Thais offered working holiday visas

Bangkok Post - Tuesday 25 November 2003
Thais offered working holiday visas 
Wellington supports move on Burma issue 
Bhanravee Tansubhapol - Wellington

New Zealand yesterday offered Thais working holiday visas to promote
people-to-people contact at youth level.

The idea was raised during talks between Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai
and his New Zealander counterpart Phil Goff.

Under the proposed scheme, Thais aged 18-30 years would be able to work during
a long holiday in New Zealand for up to six months. But they would have to show
return tickets as well as NZ$2,000 (50,000 baht) in pocket money and state the
purpose of their visit, said Thai ambassador Norachit Sinhaseni.

Mr Surakiart said the offer meant more Thais would be able to visit New
Zealand.

New Zealand stopped granting visa-free access to Thais in 2001 after a large
number of Thai travellers overstayed, compounded by the problem of human
trafficking.

The Thai government subsequently asked New Zealand to reconsider its decision
and to let Thai diplomats and governmet officials continue to enjoy the
privilege, said the minister.

Last year, only 8,300 Thais visited New Zealand while 60,000 New Zealanders
visited Thailand.

Meanwhile, Thailand has urged New Zealand to play a greater role in talks with
the other nine Asean member countries on a plan for economic summit with New
Zealand and Australia in order to increase cooperation and to expand trade,
said Mr Surakiart.

This issue had been first raised two years ago but there had been no progress
since. 

Thailand agreed with the idea and would help convey the message to other Asean
member countries at the first summit meeting between Asean and Japan next month
in Tokyo, he said.

Mr Goff also supported a Thai proposal for an international meeting on the
Burma issue and to allow the Burmese junta to explain its own road map to the
international community, said the minister.

``We have not officially invited New Zealand to attend but it has given full
support to us to hold the session. However, we will push for the inclusion of
the Burmese ethnic minority leaders in the national convention,'' said Mr
Surakiart.

A source said the Burmese issue would be discussed on Dec 15 in Bangkok.

During a meeting with New Zealand's Minister for Trade Negotiations Jim Sutton,
Mr Surakiart said the first Wellington team would be in Bangkok next month for
talks with the Commerce Ministry. 

The talks would centre on preparations for a joint study of a closer economic
partnership which would cover all fields of free trade, services, investment,
education, science and technology.

The two countries were expected to sign an agreement during the Apec meeting in
Chile next year. 

The agreement would be modelled on the treaty between Singapore and New
Zealand.

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