Proposed Plans to cut Visa-Free Stay to 30 Days

Well if world war kicks off properly it won't really matter anymore will it ?

1 hour ago, Pompeygeezer said:

I always love the replies to the 30-60 days waiver debte. Sme of the people who comment on the subject have never been on a border run in their life and don't know what they're talking about, and just go by what the thai government and immigration say. as if they always tell the truth. Some people on here have been gaslighted by the government and immigration😁 Probably the same people who believe everything a bar girl will tell them. highly sophisticated criminal gangs/networks aren't going on border runs. the idea is absurd and laughable. But the authorities are too lazy to actually try and stop these gangs because it would involve actual work and use stopping the 60 day waiver as proof they're doing something about it.

The issue is the constant changing of rules as other countries keep their visa periods the same for 10 or 20 years.

55 minutes ago, peter48 said:

The Midfle East situation by the way is not about wait a few weeks and see. Read the FT last week end and all top experts believe this is biggest upset since 1970s for oil and gas. Air tickets will rise exceeded high & already companies are cutting like BA flights to Asia via the Gulf. not now but into May, June etc. Prices are doubling to BKK or are being held back. And of course we are not even talking about all those tourists who will face high prices at home this year before they consider taking off on long haul flights.

You sound harsh. Vietnam is a longer visa stay. People, young like gap year students, or mid lifers having a break or older travels may have more open plans and want to stay longer. Today ppl working on line can be anywhere. Why are you being so inflexible in your approach. This is not Europe or Trumps USA, its Thailand facing serious economic issues & highly dependent on tourists, travellers & new types of independent workers like Dubai or Portugal or Costa Rica. Thailand is at its best when its is flexible, open & progressive not restricted.

I think you missed something. We are talking about tourist visa,. Vietnam has a visa at arrival for 30 or 45 days. If you want to stay longer you need an e visa.

Thailand had outdated laws indeed as they are protecting their own people, and because of that the country does not grow. Working in Thailand is difficult and reforms are needed.

We will see once it changes, ignoring it for now. It would be nice if they brought back the 180 day multi though

Nice for those who already bought a ticket based on 60 days. Thailand is a flip flop country. Every month rules might be changing again because someone has some bad belly feelings. They want the money but not the tourists?

Off topic troll post removed @Reddavy

In the mean time, I have red, longer time ago, there are est 800000 illegal working in Thailand.

No actions from immigration to check.

People from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and so on.

Very long time ago tv story about Russian mob in Pattaya. Russian women abused to "work".

No actions from law enforcement to put a hold on that, they were only monitoring.

Chinese criminals coming in on Thai elite visa ! How elite.

You read Chinese BUY durian farms and others and have Chinese work on those orchards.

They have work permits? I doubt it.

Yes , you could attract more people to come to Thailand on that 60 day VE, but as the est number is 800000, already long time ago, then your system was already not working.

Inactive immigration policy. Only to make name again, they act in some periods, but should do every day, any day. Work for your money.

Of course, Im aware, effect maybe only for immigration, as in brown envelopes. A problem Thailand faces a lot, corruption.

On 3/22/2026 at 11:12 AM, Jim Waldron said:

If someone truly intends to stay longer, they should apply for the proper visa. And honestly, if people are going to abuse the system, it doesn’t matter whether they get 60 days or 30 days — they’ll try it regardless.

Absolutely true. This will only deter honest scammers. I don’t follow the logic on how it would work. More stringent checks targeting known offending countries. This will do more harm than good and in no way tackle the problem

5 hours ago, SunsetT said:

SETV from the UK is £60. METV is £150

I tried to delete this but there's no way to do it. Because actually I was wrong The SETV is £30.

Of Course,

Punish the Tourist even more,

Its called:

"Cutting Off your Nose to Spite You Own Face"

Seems to be a Regular Thing here in Thailand Now.

I think I'll Go Somewhere Else.

Toodles

7 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

It is 90 days with a very easy online evisa that is processed in 72 hours or less. Some do not visa and receive 45 days automatic and others do not need visas. A much friendlier visitor model.

