Security concerns raised over Thailand’s visa-free tourist policy

A former deputy director of Thailand’s National Intelligence Agency, Nantiwat Samart, is advising the government to focus more on national security and public safety than on the number of tourist arrivals.

He pointed out that there has been an increase in calls on social media for the government to revoke the visa-free entry policy, introduced during the administration of former PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra, due to various problems allegedly caused by Israeli tourists.

Visa-free entry is currently available to citizens of 93 countries, allowing them to visit, conduct business or stay temporarily in Thailand for up to 60 days, with the option of a 30-day extension.

Nantiwat said Thai people are not anti-Semitic and are not opposed to any particular nationality, noting that Thailand welcomes foreign tourists.

However, he added that authorities should begin screening incoming visitors to ensure they are “quality” tourists and not individuals intending to work illegally or settle in the country permanently.

He said the pre-travel visa process would help screen visitors before arrival, ensuring, among other things, that tourists have sufficient funds for their stay and preventing unrestricted entry.

The government should also be more aware of national security implications, he said, citing potential threats such as terrorism, scam gangs, foreign mafia groups and cybercrime.

Tourists of any nationality who overstay their visas should be asked to leave the country, he said, adding that immigration police should strictly enforce the law.

Thai netizens have also complained about Israeli tourists allegedly working illegally, setting up businesses, buying land with the help of Thai nominees and concentrating in popular tourist destinations such as Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, Phuket and Pai district in Mae Hong Son province.

In Pai, for example, netizens claim that Israeli tourists number more than 4,000 at any given time, have their own place of worship and maintain a community there. Some even accuse them of effectively using Thailand as a second home.

Calls for revoking the visa-free entry policy are reportedly growing louder on social media, especially following the US-Israeli attack on Iran.