Visa-free stay in Thailand to be cut to 30 days

[phuketrichard]

they "Say" its to cut criminal activity but thats just bS>
criminals don't care if they get in free for 14 , 30 or 60 days, there's always a way to extend once ur here

what is true is by allowing 60 days visa free for 93 countries, the embassies lost millions of dollars as there is/was no reason to pay $40+ for a 60 day tourist visa or to pay 1,900 for a 30 day extension after the 1st 30 days free stay./

MOST " tourists "only stay less than 21 days

The period of visa-free stays in Thailand is set to be reduced from 60 days to 30 days as related authorities have agreed in principle to the move in an effort to curb the risk of illegal businesses exploiting the visa exemption scheme, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry.

Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong said the Foreign Ministry acknowledged the issue as it had been widely discussed among all related stakeholders in the past few weeks.

He said they all agreed in principle to reduce the period of stay from 60 days to 30 days for citizens from countries granted a visa exemption under the programme. However, additional details would be discussed before formally announcing the adjustment to the regulation.

Since July 2024, the government has allowed passport holders from 93 countries to enter Thailand for tourism purposes for a period not exceeding 60 days. This had earlier been granted to citizens of 57 countries.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/ge ... to-30-days.

[Alex]

While I don't think it's about criminals who take refuge in Thailand (they've always had plenty of longterm visa options, as you said), I think getting 60 days plus having the option to do unlimited cheap border runs attracts a great many chancers and slackers.

They will just try to hang around without having any reliable legal stream of income. So they'll do all kinds of illegal work, come up with "business" ideas without knowing the legal framework for running a business as a foreigner in Thailand, etc. etc. Plenty of reports of arrests of this type lately.

Then you have skint married or retired people who abandoned their 1-year extensions, because going on a border run every 90 days didn't look too daunting.

It wasn't meant to stay, there are simply too many ways to abuse such a generous policy...

I don't think it's about lost visa fee income at all. That could be addressed with the "tourist tax".

[jaynewcastle]

Just a proposal so far, nothing officially confirmed

[Daun Penh Stalker]

Pattaya and Jomtien is now 70% Russians, and not one has learned to smile. They tend to rent places by the month. I had six of them in a one-bedroom next to my condo. Charming.
The 60 day visa can be extended by one month in country, then do a quick border run, and get another 60 days that can then again be extended 30 days....no questions asked. I just got back from a nearly 6 month holiday in Thailand. The real problem is with certain nationalities prone to overstaying (due to war), working illegally, acting tough around town, riding very large and loud motorcycles at all hours of the day and night. Other peoples like to sleep on the beach, releving (sp) themselves on the sand, six males working out a group discount with some freelancer on Beach Road, sexually harassing regular women, and leaving copious amounts of trash everywhere. The demographics have definitely shifted, but the Thais wanted this....overtourism.

[Cowshed Cowboy]

The over tourism and all the negative issues that brings since they allowed easier visa access is one of the factors in my decision to spend less time in the country. My future trips here will be at minimum a couple of months outside the peak tourist period of December to April. I fully expect my area Jomtien to be completely ruined with over development in the next 5 years.

[Doc67]

I just got back from a Thailand trip. 4 Days in Pattaya, which was bloody awful. 2nd and Beach roads were rammed from 5pm onwards, so better off walking. The whole place was crowded with the low-rent types dressed like dossers. I can't see myself going back anytime soon.

Bangkok for one day was a pleasure and am looking forward to another visit later in the year.

30 days is enough for a genuine tourist, 60+30 plus with an easy way to get another 60+30 is going to attract de facto immigrants playing the system.

[phuketrichard]

I must agree that this past high season here in phuket was a nightmare, never seen traffic so bad and some beaches ( Karon & Kata) have been taken over by Russians
Many are staying long term, opening illegal business an employing illegal staff and using the 60+30 x2 to get 180 days in thailand. Many are renting out properties long term an than subletting short term using airbnb which is highly illegal as well. What i see is Russians have opened many car/bike rental places, ( often making deals with local shop owners to provide the vehicles and sharing profit) plus opening weed shops & travel agencies ( helping with visas , not just tours) even preschools aimed at Russian tourists with kids staying longer than 60 days
Many of these long stayers are working online to keep their income flowing

But what effect will a return to 30 days visa free really have? time will tell

PHUKET: Phuket hoteliers do not expect to feel the pinch if the government reduces visa-free stays to 30 days, as data showed the average length of stay was two weeks, though they say remedies for illegal businesses might require more practical solutions.
European guests in Phuket typically spent two weeks at hotels, while those seeking long-stay trips mostly flocked to condominiums, said Suksit Suvunditkul, president of the southern chapter of the Thai Hotels Association (THA).

“If the government decides to limit visa-free stays to no more than 30 days, it would impact condo rentals more than hotels,” said Mr Suksit.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is preparing to reduce visa-free stays from 60 days to 30 days for nationals of many countries as part of an effort to curb abuses of the scheme by people operating illegal businesses.

Before the 60-day scheme took effect last year, Phuket had a limited number of long-stay guests and they opted for tourist visas to extend their trips to 2-3 months, said Mr Suksit.

However, shortening the visa period may not address illicit activities conducted by foreigners, as other measures can help to screen tourists, said Mr Suksit.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/ge ... free-stays.

[phuketrichard]

Typical Thailand
wait for it
Thailand Holds Off on 30-Day Visa-Free Change Decision

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is still deliberating the possibility of reducing the visa-free period for foreign tourists from 60 days to 30 days, with no decision made thus far. Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura reassured that no new visa regulations are currently in place, so tourists visiting Thailand remain unaffected for now.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1355394-thai ... -decision/?

[grumpygit]

Typical Thailand
wait for it
Thailand Holds Off on 30-Day Visa-Free Change Decision

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is still deliberating the possibility of reducing the visa-free period for foreign tourists from 60 days to 30 days, with no decision made thus far. Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura reassured that no new visa regulations are currently in place, so tourists visiting Thailand remain unaffected for now.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1355394-thai ... -decision/?

its this thinking out loud thing thats really irritating, anyone with a job in government who has an opinion one way or the other, will quite happily make a press release. causing speculation and rumours, untill someone else makes a different announcement.
isnt there someone in charge with the power to say.. "next time one of you dicks runs his mouth to the press, your fired"
surely the top guy looses face by constantly having his authority undermined.

[iron rabbit]

And if Thailand had the exact same visa laws as Cambodia, that would be a problem with some of you?
I don't understand the double standard.