March 17, 2025Mar 17 Article in the Bangkok Post, dated 17 March 2025, states that visa exemptions are reverting back to 30 days. Title of the article is (not surprisingly): "Visa-free stay in Thailand to be cut to 30 days."
March 17, 2025Mar 17 22 minutes ago, TheAppletons said: Article in the Bangkok Post, dated 17 March 2025, states that visa exemptions are reverting back to 30 days. Huge news however guess it was only matter of time. Not surprisingly the article used Phuket as an example of concerns over the current 60 day visa exempt. For those that have made plans based on the 60 could consider fall back option of e-Visa Tourist Visa if/when visa exempt reverts back to 30..
March 17, 2025Mar 17 31 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said: Strange though, better to do criminal record checks for 60+ day stays They’re probably realizing the 60 day is too long for the criminal types as they start to get too comfy here.
March 17, 2025Mar 17 Popular Post They’re just losing a lot of money on people not having to apply for a tourist visa. They could care less about criminals, its always about the money in Thailand.
March 17, 2025Mar 17 It's being discussed but not yet formally published in the royal gazette so we will see if it actually happens.
March 17, 2025Mar 17 4 minutes ago, LiamB80 said: They’re just losing a lot of money on people not having to apply for a tourist visa. They could care less about criminals, its always about the money in Thailand. Totally agree, they have realized now the tourist visa is useless and nobody does it anymore. The revenue at thai embassies around the world probably took a big hit.
March 17, 2025Mar 17 2 minutes ago, at15 said: Totally agree, they have realized now the tourist visa is useless and nobody does it anymore. That was obvious, they knew that at the beginning
March 17, 2025Mar 17 2 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said: That was obvious, they knew that at the beginning For me and you but thats not how thailand operates they have to see it in practice then they change things
March 17, 2025Mar 17 12 minutes ago, LiamB80 said: They’re just losing a lot of money on people not having to apply for a tourist visa. They could care less about criminals, its always about the money in Thailand. if that is the case, why did they change to 60 days
March 17, 2025Mar 17 51 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said: Strange though, better to do criminal record checks for 60+ day stays And hurry up with the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)! Might keep out the worst of the scum.
March 18, 2025Mar 18 Just now, steve187 said: if that is the case, why did they change to 60 days At the time, I believe they were concerned about vietnam going to 90 days and stealing a lot of tourists but that didnt really happen.
March 18, 2025Mar 18 most tourists stay less than 21 days if ur a criminal, doesn't matter how you get in, as its thailand and can always find a way to stay longer
March 18, 2025Mar 18 50 minutes ago, steve187 said: if that is the case, why did they change to 60 days To compete with other countries in the region that offer longer periods upon arrival.
March 18, 2025Mar 18 Popular Post I'm not sure why they gave 60 days to virtually everyone. That was the mistake. They should have started with higher income countries.
March 18, 2025Mar 18 53 minutes ago, steve187 said: if that is the case, why did they change to 60 days They increased the exempt entry to 60 days to stimulate and generate revenue inside the country. I may be wrong but I don't believe the visa fees flow back to the embassies
March 18, 2025Mar 18 55 minutes ago, Yolando said: I'm not sure why they gave 60 days to virtually everyone. That was the mistake. They should have started with higher income countries. The yobo with big neck incident from last couple days was from Switzerland, it's not about money
March 18, 2025Mar 18 2 hours ago, LiamB80 said: They’re just losing a lot of money on people not having to apply for a tourist visa. They could care less about criminals, its always about the money in Thailand. Which is exactly what I have said from outset but too many took offence Doubless they'll be sending their apologies in the post along with a cheque for Father Rays foundation On an aside after last entry with no visa and getting questioned at immigration I had decided to go back to getting Evisas anyway
March 18, 2025Mar 18 Just now, at15 said: It's being discussed but not yet formally published in the royal gazette so we will see if it actually happens. It's being more than discussed. the article says it's been agreed in principle. It's a done deal just a matter of when now.
