
In the wake of reports about the kidnapping of several Chinese citizens by scam syndicates operating across the border in Myanmar, Senator Wanchai Ekpornpich urged the government to urgently review Thailand's visa-free policy, which was recently expanded to include visitors from 93 countries and territories.
While his proposal was, at best, a knee-jerk reaction, some of his suggestions could actually turn out to be useful for the government. For instance, in a recent Upper House meeting, Sen Wanchai called on the government to conduct a SWOT analysis to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats presented by the expanded visa policy.
Right now, all the public ever hears about is how the expanded policy has boosted tourist arrivals and how it would positively affect the local economy. No one really talks about how criminal syndicates and illegal migrant workers can take advantage of the visa-free policy and how that can negatively ruin local businesses and the country's international standing as a top tourist destination.
Such one-sided reporting fosters a false sense a security, and ultimately both Thais and tourists alike will realise how far from ideal the arrangement actually is.
In effect since July 15 last year, the expanded policy allows visitors from 93 countries and territories to visit Thailand without a visa for 60 days. This is in addition to the visa-on-arrival policy that is applicable to visitors from 31 countries and territories, as well as the newly launched digital nomad visa, which allows its holders to remain in the country for 180 days.
Needless to say, more travellers can now enter the country more easily.
But at the same time, there has been a noticeable uptick in criminal activities over the past several months, leading to ominous headlines about tourists getting abducted and travellers falling victim to scam syndicates.
A growing number of local businesses are also complaining about foreign workers taking up jobs that are primarily reserved for Thai citizens, such as tour guides or even construction workers. To evade detection, these foreign workers simply leave the country when their stay permit runs out.
Recent news about a Chinese actor and a model who were duped into working for scam syndicates in Myawaddy town in Myanmar showed how easy it is to abuse Thailand's visa-free policy. These cases confirm that current guardrails against visa-related abuses are not effective nor fully enforceable.
It is about time the government fine-tunes this policy to screen out visitors with dubious records. Experts have also said that the 60-day visa exemption period is too long, especially since the majority of tourists stay for 15 days at most, according to a recent survey.
It is unfair, however, to blame Thailand's lenient visa policy for the spike in criminal activities. In fact, it is time for the government, particularly those in charge of the Ministry of Defence, Interior Ministry and Royal Thai Police, to reflect on their shortcomings. They must remember that without the help of local officials and accomplices, the abduction of foreign citizens, trafficking and online scams cannot take place.
Good tourism and visa policies need to provide convenience to travellers. At the same time, the government must ensure there are enough guardrails to ensure only responsible travellers can enter the country. Above all, the country and local officials must prove they can be both a good host and reliable guardians.