Thailand Cuts Visa-Free Stay to 30 Days to Combat Abuse

[bergenser1]

Flip flop as always.

Instead of doing this reversal for all nationalities, why doesn't they just weed out the Nations that are causing the problems?

I  stay for around 34-36 days, five times a year. That will be maximum 30 days again from now on then, and a maximum of 150 days in Thailand compared to 180. For the small boutique hotel I always stay in, they will notice the 30 days they loose a year for sure. The same goes for all the bars, restaurants and other businesses I use daily and weekly when in Bangkok.

[quake]

11 minutes ago, ThailandGuy said:

How about Tourist that already had bought their tickets spending more than 30 days?  They are f.... !

 

Maybe.

 

 

[kwilco]

THis is a typical Thai authority style decision - it is made without proper consultation or evidence - it's just. some minister has got it into his head that he /she doesn't like it and then they have shopped around for excuses. 

if they are concerned about illegal jobs and workers, there are plenty of other ways to deal with this problem.

In fact the ETA may have helped - but they can't introduce that - they are incapable.

 

I think the most likely reason is that immigration wasn't making any money from selling tourist visas anymore as they had become virtually redundant. Previously those working illegally e.g. dive schools gyms, tour guides etc used tourist visas to work - so rather than dealing with the problem people will just return to the old way of working illegally. THEy just don't seem to be able to cope and are looking round for something to blame rather than themselves

[Boedog]

6 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

I fail to see the correlation between visa free entry and working illegally and/or owning illegal businesses...

 

Am I missing something?

yes the 1900 baht visa extension, it's always about money and brown envelopes 

[Caldera]

While I didn't expect those 60-day visa exempts to last, their flip-flopping is really damaging.

 

I can already see them announcing this change at short notice, leaving those affected not enough time to apply for an eVisa - at the very least, they should fix the ridiculous processing times for eVisas first. Once there will be an uptick in applications, there will be mayhem. 

[connda]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand is set to reduce its visa-free stay allowance from 60 days to 30 days, a move aimed at curbing the misuse of the visa exemption for illegal business activities. The decision, agreed upon in principle by relevant authorities, is spearheaded by the Tourism and Sports Ministry.

See Geese.
See Geese lay Golden Eggs.
See Geese that lay Golden Eggs get into pecking match with Thai chickens and poop on the commons.
See Farmer cull the Geese that lay Golden Eggs.
The End.
-Khun Aesop

[kwilco]

6 minutes ago, bergenser1 said:

Flip flop as always.

Instead of doing this reversal for all nationalities, why doesn't they just weed out the Nations that are causing the problems?

I  stay for around 34-36 days, five times a year. That will be maximum 30 days again from now on then, and a maximum of 150 days in Thailand compared to 180. For the small boutique hotel I always stay in, they will notice the 30 days they loose a year for sure. The same goes for all the bars, restaurants and other businesses I use daily and weekly when in Bangkok.

so you're the problem?

[thaibreaker]

11 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Why don't more of these people just head for Florida?

There is much more to do in Florida.

 

Florida is a very cool place, with hundreds of miles of beaches.

And, the women there hardly wear anything on them.

 

While the Americans are fleeing the country for SE Asia, because of the clowns and new circus in town.

 

The last one out, please lock the door, we don't want to feel the breeze over here.

[kwilco]

As I said before - when I mentioned it wouldn't last, I was laughed at.

But the devil will be the detail.

Will they return to the old system of limited 30 day entries or will they still allow unlimited re-entry? Wat will the extensions be? How will this work in conjunction with the ETA?

they agreed that the old system was restricting tourism, yet figures are not yet up to pre-covid levels and they want to "double" that - so this chopping and changing can't be good for consumer confidence.

It also puts them out of line with tourist destinations around the world who in general offer 60 to 90 days to tourists.

Returning to the old tourist visa system also has its drawbacks as it makes re-entry difficult on the 60 day SETV - people can no longer use Thailand as a S.E. Asia hub with multiple short stays.

[Colabamumbai]

Interpol Red Notice for all of you. 

[thaibreaker]

4 minutes ago, kwilco said:

As I said before - when I mentioned it wouldn't last, I was laughed at.

But the devil will be the detail.

Will they return to the old system of limited 30 day entries or will they still allow unlimited re-entry? Wat will the extensions be? How will this work inconjunction with the ETA.

It's not a revolution, they're just going back to how it was pre July last year, just adding the ETA.

[tmax]

The people in charge are not bright

 

Is this to combat abuse or is the 1900 thb visa extension revenue diminishing? 

 

Why not directly address the abuse instead of implementing a policy that theoretically addresses it as a second order effect? 

 

People should start looking at Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia because these places don't like to take <deleted>s on foreigners that live there

[connda]

15 minutes ago, bergenser1 said:

Instead of doing this reversal for all nationalities, why doesn't they just weed out the Nations that are causing the problems?

They should probably put lithium in the water supply, well, at least the water Thai Big Wigs drink.

Thai Immigration Policy as a Tolkien book:
"We loves tourist.  Tourist bring monies.  Thai make billions and billions of $$$ from tourist!"
"TOURIST BAD!  BAD TOURIST!"
"But we loves the tourists, don'ts we my preciousssss."
"END EASY VISA!  DON'T LET TOURIST STAY.  BAD TOURIST."
"But whats about all the monies my preciousssss?"
 "TOURIST BAD!  BAD TOURIST!"

 

[thaibreaker]

9 minutes ago, nellytyson22 said:

I'm very thankful to God for making it possible. you can reach him on his email,

You have God's e-mail, do you?