New policies from 15th August 2023

1. Vietnam grants e-visas for citizens of all countries and territories with 90-day stay duration and valid for multiple entry.

2. Citizens of 13 coutries enjoying unilateral visa exemption can stay in Vietnam up to 45 days.

https://vietnam.travel/plan-your-trip/visa-requirements

Vietnam's new visa policy effective from 15th August 2023 extends stay duration for 13 countries enjoying unilateral visa exemption from 15 days to 45 days, regardless of passport type and entry purpose. The 13 coutries include: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Belarus.

25 countries +Kazakhstan that are exempted from visa requirement:

Brunei, Myanmar, Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, The UK, The Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Chile, Panama

But its not free. 👍

1 hour ago, xtrnuno41 said:

In the mean time, I have red, longer time ago, there are est 800000 illegal working in Thailand.

No actions from immigration to check.

People from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and so on.

Very long time ago tv story about Russian mob in Pattaya. Russian women abused to "work".

No actions from law enforcement to put a hold on that, they were only monitoring.

Chinese criminals coming in on Thai elite visa ! How elite.

You read Chinese BUY durian farms and others and have Chinese work on those orchards.

They have work permits? I doubt it.

Yes , you could attract more people to come to Thailand on that 60 day VE, but as the est number is 800000, already long time ago, then your system was already not working.

Inactive immigration policy. Only to make name again, they act in some periods, but should do every day, any day. Work for your money.

Of course, Im aware, effect maybe only for immigration, as in brown envelopes. A problem Thailand faces a lot, corruption.

The RTP and immigration are not doing anything. It are the worst institutions of the country. there is no enforcement of any law, and they only start to do something when there are complaints. The immigration is outdated. How often pics are being made for entry, re entry, visa, and copies of passports, with the newest 90 days reporting. Why not scan everything, make a digital file in a proper working national program, that can be search for air, sea and land entries and departures. What is the use of TDAC if the immigration doesn't know where or how long long people are staying??

Last time I was at an immigration office and people were send bck to Bangkok because a hotel did not fill in the papers for immigration, and the immigration told the tourists to go back and arrange it with the hotel first. How can you ever be feeling welcomed as even mistakes from Thai you have to solve??? and if you give comment the immigration will tell you that they can refuse your extension/re-entry or whatever... N o wonder that people don't follow the rules. people don't like to be treated as criminals

3 hours ago, cjinchiangrai said:

We will see once it changes, ignoring it for now. It would be nice if they brought back the 180 day multi though

Are you talking about the METV ? I wasn't aware that they had done away with it, when did they do that? Another member has posted that it costs £150

On 3/21/2026 at 9:44 PM, Georgealbert said:

Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Ministry is preparing to propose

So it could be a while then 555

They've been laboring on this decision for that long that it will almost be time for the next flip-flop once it has been implemented.

To be continued...

22 hours ago, thaibreaker said:

Agree. It's a number's game, and a money's game. I think, if only temporary, this is a way to make foreigners leave another 1900 baht for the immigration, and it might also in the short run, make the tourism numbers go up, since it will have to be more border crossings for those who want to stay as long as they did before.

In the long run, it might hit the tourism though, but they dont think too far ahead, do they.

But they're not giving 30 days extensions now, the best you will get now is 7 days and just the once. So, who will really want to pay 1900 for 7 more days.

On 3/22/2026 at 5:31 PM, Nick Carter icp said:

JUST MAKE YOUR MIND UP AND STICK WITH IT .

All these rules changes are stressful and causes people to have to keep having to changing their flights

Or cancel and go elsewhere

I personally like to stay 180 days out of the USA each year and enjoy myself. I used to come to Thailand and had a retirement visa there for years. Since I am from the US South America got to be my favorite place for now. I roll into Colombia and ask for 90 days when I arrive with no hassles, just last week I requested a 90 day extension strictly by internet and got it in 5 days. 45 dollars. I personally got fed up with all the rules and nonsense I had to go through. Even with a retirement visa I found it a pain... Personally I would never go back to that. I have thought about the Philippines . But, never Thailand again. Or any of those countries around there.

