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

[StandardIssue]

On 3/17/2025 at 5:54 PM, Robert_Smith said:

They make it up as they go along.

 

Can they just do us all a favor though and blacklist the Vlads the same as the EU have done?

I would be very appreciative of that.

 

Pattaya is literally thronged with them. They are everywhere.

Enough is enough.

 

regards,

bob.

 

Get Trump involved, then Bobs your Uncle!!

[Pompeygeezer]

On 3/19/2025 at 4:11 AM, Greenwich Boy said:

Recently got a METV from London. No financials needed. Requirements pretty much same as SETV

Apart from proof of 200k in your bank. which is a financial need.  So, your statement is false.  

[Pompeygeezer]

On 3/18/2025 at 4:16 PM, racket said:

 

How is this not making things safer? Visa-free rules are all about security to start with. I don’t buy that the leisure industry would undo a change from less than a year ago (July 2024)—they loved the extra tourists from the 60-day visa deal. Now you think they’ve flipped? You’re just swallowing what the media says.

 

I hope they rethink this decision, as I believe the 60-day visa exemption supports Thailand’s economy more than it harms it. According to Pattaya Mail: "Many of the exposed abuses have involved Chinese passport holders."

 

Why not focus on tackling the source of the issue instead one would think…

"Now you think they've flipped?" Because they always listen to the minority.  It's the way of the world these days.  

[ravip]

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

 

The criminals always calls the shots...

[Greenwich Boy]

1 hour ago, Pompeygeezer said:

Apart from proof of 200k in your bank. which is a financial need.  So, your statement is false.  

I got a METV August last year. No financials. That requirement from London was dropped some time ago.

[Pompeygeezer]

23 minutes ago, Greenwich Boy said:

I got a METV August last year. No financials. That requirement from London was dropped some time ago.

Fair enough i apologize . I stand corrected.  The usual visa madness of Thailand then. cuz it you apply for it in Thailand you need to have proof of 200k bt.   What's the difference of having to prove you have the finances if you're in Thailand but in the Uk you don't have to.  Strange.     

[Greenwich Boy]

2 hours ago, Pompeygeezer said:

Fair enough i apologize . I stand corrected.  The usual visa madness of Thailand then. cuz it you apply for it in Thailand you need to have proof of 200k bt.   What's the difference of having to prove you have the finances if you're in Thailand but in the Uk you don't have to.  Strange.     

No worries. I have been getting tourist visas for 15 years and have lost track of the number of changes over that time. You can only get a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa from your home country.

[claffey]

3 hours ago, Greenwich Boy said:

No worries. I have been getting tourist visas for 15 years and have lost track of the number of changes over that time. You can only get a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa from your home country.

Or the country you are legally resident in. 

[DonniePeverley]

On 3/18/2025 at 10:10 PM, thaibreaker said:

Why are you circling out 2 countries out of the numerous others, who get longer visa free stays than Thailand, if they reverse their 60 days back to 30 days. Which was the discussion in the first place, whether they align with their neighbours. They are not. 

These two nations' nationals are probably not even represented on this forum at all, so I couldn't care less. Before they got only 15 days VOA as well, in Thailand, if I'm correct.

 

 

Because very few (not even third world) offer Indians visa free. 

 

Yes cumulative they may generate income to Thailand - but person their amount is very low. Quantity over quality seems the mantra. 

 

Furthermore, one of the ways to get Indians spending money was via the visa on arrival route - as it ensured every visitor had a hotel booking in their name. Now you have a scenario 10 plus guys can just pimp into one room (and i've seen that with my own eyes). 

[Hanuman2547]

I'm sure that this change back to only 30 days will upset a number of people that are "snowbirds" from the northern hemisphere winter.

[msbkk]

The Bangkok Post reported this morning that the change in Visa duration has not been decided yet. It is just a proposal.

[brewsterbudgen]

51 minutes ago, msbkk said:

The Bangkok Post reported this morning that the change in Visa duration has not been decided yet. It is just a proposal.

Still, it's been a fun debate!