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Tourism stimulus measures extended

BANGKOK, 15 April 2010 (NNT) – The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has extended tourism stimulus measures for one year until 31 March 2011 to assist tourism related entrepreneurs who were affected from the demonstration of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa announced on Thursday that the ministry has resolved to extend the assistance measures to help tourism related entrepreneurs while road show activities must be organized on a continuous basis to further stimulate tourism.

The stimulus measures include the exemption of visa fees for foreign tourists, travel insurance for foreign tourists of not more than 10,000 USD, low interest rate loans, and extension of loan payment periods.

IMPORTANT!

Ninety day notifications at the BOI One-Stop Service Center for Visas and Work Permits at Chamchuri Square (MRT Sam Yan) are no longer being processed for those who did not obtain their visa or visa extension at that office. This follows a meeting of immigration officials at Monday lunchtime on March 8, 2010.

Customers who were already queuing with completed forms were turned away and told to go to the Immigration Center at Chaeng Wattana.

Free tourist visas were available at Thai embassies worldwide from June 25, 2009 to March 4, 2010. As this promotion period has now ended, all foreigners who apply for tourist visas must now pay an application fee (currently GBP 28.00 if applied for in the United Kingdom). Tourist visas are valid for a 60 days stay and may be extended at local Thai immigration offices.

The One-Stop Service Center for Visas and Work Permits located close to Central Lat Phrao Department Store (MRT Phahon Yothin) has now closed and been replaced by a new service center at Chamchuree Square Office Tower.

The One-Stop Service for Visa and Work Permit Center (Thai: ศูนย์บริการวีซ่าและใบอนุญาตทำงาน) previously located at Rasa Tower 2 (near Central Department Store, Lad Phrao) has now moved to Chamchuri Square Office Tower. The new One-Stop Service opened on January 4, 2010. It provides an express service to business users including Thai visas, work permits and 90 day address notifications but not retirement visas.