The following came up on a local forum. Not sure if the veracity as I don't use Fb. If there's already a thread on this on AN, go ahead and bin this one.

https://web.facebook.com/thailandbound2/videos/2290998851363620/

I've seen stuff from agents and also border run companies on FB pages. 

As per most things with Thailand the proof will be in the pudding. 

 

Almost pointless to discuss until first hand experiences are reported. 

 

At some point the authorities might think...  "Have we thought this through"

 

Memorandum Translation

Government unit: Investigation and Suppression Sub-Division, Immigration Division 2
 

Date: 14 November 2568 (2025)

Subject: Reiterating the orders of the Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau

In reference to the directive reiterating the orders of the Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau dated 12 November 2568, all police officers of the Investigation and Suppression Sub-Division, Immigration Division 2, Operational Team 1, are ordered to act as follows:

1. Raise the level of and increase the strictness of screening persons before granting permission to enter the Kingdom, especially persons or groups of persons whose behavior shows a pattern of entering and leaving (in-out) in the form of “visa runs”. Particular attention must be paid to nationalities designated as requiring special monitoring that may be involved in computer crime, online crime or financial fraud in the form of scammers. If such behavior is found, entry to the country shall be refused, statistics shall be recorded, and statistics on screening prior to granting permission to enter the Kingdom and on proactive operations shall be compiled, together with the reasons under section 12 (1), (2), etc. of the Immigration Act. 1.1 Indicators of foreign nationals whose behavior shows a pattern of entering and leaving the Kingdom (out-in, in-out) more than two times in the form of visa runs include: 1.1.1 Entering and leaving frequently through border checkpoints with neighboring countries, and on each entry staying for almost the full period, or the full period, allowed under the right of stay granted by tourist visas or visas for tourism (T.90, P.P.90, P.P.30, P.30, etc.). 1.1.2 The time spent outside the Kingdom in another destination country which is not the person’s home country (for example a neighboring country) is only a few days, after which the person returns to Thailand again. This applies in cases where the foreigner is travelling in and out through international airports. 1.1.3 There is a pattern of not returning to the home country, but instead travelling only to nearby third countries and staying there only briefly, then returning to Thailand again.
2. When foreigners are found whose pattern of travel in and out does not correspond with the purpose of tourism, in the manner described above, screening must be increased in strictness and carried out with particular care. Doubtful circumstances should be considered as grounds for refusing entry (denial of admission) under the relevant laws, regulations and orders, and such persons are to be removed from the Kingdom. 2.1 Data on immigration control operations at every checkpoint shall be compiled as statistics for each unit, showing the number of persons by nationality and the reasons for refusal of entry. These statistics are to be reported at the monthly executive meeting of the Immigration Bureau.
3. Increase strictness and thoroughness in considering applications for visas, applications to change visa category and applications for extensions of stay, especially for nationalities under special monitoring whose pattern of entering and leaving (out-in, in-out) exceeds two times in the form of visa runs, in accordance with the orders of the Immigration Bureau and all relevant laws and regulations.
4. All alien-service sections of every unit shall compile information on cases where permission is not granted in relation to foreign nationals who submit applications for visas, applications to change visa type or applications to extend stay which do not meet the criteria and conditions of each unit. The data shall be classified as follows: 4.1 Cases where permission is not granted on the date the application is submitted (within seven days). 4.2 Cases where permission is not granted at the end of the thirty-day consideration period. 4.3 Cases where permission already granted is later revoked. This information must be broken down by nationality and by reason for refusal or revocation, and the compiled data from all units shall be reported at the monthly executive meeting of the Immigration Bureau.
5. Check notifications of residence of foreigners submitted by house owners, heads of households or possessors of premises or hotels that accommodate foreigners under section 38, especially in units located in tourist areas or in areas with a large number of foreign residents. These inspections must be carried out strictly and continuously. Where possible, online notifications of residence in the TDAC system shall be compared with the foreigners actually staying at the premises, in order to increase the effectiveness of inspection and law enforcement.
6. Compile data on foreign nationals of the nationalities designated for monitoring under policy, particularly those coming from KK Park on the Myawaddy side in Myanmar, and compare them with data on foreign nationals whose behavior shows visa-run patterns under tourist-visa exemption (T.90). Then check how many of these persons are currently in the country, broken down by province, in order to verify whether their distribution within the country corresponds with actual information and intelligence. If behavior meeting the criteria for revocation is found, revocation shall be carried out and the person shall be controlled and removed from the Kingdom without delay.
7. Compile information on Thai nationals travelling out of the country, and on passengers at international airports whose destinations are clearly specified target countries, in order to set measures for dealing with Thai nationals who intend to travel to those target countries. Coordination shall be made with immigration checkpoints and with the Ministry of Labour to conduct interviews and questioning in order to prevent such travel, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall be notified so that information on Thais who have travelled out can be sent to the destination countries, requesting cooperation in refusing their entry and residence in those countries.
8. Intensify crackdowns on crime related to offences committed by foreign nationals and increase the results in arresting foreign nationals who commit offences by working without permission (especially cases of performing occupations reserved for Thai nationals or prohibited occupations) and foreign nationals who remain in the Kingdom beyond the permitted period (overstay), especially foreign nationals of the nationalities designated for monitoring under policy. All units shall be deemed to have received and acknowledged this simultaneously. If any unit acts contrary to these instructions, a detailed explanatory report must be made.

