Immigration Thai PM Tackles Overstaying Tourists with Visa-Free Scheme Revamp

[webfact]

File  Photo via Narin Chuangchot

 

In a decisive move, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered a thorough review of Thailand’s visa-free entry scheme.

 

This comes amid rising concerns about tourists overstaying and working illegally in the country. The directive, issued on Tuesday during the weekly cabinet meeting, targets the Interior, Foreign Affairs, and Tourism and Sports Ministries for immediate action.

 

Government spokesman Jirayu Huangsub highlighted the scheme's misuse by some visitors who have stayed beyond their visa limits and engaged in illegal work.

 

The prime minister's order calls for an in-depth analysis of the scheme's impact, with a focus on adjusting the duration of stays to ensure it meets its intended goal: boosting tourism.

 

 

 

Currently, citizens from 93 countries enjoy visa-free entry into Thailand for tourism, business, or temporary work for up to 60 days, with an optional 30-day extension.

 

However, the tourism sector has flagged concerns about some individuals exploiting this privilege by illegally operating businesses like tour companies, restaurants, and even hotels, which undermines local enterprises.

 

The government's forthcoming study aims to balance encouraging tourism with preventing abuse of the visa-free policy. This careful assessment will influence possible amendments, aligning the scheme more closely with its objectives while safeguarding local interests.

 

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post

 

-- 2025-04-23

 

 

[SiamAndy]

Thailand, the land of smiles flip flops! 🤪

[steve187]

12 minutes ago, SiamAndy said:

Thailand, the land of smiles flip flops! 🤪

no flip flop here, just a call to review immigration rules, everyone knows the old rules are outdated and abused

[DonniePeverley]

Welcome news. 

 

Sheer volume of horrific behaviour, illegal workers is out of control.

 

Will it happen? Nope.

[NorthernRyland]

But it's easier than ever to say long term with the DTV so what impact will this have? You can stay for 5 years if you can get together 500k baht ONE time and apply for a cooking class or something and then open your illegal elephant pants themed yoga cafe on Ko Pha Ngan.

[ftpjtm]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

In a decisive move, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered a thorough review of Thailand’s visa-free entry scheme.

 

Ordered a review? Sounds like an indecisive move.

[newbee2022]

3 hours ago, SiamAndy said:

Thailand, the land of smiles flip flops! 🤪

Or the land of flops

[NorthernRyland]

2 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

Welcome news. 

 

Sheer volume of horrific behaviour, illegal workers is out of control.

 

Will it happen? Nope.

 

won't matter they'll just leave, get a DTV and come back for 5 years. They still need to police people on the ground. I'm sure Thai people are quick to report suspicious business to the police.

[Joseph98765]

....and when they were talking to attract more europeans this morning, now they come with this....555555

[mattyc1957]

Just now, NorthernRyland said:

But it's easier than ever to say long term with the DTV so what impact will this have? You can stay for 5 years if you can get together 500k baht ONE time and apply for a cooking class or something and then open your illegal elephant pants themed yoga cafe on Ko Pha Ngan.

Doesn't matter how long the visa exemption period (and I'm loving the 60+30!!), if somebody is intending to overstay and work illegally then that's what they will do. Dropping the visa exemption back to 30 days won't bother them, but will make it more difficult for the people wishing to enjoy an extended break in Thailand.

[cynic1]

3 hours ago, steve187 said:

no flip flop here, just a call to review immigration rules, everyone knows the old rules are outdated and abused

Thailand has been flip flopping on visas since I first went there in 2011. The visa issue is like a fish caught on your boat where it flip flops till it dies.

[mattyc1957]

3 minutes ago, ftpjtm said:

 

Ordered a review? Sounds like an indecisive move.

I've noticed that that is a common practice of Thai PMs. They walk around pointing the finger, saying 'fix this', 'review that', 'form a committee', 'make it better', then wander off smugly as if they've fixed the problem. But they never actually do anything.

[StandardIssue]

Wait,  who is still getting 60 days VISA free entry? Didn't it return to 30 already? That was the news last month right LOL!! Didn't the 60 day visa free end? I thought it did least for US citizens and a slew of other countries.

It was 30+30 extension for the longest time then went to 60+30 ext start of high season last year right? Didn't they just change it back to 30+30?  ... wow the never ending merry go round of Thailand immigration policies. Just show up and take what they give you.

