<b>VISAS FOR AFRICANS: Mixed reception for tighter rules</b>

The Nation

Drugs police back move; immigration chief warns of impact on tourism.

Anti-narcotics police yesterday welcomed the suspension of visas for Africans by Thai embassies in neighbouring countries, but the reaction from others was mixed.

Narcotics Suppression Bureau's Police Commissioner Maj-General Indhadej Pornpiraphan said the move would help stop Africans who wanted to use Thailand as a route for drug smuggling.

"This will help our job in preventing the Africans, among many other nationals, from entering Thailand to undertake illegal activities," Indhadej said.

At present about 100 Africans are on a police watch-list.

The Thai embassy in Laos and its consulate-general office in Savanakhet province have suspended issuing visas for Africans who have repeatedly applied for tourist visas, while others in Malaysia, Cambodia and Burma have been instructed to consider Africans' visa applications on a case-by-case basis.

There will be stricter screening for applicants who seek to renew a tourist visa more than once. First-time visitors or businessmen will not be affected by the measure.

The Foreign Ministry decided to clamp down on visas after learning that a large number of Africans are involving in drug trafficking in Thailand.

However, Immigration Commander Pol Maj-General Yongyuth Tiewtrakul said the move contradicted the country's tourism campaigns.

"It is clear that the Foreign Ministry's decision will have negative effects on the country's promotion of tourism," he said.

Meanwhile, Kraisak Choonhavan, chairman of the Senate committee on foreign affairs, said the visa ban on Africans was a sensitive issue because Thailand and African nations had good relationships and the volume of African investment in Thailand was quite good.

"African countries have supported Thailand in many negotiations with the European Union, the US and the World Trade Organisation. The African countries may not be happy with this blanket move. They may protest to us about this," Kraisak said.

A senior Foreign Ministry source yesterday clarified the decision, saying it was targeted at barring ill-intentioned Africans from committing crimes in Thailand.

"All Africans are welcome in Thailand if their intention is indeed tourism or doing business. We [just] want to prevent the bad guys from entering our country," he said.

Courtesy: The Nation