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Chiang Mai Immigration officials laid out the new regulations regarding overstay, in/out border trips, and extensions as well as cleared up many questions held by foreign residents at a meeting held organized by the Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce at the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel on Wednesday, August 20, 2014.

The officers then discussed the issue of in/out stamps, noting that the 30 days on arrival at the airport, or 30 days at a land border for citizens of G7 countries, is for tourists only. Those who do border runs for visas will be restricted and the Immigration officer at the border can ask to see a confirmed onward flight ticket. K. Thawatchai emphasized that it must be confirmed, it cannot be an open ended ticket. He urged tourists who plan on staying in Thailand longer to get a tourist visa, either in their home countries or in neighboring countries such as Laos, Cambodia or Malaysia. But again he noted, this is for tourists and that those wishing to stay long term must get a long term visa.

He added that for offshore workers who work outside the country for several months and then return regularly, but also leave and stay out for a period of time, will have no issue leaving and re-entering the country. However, he said that if they want to stay longer than a month they can get a tourist visa or they can extend their stay by 7 days in the country. This also applies to those who travel to Thailand regularly but also go home regularly. He did confirm that those entering Thailand on a 30 day visa exempt entry can only extend for 7 days in Thailand; a tourist visa can extend for 30 days.

He noted that online work for overseas companies that pay overseas is not prohibited but that the person will need to get a visa to stay longer, currently there is no new visa for these kinds of people.

OrangeDragon wrote:So you think someone who lives in say, Koh Kong, and likes to go over to the Thailand beaches on the weekends (every weekend) will be fine?