Thailand plans to launch the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system from December 2024 to June 2025 to enhance scrutiny of visa-exempt entries. This system requires tourists from visa-exempt countries to apply for authorization online 24 hours before entry. Similar to the European Union's ETIAS, the purpose is to strengthen the security background checks of entrants to prevent illegal activities and the spread of health risks. Especially after the Philippines banned POGO, many grey industry companies plan to relocate to Thailand, further increasing the potential risks of illegal activities.
The ETA system not only acts as a substitute for visas but also reviews the entrant's criminal records, entry and exit history, and passport information, ensuring that criminals find it difficult to enter Thailand. The system also provides feedback on the application results via email within 24 hours, and entrants can quickly clear customs by scanning a QR code.
Currently, Thailand implements a 60-day visa exemption policy for 93 countries and regions worldwide. Some criminals evade residency restrictions through frequent entries and exits, even using Thailand as a transit hub for illegal activities in neighboring countries. This includes illegal labor, telecommunications fraud, grey industry chains, and other transnational criminal activities.
The Thai government expects that the implementation of the ETA system will effectively curb these issues, especially those using Thailand as a transit hub for criminal activities. In contrast, legitimate tourists can still enjoy visa-free convenience, while the new system ensures more precise screening with minimal disruption to law-abiding tourists.
Furthermore, the ETA system is planned to be pilot tested in December 2024, with full implementation expected by June 2025. The Thai government emphasizes that the system will be free of charge and operated through the official electronic visa website, ensuring a transparent process. In the future, Thailand will further optimize the system to balance security and travel convenience, continuing to attract tourists from around the world.
In facing the risk of illegal activity transfer following the closure of POGO companies from the Philippines, this new measure by Thailand is particularly crucial. It not only helps to safeguard national security but also maintains Thailand's international image, preventing it from becoming the new crime hotspot in Southeast Asia.
