06.12.2024
Watchareeya Yodprathum
After Thailand’s former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced his ambitious aspiration to open Schengen visa-free access for Thai citizens, the news became talk-of-the-town across Thai online communities. For many, it felt like a dream come true. No more grueling visa process with tons of documents, no more paying 90 Euro, and no more waiting for two weeks just to get approval. They celebrated the bright and promising future where they could simply grab their passports and hop on a plane. Nonetheless, not everyone is convinced. Some are skeptical, remembering past failed attempts by previous leaders, only to see them get rejected. On top of that, Thailand has a reputation for visa overstays and illegal work abroad, especially in free-visa countries like South Korea. The “Peenoi" phenomenon, has led to many Thai travelers being rejected their entry at the checkpoint.
In order to discuss the Thai government's determination to push the project, this commentary delves into the potential challenges and explores whether the Schengen visa-free agreement has any real chance of success.
Election Promises in Action: Transforming Thailand’s Global Standing
After Pheu Thai became the ruling party in August 2023, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin wasted no time starting on their big election promises. Initiatives like the digital wallet program, same-sex marriage legislation, and strengthening the Thai passport have started to progress. The digital wallet project launched its first phase in September 2024, and same-sex marriage passed its bill in the same month and will come into force on January 22 next year. Same as the Thai passport which recently got a boost with visa-free access to China starting on March 1, 2024—part of a reciprocal agreement allowing Chinese tourists to visit Thailand visa-free, aiming to boost both countries' economies and tourism industries.
Building on this momentum, Srettha has taken a step further on an even more ambitious goal: Schengen visa-free access for Thai citizens, fulfilling a key campaign promise. However, a part of the public sees this as a "mission impossible," recalling how previous Thai governments had tried similar negotiations with the EU, only to be declined. As of 2024, Thai passports were granted visa-free to only 36 countries, which is still far from making it one of the world’s strongest; skepticism remains high among the public about whether this effort will succeed.
The ASEAN’s Pact: Bridging Regions for Tourism and Diplomacy
While the idea of getting Schengen visa-free access for Thailand alone might seem like a daydream, the government is looking at a broader approach. They are trying to involve mainland neighboring ASEAN countries like Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar—popular stops for EU tourists traveling through the region. The plan is to offer unified visas like the Schengen-area visa, within these countries, creating a more seamless experience where travelers do not have to pay for multiple visas.
Thailand positions itself as a regional center in ASEAN, often stepping up to mediate conflicts and serving as a hub for global institutions and international cooperation. Extending this leadership, it is taking on a “big brother” role, collaborating with neighbors to strengthen ASEAN’s collective power on the global stage. The ASEAN tourist pact could be considered as a part of this vision—boosting regional tourism while displaying ASEAN’s growing influence in international relations. This initiative not only aims to promote tourism and unity within the region but also aligns with EU interests, creating a potential win-win situation. By boosting tourism and economy in both two regions, Thailand hopes this effort could pave the way to secure its ultimate goal: Schengen visa-free access for Thai citizens.
Why the EU Should Take Thai Tourism Seriously
In 2023, over 270,000 Thai citizens applied for short-stay Schengen visas, contributing significantly to Europe’s tourism sector, especially in countries like Spain and Italy. A visa waiver for Thailand could bring even more Thai travelers to Europe, benefiting local businesses and communities.
Beyond tourism, the EU and Thailand are currently negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which aims to strengthen diplomatic and trade relations. Interestingly, the visa waiver has become part of these discussions. While the Thai government is optimistic about succeeding the visa-free deal, public sentiment appears contrasting. Many Thais have struggled with the visa process—endless paperwork, tough documentation requirements, and unfriendly treatment from visa officers. Even after successfully getting a visa, Thai travelers often face excessive questioning at EU immigration checkpoints compared to other passport holders.
After the news spread over Thai media, the idea of a visa waiver has sparked excitement among Thais, especially for how it could simplify travel and build closer ties with Europe, yet some remain concerned. They fear that discriminatory treatment at EU borders could lead to stricter scrutiny due to concerns about overstayers.
The Cost of Undocumented Work on Thailand's Global Image
For many Thais, the dream of easier travel is overshadowed by challenges. Undocumented migration and illegal work abroad tarnish Thailand's reputation and complicate travel for genuine tourists facing scrutiny from immigration officers.
A recent example is the rising tension between Thai travelers and South Korean immigration. Viral reports of Thai tourists being denied entry and held in unpleasant conditions sparked the hashtag #แบนเกาหลี (#BanKorea). Meanwhile, undocumented workers, or Pee Noi, make up 80% of Thai residents in Korea, driven by the demand for cheap labor in the country. Lured by higher wages and trapped in their vulnerable status, they often endure exploitative conditions to avoid deportation.
