Do DTV visa holders need the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in Thailand?

@Chris *******

I know. Like I expected, there would be delays. Same thing happened in the UK and EU, but the UK is now finally rolling it out. In fact, for nationals of certain middle eastern countries, the ETA is already mandatory.

I suspect Thailand will move its trial to sometime next year, though it might be delayed even further.

After all, Japan has stated its own version may not come online before 2030, which is many years away.

@Paul ******

this was the nature of the comment that I made originally … until its gazetted it’s nothing

@Chris *******

Yeah OK. My point was, when these things are first announced, they often go through numerous delays.

I wasn't expecting it to come into force so quickly. I could tell from the UK and EU examples that this wouldn't be implemented on time. However, it will eventually be implemented.

Whenever that happens, is when it will be formally rubber stamped.

@Paul ******

I hope it does happen, I’m a veteran of the old hand written rubbish that used to cause long delays at immigration ( let us guess which nationalities) most didn’t even know their own names… at least with eta if it wring or not done properly they won’t be getting on a plane to start with

@Chris *******

I remember those days. It was annoying to have to wait behind some clueless Chinese tourist who didn't know how to fill in the form.

Personally, I prefer paper forms, though I was never a fan of the TM6. To this day, still required for entry by land at most land border checkpoints.

@Paul ******

and yes China Russia the main culprits

@Paul ******

designed at a local kindergarten is my lasting memory of them

@Chris *******

I filled one out just a few weeks ago coming in by land from Cambodia. However, it's not so bad at land borders (unless you're at a busy one) because chances are you'll be the only person there, needing to fill one out (and indeed, I was). Apart from my family and I, no one else was crossing the border at the time I was and Thais have not been required to fill out the form since 2017.

@Andy ***********

Well yes but the agenda here is the WEF/Agenda 2030 one.

The ETA forms part of this, and the current administration is very well known for pandering to these sorts of globalist agendas.

The 300 Baht fee, may or may not happen. You could say it's part of the "over tourism" agenda, which fits in with the overall Agenda 2030 as well.

@Paul ******

Not quite sure what you're on about. ETA has been around for years. Tightens up security and allows pre-screening. If this Agenda you're on about stops a**holes from travelling it's got my vote 100%

@Andy ***********

The agenda is to ensure that eventually, all or at least most countries impose this ETA for visa-exempt foreign nationals to enter their country.

Anyway, no need to get political here, I simply wish to convey the message that this system is coming to Thailand and I knew 5 years ago that it would be coming here.

The only question is, will that be June 2025 as they've stated or a little later? The UK and EU versions have been delayed multiple times but are now coming online soon, with confirmed dates given for the UK one and a likely date announced for the EU version.

@Paul ******

Excellent! I welcome it. Time to crack down in this area.

@Andy ***********

It will certainly stop same day border runners and I've been warning people about it. Some refuse to listen, but sooner, rather than later, their days of living visa-exempt in Thailand with just a quick run to Laos will be over.

@Paul ******

They'll still continue but will be paying 300 baht each time. This government is hell-bent on raising money. Already the land border restrictions have been lifted - getting ready for the cash bonanza. And those scampering to the land borders will happily pay 300 baht each time, but will still scream discrimination if they have to pay the same amount to get into a national park. You just have to ROFL

@Andy ***********

Firstly, the land borders will charge 150 Baht. Secondly, it's quite different from national park charges. No one is forced to visit one. I loathe the dual pricing there, but I only go to the few that are free or don't charge me extra OR during the dry season TAT promotion where roughly half of all national parks participate in a free entry promotion for foreigners. I took advantage of this back in February and I hope they do it again this December.

Visa exempt travelers using the ETA will firstly be required to wait in the next country until a new approval comes through AND the system may not grant continuous re-entries as the system the Thais want to impose is one which requires a new ETA for each re-entry. All other countries only require a new one each 1-3 years as each ETA is valid for multiple entries, but Thailand clearly wants to stop border runners in their tracks.

This will make border runners complain about having to spend a night or so in Laos while awaiting approval for their next ETA but a second or third approval may not come through.

I don't think the Baht foreigner entry fee is a good idea at all. Not only will it affect all foreigners, including residents, but it will become a hassle and depending on how it's implemented, could result in a Bali like situation: where foreigners are hassled by police at random locations, to see whether they've paid the fee. This could lead to racial profiling and general bad sentiment.

