Thailand's Visa Policy Not Causing Crime Spike, Experts Say

[webfact]

File photo for reference only

 

Recent concerns linking the surge in crime to Thailand’s visa exemption policy have stirred headlines. Introduced earlier this year by the Pheu Thai government, the 60-day visa exemption allows tourists from various countries to enter without a visa, with a potential 30-day extension, covering over 90% of foreign visitors.

 

This initiative, designed to bolster tourism, has faced criticism, with detractors arguing it has inadvertently fostered criminal activities such as scams, disorderly conduct, and illegal employment.

 

The Thai Hotels Association recently highlighted the illegal renting of condominium units to tourists short-term, leading to property damage and disturbance among long-term residents.

 

Meanwhile, Sisdivachr Cheerwarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, has pointed the finger primarily at lax law enforcement rather than the policy itself. He suggested trimming the visa-free period from 60 to 30 days might mitigate issues, even if it results in fewer tourist arrivals.

 

However, many experts argue that the visa policy is not the root cause of these problems. Prior to this scheme, tourists were already able to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days through a combination of 30-day visa exemptions followed by extensions.

Furthermore, the possibility of same-day border runs made it feasible for tourists to extend their stay considerably. Immigration lawyer Jessataporn Bunnag notes that such policies have seen various iterations over the years, including a previous allowance for a 45-day stay with a 30-day extension.

 

Significantly, a new requirement slated for April 2025 will see a shift in how tourists enter Thailand. All visitors will need to complete an online entry authorization form ahead of their trip, detailing personal, travel, and accommodation information.

 

While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs insists this is not a de facto visa, immigration officials indicate it is part of broader efforts to streamline data and prevent unwanted entries.

 

While the debate continues, the focus remains on achieving a balance between facilitating tourism and maintaining security. The effectiveness of these measures will undoubtedly evolve, shaping the landscape of international travel to Thailand in the coming years.

 

Ultimately, the ongoing changes in policy and enforcement underscore a proactive approach to addressing both tourism and security challenges in the kingdom, reported Pattaya Mail.

 

-- 2025-02-25

 

 

[StayinThailand2much]

Typical anti-foreigner rant. Tourists as potential perpetrators of crime... - I thought, most of those phone- and internet scams are done from neighbouring countries. Why would any criminal enter Thailand for crimes, rather than the U.S., Switzerland, or Singapore?

 

Sure, limit visa-free entries to 30 days. Personally, I may not bother going to Thailand for such a (relatively) short time, as I don't usually travel to the other side of the world for less than six weeks.

[khunjeff]

48 minutes ago, webfact said:

Sisdivachr Cheerwarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, has pointed the finger primarily at lax law enforcement rather than the policy itself. He suggested trimming the visa-free period from 60 to 30 days might mitigate issues, even if it results in fewer tourist arrivals.

 

If the problem is poor law enforcement, what purpose would be served by reducing the visa exemption period?

[Toby1947]

Problem is nothing to do with exempt entries. Problem lies with lazy corrupt police not getting of their fat ars+s

[NorthernRyland]

Thailand simply attracts bad tourists. Visa duration doesn't even filter for this and they aren't prepared to reject people based on some other metric so we're stuck with them. Luckily 99% of people go to 5-6 places so you may need to move accordingly if you get overwhelmed by the hordes.

[impulse]

7 minutes ago, Toby1947 said:

Problem is nothing to do with exempt entries. Problem lies with lazy corrupt police not getting of their fat ars+s

 

I think it has more to do with pent up aggression energy from several years of being locked down, unable to travel. Not to mention losing a lot of social skills, for the same reason.   And YouTube, which glorifies even the nastiest behaviors for clicks.

 

It doesn't seem unique to Thailand, either.

 

 

[Andycoops]

Adding another system in April while the current ones are in tatters beggars belief.

The track record of IB and government IT systems isn't covered in glory but incompetence.

[klauskunkel]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

All visitors will need to complete an online entry authorization form ahead of their trip, detailing personal, travel, and accommodation information.

immigration officials indicate it is part of broader efforts to streamline data and prevent unwanted entries.

one might also indicate that this could be a bonanza for data mining which then could be sold to scammers

..., but I'm sure the Immigration police's data servers are all hack-proof... 

Headline earlier today:

Bangkok police Facebook page hacked with explicit content

[Robert_Smith]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

While the debate continues, the focus remains on achieving a balance between facilitating tourism and maintaining security.

If they really want to maintain security then cancel tourist visas all together.

 

Get rid of the great unwashed and only let well heeled, well educated expats with good jobs remain.

 

regards,

bob.

[newbee2022]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

However, many experts argue that the visa policy is not the root cause of these problems.

Not surprising.

If the visa regulation would cause problems they would losing face.

And that's a no go in Thailand 🤗❗

[Karma80]

An open-door policy on visas to a low-cost-of-living tropical country, with no control of weed or prostitution. All promoted by the clickbait of YouTube. What could go wrong?

Add a DTV visa so that you can effectively live in the country for 5 years, having booked a cookery course.

 

Thailand's immigration policy might be ok, but couple that with absolutely zero enforcement and a corrupt police force, if they even show up, what did anyone really expect?

 

[wensiensheng]

I don’t get it. If a visa free period is only 7 days, so what? The visas are handed automatically, assuming the applicant isn’t already blacklisted. So the visa period doesn’t make one whit of difference to whether the tourist coming in is a bad person or not.

 

And the new online application requirement ( that isn’t a visa) requires the same information as a visa application. 
 

So the purpose of reducing the visa period is……what?

[Jack Hammer]

15 minutes ago, Robert_Smith said:

If they really want to maintain security then cancel tourist visas all together.

 

Get rid of the great unwashed and only let well heeled, well educated expats with good jobs remain.

 

regards,

bob.

 

[Jack Hammer]

18 minutes ago, Robert_Smith said:

If they really want to maintain security then cancel tourist visas all together.

 

Get rid of the great unwashed and only let well heeled, well educated expats with good jobs remain.

 

regards,

bob.

Bob would that include or exclude you? 

[baansgr]

It's the attraction for all the dopeheads simples

[Robert_Smith]

8 minutes ago, Jack Hammer said:

Bob would that include or exclude you? 

I'm not a tourist.

 

regards,

bob.

[wensiensheng]

22 minutes ago, Robert_Smith said:

I'm not a tourist.

 

regards,

bob.

Just as well since you just cancelled all tourist visas 😂

[wensiensheng]

41 minutes ago, Karma80 said:

An open-door policy on visas to a low-cost-of-living tropical country, with no control of weed or prostitution. All promoted by the clickbait of YouTube. What could go wrong?

Add a DTV visa so that you can effectively live in the country for 5 years, having booked a cookery course.

 

Thailand's immigration policy might be ok, but couple that with absolutely zero enforcement and a corrupt police force, if they even show up, what did anyone really expect?

 

It’s the same with any subject you care to mention. All the laws and rules in the world are useless without enforcement and Thailands police enforcement of laws is haphazard at best, non existent at worst

[retayl]

In view of the availability of technology at airports it must be possible to take a more target specific approach. For example: anyone with excessive tattoos - barred. Anyone wearing a Singha beer wife beater vest - barred. Shaved head?- barred. Long hair? - barred. wearing socks & sandals- barred. Voted Republican- barred. Eventually only gentle folk from Englands southern counties would be allowed in - result!