For acknowledgment and compliance with this order.
Inspector, Investigation and Suppression Sub-Division
Immigration Division 2

_________________________

If your pattern looks like this:

• 60 days in Thailand on exemption, and a possible 30 day extension.

• Quick trip to a neighboring country for 2 or 3 days

• Back for another 60 days

• Repeat again

then you are exactly the type of traveler that the memo is targeting.

You may face:

• Detailed questioning at the border

• Shorter permission to stay than expected

• Being told to return to your home country next time

• In the worst case, refused entry and sent back on the next flight

If this is your situation, and you would like to transition to a long term visa then we can assist.

 

@ThaiVisaCentre thanks for this information. 

1 hour ago, ThaiVisaCentre said:

If your pattern looks like this:

• 60 days in Thailand on exemption, and a possible 30 day extension.

• Quick trip to a neighboring country for 2 or 3 days

• Back for another 60 days

• Repeat again

then you are exactly the type of traveler that the memo is targeting.

You may face:

• Detailed questioning at the border

• Shorter permission to stay than expected

• Being told to return to your home country next time

• In the worst case, refused entry and sent back on the next flight

 

So there it is in a nutshell. I'm on my 3rd VE60 which runs out on 1st Jan. Guess we'll have to wait for reports from Laksi as to whether they'll grant the extensions 🤔

 

1 hour ago, ThaiVisaCentre said:

Check notifications of residence of foreigners submitted by house owners, heads of households or possessors of premises or hotels that accommodate foreigners under section 38, especially in units located in tourist areas or in areas with a large number of foreign residents. These inspections must be carried out strictly and continuously. Where possible, online notifications of residence in the TDAC system shall be compared with the foreigners actually staying at the premises, in order to increase the effectiveness of inspection and law enforcement.

 

I started filing the TM30 online but didn't bother on subsequent entries because Laksi never requested it. I'm in two minds whether to do it now (almost 2 weeks late) or not to bother 🤔

 

23 minutes ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

 

So there it is in a nutshell. I'm on my 3rd VE60 which runs out on 1st Jan. Guess we'll have to wait for reports from Laksi as to whether they'll grant the extensions 🤔

 

 

I started filing the TM30 online but didn't bother on subsequent entries because Laksi never requested it. I'm in two minds whether to do it now (almost 2 weeks late) or not to bother 🤔

 

I'm thinking that the main thing one has to worry about is if one belongs to:

 

  "nationalities designated as requiring special monitoring that may be involved in computer crime, online crime or financial fraud in the form of scammers".

 

and then again:

 

"especially for nationalities under special monitoring"

 

That looks to be the real trigger.........then comes the screening.

 

An opitimist might think that those countries are among the ones that didn't get VEs at all until the 60 day version was introduced.

 

They might also find themselves thinking that Thailand is trying to avoid the "wholesale" abandonment of 60 day VEs.

 

😊

 

 

 

Off topic post removed

as for the 60 in + 30, leave for short time then return and do 60 + 30 again, hasn't there already been strict scrutiny , even not allowed to do more than 180 days in country from means such as this?  I hear that was sometimes hit or miss and refusal to enter varied from entry points.  Many posts about those experiences on this website.

10 hours ago, Enoon said:

 

 

I'm thinking that the main thing one has to worry about is if one belongs to:

 

  "nationalities designated as requiring special monitoring that may be involved in computer crime, online crime or financial fraud in the form of scammers".

 

and then again:

 

"especially for nationalities under special monitoring"

 

That looks to be the real trigger.........then comes the screening.

 

An opitimist might think that those countries are among the ones that didn't get VEs at all until the 60 day version was introduced.

 

They might also find themselves thinking that Thailand is trying to avoid the "wholesale" abandonment of 60 day VEs.

 

😊

 

 

 

 

It would be a shame if they do away with the 60 day visa exempt + 30 day extension options.  To me that type of visa is a boost to tourism.  It is a long flight to get to Thailand for many people and those with the flexibility and ability to tour for 90 days sounds great.  I know I was going to do exactly that, but instead opted to get the 90 day Non Imm O visa up front as I am considering longer stays and possible retirement and its associated extensions so I going to scope things out, open a bank account, etc.  Laying groundwork  for my possible future there

10 hours ago, Enoon said:

"especially for nationalities under special monitoring"

 

That looks to be the real trigger.........then comes the screening.