[factual monk]

Anyone (traveler) who comes with an intent to overstay, or do illegal activity... will do it irrespective of the duration of visa or checks. The Thai authorities need to implement strict punishment like immediate deportation of anyone caught behaving in an unruly manner... or creating ruckus or damages. I feel the lobby of Visa companies are putting pressure on government for ending it as these companies are now out of business and have become irrelevant with 60+30+30 days visa stay. I have in Vietnam, there I don't notice tourists misbehaving because firstly it's a communist country... so tourist are well aware that if caught in wrong doing they will face harsh punishment or fines and zero leverage of escaping. tourist of same countries misbehave in Thailand because they know they will get away with it... sharing my opinion of what I have seen... 

[sikishrory]

60 days isn't the issue. This is in line with other countries.

It's when you can get 60 days + 60 days + 60 days + extensions through corrupt visa runs that this becomes an issue.

It's not a review thats needed but the simple enforcement of the law.

[Mangkhut]

Thailand - the land of never ending visa rule changing….

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

This comes amid rising concerns about tourists overstaying and working illegally in the country.

If people want to over stay and work they will do so, regardless of any entry visa.

[sikishrory]

10 minutes ago, mattyc1957 said:

I've noticed that that is a common practice of Thai PMs. They walk around pointing the finger, saying 'fix this', 'review that', 'form a committee', 'make it better', then wander off smugly as if they've fixed the problem. But they never actually do anything.

This is not exclusive to government but society in general.

[scorecard]

17 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Or the land of flops

 

What does that mean?

[Purdey]

I thought that immigration had an electronic record of who entered and when. If they compared that with the electronic record of when those people left, if at all, surely it would set off red flags?

[Hakuna Matata]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered a thorough review of Thailand’s visa-free entry scheme

 

This is definitely a step in the right direction! I believe, she is reading this Forum.

 

 

[newbee2022]

2 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 

What does that mean?

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flop#:~:text=%3A a complete failure,3

[Jonathan Swift]

4 hours ago, SiamAndy said:

Thailand, the land of smiles flip flops! 🤪

Of course, your home country does nothing of the sort. 

[riverhigh]

Same, same. Doesn't matter what kind of visa is issued there will always be some kind of abuse. IMHO, if they intend maintian all these different types of visas,  the only real deterrent is life time bans and heavy fines.  At least 25% of the people I know on the DTV are not using it for what it was intended for. 

 

 

[vmack153]

So those additional 60 days gives people enough time to start up and operate tour companies, restaurants & hotels? That's pretty amazing. I'm assuming there'd be no business license obtained as a "tourist." You can't even open a bank account on a tourist visa. Those who come with the intent of overstaying their visa will do so whether it's 30 days or 60 days. So much for retirees who'd like to escape a few months of winter & spend their money to support the local economy rather than pay the heat & power conglomerates back home. Cambodia, Vietnam & Malaysia are waiting with open arms. 

[NorthernRyland]

27 minutes ago, mattyc1957 said:

Doesn't matter how long the visa exemption period (and I'm loving the 60+30!!), if somebody is intending to overstay and work illegally then that's what they will do. Dropping the visa exemption back to 30 days won't bother them, but will make it more difficult for the people wishing to enjoy an extended break in Thailand.

 

If you're planing on overstaying after 30 or 60 days you're now you're trapped and can't leave the country without being detained and black listed. With a valid visa you could in theory not get caught for some period of time and be able to travel freely in and out at any time.

[NorthernRyland]

3 minutes ago, riverhigh said:

At least 25% of the people I know on the DTV are not using it for what it was intended for. 

I don't understand why they aren't subject to the same annual renewal as anyone else. It's a one time application process even on the grounds of "soft power" like Thai language courses. Even if you applied with a job you could lose it after 1 month and in theory not be checked again in 5 years!

Meanwhile if I get divorced I have 7 days to leave the country. Ditto for retired people, money drops 1 baht below the mark one year and you're gone. Makes no sense to me.

[dg1980]

while we are at it, lets get all the people living here on tourist visas or exemption stamps out as well as ed-visa abusers and thai boxing abusers.

[alex8912]

40 minutes ago, cynic1 said:

Thailand has been flip flopping on visas since I first went there in 2011. The visa issue is like a fish caught on your boat where it flip flops till it dies.

I really don't even think these higher ups know that lots of countries like Malaysia , Singapore , Japan, Korea also Taiwan and Hong Kong give people 90 days no problem! 

[impulse]

43 minutes ago, StandardIssue said:

Wait,  who is still getting 60 days VISA free entry? Didn't it return to 30 already?

 

Last week it was still 60 days for Yanks at Swampy.  I got one.