Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing what apparently is looking to be a new 90-day Visa Exemption for at least Canadians and Americans. I thought of making this video after reading a recent article from the Thai Examiner, that is thaiexaminer.com, the article is titled: Thailand wants to see far more US and Canadian tourists as long-haul visitors spend twice as much. Quoting directly: "The senior aide said Thailand should introduce a 90-day visa-on-arrival facility for long-haul visitors. This would be similar to the concessions recently made to Russian tourist arrivals. It is understood that the Tourism Ministry along with the Foreign Affairs Ministry are also considering a wider package." 

So first things first here. What are we talking about with regard to the Russian situation? Well as we discussed in a prior video, Russian nationals as well as I believe Kazakh nationals as well, folks from Kazakhstan were granted this new 90-day Visa exemption and presumably it was for the duration of high season. But what we are now seeing is there seems to be some movement toward making these new Visa exemption rules more permanent as evidenced by the fact that the Chinese are now being allowed Visa exemption, looking like on a permanent basis. They have already announced this that from March forward, Chinese nationals will have these visa exempt status into Thailand. Now I believe it's for 15 days although it hasn't been fully clarified yet so we will keep you updated on that down the road but for now, it also looks like this could end up being a benefit to at least American and Canadians passport holders as they too seems like will be allowed to come into Thailand and spend 90 days at a stretch without even the need for any type of Visa. So it would be similar to the present, current 30-day Visa exemption and it would just be extended, it would be for 90 days. 

Now how this will change overall policy, for example multiple entries into Thailand utilizing the Visa exemption stamp - presently we have got a rule which stipulates that you sort of get two as sort of a baseline, you get two entries into Thailand Visa exempt per year on the passports that have visa exemption status - I don't know how a 90-day exemption would change those rules if at all or if in the future one would be allowed to come to Thailand twice a year and spend 90 days at a stretch and therefore get 180 days of status just by coming in on their passport. Again it remains to be seen. 

Now the other thing to bear in mind is Visa exemption status is not a Visa so those who are looking to come to Thailand to live full time, utilizing this isn't going to be particularly useful to them. Meanwhile also Visa exemption status does not confer any type of work authorization so those coming into Thailand in even this extended 90-day Visa exemption status would not necessarily be granted any type of work authorization to work here in Thailand. Again though, the details of this remain a bit vague and we will certainly keep you updated on this channel as the situation evolves.