Local police in Krabi confirm a national crackdown on overstaying tourists is underway. A heartbroken German, drowning his sorrows in beer, was arrested on Ko Lanta after being spurned in love. He is among the first to be detained. Immigration's festive blitz is underway targeting boisterous drinkers.
Immigration police have launched another national crackdown targeting visa overstayers and most especially foreign tourists overindulging in alcohol in the runup to Christmas and the New Year. On Monday, a 51-year-old German man drowned his sorrows after suffering rejection in love on the island of Ko Lanta. Later, he was nabbed after a tip-off to Krabi Police from locals.
It was a case of Murphy's law, for a 51-year-old German tourist on Monday. The European found himself amid a pre-Christmas nightmare on December 18th on Ko Lanta, the picturesque island in Southern Thailand, near Krabi.
Previously, the unlucky foreigner, whose visa expired five months ago, set off from the notorious resort city of Pattaya seeking love and reconciliation with his estranged Thai girlfriend in Krabi. He had high hopes.
German tourist was the subject of a tip-off to police by a concerned local on Ko Lanta because of his uproarious behaviour and was afterwards arrested
However, the ill-fated love story took a dark turn. Spurned by his former girlfriend, the German, identified only as Mr Manuel by Krabi police, drowned his sorrows in alcohol at local beer bars.
Little did he know that his inebriated state would attract the attention of vigilant Immigration officers.
In short, a concerned member of the public reported the foreigner to the police. Subsequently, the German drove his motorbike dangerously from beer bar to beer bar on Ko Lanta. He attracted public attention. The island, off the coast of Krabi, is one of Thailand's most beautiful.
Following this, the German engaged in uproarious behaviour, spooking local people.
Senior police in Krabi confirm a national crackdown has been ordered. Their campaign targets foreign tourists who drink heavily and behave boisterously
At this time, the Immigration Bureau in Krabi is in the midst of a crackdown on overstaying foreigners. Local police are paying particular attention to those consuming excess alcohol, a growing concern in the conservative province.
Officers swiftly took action. Subsequent events unfolded into a dramatic scene on Ko Lanta. Police Lieutenant Colonel Wi. Ratt Inyod, an Immigration Inspector from Krabi Province, led a team to investigate the matter.
They discovered the German tourist consuming alcoholic beverages in front of a bar in Village No. 3, Saladan Subdistrict. Sensing the threat, the tourist jumped up and fled on foot but the alert officers apprehended him swiftly.
Afterwards, police revealed that Mr Manuel had entered Thailand through the Ban Laem permanent checkpoint in Chanthaburi on August 2, 2023. He was on a 30-day tourist visa. Significantly, he was residing illegally in the country for the last five months after the expiration of his visa period.
Officers not persuaded to be lenient after hearing about the German's journey of love to Ko Lanta
Arresting officers listened to his account of a journey from Pattaya to Ko Lanta in pursuit of love. However, Krabi police were inclined not to be lenient.
At length, the German's drunken encounter with the law saw him detained. Basically, he now faces the prospect of Christmas behind bars and deportation. Indeed, he will also be blacklisted from Thailand.
First, he faces criminal charges for being an alien staying in the Kingdom with an expired visa. At this time, Immigration Bureau police are detaining the foreigner.
Police focus is on maintaining societal peace
Additionally, Police Major General Songprod Sirisuka, Commander of Immigration Region 6, highlighted the crackdown policy now in place. Ordered by Royal Thai Police headquarters and the Immigration Bureau, it comes from the top.
Aligned with the directives of Police Lieutenant General Sitthiphon Ittisanronnachai, Commander-in-Chief of the Immigration Bureau, the operation aims to reduce criminal elements and disruption before the 2024 New Year's holiday.
Lastly, he explained the intensified inspections will target foreigners committing offences under the Immigration Act 1979 in addition to other violations. Boisterous foreign tourists overindulging in alcohol are a key target of the end-of-year campaign.
The focus of the campaign is on maintaining societal peace, citizen safety, and the well-being of tourists.
Thailand next year is hoping to welcome double the number of 2023 Indian arrivals.
