ID :
303492
Sat, 10/19/2013 - 13:57
Auther :

DPM dismisses rumour on Japan's revocation of visa waiver for Thai tourists

BANGKOK, October 19 (TNA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaiku has denied reports that Japan was preparing to revoke a visa waiver measure for Thai tourists. Surapong confirmed on Saturday that the reports were not true, as he has checked with concerned Japanese authorities. Surapong, however, cautioned Thai people who wish to visit Japan to apply for a correct type of visa. At present, Thai passport holders are allowed to enter and stay in Japan as tourists for 15 days without having to apply for a visa, but many Thais have been lured to work in Japan by illegal tour firms, claiming that Japanese tourist visa allow holders to work. Surapong said if the problem continued, Japan would, probably, revoke its 15-day visa-free travel for Thai people as happened in the past with the New Zealand government, which decided to cancel the visa waiver for Thai tourists due to the overstay problem. The deputy premier warned a small group of Thai people who plan to take advantage of the measure in a wrong way that their action could affect the majority of Thai people as a whole. (TNA)

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