Japan recently faced similar challenges with Thai overstayers, raising fears of visa-free travel being revoked. If a Schengen visa waiver were to be approved, the EU would likely face similar challenges, and genuine Thai tourists might still find themselves under tough immigration checks.
Addressing the EU’s Labor Shortage: The Role of a Schengen Visa Waiver for Thai Citizens
The European Union has been facing a rising demand for skilled labor, particularly in technical and vocational fields. According to a 2023 Eurobarometer survey, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) identified difficulties in finding employees with the right skills as one of their most serious problems. Roles such as lab workers, mechanics, and technicians are especially affected, with 42% of SMEs reporting acute shortages in these areas. Additionally, over half of employers across the EU cite a lack of qualified applicants as the predominant factor behind this shortage, which is compounded by the EU's aging population and the growing demand for skilled and seasonal workers.
As Thai professionals, particularly those with technical training, could address these shortages and support the growth and innovation of small businesses, easing travel restrictions for Thai citizens through a Schengen visa waiver could be a strategic step toward alleviating these labor shortages. Thailand has a robust pool of skilled workers, particularly in STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields and vocational training. A visa waiver could facilitate the mobility of Thai professionals to the EU, helping fill critical gaps in technical roles that SMEs are struggling to address. This influx could alleviate the shortages felt by businesses across a range of industries.
A Schengen visa waiver for Thailand would not only address Europe’s labor shortages but also deepen economic and diplomatic ties between the EU and Thailand. By tapping into Thailand’s skilled workforce, the EU can create a win-win scenario: resolving critical workforce issues while fostering stronger international cooperation.
A Double-Edged Sword of Cheap Labor in the EU
However, as the demand for cheap labor could also be found in agriculture and manufacturing, this raises concerns that a Schengen visa waiver for Thai citizens might be exploited and lead to challenges similar to Thailand’s Pee Noi phenomenon in South Korea.
Consider the example of Thai seasonal workers, who over 5,000 berry pickers travel to Sweden every summer to pick wild berries. While this tradition has long been seen as an opportunity for short-term work, it took a darker turn this year with the issue of labor exploitation. Many workers reported returning to Thailand without being paid and burdened with debt from loan sharks. They faced enormous costs—from airfare to essential supplies, which were impossible to recover these expenses during their limited 90-day stay.
This troubling cycle reveals the vulnerabilities of migrant workers and raises a critical question: could a Schengen visa waiver unintentionally open the door for similar exploitation across Europe? With freer mobility and less restricted borders in the Schengen Zone, some individuals might overstay their visas to take informal employment. While this could meet the EU’s demand for cheap labor, it also risks perpetuating exploitation and creating a cycle of hardship for workers.
As the EU considers visa liberalization, it is crucial to address these underlining challenges, while ensuring that policies should also protect vulnerable workers from falling into exploitative situations.
Toward a Balanced Approach for the Schengen Visa Waiver
Although the prospect of a Schengen visa-free agreement for Thai citizens signifies an important milestone in EU-Thailand relations, the careful navigation of potential pitfalls is still recommended. The monitoring of overstaying, undocumented labor migration and the growing risk of labor exploitation appears necessary as the issues have repeatedly tarnished the reputation of Thai outbound migration.
To harness the benefits of this policy, the Thai government must prioritize the protection of its citizens from exploitation and focus on creating structured frameworks for legal labor migration. To tackle these issues, the Thai government should expand oversight mechanisms to protect Thai workers traveling to the EU, particularly in sectors like agriculture, hospitality, and manufacturing, where demand for labor is high.
On the EU side, vigilance must go hand-in-hand with fairness. While strict border controls are necessary to prevent abuse of the visa waiver system, they should not result in discriminatory treatment of law-abiding Thai travelers. On the other hand, proactive measures are essential to balance labor needs with protections for migrant workers. Policies that promote ethical recruitment, enforce labor standards, and monitor working conditions can help prevent issues like those faced by Thai berry pickers in Sweden and Finland. Additionally, fostering skill-matching programs could address the EU’s shortages in technical roles while reducing reliance on informal labor.
These measures, coupled with Thailand’s efforts to foster legal labor migration channels and EU initiatives to ensure fair treatment at borders, can mitigate the risks associated with a Schengen visa waiver. Beyond addressing these challenges, the policy holds significant promise for enhancing trade, tourism, and cultural ties between Thailand and the EU. If managed thoughtfully, it could pave the way for a more inclusive and sustainable approach to mobility in an increasingly interconnected world.
The analysis was prepared during an internship at the Centre for Asian Affairs at the University of Lodz.