Bangkok . The Immigration Authorities in Thailand have announced that from 12 August 2017 onwards they will no longer permit entry of foreigners leaving the country only on short notice due to a visa-run and then return to Thailand immediately.

From 13 August, the affected persons will no longer be able to return to Thailand regardless of their choice of transport. The immigration authority has already instructed its officials to refuse entry to foreigners who wish to return after a visa run.

According to the immigration authorities, the exploitation of tourist visas and visa exemptions, which are used by many foreigners to live or work in Thailand, are to be ended.

The so-called Visa-Run are very popular with many foreigners living in Thailand and often the only way to legally extend their stay in Thailand. That problem is not new and the authorities have been known for years. Many companies advertise on the Internet with their favorable conditions and prices for a visa-run and offer daily trips to the neighboring countries abroad.

The so-called visa runners are those who leave Thailand and immediately return to it to extend their stay legally. Through the use of the 60-day tourist visa and the 30-day visa exemptions, many foreigners can work illegally in language schools, restaurants or other shops.

For many foreigners it is much easier to get jobs in this way than to officially sign up. Many employers shy away from the complicated processes for work permits, and they also want to avoid the unnecessary costs in their opinion.

A 46-year-old American who did not want to name his name said, "I have done a visa run several times because my employer does not want to apply for a work permit during my probationary period.He told me that after the successful completion of my probationary period he would think about the application for a work permit. "

"When the authorities are now starting and finishing the visa run, the lives of many foreigners in Thailand are certainly affected," he added.

The website of the Immigration Agency has also been modified and adapted accordingly. Read here: "Indulgence is only granted until 12 August 2017. This applies, however, only to passengers arriving by plane in Thailand. Foreigners who come to Thailand must be able to prove a valid visa in accordance with the purpose of their intended stay ".

From now on, the foreigners with a visa-run will get an extra "OI" out-in brand next to their latest current stamp. From August 13th onwards, these persons with an "OI" entry in the passport will no longer be allowed to enter Thailand if they can not prove a valid visa.

According to the report, the immigration authority has already instructed all border inspection posts to return the visa rangers immediately to the country.

The head of the immigration department in the south, police general Tatchai Pitaneelabut, who oversees all the entrances in his area said that the visa runners from several countries to his officials. These include people from Vietnam, South Korea and Russia.

"They come here to work as tour guides, waiters, waitresses, or other professions," he said, pointing out that these visas are often located in tourist centers like Phuket and Songkhla.

However, he also added that the presence of the so-called "out-in" migrants in the south had been significantly reduced because the immigration officials had already issued more stringent laws.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Weerawat Nilwat, an inspector at the border control point in Sungai Kolok in Narathiwat province, also said that the immigration officials had already prevented more than 100 visas from entering the kingdom.

"We have to be strict because we want to keep the laws and to control the immigrants properly. An efficiency of this work on the front will also reduce the crime in Thailand, "he added.

Police Colonel Thirachai Dedkhad, the superintendent at the checkpoint in Sa Kaew, said that the officials under his supervision had pushed one eye. "But we have warned the affected people and told them that they must purchase a proper visa before coming back to Thailand next time."

"We have made it clear to them that if they want to work in Thailand, they need a work permit and have to look after the right type of visa," added Colonel Thirachai.

• Source: Thai Visa, The Nation