Originally Posted by
BinSabai
Thailand has contracts with
Korea, Brazil, Peru, Argentina, and Chile to grant citizens 90 days visa exemtion. So Thailand would then have to grant all the other nationalities, who can pass through those automated gates as well 90 days....
your second proposal would mean that people with permanent residence, long term visas, expensive elite visas etc., who should actually get priority in the immigration process, would have to queue in front of the manned desks, while tourists can pass quickly....
And the problem with granting the other nationalities 90 days' tourist visits would be...?
As to your second point, why should people with long-term visas, PR status, etc. get priority in the immigration process after landing at a Thai airport? All of these are unique statuses that require review or confirmation by a human officer. Besides, holders of such documents are seeking greater benefit (i.e. longer term residency) than those on short-term tourist visits. Saying the former should get priority is like saying that the e-gates in the UK should be reserved for people on work visas, since they will arguably be making a greater contribution to British society than short-term tourists. But the rule is actually the opposite: tourists of certain countries can use the e-gates, those seeking the greater privilege (work visa holders coming to take up employment in the UK) have to see an officer.