TTR: Thailand off limits to Saudis

[Mr Lucky]

Travel Trade Report: Thailand off limits to Saudis

Saudi citizens face heavy fines and a ban on overseas travel if there is evidence they have travelled to Thailand as a tourist, the Arab News reported last week.

[dawsey]

A typical response from a country where there are more hypocrites than the rest of the world put together. I am speaking from experience too, not just a wild statement.

If the Saudis are worried their citizens are partaking in alcohol and prostitution, then they should have a blanket ban on anyone ever leaving the country. What do they think happens when they visit "free" western countries?

[faultytowers]

This goes back a long time , 3 Saudi "diplomats" were 'murdered' in Bangkok in the early '90's and also a Thai worker in Saudi stole jewels worth millions of dollars and fled the country. The Saudis have had a big grudge against the Thais for years , just wonder what has started this all up again.

[ub2yoo]

What a very interesting article. I didn't know that this regulation was in place.

Just reminds me I saw a guy passing by literally entering NPE with his wife following him 2 meters behind all covered up. We just were wondering how she must have felt seing all the girls jumping around and what was he thinking he's doing there ?

[MrDK]

If they escape questions on their return home, they could still be reprimanded when they apply for a new passport.

We thought it was bad when custom agents s look a little too deep for illegal photos.

“It doesn’t make any sense that they ban everyone from going there. The country is beautiful, highly organised, and convenient money-wise. I don’t see why families cannot go there for holiday?” she said.

Rare to see an opinion that Thailand is "Highly Organized"

[Mr Lucky]

If the Saudi gov't seriously pursues this, it will be a low-season bummer for Thailand. The Arab markets provide a nice boost for the tourist industry in July-August (they come to see the rain, believe it or not!).

[Johnny69]

Originally Posted by dawsey

A typical response from a country where there are more hypocrites than the rest of the world put together. I am speaking from experience too, not just a wild statement.

If the Saudis are worried their citizens are partaking in alcohol and prostitution, then they should have a blanket ban on anyone ever leaving the country. What do they think happens when they visit "free" western countries?

Spot on Dawsey, its this sort of forced morality and religion that worries freedom loving folk about Islam and religious governments. They cannot get people to do what they think is right by removing all the temptation. Thankfully most of us live in countries that allow freedom of choice. You get to make your own decisions and accept whatever consequences come with it.

I guess its their loss and leaves more of Thailand for the rest to openly enjoy.

J69