On 3/22/2026 at 10:56 PM, Huisnblasi said:

Travel much, do ypu? Schengen as well as the US have 90 day visa free entry for certain nationals. With Schengen you csn extend for anotjer 90 days visa free if you fall in that group

Don't think Thailand falls into that group.

I think they need to make it 30 days maximum if people want to stay longer then they need to have 200k in the bank per person just like us long term people need 800k this will shut down the low life's from coming here.

10 minutes ago, Ironmike said:

I think they need to make it 30 days maximum if people want to stay longer then they need to have 200k in the bank per person just like us long term people need 800k this will shut down the low life's from coming here.

When I was there they had agents that would let you completely circumvent the 800K bank account. I had a friend that had been living there for years that had to borrow money to pay the agent... haha..

4 hours ago, Pompeygeezer said:

But they're not giving 30 days extensions now, the best you will get now is 7 days and just the once. So, who will really want to pay 1900 for 7 more days.

That will probably change back to more the way it was, if they go back to 30 days. It makes no sense otherwise.

20 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

Are you talking about the METV ? I wasn't aware that they had done away with it, when did they do that? Another member has posted that it costs £150

The METV is still very much on the table.

On 3/23/2026 at 2:32 PM, cjinchiangrai said:

We will see once it changes, ignoring it for now. It would be nice if they brought back the 180 day multi though

Today's METV was introduced in 2015. 6 months validity. Still very much an option.

11 minutes ago, thaibreaker said:

The METV is still very much on the table.

That is what I thought so what is this guy on about? beats me

On 3/23/2026 at 2:32 PM, cjinchiangrai said:

We will see once it changes, ignoring it for now. It would be nice if they brought back the 180 day multi though

On 3/22/2026 at 2:12 AM, Jim Waldron said:

The proposed cut from 60 to 30 days seems reasonable. The current 60‑day visa‑free entry is simply too lax, and it’s no surprise it’s being misused.

Genuine tourists rarely need that long anyway.

If someone truly intends to stay longer, they should apply for the proper visa. And honestly, if people are going to abuse the system, it doesn’t matter whether they get 60 days or 30 days — they’ll try it regardless.

A tighter, more realistic entry period just makes sense.

The problem is that getting a longer term visa is so lax. Scammers and non scammers alike have plenty of avenues to get a longer term visa. It’s not like criminal checks are required.

Unlike Spain, where my Thai daughter has to get a criminal check done in Bangkok, have it legalised at the MFA, translated to Spanish by a sworn translator in Spain and only THeN, can it be submitted in support of her student visa application.

How about something like that Thailand?

On 3/22/2026 at 11:31 AM, Nick Carter icp said:

JUST MAKE YOUR MIND UP AND STICK WITH IT .

All these rules changes are stressful and causes people to have to keep having to changing their flights

I fully agree, the men of constant changes, seem to be grossly incompetent and inept. After this proposed 30 day change, three months later, somebody will come up with a bright idea, "maybe 60 days could improve the tourist influx"...

13 hours ago, Gknrd said:

I personally like to stay 180 days out of the USA each year and enjoy myself. I used to come to Thailand and had a retirement visa there for years. Since I am from the US South America got to be my favorite place for now. I roll into Colombia and ask for 90 days when I arrive with no hassles, just last week I requested a 90 day extension strictly by internet and got it in 5 days. 45 dollars. I personally got fed up with all the rules and nonsense I had to go through. Even with a retirement visa I found it a pain... Personally I would never go back to that. I have thought about the Philippines . But, never Thailand again. Or any of those countries around there.

See you then ! Bye.

16 hours ago, Ironmike said:

I think they need to make it 30 days maximum if people want to stay longer then they need to have 200k in the bank per person just like us long term people need 800k this will shut down the low life's from coming here.

But most of the 'long term' people do not have the 800k either, and it is a requirement easily bypassed. Surely a 200k requirement could be too.

Welcome news.

Anything to cut down the crime, scammers, and those using loopholes.

Next stop should be to toughen up the long term visas - too many loopholes that have been left open.