The experiment to cancel visas for Indian nationals is bearing more fruit than the similar relaxation for Chinese citizens. Whereas the Chinese seem concerned by media reports that Thailand is unsafe, Indians are flocking here even though airfare costs can be almost double those of the pre-covid era. Rajesh Magow, founder of MakeMyTrip, said the traveller bonus from Indian visa relaxation was at least 30 percent.
Air India has already announced flights from Delhi to Phuket which will be daily from the new year. Charter flights from several Indian cities, such as Mumbai and Hyderabad, to U-tapao airport, near Pattaya, are also under discussion with IndiGo the low-cost airline. The tourist authority of Thailand expects to see 1.6 million Indian tourists in 2023 with around double that number in 2024.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) welcomed Indian travelers from New Delhi on December 10. Indian passport holders were granted a temporary visa exemption for a 30-day stay.
A limiting factor is that Indian airlines are short of aircraft to deploy on new routes to Thailand. Airlines may be unhappy to add too much capacity lest visa-free travel is not renewed on expiry in May 2024 which could exclude the peak summer holiday period. Moreover, Thailand in 2024 will have to compete with Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, all of which have beaches as well as different attractions.
Thailand's tourism industry faces a 40% decline in revenues this year compared to 2019, prompting a reevaluation. A disappointing response from Chinese tourists and a lack of Western enthusiasm have necessitated a focus on domestic travel and second-tier cities.
With foreign tourism visitor and income projections for 2023 being revised downwards and projected to be nearly 40% off 2019 revenue figures with fewer visitors, off by 30% and lower spenders because of an absence of Western tourists, Thailand's newly appointed tourism agency chief is signalling a move towards more domestic tourism as she plots a course to 2027 when she hopes 40% of the country's tourism income will be generated at home while the tourist sector itself will grow to a whopping 27% of GDP.
Facing a 40% decline overall in revenues from 2019, rejection from Chinese tourists and lack of former enthusiasm from Western travellers, Thailand's tourism industry seeks a new direction.
With a projected income of ฿1.2 trillion this year, 39.39% less than 2019, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) now eyes 28 million arrivals this year but many Bangkok-based analysts suggest this would be a positive outcome for the year given the pronounced decline in trends.
Downturn since September sees many economic analysts now forecasting 27.5 million arrivals by the end of December with revenue generated at ฿1.2 trillion
Since September, a pronounced downturn in foreign tourism has left Thailand's economic planners and tourism executives concerned.
Independent analysts predict 27.5 million arrivals in 2023, emphasising shorter-halt tourists from Asia. The anticipated income of ฿1.2 trillion falls significantly below the 2019 record of ฿1.98 trillion.
Thailand's cautious approach to reopening after the COVID-19 lockdown when it prioritised public health over the economy, leading to a delayed full reopening only earlier this year, is a key reason for the downturn as it damaged confidence within segments of the worldwide travel industry and saw a loss of goodwill that existed towards the country.
Other factors include the rising cost of living in Western markets and a significant and under-reported downturn in the Chinese economy as well as a more cautious approach by international airlines seeking higher load factors.
Tourism boss blames economic problems in key markets for the disappointing outcome this year and refocuses on domestic tourism and second-tier cities
TAT's governor, Thapanee Kiatpaiboon, last week, set a renewed target of 28 million visitors with ฿1.2 trillion in income for 2023.
She attributed the disappointing results to global economic challenges and the underperformance of the Chinese market, which was heavily relied upon. Ms Thapanee highlighted the need to boost domestic tourism and focus on second-tier cities in Thailand for local tourists.
These cities are generally outside the foreign tourist hotspots where foreign tourists tend to congregate such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and Ko Samui.
'Foreign tourism will become 27% of Thailand's GDP by 2027, and the country must move to become less dependent on foreign tourism from now on,' emphasised Ms Thapanee, hinting at a shift in the nation's tourism strategy.
China's policy of facilitating its own domestic tourism market has cost Thailand its hoped-for shot in the arm from the troubled Communist country
Global economic issues, unresolved flight problems, and disappointment in the Chinese market have contributed to this downturn. The Chinese economy's troubles and a focus on promoting domestic tourism by the Chinese government have impacted the anticipated 4-4.04 million Chinese arrivals, with only 3.4-3.5 million now expected.