March 18, 2025Mar 18 12 minutes ago, Pompeygeezer said: It's being more than discussed. the article says it's been agreed in principle. It's a done deal just a matter of when now. In thailand that means discussed lol. I have seen this "agreed in principle" many times over the years yet nothing ever happened. It may happen but its definitely not certain.
March 18, 2025Mar 18 Just now, at15 said: In thailand that means discussed lol. I have seen this "agreed in principle" many times over the years yet nothing ever happened. It may happen but its definitely not certain. True enough but they have been mentioning it for at least the last month by the anti falang brigade and it now seems much more likely.
March 18, 2025Mar 18 3 hours ago, zzzzz said: most tourists stay less than 21 days In 28 years, I have travelled only once for 'less than 21 days' to Thailand, and that was when flights were much more affordable... Holidaying closer to home is looking more and more like a better option, without the long flight and sour faces at Arrival in Bangkok...
March 18, 2025Mar 18 7 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said: Holidaying closer to home is looking more and more like a better option, without the long flight and sour faces at Arrival in Bangkok... Nothing making you come to Thailand. Fact is Thailand provides option of visa exempt (previously 30 days) or SETV (60 days) Both can be extended by 30 days.
March 18, 2025Mar 18 52 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said: Holidaying closer to home is looking more and more like a better option, without the long flight and sour faces at Arrival in Bangkok... You mean the Costa del Wotsit for us Europeans along with loads of undesirables from our home countries? No thank you very much!🤬
March 18, 2025Mar 18 1 hour ago, StayinThailand2much said: In 28 years, I have travelled only once for 'less than 21 days' to Thailand, and that was when flights were much more affordable... Holidaying closer to home is looking more and more like a better option, without the long flight and sour faces at Arrival in Bangkok... great 1 out of 39 million congrats. Most tourists are lucky to get 2-3 weeks off/year
March 18, 2025Mar 18 Still early days, folks. There are 3 possibilities : 1. They might not go ahead with this at all. 2. They will go ahead with it, and make it 30 days again. 3. They might change it back to 30 days for some nationalities only. Anyway, if they make it 30 days again, it is best to apply for a tourist visa. Especially if one plans to stay for 3 months. So, first, one can use the 2 month-stay that the tourist visa enables them, and then get a 1-month extension within Thailand. Of course, the requirements and the difficulty to get the tourist visa changes from Thai embassy/consulate to Thai embassy/consulate. Sadly, if they do plan to go ahead with this, it is also worth noting that the chances are high that they will also get more strict with the border runs too. Not just border runs of course. I mean, also with folks who try to get consecutive visa exempt stays via air travel. Times are changing,folks. And, looking like, for worse.
March 18, 2025Mar 18 38 minutes ago, JemJem said: Times are changing,folks. And, looking like, for worse. What do you mean..."times are changing" The previous norm was visa exempt 30 days. If that changes back to 30 then that would be expected. 40 minutes ago, JemJem said: Not just border runs of course. I mean, also with folks who try to get consecutive visa exempt stays via air travel Back to back on going visa exempt entry via air is an old chestnut. Nothing new there. Border runs visa land are no longer limited to 2 per calendar year. Granted currently best option is to use agent border bounce company. 43 minutes ago, JemJem said: Anyway, if they make it 30 days again, it is best to apply for a tourist visa Outlined earlier in thread.
March 18, 2025Mar 18 Long stay tourists will be far better of going to VietNam, Bali, India or even some nice places in China that is more welcoming and less of a red tape hassle.
March 18, 2025Mar 18 21 minutes ago, Sigmund said: Long stay tourists will be far better of going to VietNam, Bali, India or even some nice places in China that is more welcoming and less of a red tape hassle. Please explain long stay options for example Vietnam in comparison to Thailand. As just one example. Or still better live in India or China ongoing vs Thailand. Seriously.
Create an account or sign in to comment