 

Better news although it comes with a bitter aftertaste. I'm well aware of my White, English privilege in this matter. I'll never acknowledge it again in regard to anything else under any circumstances 😇

Slight update, we have had a lot of reports of individuals receiving a 7 day extension stamp with order to leave when attempting to get their 30 day extension on top of their exempt entry.

 

This can be a problematic stamp before attempting you can also consult with our team as we may be able to help.

10 hours ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

 

Better news although it comes with a bitter aftertaste. I'm well aware of my White, English privilege in this matter. I'll never acknowledge it again in regard to anything else under any circumstances 😇

 

Your privilege will get you a 90 day VE to Colombia, which can be extended for another 90 days for about 30 USD last time I checked.

 

After that you have to stay out for 6 months before repeating the process.

 

I was there in '22.........all found costs about the same as Thailand.

 

Colombians told me that they killed each oher rather than foreigners.

 

Spanish laughably easy compared to Thai.

 

Were I not "connected" in Thailand I would be there without a second thought.

 

 

 

 

I had an immigration visit on Sunday, it took about 2 hours.............😬

 

Some really strange questions for us and our witnesses................🫢

 

One who spoke great English (but not one of the team) said things are changing, delving deep into farangs relationship with a Thai national, something about actual 'relationship'...........🤔

2 hours ago, ThaiVisaCentre said:

Slight update, we have had a lot of reports of individuals receiving a 7 day extension stamp with order to leave when attempting to get their 30 day extension on top of their exempt entry.

Did they have several exempt entries after each other? It does make a difference if they "played" the system or if they only have one exempt entry before being denied a 30 day extension.

6 minutes ago, farang51 said:

Did they have several exempt entries after each other? It does make a difference if they "played" the system or if they only have one exempt entry before being denied a 30 day extension.

 

It would also be interesting to see how many were actually denied entry at the airport and how many were allowed in but warned that they would need a visa next time. 

 

The former would be a real kick in the nuts if it came out of the blue.  The latter would be a manageable situation, even if it's a PITA.

 

Although these new rules say you can only do a border run "two times", there is another thread on here where someone was recently told they couldn't do even one visa run on a waiver.  That's the problem with Thailand.  You just never know what they are going to do, regardless of what the rules say.

So how does it work if only 2 entries into Thailandy by air/year, and you are transiting by air from Don Mueng to Swampy?

 

When I fly from my 'base' in Luang Prabang to Yangon, I usually fly to Don Muang, and then either transit at that airport, or (if it's Bangkok Airways etc), I need to enter Thailand for a few hours to transit via Swampy.

 

Will these new rules affect transit passengers who must briefly enter Thailand to go between airports?  IMHO, they need an 'airside' transit bus between the 2 airports.  Perhaps they already offer this?

6 minutes ago, simon43 said:

So how does it work if only 2 entries into Thailandy by air/year, and you are transiting by air from Don Mueng to Swampy?

 

When I fly from my 'base' in Luang Prabang to Yangon, I usually fly to Don Muang, and then either transit at that airport, or (if it's Bangkok Airways etc), I need to enter Thailand for a few hours to transit via Swampy.

 

Will these new rules affect transit passengers who must briefly enter Thailand to go between airports?  IMHO, they need an 'airside' transit bus between the 2 airports.  Perhaps they already offer this?

Highly doubt this will have any effect on transit travelers. This is about the abuse of the exempt entries and obtaining the correct visa for the intended length of stay. In other words, if one has exhausted their exempt welcome, they’ll let you transit. If you transit, then return for a exempt entry then the transit won’t count.

Well done Imm ... ❤️

 

Stop abusing the system.  Want to reside here, get a non -0- visa 😎

1 hour ago, impulse said:

 

It would also be interesting to see how many were actually denied entry at the airport and how many were allowed in but warned that they would need a visa next time. 

 

The former would be a real kick in the nuts if it came out of the blue.  The latter would be a manageable situation, even if it's a PITA.

 

 

Based on what we are seeing right now, if you previously received only a warning, it is reasonable to assume that the same pattern of travel today would likely result in a denial instead. We have had many calls about this already. If you are unsure where you stand, we can review your history and explain your safest options.

 

At this time, our advice is to move to a proper long term visa. There are still a few short term workarounds, but they are not real long term solutions and should not be relied on as such. This guidance is based on current practice and could change in the future, but for now this is the safest approach.

 

1 hour ago, simon43 said:

So how does it work if only 2 entries into Thailandy by air/year, and you are transiting by air from Don Mueng to Swampy?

 

When I fly from my 'base' in Luang Prabang to Yangon, I usually fly to Don Muang, and then either transit at that airport, or (if it's Bangkok Airways etc), I need to enter Thailand for a few hours to transit via Swampy.