The reduced cost of domestic air tickets in China further indicates a preference for domestic travel.
On the contrary, Thai people's travel within the country has exceeded the set target for the year. With 228 million trips recorded from January to November, the year-end total is expected to reach 240 million, generating ฿800 billion in income. The government's stimulus has encouraged more frequent travel among Thai citizens.
The combined income from foreign tourists and Thais in 2023 is projected to be ฿2 trillion, falling short of the ฿2.4 trillion revenue target.
Less Western and European visitors means lower per capita income and overall revenue within the foreign tourism sector, explaining things so far in 2023
The reduced per capita income and loss of higher spenders, especially among Europeans with longer stays, contributed to a reduced overall income per visitor in 2023.
This was caused by more tourists from neighbouring countries with shorter stays visiting Thailand, explained the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) boss.
To stimulate tourism, the Thai government has implemented visa exemption measures and extended the stay period for Russian tourists.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is considering policies for tourists from neighbouring countries to stay longer, increasing spending in Thailand. There are plans to renew visa exemption measures for Chinese tourists and discussion of multiple entry visas with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Proposal floated for 90 day tourist visas for some European visitors to Thailand has not emerged since November as Russian tourists enjoy such a benefit
Strangely, there has been no further mention of a proposal put forward in November by Prommin Lertsuridejm, the Secretary-general to the Prime Minister, for a longer 90-day visa to be granted to tourists from some European countries to boost not only European arrivals but subsequently, foreign tourism income levels.
Such a visa is already on offer to Russian visitors, many of them escaping the war and the extremely cold temperatures at home at this time of the year.
Ms Thapanee acknowledged the challenges and emphasised Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's understanding of tourism issues in her recent statement.
The government has taken steps to manage Thai tourism's online image, stimulate tourism in secondary cities, and provide quick wins in respect of the foreign tourist market.
Domestic tourism figures and activities in secondary cities and locations offer some hope for the new Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) chief
In some rare good news from the tourism front, Ms Thapanee revealed that Thailand's tourism revenue in second-tier cities is expected to exceed 2019 levels by nearly 40%, contributing to total domestic travel revenue surpassing the ฿800 billion forecast by TAT.
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the newly appointed Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor, noted that Thai tourists have shown increased interest in exploring new places since the pandemic, leading to higher domestic spending per trip.
Revenue from second-tier cities during the first nine months of 2023 saw a 39% increase compared to 2019, reaching ฿170 billion.
The expected 40% growth by year-end contributes to the overall domestic revenue target of ฿800 billion.
The TAT's definition of second-tier cities, drawing around 4 million visitors per year, may be revised to fit the current situation. The agency will continue to promote 55 cities through year-round campaigns to support tourism.
TAT tourism agency plans to select top secondary cities to be upgraded to major tourist centres through marketing budgets and laying on increased flights
Looking ahead to 2024, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) forecasts a 10-15% revenue growth in second-tier cities, driven by marketing promotions and increased flights.
Collaborating with the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the TAT plans to select 10 potential secondary cities for investment in trade, tourism, and upgrades to major tourism centres.
The private sector will receive support for upskilling and reskilling programmes, aiming to contribute 25% of GDP by 2027.
These initiatives not only diversify the market but also reduce reliance on foreign tourists, with the TAT aiming to increase the portion of domestic tourism revenue to 40%, up from the 33% seen in 2019.
Recently appointed TAT boss faces an uphill challenge and a particularly difficult job with both political and economic drivers needing to be balanced
Amidst a turbulent period for the kingdom's tourism industry, Ms Thapanee, the new 49-year-old Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), faces a daunting task. She assumed office on September 1, 2023, succeeding Yuthasak Supasorn, bringing a wealth of experience to her new role.
Having joined TAT in 1999, Thapanee's journey within the organisation commenced as an International Relations Officer.
After graduating from Bangkok University and gaining a Master's Degree from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom, she steadily ascended the ranks, fulfilling roles such as Director of Tourism Product Production and Deputy Governor for Domestic Market.
Born on December 1, 1974, Thapanee, is affectionately known as 'Klang.'
She hails from a family with ties to public service, her father being the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce. However, her tenure as governor coincides with a challenging period for Thailand's vital tourism industry.
