Anutin says Pattaya weapons case will factor into visa-free review

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the arrest of a Chinese suspect in connection with the recent discovery of a large arms cache in Chon Buri province will be taken into account in the government’s review of its pre travel-free 60-day visa policy.

Anutin said national police chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet has briefed him since the incident began with a car accident in Na Jomtien district, involving a Chinese driver and leading to the discovery of a large quantity of war weapons at the Chinese suspect’s rented residence.

“We must get to the source of this problem,” he said, adding that the case has raised serious questions about how a foreign national was able to possess such a large quantity of weapons.

“This will have implications for the 60-day visa issue,” he said, but added that police and security agencies must first gather as much detailed information as possible.

The Anutin administration is considering reverting the current 60-day pre-travel visa exemption entry back to 30 days, possibly with 30-day extensions still available at immigration offices.

The government cited concerns over transnational scam syndicates, overstays and increased public disturbances in tourist hotspots as reasons for the review.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, speaking during a trip to Tokyo on Friday, said the discovery of the arms cache case is alarming and that improvements were needed in Thailand’s immigration screening process.

He said the government is reviewing visa regulations, particularly the current 60-day stay granted to tourists from numerous countries.

Thailand remains an open society that welcomes foreign investors, he said, but authorities must be more vigilant vis-à-vis ill-intentioned people entering the country under the guise of tourism.