Starting January 20, 2009, travel visas are now free, regardless of where they are obtained -- Thai embassies and consulates overseas, and at border passes for visa-on-arrival.

This is for the first time in Thai history.

The reason is to attract more foreign tourists and make clear that foreigners are very welcome in Thailand.

Due to the world economic recession plus the political problems of 2008, tourist arrivals were down significantly, resulting in economic problems in the tourism sector.

Tourism accounts for about 7% of Thailand's GNP. Exports are about 68% and domestic consumption only about 25%. When the world enters a recession, exports are hit, too.

In 2008, after the democratically elected government came to power, immigration also stopped enforcing the "90 days out of 180 days" rule as discussed on the website. Indeed, back-to-back tourist visas are now granted, even double entry tourist visas whereby you can stay for 180 days with just one quick step over the border, and then can go back and get another tourist visa after the 180 days!

Practically every democratically elected politician of every party and their business constituents seem to be enthusiastic about this. The opposition coalition is the most foreigner friendly, and the coalition in power's leading parties have always been foreigner friendly but they also know that if the economy doesn't do well then they will fall out of power, and foreign income from tourism and foreign investment are a significant part of economic well being!

(The military government and some of its elite cohorts were rather dense, and being relatively well-to-do financially themselves and without democratic constituents were somewhat insensitive.)

So tourists can sing "Happy days are here again!"

For more information on visas, see www.thailandguru.com/visa-to-thailand.html

Mark