The Thai Embassy in Kathmandu has issued a clarification after the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) threatened to suspend the promotion and sale of Thailand tour packages, citing financial losses suffered by Nepali tourists and travel agencies because of delays in visa processing.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the embassy attributed delays and visa refusals primarily to incomplete, invalid or fraudulent documents and applications submitted at the last minute.

On Monday, NATTA had strongly objected to the requirement that applicants provide fully paid air tickets and hotel bookings before their visa applications are approved. It said the non-refundable policies of airlines, including Thai Airways and Thai Lion Air, and hotels had caused Nepali tourists and travel agencies to lose millions of rupees when visas were delayed or rejected.

NATTA warned that it could halt all Thailand tour package sales from Nepal and be forced to blacklist Thailand or designate it as a restricted destination unless the visa process became more accessible, transparent and timely.

In response, the embassy issued a four-page clarification explaining the electronic visa (e-visa) system and the practical challenges involved in processing applications.

It cited several reasons for delays and refusals, including incomplete or invalid documents, the use of false or forged papers, applications submitted close to departure dates, and pressure for immediate visa decisions. The embassy said the high volume of applications received shortly before intended travel dates, coupled with expectations of rapid approval, had increased the workload.

Applicants frequently submit expired documents, unclear scans and bank statements that fail to meet the required standards, the embassy said. Incomplete or fraudulent documentation necessitates further scrutiny and verification, prolonging the process.

The embassy also said applicants were required to be physically present in Nepal when applying, but many failed to comply with the rule. Applications submitted from abroad, in addition to those received from within Nepal, had made verification more difficult, it added.

The embassy said processing would take seven to 10 working days if all documents and information were complete and accurate. However, it urged applicants to submit their applications at least one month before their intended travel dates.

Applicants for tourist and transit visas must also provide confirmed round-trip air tickets and hotel bookings in their own names, or an invitation letter from their host, the embassy said.

It further clarified that visa application fees were non-refundable under Thai government regulations and that the embassy was not obliged to disclose specific reasons for refusing an application.