Long stay doubtsRe: "30-day visa-free stay 'sufficient', says minister", (BP, March 21) & "Thailand reviewing visa-free stays as local complaints pile up" & "Phuket up in arms on long‑stay visa", (BP, March 18). In the last two articles, you cited Phuket tourism operators who "have been particularly vocal about the downside of the system originally intended to promote tourism". In the earlier article, you do specify who is complaining -- the president of the Phuket Tourism Association -- but that article is about the new Phuket property investment visa, per se. As he was quoted at that time, "Phuket has generally been less successful than cities such as Chiang Mai in attracting long‑stay travellers". So, if he doesn't want long-stay tourists, he can be happy they prefer Chiang Mai, or if he does, maybe he can ask how Chiang Mai manages.

Source: Bangkok Post March 23, 2026 22:32 UTC