Post by Soutpeel on Apr 4, 2016 10:17:01 GMT 7
Thailand to lose its status as foreign media hub?
AFTER being rejected a media visa, a Thailand-based foreign photojournalist has had to start his own company
He now has a 60-day tourist visa, despite having been in the country for six years.
After a new government guideline went into effect on March 21, foreign journalists face new hurdles when applying to renew their media visas. The guideline aims to reject media-visa applications for freelance journalists and force them to apply for business or other visas.
"They don't consider me as a journalist anymore, because I'm freelance," the photojournalist, who did not want his name to be revealed, told The Nation.
Starting a business was a reasonable solution for him as he could get a business visa and work permit to remain in Thailand, he said.
However, he was worried whether he would be eligible for a business visa. If he cannot get it, he will move to Cambodia where it is easier to qualify for visas.
Singapore and Malaysia, despite their relatively well-developed infrastructure, were not favourable choices for journalists, he said. Costs in both countries were higher and there are issues in regard to freedom of expression.
Apart from living expenses, press freedom is a major concern among foreign journalists. Media organisations have decried tough regulations and pressure on foreign media in those countries.
In Malaysia, the threat of legal action has become a common danger for foreign journalists.
Last month, two Australian journalists - Linton Besser and Louie Eroglu - were arrested under Section 186 of Malaysia's penal code for allegedly breaching a cordon when trying to question Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak over a huge corruption scandal.
www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Thailand-to-lose-its-status-as-foreign-media-hub-30283199.html
AFTER being rejected a media visa, a Thailand-based foreign photojournalist has had to start his own company
He now has a 60-day tourist visa, despite having been in the country for six years.
After a new government guideline went into effect on March 21, foreign journalists face new hurdles when applying to renew their media visas. The guideline aims to reject media-visa applications for freelance journalists and force them to apply for business or other visas.
"They don't consider me as a journalist anymore, because I'm freelance," the photojournalist, who did not want his name to be revealed, told The Nation.
Starting a business was a reasonable solution for him as he could get a business visa and work permit to remain in Thailand, he said.
However, he was worried whether he would be eligible for a business visa. If he cannot get it, he will move to Cambodia where it is easier to qualify for visas.
Singapore and Malaysia, despite their relatively well-developed infrastructure, were not favourable choices for journalists, he said. Costs in both countries were higher and there are issues in regard to freedom of expression.
Apart from living expenses, press freedom is a major concern among foreign journalists. Media organisations have decried tough regulations and pressure on foreign media in those countries.
In Malaysia, the threat of legal action has become a common danger for foreign journalists.
Last month, two Australian journalists - Linton Besser and Louie Eroglu - were arrested under Section 186 of Malaysia's penal code for allegedly breaching a cordon when trying to question Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak over a huge corruption scandal.
www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Thailand-to-lose-its-status-as-foreign-media-hub-30283199.html