Controversial proposal for Chinese police patrols in November showcased the acute difficulties involved in the job of Tourism agency boss in Thailand
The scrutiny intensified for Thapanee, just months into the role in the middle of November when negotiations with the Chinese Embassy, particularly concerning a Chinese police patrol project aimed at bolstering confidence for Chinese visitors, was quickly scotch by Minister of Tourism and Sports Sudawan Wang-Suphakitkosol due to adverse political reaction.
Those efforts, while sparking criticism, underscore the formidable challenges confronting the new Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor in steering Thailand's tourism sector through troubled waters.
Auto checkout at Suvarnabhumi for foreigners from Friday
Immigration Police Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Itthipol Itthisanronnachai, second right, inspects new automatic departure channels for foreigners at Suvarnabhumi airport on Monday. The new channels will open on Dec 15. (Photo: police)
Automatic channels for passport checks for out-bound foreign passengers at Suvarnabhumi airport will be available from Dec 15, to speed up boarding of departure flights, Immigration Bureau chief Pol Lt Gen Itthipol Itthisanronnachai said on Monday.
He said Suvarnabhumi airport started using 16 automatic channels for passport checks for out-bound travellers from 2012, but only for Thai nationals. It takes only about 20 seconds to scan the face and fingerprints of each passenger. A channel manned by an immigration officer normally takes about 45 seconds.
At present Suvarnabhumi airport handles 50,000-60,000 out-bound passengers per day. Congestion is high when there are more than 20 departure flights per hour. If the immigration and security screening process is slow, passengers can miss their flights.
The Immigration Police Bureau was improving the process so passengers could be processed more quickly, he said. This was in line with government policy to promote tourism.
Pol Lt Gen Itthipol said Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin spoke to him at the airport before leaving for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco in mid-November.
The prime minister expressed concern over the slow outflow of passengers and asked him to look into installing automatic channels to check the passports of out-bound foreigners.
Action had been taken.
New automatic channels for checking the passports of departing foreigners had been installed at Suvarnabhumi airport and would be open for use from Dec 15.
Immigration Police Division 2 (international airports) commander Pol Gen Choengron Rimphadee said the new automatic channels were for passengers carrying e-passports, and complied with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Foreigners with ordinary passports, and children and the disabled, although holding e-passports, would stil be required to go through the ordinary channels manned by officials.
Outflow of passengers at Suvarnabhumi airport was expected to improve from about 5,000 to 12,000 per hour. Despite the faster immigration process, the machines could still detect people wanted under arrest warrants, those banned from traveling abroad, and those who had overstayed their visas, he said.
Arriving passengers would still have to be checked by immigration officers, for security reasons. As more automatic channels were installed for departures, more immigration staff could be moved to the arrival channels to more effectively cope with the inflow of passengers during peak times, Pol Maj Gen Choengron said.
Food carts line up along Jomtien Beach Road, causing traffic congestion and inconvenience for motorists and pedestrians. The issue is one of the many illegal activities that residents and tourists have complained about in Pattaya.
PATTAYA, Thailand – A wave of frustration and discontent has swept over Pattaya, as residents and tourists alike have voiced their concerns over the rampant illegal activities that plague the city. Several issues, ranging from illegal parking to public smoking and marijuana use, have raised questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement in Pattaya.
The city, which is known for its vibrant nightlife and entertainment industry, has also been facing problems such as street vendors and fireworks sellers on the beach, roadside food stalls, begging, especially with children, foreigners selling flowers at night, women engaged in solicitation, double-parked taxis, and sidewalk obstructions. These issues pose safety risks and inconvenience to both residents and tourists, and also tarnish the city's image as a tourist-friendly destination.
Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, who is in charge of maintaining order in Pattaya, has the power to enforce cleanliness regulations directly. However, in matters where direct legal enforcement is difficult, he needs to coordinate with relevant agencies to address the issues. Residents and tourists alike have expressed the urgent need for a comprehensive and effective approach to tackle these problems. They fear that if these concerns are not addressed, Pattaya may lose its competitive edge as a tourist destination. The call is clear: a sincere and collaborative effort is required to uphold the city's reputation and make it a safe and appealing place for all.
