PRE-READING VOCABULARY

exemption (exención) = freedom from a rule, requirement, or obligation that others must follow
Example: He received an exemption from military service due to a medical condition.

boost (impulsar / aumentar) = to increase or improve something
Example: The new policy is expected to boost tourism in the region.

abolish (abolir) = to officially end a law, system, or practice
Example: The government decided to abolish the outdated regulation.

bilateral (bilateral) = involving two countries, organizations, or groups
Example: The countries signed a bilateral trade agreement.

concern (preocupación) = a feeling of worry; something that causes worry
Example: Rising crime rates are a major concern for local residents.

commit (cometer) = to do something wrong or illegal
Example: The suspect was accused of committing several crimes.

PRE-READING

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. Have you ever visited a country without needing a visa?

2. How important are visa policies for tourism?

3. Why do governments sometimes change immigration or tourism rules?

4. What problems can excessive tourism create for a country?

READING

ARTICLE

Thailand Cuts Visa-Free Stays for 93 Countries

Thailand is updating its visa rules for visiting tourists by reducing the length of visa-free stays.

Since July 2024, travelers from 93 countries have been able to visit Thailand for 60 days without needing a visa. This 60-day visa exemption was introduced by the Thai government to boost the economy with tourism. But now this exemption is being abolished.

Once the new system becomes official, how long travelers can enjoy a visa-free stay in Thailand will depend on which country they are from.

For 54 countries, there will be a 30-day tourist visa exemption. These will include many of the main markets for tourism in Thailand, including most European countries, Australia, the US, and places in Asia like Japan, Taiwan and Singapore.

Some countries already have bilateral agreements with Thailand, which allow visa-free travel between their countries. Under this system, travelers from places like China, Russia and Vietnam will also be able to get a 30-day visa exemption.

Thailand also has bilateral agreements for 90-day visa-free stays with five countries including South Korea.

The new system is being introduced partly because of concerns about foreigners committing crimes in Thailand, including running illegal businesses and working without proper permission.

Instead of just boosting visitor numbers, the government now wants to focus on "quality" tourism to avoid the problems of overtourism.

But the government says the new visa rules are unlikely to have a negative impact on tourism, as most foreign visitors stay in Thailand for an average of just nine days.

Although the Thai government has approved the new visa plan, it won't become official until it has been published in the country's government journal The Royal Gazette. The new rules will then take effect 15 days after being published.

Travelers who have already entered Thailand before the rules take effect will be able to keep the visa-free length of stay they were given when they arrived.