@Paul ******

It won't affect residents, as those on non-imm visas don't require an ETA. Yeah the ETA might have lifespan of twelve months, but hopefully it won't, so the perpetual border bouncers will have to cough up! I'm fortunate in that I don't mind Thai people getting a discount to visit national parks which they actually own - certainly not over 300 baht. I know some chumps who fork out baht each year for their visa extension to an agent and yet meltdown over 300 to get into a national park! Double pricing favouring different groups or citizens exist all over the world, but most people pretend to ignore them. My barber discriminates against younger people by giving discounts to seniors for a haircut! 😂😂😂

@Andy ***********

Not quite the same thing.

Anyway, to stay on topic, this is what they've said about this ETA as it stands now:

Valid for only a single entry. No multiple entry option. Whether they change this after trialing the single entry version, remains to be seen, but let's assume they will require a new one for each entry as I know the Thai authorities don't want to encourage border runners. This is one way of ensuring they go away. In future, the only border runners will be those on multiple entry visas, such as the multiple entry tourist visa, the DTV of course and if they're still available by then, non-O, non-B and O-A multiple entry visas.

I think foreign residents deserve a discount on national park entry and not just the occasional TAT promotion, which, last time it ran earlier this year (over a period of 2.5 months) resulted in the unusual situation of Thais having to pay, while foreigners didn't even need to pay for their vehicles to access parks which charge vehicular access fees!

There would be fewer complaints (certainly from me) if Thai authorities demanded everyone who wants to enter at the Thai price present a national ID (or other acceptable proof, such as a passport, government ID or student ID showing their national identification number) to avail themselves of the privilege. At the moment it's a mess, because in practice, Burmese and other "Thai looking" foreigners get the Thai price, which they don't deserve and aren't actually eligible for.

Signs clearly distinguish between "Thais" and "foreigners". If you're Burmese, you're not Thai.

Anyway, I don't wish to go off topic any further. This is simply my opinion and I would like to emphasize the fact that no one is forced to visit any dual pricing venues.

However, the foreigner entry fee of Baht, if implemented, is unavoidable unless you're in the exempt category. I do hope the Thai government has the sense NOT to impose this fee.

Along with the ETA, it will definitely deter a sizeable number of visitors, who will visit Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos and other countries instead.

@Paul ******

I really can't get that worked up over 300 baht, but I do realise Thailand attracts more than its fair share of Cheap Charlies. I have always, and will continue to distance myself from all these "fuzzy" attractions which expats have orgasms over, such as Pink ID Card, Blue book, Yellow Book, Green Book, Purple Book, Driver's License. I will never buy property here. I distance myself as much as possible, as it's imperative for me to retain Australian Tax Residency. All I've got in Thailand is a 12-month lease and a bank account. In Australia I've got this magic seniors card which means I can travel all around NSW for a maximum $2.50 per day capped. Foreigners don't get that. That's my entitlement as an Australian Citizen, so why shouldn't Thai citizens get discounts? Happens all over the world. International University Student fees in Australia are much higher than for domestic, but again, why shouldn't Australians get it cheaper? It's sad you're against that, but you'd better get used to it because that's the way of the world.

@Andy ***********

Again, you're giving me examples of things that only apply to some people, not everyone.

Thailand has plenty of schemes that are only valid for Thai citizens. From welfare cards to senior discounts on the BTS (which otherwise only has one pricing scheme that applies to everyone).

I have no problem with differential pricing for international students, but again, unless you're going to study in Australia this won't apply to you.

The Baht fee, if implemented, will be unavoidable unless you stay in Thailand and never leave.

Sure, New Zealand has such a scheme in place now, which does not apply to Australians but does apply to Thais and most foreigners who come to the country as visitors. It's called the "tourism fee" and will soon jump to NZD 100.

Therefore, Thailand would hardly be alone if this scheme is implemented. Just that it the method of implementation and the fact it will supposedly apply to all foreigners (except diplomats and maybe 1 or 2 other categories) again reeks of money making and desperation.

Anyway, it's all up in the air now. The government keeps going back and forth on this. First it's on, then it's off now it's supposedly on again.

The ETA, now that will happen eventually, I'm sure of it. You can't really say the same thing about this so called "tourism fee", which is really a foreigner tax in disguise.

@Paul ******

And whatever Thai people get in the way of discounts I'm happy for them. Have you ever considered a Gofundme appeal to help you out?

@Andy ***********

I'm not sure what you're getting at. We went from discussing the ETA to your rant on how you support dual pricing. I even agreed with differential pricing for international students at Australian universities, something, which even the USA doesn't do. They only have "in state and out of state pricing", meaning an international student studying in California pays the same as a student from Arizona does.

Anyway, you can see we're not in agreement about the proposed foreigner entry fee.

Let's end this back and forth now, as it's off topic and unless or until it's actually confirmed, there's really no need to go on and on about it.

The ETA is the topic here and we've discussed everything there is to say about that that we know so far.