Thailand Limits Visa-Free Access to 57 Countries

If back to before 57, when from that list doesn't mean like now you come in get 60 days, if same as before you must apply at your countries consulate?

11 hours ago, Yagoda said:

As long as the USA is on the list and the Russians, Chinese and Indians left off Im good, and I dont even care about the latter much.

How I see it!

The list will be reinstated

" Others will be added after consideration and review " that is for sure China and India for sure!

It would seem to be that countries not on this list have to appùly for a visa before arrival

Newspapers are reporting different in this matter. They consider it, yes.

But the thing is, they have not pulled the trigger yet, no decision is taken. Not published in The Royal Gazette so until then business as usual.

This is what Bangkok Post wrote at the bottom of article:

Mr Surasak said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and security agencies have reviewed visa policies following a trial period of the 60-day visa-free scheme, with input gathered from multiple sectors.

Initially the proposal is to cancel the visa-free entry scheme for all countries and return to the previous visa arrangements as well as developing new visa categories for each country, he said.

Mr Surasak said the proposal will soon be submitted to the cabinet for approval and stressed that visa issuance must comply with existing regulations, including checks on financial status, investment sources and supporting documents.

Concerns about foreign residents avoiding taxes must be probed and any violations will be considered illegal and handled by the authorities, he said.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3242134/visafree-stay-to-be-cut-for-quality-boost

12 hours ago, DaRoadrunner said:

The Thais have never been able to find a way of getting our tourist's money without getting us!

MONEY vs SAFETY

SAFETY first!

1 hour ago, giants49 said:

This country is its own worst enemy. They keep doing stupid things to dampen tourism, then in the next breath they complain they don't have enough tourists.

Tourists will go to places that make it easy for them to travel there. Thailand isn't very easy anymore.

How is issuing free, visa-exempt entry to many people making it difficult to take a vacation in Thailand?

Thailand isn't lacking in quality tourists. They're lacking in quality politicians.

Russia and India left off the list, I will believe it when it actually appears in the Gazette

1 hour ago, giants49 said:

This country is its own worst enemy. They keep doing stupid things to dampen tourism, then in the next breath they complain they don't have enough tourists.

Tourists will go to places that make it easy for them to travel there. Thailand isn't very easy anymore.

It's high time to drain this swamp!

3 hours ago, NanLaew said:

I believe that India, like China, Russia and Ukraine, were never on the original, pre- 2025 list of nations qualifying for VE entry to Thailand. They were all added bit-by-bit in 2024 under Thavisin's maladministration. There's no clarity on these latest changes beyond an undefined 57 countries, but I would guess that China will remain visa-exempt due to the mutual agreement that currently allows Thais to enter China visa-exempt.

China good.

India bad.

But, most overseas service center hotlines in India speak reasonably intelligible English. Just the strange sounds they make that I object to. Their English is somewhere halfway between the England and Thailand.

10 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

China good.

India bad.

Not according to the amounts of illegal workers, gangsters and scam center owner/operators being reported in the media.

Maybe the Thai Immigration Department should request police reports from the countries where the new arrivals came from. The would sort out a certain amount sh*t tourists.

1 hour ago, khunjeff said:

49.8% of votes cast, equal to about 23% of the total population.

That guy is a disaster, no talent, poor ratings, now where have I heard that before? Maybe the gospel to Saint Donald.

8 hours ago, cjinchiangrai said:

You can make a stereotype for most countries, but people that travel tend to be better tan the stereotypes. Not all, but most. Should we restrict the UK because of the football hooligans?

You really are out of touch. Football hooligans, as the world knew them, essentially ceased to exist around 40-45 years ago.

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This approach intends to align the visa policies more closely with actual travel patterns, minimizing administrative challenges and security concerns linked to extended stays.

Someone sold that bs-line and then someone bought it. Same ole, same ole.

6 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Europeans tend to be elitist unwashed know it alls with bad teeth and poor manners. They are usually rude, especially to the locals.

I hope you avoid me.

Why do you make a complete fool of yourself in every darn thread?

Is this a hobby of yours?

11 hours ago, whatsupdoc said:

Americans tend to be very loud and often rather arrogant. They are not that well liked outside of the USA, especially now with the current POTUS.

By the way, I am European and am perfectly happy if you avoid me. Also, I do not quack.

It never ceases to amaze me how some unsettled individuals can use a simple news article about visas to bash people of other nationalities, I think it's extremely likely that you have had either very few or no relationships or dealings with Americans. I also am perfectly happy avoiding you, but if I happen to meet you I will give you a smile and a polite "Hello".

Since they are going back to 30 days, it might make sense to become a little more lenient about borderhops and extensions, like they were before.

But this is Thailand, so I don't hold my breath. We'll soon enough find out.

18 minutes ago, TigerandDog said:

You really are out of touch. Football hooligans, as the world knew them, essentially ceased to exist around 40-45 years ago.

That is one of the things that make it a stereotype.

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Officials have expressed that most tourists already prefer to stay for less than 30 days

They don't prefer. They can't afford to stay longer.

1 hour ago, thaibreaker said:

Since they are going back to 30 days, it might make sense to become a little more lenient about borderhops and extensions, like they were before.

But this is Thailand, so I don't hold my breath. We'll soon enough find out.

But border bouncing is misuse of a visa. They should limit O visas to two a year.

18 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Wait until it's in the Royal Gazette.

Why? Arnt we the experts?

1 hour ago, TigerandDog said:

Football hooligans, as the world knew them, essentially ceased to exist around 40-45 years ago.

What are those we read about daily called to day?

14 hours ago, Yagoda said:

As long as the USA is on the list and the Russians, Chinese and Indians left off Im good, and I dont even care about the latter much.

Sounds good to me, it would be nice to drive down the middle of the road without hitting those walking Indians.

4 hours ago, BerndD said:

Don't get upset about yagoda. This is just a small, insignificant, albeit loud, dwarf.

You either didn't read or didn't understand my comments.

2 hours ago, NONG CHOK said:

That guy is a disaster, no talent, poor ratings, now where have I heard that before? Maybe the gospel to Saint Donald.

Not a saint. A doctor.

They need to remove the following countries from the visa exempt list:

Americas: USA

Europe: UK, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Austria

Doing this will improve Thailand for everyone. In fact, Thailand should ban nationals from these countries. They are just low paying sex tourists anyway.

5 hours ago, NONG CHOK said:

Coments like that are the main reason why many people don't like Americans. More than 50% of Americans voted for Donald Trump. So what does that say about the majority of God loving weirdos.

While I understand the sentiment, only 30-some percent voted for Trump and a third of the electorate did not vote. Voter suppression and Murdoch propaganda did the rest.

Indian, Israeli and Russian tourists have turned a privileged into an opportunity for illegal immigration into Thailand. Sketchy behaviour, working and running businesses illegally should be a justified the reason to change the VE access.