COMPREHENSION CHECK

B1 LEVEL – BASIC UNDERSTANDING

Multiple Choice

1. What change is Thailand making to its visa policy?

• a) Increasing visa-free stays

• b) Reducing visa-free stays

• c) Ending tourism completely

2. How long could travelers from 93 countries stay visa-free under the previous system?

• a) 30 days

• b) 45 days

• c) 60 days

3. How many countries will receive a 30-day tourist visa exemption under the new system?

• a) 54

• b) 93

• c) 5

4. Which country is mentioned as having a 90-day visa-free agreement with Thailand?

• a) Japan

• b) South Korea

• c) Australia

5. What is one reason for introducing the new system?

• a) More hotel construction

• b) Concerns about crime and illegal work

• c) A shortage of tourists

True or False

6. The 60-day visa exemption started in July 2024.

7. All countries will receive the same visa-free period under the new rules.

8. Most foreign visitors stay in Thailand for around nine days.

9. The new rules are already officially in effect.

10. Travelers already in Thailand will immediately lose their current visa-free status.

Short Answers

11. Why was the 60-day visa exemption originally introduced?

12. What does the government mean by "quality tourism"?

13. When will the new rules become effective?

B2 LEVEL – DEEP COMPREHENSION

Reading for Detail

1. Why did Thailand originally introduce the 60-day visa exemption?

2. How will the length of visa-free stays differ under the new system?

3. Which countries are specifically mentioned as receiving a 30-day visa exemption through bilateral agreements?

4. Why does the government believe tourism numbers will not be significantly affected?

5. What administrative step must occur before the new rules become official?

Reading Between the Lines

6. Why might the government see long visa-free stays as a potential problem?

7. What does the article suggest about the relationship between tourism and public security?

8. Why could overtourism become a concern for Thailand?

9. What can we infer about the government's priorities from the phrase "quality tourism"?

10. Why do you think existing visitors are allowed to keep their original visa-free conditions?

Vocabulary in Context

11. What does abolished mean in the article?

12. What does bilateral agreement mean in this context?

13. What does boost imply about the government's goals for tourism?

14. Why is the word concerns important in understanding the policy change?

15. What does commit mean in the phrase "committing crimes"?

C1 LEVEL – ADVANCED ANALYSIS

Analytical Questions

1. How does the article illustrate the challenge of balancing economic growth with public policy concerns?

2. To what extent does the article suggest that tourism policy is also a security policy?

3. How does the concept of "quality tourism" reflect a shift in government priorities?

4. What assumptions does the government appear to make about visitor behavior?

5. How effectively does the article present both the advantages and disadvantages of the policy change?

Inference and Interpretation

6. What can be inferred about Thailand's experience with overtourism in recent years?

7. Why might some tourism businesses disagree with the government's approach?

8. What does the continued existence of bilateral agreements suggest about international relations?

9. How might different groups of travelers be affected differently by the new rules?

10. What broader trend in global tourism management does this policy reflect?

Critical Response

11. Should countries prioritize tourism revenue or public security when creating visa policies?

12. Is "quality tourism" a fair objective, or could it unfairly discourage certain visitors?

13. How much responsibility should tourists have for reducing overtourism?

14. Should governments make visa policies stricter if there is evidence of abuse?

15. What are the possible long-term consequences of reducing visa-free stay periods?

LANGUAGE SUPPORT

Expressing Analysis

• The article suggests that...

• This may indicate that...

• One possible interpretation is...

• The policy appears to be designed to...

Speculating

• It is likely that...

• This could lead to...

• The government may be attempting to...

• One consequence might be...

Evaluating

• One advantage of this policy is...

• A potential drawback is...

• From an economic perspective...

• From a security standpoint...

ANSWER SECTION

B1 Multiple Choice

1. b) Reducing visa-free stays

2. c) 60 days

3. a) 54

4. b) South Korea

5. b) Concerns about crime and illegal work

B1 True or False

6. True

7. False

8. True

9. False

10. False

B1 Short Answers

11. To boost the economy through tourism.

12. Attracting visitors while reducing problems associated with overtourism and illegal activities.

13. Fifteen days after publication in The Royal Gazette.

B2 ANSWERS

Reading for Detail

1. The 60-day exemption was introduced to boost Thailand's economy through tourism.

2. Visa-free stay lengths will depend on the traveler's country and any agreements that country has with Thailand.

3. China, Russia, and Vietnam.

4. Because most foreign visitors stay for only about nine days on average.

5. The rules must first be published in The Royal Gazette.

Reading Between the Lines

6. Longer stays may increase opportunities for illegal work, unauthorized businesses, or other activities that concern authorities.

7. The article suggests that tourism policies can also be used to manage crime and immigration-related issues.

8. Too many visitors can put pressure on infrastructure, housing, services, and local communities.

9. The government appears to prefer attracting visitors who contribute more economically while causing fewer social problems.

10. To ensure fairness and avoid changing conditions for travelers who entered under the previous rules.

Vocabulary in Context

11. It means officially ended.

12. An agreement between two countries that grants certain travel privileges.

13. It implies increasing tourism activity and economic benefits.

14. It explains one of the main reasons behind the government's decision to change the policy.

15. It means to carry out or perform an illegal act.

C1 ANSWERS

Analytical Questions

1. The article shows that Thailand wants to continue benefiting economically from tourism while addressing concerns about crime and overtourism.

2. The policy links tourism management with concerns about illegal work, unauthorized businesses, and law enforcement.

3. It reflects a move away from maximizing visitor numbers toward managing the type and impact of tourism.

4. The government appears to assume that shorter stays may reduce opportunities for abuse of the visa system.

5. The article presents economic benefits, security concerns, and tourism impacts, giving readers multiple perspectives.

Inference and Interpretation

6. Thailand has likely experienced pressures associated with large tourist numbers and is seeking ways to manage them.

7. Businesses that rely on long-stay visitors may fear reduced spending or fewer customers.

8. Bilateral agreements suggest ongoing cooperation and negotiated travel arrangements between countries.

9. Long-term travelers, digital nomads, and extended tourists may be affected more than short-term vacationers.

10. It reflects a global trend toward managing tourism more strategically rather than simply maximizing visitor numbers.

Critical Response

11. Possible answer: Governments should balance both, as tourism revenue is important but public security is essential.

12. Possible answer: It can be a reasonable goal, but it risks favoring wealthier travelers over others.

13. Tourists should respect local communities, follow regulations, and avoid contributing to overcrowding.

14. If there is clear evidence of abuse, stricter policies may be justified to protect local interests.

15. Possible consequences include changes in visitor behavior, reduced long-stay tourism, and improved management of tourism-related issues.