The Ministry of Public Healthdismissed the cancellation of new year celebrations in Thailand due to the purported spread of a new Covid-19 variant, XBC, as fake news. No unusual outbreaks or dangerous variants have been reported.
A Thai Facebook user recently reported that the government was planning to cancel all new year holiday events due to the spread of the new Deltacron XBC variant. The user stated that Deltacron XBC spreads more easily and quickly than the previous variants and is three times more dangerous than others.
The fake news sharer also added that many Thai people had been infected with deltacron XBC. The post included statistical and random studies that were supposedly published by Chulalongkorn University to make the information reliable.
Many netizens shared the messages, causing many people to panic about another outbreak and some to worry about their businesses during the high season at the end of the year.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, Opas Karnkawinpong, announced today, December 8, that the messages were fake. Dr Opas said the ministry had not yet discovered any unusual situation or dangerous spread of Covid, so there were no plans to cancel the new year's celebrations in Thailand.
Opas urged Thai netizens not to share the post to avoid panic among the public. He added that residents could contact the authorities to verify the suspicious information before sharing it with others.
According to the Public Health Ministry's report, 536 people were infected with Covid and treated in hospitals from November 26 to December 2.
The number of patients increased slightly compared to previous weeks as Thailand entered the cold season. This is a normal period for the number of respiratory cases to increase. The ministry advised residents to wear face masks and wash their hands more often to avoid infection.
Nevertheless, some doctors stepped forward to voice their opinions that the number of Covid patients increased significantly this month, and the government department should report the real situation for residents to take care of themselves.
A pediatric specialist in respiratory diseases from the Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, Jirarut Chomchoei, reported to DailyNews that eight out of ten of his patients were infected.
Jirarut suggested that people, especially those who cough, have a runny nose or are sick, wear masks to avoid spreading the disease to others. He also urged people to wash their hands often before eating or touching their faces.
Minimum wage to be hiked by around 2.4% from January 1
Thailand's daily minimum wage is set to increase nationwide from January 1, 2024, in the range of 330 to 370 baht per day according to the province, the Labour Ministry said.
The tripartite committee on minimum wage, comprising representatives of employers, employees and the government sector, met on Friday to finalise the details of minimum wage adjustment across all 77 provinces.
The new rates will be submitted to the Cabinet when it meets next Tuesday (December 12), and will take effect from January 1, Labour Ministry permanent secretary Pairoj Chotikasathien, who chaired the meeting on Friday, said.
The new daily minimum wage by province, from highest to lowest, are as follows:
350 baht: Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Chachoengsao, Prachinburi, Khon Kaen and Chiang Mai
349 baht: Lopburi
348 baht: Suphanburi, Nakhon Nayok and Nong Khai
347 baht: Krabi and Trat
345 baht: Kanchanaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Surat Thani, Songkhla, Phang Nga, Chanthaburi, Sa Kaeo, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Sakon Nakhon, Buri Ram, Ubon Ratchathani, Chiang Rai, Tak and Phitsanulok
344 baht: Phetchaburi, Chumphon and Surin
343 baht: Yasothon, Lamphun and Nakhon Sawan
342 baht: Nakhon Si Thammarat, Bueang Kan, Kalasin, Roi Et and Phetchabun
341 baht: Chai Nat, Singburi, Phatthalung, Chaiyaphum and Ang Thong
340 baht: Ranong, Satun, Loei, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Maha Sarakham, Si Sa Ket, Amnat Charoen, Mae Hong Son, Lampang, Sukhothai, Uttaradit, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Uthai Thani and Ratchaburi
338 baht: Trang, Nan, Phayao and Phrae
330 baht: Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala
Currently, the lowest minimum wage in Thailand is 328 baht and the highest is 354 baht, varying from province to province. The increase in the daily minimum wage will range from 2 to 16 baht, or an average of 2.4%.
The Pheu Thai-led government had previously promised to raise the minimum wage to 400 baht per day by January 1 as a New Year's gift for workers nationwide. However, in October, the Labour Ministry said this was unlikely to happen after considering several factors, including the inflation rate.
Thai Revenue will likely take several months yet to clarify its latest income tax enforcement policy.
