Phuket Hotels Unfazed by Potential 30-Day Visa Limit Change

[webfact]

 

File photo for reference only

 

Phuket hoteliers remain calm amidst possible reductions in Thailand’s visa-free period from 60 to 30 days. This strategy, devised by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, aims to mitigate the misuse of visa privileges by foreigners engaging in illicit activities. While this change may rattle some sectors, hotel operators in Phuket maintain an optimistic outlook grounded in current travel patterns.

 

Suksit Suvunditkul, the president of the southern chapter of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), highlights that European visitors generally book two-week stays. Guests looking for extended residencies tend to prefer condominiums over hotels. Consequently, Suksit suggests the proposed visa adjustment will more significantly influence the condo rental market than the hotel industry.

 

In fact, this move aligns with calls from the Phuket Tourist Association. Its president, Thanet Tantipiriyakit, endorses the reduction to a 30-day visa-free period, emphasising there are still other avenues available for those interested in longer stays. Data from the Immigration Bureau points to a stable demand for visa extensions, numbering around 10,000 monthly applications—a figure consistent since pre-pandemic trends.

 

 

 

Despite these changes, Suksit argues the focus should remain on suitable measures to screen tourists. To this end, Thanet suggests enhancing the new digital TM6 form, which will become mandatory on May 1st, to aid in identifying and managing visitor activities more effectively. Proposals to link this form with technology like Google Maps could authenticate visitor addresses, while connection to existing TM30 data would help verify property hosting arrangements.

 

Tourism officials like Siripakorn Cheawsamoot have voiced concerns regarding the visitor pool's potential impact. Last year, approximately 200,000 tourists applied for tourist visas following the 60-day scheme’s implementation. A rollback to 30 days could affect these groups who have benefited from the longer periods since July.

 

Looking at the broader picture, the hospitality sector remains hopeful for a balanced solution that sufficiently addresses national security while catering to tourism's needs. The key lies in integrating technology with existing systems to streamline operations and ensure all parties benefit from any changes.

 

In converting documents and processes to digital formats with intelligently integrated systems, Thailand aims to balance welcoming visitors with safeguarding against any unlawful activities—a quest for preserving the integrity of Thailand's tourism while curating an environment conducive to genuine, long-term visitors. Hence, the Phuket hotel industry looks set to weather any challenges ahead with confidence, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-03-19

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

Are the TAT that naive that they really believe that crime will stop because folk are back on 30 day visas?

[Nomadic1460]

All we hear is on arrival visa to drop to 30 days from 60 in the past week but i have not seen the implementation date in any of the news clips or YouTube videos. Does anyone know when they implement it???

[Hatari fan]

I think alot of retired people that are here for the winter will probably stay for a shorter period because of the change.

With the sixty days on entry they could get thirty days extra by doing an extension do a border bounce get sixty more days plus another extension which is six months.

Now it will probably be thirty days on entry plus thirty days extension or sixty days visa plus thirty days extension a border bounce thirty more days plus an extension which will be four months without a visa or five months with the hassle of getting the visa. 

[stevenl]

29 minutes ago, Nomadic1460 said:

All we hear is on arrival visa to drop to 30 days from 60 in the past week but i have not seen the implementation date in any of the news clips or YouTube videos. Does anyone know when they implement it???

Decision whether to change hasn't been officially made.

It doesn't concern visa on arrival but visa exempt entry.

[stevenl]

9 minutes ago, Hatari fan said:

I think alot of retired people that are here for the winter will probably stay for a shorter period because of the change.

With the sixty days on entry they could get thirty days extra by doing an extension do a border bounce get sixty more days plus another extension which is six months.

Now it will probably be thirty days on entry plus thirty days extension or sixty days visa plus thirty days extension a border bounce thirty more days plus an extension which will be four months without a visa or five months with the hassle of getting the visa. All those retired people those ret

Since the 60 days on arrival hasn't been in use for 1 year yet, a lot of retired people will be able to switch to the system they were used to: applying for a visa. Unless you think those retired people came this winter for the first time?

[hotchilli]

On 3/19/2025 at 7:30 AM, webfact said:

Phuket hoteliers remain calm amidst possible reductions in Thailand’s visa-free period from 60 to 30 days.

Males no difference to them... some get 7 or 15 days holiday and go home

[Hatari fan]

23 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Since the 60 days on arrival hasn't been in use for 1 year yet, a lot of retired people will be able to switch to the system they were used to: applying for a visa. Unless you think those retired people came this winter for the first time?

I have been coming for many years and have had various visas but the sixty days on arrival suited me as it did many others. 

It didn't entail the hassle with the sixty day visa online and with one border bounce you could be here six months. 

[Toby1947]

Ain't we just had enough of these halfwits. Nothing to do with criminal activity. They've missed the money produced by Visa applications. Who do these morons think they're talking to. 😡