Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar And Vietnam, On A Single Visa

[CebuAndy]

Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar And Vietnam, On A Single Visa.

Mekong minus Thailand gateway

July 23, 2012 by Wanwisa Ngamsangchaikit

Filed under Mekong Region, News, Thailand

BANGKOK, 23 July 2012: Thailand tourism industry will face more pressure from a neighbouring countries, which are moving towards establishing a single visa that does not include Thailand as its gateway destination.

The CLMV scheme is an initiative of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Described as a single visa, it is due to be officially launched this September at Ho Chi Minh City’s International Travel Expo.

The visa will allow foreign tourists to travel to any of the countries in the bloc using a single visa.

Thai Travel Agents Association president, Suthiphong Pheunphiphop, said on the sideline of the ASEAN Economic Community seminar late last week that Thailand tourism industry would be marginalised by the four ASEAN member countries as it would encourage visitors to use the Vietnam gateway to visit all four destinations ussng just one visa.

“The Thai’s government has to address this issue, as it has been slow to respond and Thailand is in danger of losing its prominence as a gateway to the Mekong region.”

"Nowadays, the country’s tourism industry is driven by the private sector, not the government sector. A single visa that excludes Thailand will shift travel patterns as it will cut visa costs and allow visits to up to four countries on one visa during one trip the region.”

The Thailand industry has shown little progress in responding to challenges in the past five years because of threats from political infighting in the country, he said.

To compete with the neighbours,the Ministry of Tourism and Sports should play a key role leading the industry. However, the 10-year-old ministry is still not productive because its personnel, including the minister, do not have enough knowledge to guide this business forward the association president argued.

“The tourism ministry needs the right man for the job. At present, everyone from the minister to the staff at the ministry lack a clear understanding of what they should do.

Mr Suthiphong added: “Thailand’s tourism ranking in ASEAN will decline as competition through the AEC 2015 will intensiy.”

Association of Thai Travel Agents president, Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, said: “Introduction of a CLMV single visa is an initiative that will isolate Thailand.”

The integration will benefit the four countries as they have similar roots and background particularly culture, tradition and attractions.

“Myanmar is a rising star and it will attract many tourists now that sanctions have been lifted.”

Association of Domestic Travel president, Yutthachai Soonthronrattanavate, said Thailand need to recognise the CLMV visa will strengthen competitiveness and we need to clean up our act and end corruption.

“Corruption was a big barrier to developing the tourism industry. Suvarnabhumi Airport was an example. It is riddled with troubles, especially traffic congestion and all because of poor management.”

The government should have moved faster to establish two airports in Bangkok to improve traffic flow. Especially, Don Mueang Airport should be fully opened for international traffic to accommodate passengers, he suggested.

Source: http://www.ttrweekly...ailand-gateway/

[OldUgly&Cranky]

This sounds like great news for the four Countries involved and for those that want to travel around there !!! would definitely save some money and hassle getting visa's for every country !! i dont see how this will effect Thailand too much thought because dont they already give travelers a 30 day visa anyway when you arrive ?? , i just did a check online for prices from cebu pacific 2 one way tickets from manila to Saigon it was around 10 k pesos and from Bangkok to manila 1 month later returning was around 12k pesos not too shabby in my eyes thats around $500 Canadian for 2 return tickets , if these 4 countries actually go threw with this visa i think i personally might consider going there on a photo shoot !!! i dont think i will be going to Myanmar anytime soon but maybe in a few years if things have settled down there im sure it would be a hidden paradise undeveloped not touristy at all !! i would go to vietnam , Cambodia maybe laos , with a stop for sure in Thailand !!! cross our fingers guys about this visa could open up a few great and cheap escapes for us !!

O-U-C :thumbsup:

[newboy]

Yes you're correct Thailand gives you 30 days when arriving via air. Having been to Cambodia 16 times now, I'm hoping that it's going to save a small fortune in Visa fees. The last time I went to Cambodia the visa was 20USD, from memory my Viet Nam visa had to be prearranged and completed at the airport for about 70USD. I can't remember exactly what I paid for Laos, but I seem to remember the dark Beer Lao gave a very good headache in the morning!

Thailand could really find being part of this agreement useful, but that would require a serious paradigm shift in their thinking. Plus Thailand and Cambodia have had issues with where their respective borders start and finish for many years.

[OldUgly&Cranky]

I have never been to thailand , laos , vietnam or cambodia i have always wanted to go but its hard enough just getting money to get to the Philippines for me !! so we just usually travel a little at home and my wife has 2 kids so big time expense if we had to take them too !! maybe someday we can pop over there for a short visit ! im looking into late 2013 for a big photo shoot tour of vietnam and cambodia and thailand , we should keep in touch coz if you know any cheap hotels or a local that is trust worthy i would pay there expenses to take us around to get the shots im looking for !! thanx newboy !!!

O-U-C :thumbsup:

[newboy]

No problem just let me know nearer the time mate.