of the immigration bureau ?Barry Kenyon wrote: ↑Thu Apr 24, 2025 4:10 pm Moreover, much visa abuse is committed by foreigners on longer-stay visas such as Elite, Destination Thailand Visa or even retiree options. None of these allow work-related activity in Thailand but policing the system is proving to be beyond the resources of the immigration bureau or the investigators of the Labour department. Recent non-Chinese examples of malpractice have included a British man with an annual retirement visa who was running several nightclubs.
If someone is caught, are they fined, deported & banned from re-entering Thailand ? Or is tea money collected ?
You don't have to look far for businesses staffed & run by foreigners. Europeans, Cambodians etc. I quite enjoy patronising some of those businesses.
As for the author, I guess he can't say it as it is, if he wants his visa renewed.
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Gaybutton
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Re: By Barry Kenyon
I'm sorry their absence is hurting the tourist industry, but the business people don't seem to learn from their mistakes. During the Covid crisis many businesses that catered primarily to Chinese tourists went under. I said then and I say it now - it is a BIG mistake to cater to a specific set of tourists. Their disappearance then killed any businesses and yet the same thing is going on now. And if the Chinese tourists ever flock back, do these people think it can't happen yet again?
For me, and I think many farang in Pattaya will agree, the the silver lining regarding the absence of hordes of Chinese tourists also means the absence of the tour bus nightmare we went through for several years. Traffic problems in Pattaya are bad enough as it is, so I for sure don't miss all those tour buses.
_____________________________________________
Where have all the Chinese tourists in Pattaya gone?
By Barry Kenyon
April 25, 2025
It’s mostly bad news for the Thai tourist industry, especially in resort areas such as Pattaya. In 2019, eleven million Chinese tourists visited Thailand, mostly on packed charter flights, but even a total six million looks overly ambitious for the calendar year 2025. On Pattaya’s Walking Street, there is a noticeable lack of Chinese tour leaders holding aloft a flag to shepherd their groups through the neon attractions and brightly-lit lanterns..
The Eastern Chapter of the Thai hoteliers’ association, which includes Pattaya, says there are many reasons for the fall-off. Kidnappings and tales of Chinese nationals forced into slave-like status in cyber scam businesses in neighboring Myanmar have captivated social media in China. Scary movies such as No More Bets have depicted such harrowing scenes, howbeit in an unnamed south east Asian country.
Arrests of Chinese nationals for visa irregularities and illegal working, including gambling syndicates and improper use of foreign nominees in businesses in Phuket and Pattaya, have alarmed potential vacationers not only in Beijing but in cities nationwide such as Ningbo, Hefei and Jinan which once had direct flights here. It is not clear that the introduction of casinos in Thailand would benefit mass Chinese tourism because of gambling’s historic links to corruption.
Sisdivachr Cheewarratanaporn, president of the Thai travel agents’ association, says the Chinese have also been alienated by weak law enforcement and corruption in Thailand. For example, there is abundant evidence of the abuse of the 60 days visa-exempt regulations and the fraudulent awarding of student visas to Chinese who absolutely have no intention of going back to school. Other negative factors include the recent earthquake, the trade war between the United States and China and Beijing’s encouragement of domestic tourism.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s rival tourist destinations have been active. In the first three months of 2025, more Chinese separately visited Japan or Vietnam than Thailand. As regards Japan, the depreciation of the yen leading to cheaper holidays has been a leading factor, together with memoranda of understanding with secondary Chinese cities. Vietnam has made a visa exemption agreement with China and promoted a cross-border QR code payment system.
In response, Thai authorities are seeking new solutions. The Association of Thai Travel Agents is organizing familiarization trips for Chinese travel agents from 30 provinces and urging the government to convince Chinese operators about health and safety here via better digital engagement. Tirawan Taechaubol, whose family runs a chain of luxury hotels, is campaigning to attract better-off Chinese vacationers rather than the traditional package tourist. Another growth area is believed to be gay Chinese who find Thailand a congenial destination and are showing great interest in condominium purchases (particularly Bangkok and Pattaya) and longstay visas such as Elite. That trend could be a bonus of Thailand’s legitimization of same sex marriage and civil rights.
https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... one-498805
For me, and I think many farang in Pattaya will agree, the the silver lining regarding the absence of hordes of Chinese tourists also means the absence of the tour bus nightmare we went through for several years. Traffic problems in Pattaya are bad enough as it is, so I for sure don't miss all those tour buses.
_____________________________________________
Where have all the Chinese tourists in Pattaya gone?
By Barry Kenyon
April 25, 2025
It’s mostly bad news for the Thai tourist industry, especially in resort areas such as Pattaya. In 2019, eleven million Chinese tourists visited Thailand, mostly on packed charter flights, but even a total six million looks overly ambitious for the calendar year 2025. On Pattaya’s Walking Street, there is a noticeable lack of Chinese tour leaders holding aloft a flag to shepherd their groups through the neon attractions and brightly-lit lanterns..
The Eastern Chapter of the Thai hoteliers’ association, which includes Pattaya, says there are many reasons for the fall-off. Kidnappings and tales of Chinese nationals forced into slave-like status in cyber scam businesses in neighboring Myanmar have captivated social media in China. Scary movies such as No More Bets have depicted such harrowing scenes, howbeit in an unnamed south east Asian country.
Arrests of Chinese nationals for visa irregularities and illegal working, including gambling syndicates and improper use of foreign nominees in businesses in Phuket and Pattaya, have alarmed potential vacationers not only in Beijing but in cities nationwide such as Ningbo, Hefei and Jinan which once had direct flights here. It is not clear that the introduction of casinos in Thailand would benefit mass Chinese tourism because of gambling’s historic links to corruption.
Sisdivachr Cheewarratanaporn, president of the Thai travel agents’ association, says the Chinese have also been alienated by weak law enforcement and corruption in Thailand. For example, there is abundant evidence of the abuse of the 60 days visa-exempt regulations and the fraudulent awarding of student visas to Chinese who absolutely have no intention of going back to school. Other negative factors include the recent earthquake, the trade war between the United States and China and Beijing’s encouragement of domestic tourism.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s rival tourist destinations have been active. In the first three months of 2025, more Chinese separately visited Japan or Vietnam than Thailand. As regards Japan, the depreciation of the yen leading to cheaper holidays has been a leading factor, together with memoranda of understanding with secondary Chinese cities. Vietnam has made a visa exemption agreement with China and promoted a cross-border QR code payment system.
In response, Thai authorities are seeking new solutions. The Association of Thai Travel Agents is organizing familiarization trips for Chinese travel agents from 30 provinces and urging the government to convince Chinese operators about health and safety here via better digital engagement. Tirawan Taechaubol, whose family runs a chain of luxury hotels, is campaigning to attract better-off Chinese vacationers rather than the traditional package tourist. Another growth area is believed to be gay Chinese who find Thailand a congenial destination and are showing great interest in condominium purchases (particularly Bangkok and Pattaya) and longstay visas such as Elite. That trend could be a bonus of Thailand’s legitimization of same sex marriage and civil rights.
https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... one-498805
Re: By Barry Kenyon
There's been fewer tour buses filled with Chinese along the ocean - making the air cleaner to breath without all that black smoke spewing out of those bastards.
Works for me.
Maybe Boyztown can get back to normal too.
Works for me.
Maybe Boyztown can get back to normal too.
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Gaybutton
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