Most expats in Thailand live on income or capital, or both, built up over many years with tax already paid in the country of passport. They are understandably worried by the imminent change in Thai Revenue practice – it is not a new law passed by parliament – which will potentially tax new and assessable foreign-sourced income beginning in January 2024. Pattaya Mailhas received more concerned reader feedback about this issue than any other during 2023. With inauguration day fast approaching, here is our summary for the typical expat who does not indulge in major currency speculation, huge profit-taking from overseas businesses nor off-shore bank accounts hiding their cash.
Has the Thai Revenue clarified the position of typical expats? No. It is commonly assumed that the Revenue is mainly interested in rich Thais and foreigners who have manipulated Thai tax rules in the past to avoid payments from overseas. Typical expats with home-country pensions or social security allowances are not part of this agenda, though in theory they could be caught in the crossfire. Talks are continuing between senior accountancy firms, lobby groups and the Revenue about this and other issues. Don't expect answers any time soon.
Will my international cash transfers to Thailand from January 1 2024 be reduced on arrival by a Bank of Thailand tax levy? No. There will not be any changes from current practice. You pay tax in arrears in Thailand by registering at the Revenue for a tax identification number and paying tax due, if any, in the next fiscal year. There is no PAYE procedure in Thailand. The misunderstanding that Thailand will tax international transfers as the cash arrives is a widespread misconception
Should I apply for a tax identification number? Not unless you receive an instruction from a government source or the immigration, both very unlikely scenarios. It is almost certain that, at any rate in the early years, tax registration will be voluntary. If you believe you have been taxed already on your cash sent to Thailand, it's best to do nothing now. There is no need to employ the services of tax accountants if you are a typical expat (unless working here on a work permit which is a separate subject). The tax situation as regards cash sent to Thailand to purchase property is a separate source of ambiguity.
Most countries with expats here have a double taxation treaty with Thailand, so is that relevant? That depends on the exact wording of complex documents which differ substantially one from another. Double taxation treaties are designed to be used only in cases where Thailand and the first country cannot agree on who has the right to tax. If Thai Revenue were to clarify unambiguously that previously taxed income would not be retaxed, the issue would largely die.
If I need to later, how will I prove that my cash transfers to Thailand have already been taxed? This will vary on an individual basis. An expat's tax return or the response by the internal revenue service of the first country might suffice, or a simple statement on a tax form might be acceptable. Few experts, if any, believe that the Thai Revenue has the staffing or the expertise to deal with more than 300,000 expats who are tax residents because they spend more than 180 days here in a fiscal year. It bears repeating that the registration process will likely be voluntary. The Thai government is looking for the big fish, Thai or foreign, and not the small fry.
How does Thai Revenue know about your international cash transfers? Most countries in the world, around 120 and including Thailand, are now part of the CRS (Common Reporting System) which requires financial institutions worldwide to fight tax evasion and to protect the integrity of tax systems by sharing your banking transactions with partner countries. This means that your international transfers have been/ are/ will be monitored by Thai financial authorities. Some experts believe that Thai Revenue will use CRS as the route to question rich Thais and foreigners about large international transactions. Amongst the countries not registered for CRS are North Korea and the Vatican.
What is the Thai government really up to? The new post-coup government simply wants to raise cash, in part to help pay for its populist policies such as the 10,000 baht give away scheme. One can assume that nobody in authority has yet thought seriously about the effects of the change on the expat market here and the potential unpopularity amongst long-term visa holders including one year retirement extensions, Elite and the 10 year Long Term Residence. If you are an expat living in Thailand for at least half the year, without any major financial secrets to keep from Thai Revenue, then it's best to do nothing until the situation is clearer. That'll take several months yet. But no point in packing your bags in disgust and leaving for Cambodia. They are a CRS country too.
Chonburi (Jomtien) immigration tends to be very busy just now before and after a public holiday which falls on December 11 next week.
Monday December 11 sees another public holiday in recognition of Constitution Day. All government offices nationally, including immigration, will be closed and will reopen the following day at 8.30 a.m.
Chonburi (Jomtien) immigration tends to be very busy just now before and after a public holiday. Hence, the working days Friday December 8 and Tuesday December 12 are likely to witness overcrowding, especially with the weekend intervening prior to the formal closure on Monday December 11. Best to get there early if you must!