[stix40]

More flip flops than the trump 😂 

[kwilco]

6 minutes ago, thaibreaker said:

It's not a revolution, they're just going back to how it was pre July last year, just adding the ETA.

If tht is the case, we are looking at limited entries per year, no visa runs, quite frankly it could be very inconvenient. But we haven't be told the details - will they keep the 30 day extension? how many times per year will you be allowed? What about those who have already booked over 30 days. Te 60 day system was a lot more than just staying for 60 days, it changed travel behaviours in the region significantly.

[thaibreaker]

20 minutes ago, kwilco said:

If tht is the case, we are looking at limited entries per year, no visa runs, quite frankly it could be very inconvenient. But we haven't be told the details - will they keep the 30 day extension? how many times per year will you be allowed? What about those who have already booked over 30 days. Te 60 day system was a lot more than just staying for 60 days, it changed travel behaviours in the region significantly.

Of course they will continue with extensions. How many entries a year by air will also continue to be up to the immigration officer, at his discretion. Like it always has been.

And they might go back to two times land border crossings a calendar year.

Why overthinking this? 

 

Btw, there were never "unlimited" entries.. it definitely was a limit to the amount of entries allowed. They only removed the two times land border rule.

[xtrnuno41]

I didnt red anything.thing about immigration had a top year in busts of foreigners working.

Some picked up as they were very long time in overstay.

Nothing about increase of working foreigners.

In the article, there are no numbers mentioned either.

Not any comments from immigration about all, as they are the ones for cracking down on it. And they should have numbers.

 

Guess it is a money shortage for maybe , but mentioned, hotels. And they are whining about it. Finding some partners as The Association of Thai Travel Agents and an MP. 

Something rotten in Denmark.

[Yagoda]

1 hour ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

After paying your Angkor admittance fee in USD only🙄

Its a bargain.

[CK1980]

1 hour ago, sparky666 said:

It’s mainly the bloody Russians that cause most of the problems, they should just ban them altogether, also any foreigners causing serious problems should be banned for a minimum of 10 years.

Farangs with Thai wives should be allowed 90 days visa free with the possibility of extensions for a further 30 days

You are getting your cocktails confused.

 

It's White Russians and Bloody Mary's

 

But yes, they do cause many problems and should be banned.

[KimchiCurry]

DTV on the chopping block.

[alex8912]

24 minutes ago, thaibreaker said:

While the Americans are fleeing the country for SE Asia, because of the clowns and new circus in town.

 

The last one out, please lock the door, we don't want to feel the breeze over here.

No one has fled EXCEPT Rosie  O'Donnell 😀

[Ben Zioner]

Even a month is long for what Thailand has to offer to tourists. 

[racket]

This isn’t about stopping illegal business or what the media says. It’s about Thailand boosting security after deporting over 40 Uyghurs, which upset the West. Thailand’s worried about retaliation, and stuff’s already happening in the south.

 

I wouldn’t be surprised if we also see a temporary rollback of the DTV or stricter requirements.

 

The move to a 60-day visa-exempt period was welcomed by every major economic sector when it was introduced and took effect. You can look back at articles from that time to see the reaction.

 

Again, this move is all about increasing national security after what happened with the deportations.

[arick]

So stupid you make make this <deleted> up. I have had numerous people staying for  60 days 90 days paying good money 

[sabai-dee-man]

5 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

Very shortsighted move and it will effectively discourage the exact socio economic groups the country wanted. The  option of a 60 day visa  with an option to extend another 30 days was ideal for snowbirds. It brought in older and wealthier people who did not want the hassle of a visa hassle. The people who were relying on this visa were the western visitors, particularly retirees and Nordics.

 

The  60 day visa is not the reason there are problems with  visitors. The overstayers will overstay on 30 day visas and the troublemakers will still make trouble. There is no link between the 60 day visas and illegal business operations. The illegal operations are carried out by long stay foreigners.

 

Alot of people on 60 day visas did not stay the full 60 days. Instead they were opting for 31-45 days and the 60 day option  made their lives easier.

 

The takeaway is that this is collective punishment because the Thais do not want to upset the Russians and Chinese.

 

At the very least, offer the 60 day visa through the electronic portal without the lengthy paperwork and documentation process.

 

Exactly this! I stay 4-6 months, depending on both the weather at home, and when I arrive in Thailand, and doing that with just a single death defying visa run was bliss.

 

I tend to spend £2-3k a month during my stay. I don't rob people, I don't beat people up, I don't set up rogue businesses, and don't help anyone else do those things. I do like to sit on the beaches and eat in restaurants a lot though.

 

Numpties!

[thailand49]

Funny, I'll take a real good guess those length of stay data was there already. 

Now they got hooker from everywhere it's a problem🤣

[CecilM]

Glad to hear that.

Stay longer than a few weeks, get a proper visa. 

[Samh]

6 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

I bet, a large number of the 'bad apples' are Chinese... But no, can't just cut visas for them, because big CCP brother will be p**sed. Maybe it really is, like the Chinese tour guides in Pattaya said years ago, Thailand IS (practically) "a colony of China"...

Don't give them ideas. Xi will will use Trump's excuse to take over Canada and Greenland as an excuse and Xi will take over Thailand..

[sabai-dee-man]

2 minutes ago, CecilM said:

Glad to hear that.

Stay longer than a few weeks, get a proper visa. 

 

A lot of bitter people here. You sound like one of them.

 

I've been visiting for over 25 years, and never (knowingly/intentionally) broken the law.