 

Will these new rules affect transit passengers who must briefly enter Thailand to go between airports?  IMHO, they need an 'airside' transit bus between the 2 airports.  Perhaps they already offer this?

 

It is not likely this will impact true transit travelers.

 

1 hour ago, shdmn said:

Although these new rules say you can only do a border run "two times", there is another thread on here where someone was recently told they couldn't do even one visa run on a waiver.  That's the problem with Thailand.  You just never know what they are going to do, regardless of what the rules say.

 

Right now things are being applied much more strictly, especially at land borders, where repeated exempt “border runs/bounces” are far more likely to be denied.

 

Arriving by air is usually a bit more lenient, so a second exempt entry is less likely to be refused, but it still depends on your pattern: a second trip a few months later is very different from back to back entries.

 

If you are unsure how your history will look, we can review it and let you know how risky your next entry or extension may be.

I find this interesting to watch.  My being on an LTR none of this effects me but i am curious if it will also affect those on Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) who obtain the 180-days ( + 180-day extension), depart Thailand, and re-enter again?

 

i recall > 25 years ago (1997-to-1999 timeframe) even though I had substantial savings outside of Thailand, I struggled to stay in Thailand without doing constant border bounces.   My first year in Thaland went ok, but after that I ended up on multiple visa-exempts, as the Singapore Embassy back then would not give me a short term visa for Thailand despite my proof of significant finances (outside of Thailand) =>  (likely back then I should have tried Thai Embassies in other counties than Singapore).  In some ways (not all), it was more difficult to obtain Visa information then than it is today.

 

I can't help think of those under-50, of moderate means (who can prove such in the bank in their home country), that the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) may be a good way forward.

 

I do sympathize for those now struggling with these Visa exempt restrictions, and in brings to mind difficulties i encountered in the 1999 timeframe.

3 hours ago, transam said:

I had an immigration visit on Sunday, it took about 2 hours.............😬

 

Some really strange questions for us and our witnesses................🫢

 

One who spoke great English (but not one of the team) said things are changing, delving deep into farangs relationship with a Thai national, something about actual 'relationship'...........🤔

You on marriage based extension?

7 minutes ago, Hummin said:

You on marriage based extension?

Yep, I never had this much scrutiny on extensions in the past, and considering we have been married for 18 years, it did raise our eyebrows.....

46 minutes ago, oldcpu said:

i am curious if it will also affect those on Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) who obtain the 180-days ( + 180-day extension), depart Thailand, and re-enter again?

You make some valid points, however the DTV is a multi entry visa valid for 5 years. 

Fact is holder of a DTV is entering on a valid Visa. Not visa exempt, and very different to back to back SETV. 

Zero issue IMO

To me, the question is why would a non-Thai citizen want to live long-term in Thailand if (1) They do not have a work permit; (2) Do not have a Thai spouse; and/or (3) Are not retired and age over 50 with the requisite retirement income/money in the bank?

 

Anyone?

Wife spoke to her Imm friend today, who works at the Wang Prachan border in Satun next to Malaysia.

 

The word there is, it's back to 2 visa exemptions per year, so if, like me, you've had more than 2 this year, don't bother going there, you won't get another.

 

I was paying their 2000 baht fee every 60 days, which was a good deal for me, but that ends now.

 

They also said it could change to something new in January lol

12 minutes ago, TaoNow said:

Thailand if (1) They do not have a work permit. (2) Do not have a Thai spouse; and/or (3) Are not retired and age over 50 with the requisite retirement

There is a huge group that you overlooked. 

Not married to Thai, don't want to work in Thailand and are not yet 50.

3 hours ago, simon43 said:

So how does it work if only 2 entries into Thailandy by air/year, and you are transiting by air from Don Mueng to Swampy?

 

When I fly from my 'base' in Luang Prabang to Yangon, I usually fly to Don Muang, and then either transit at that airport, or (if it's Bangkok Airways etc), I need to enter Thailand for a few hours to transit via Swampy.

 

Will these new rules affect transit passengers who must briefly enter Thailand to go between airports?  IMHO, they need an 'airside' transit bus between the 2 airports.  Perhaps they already offer this?

 

they take into account the time spent in, and out, the country, so i very much doubt transit passengers are on their radar

Thai policy makers never seem to think things through. 

So not that far back they changed visa exempt entry to 60 days. 

Basically making SETV obsolete. 

In same time frame removed the 2 ve entries via border per calendar year. 

To make matters worse used the term "border ve entries now unlimited" 

The rest was predictable. 

 

Stay tuned for the next back flip on poorly thought though rules. 

28 minutes ago, TaoNow said:

To me, the question is why would a non-Thai citizen want to live long-term in Thailand if (1) They do not have a work permit; (2) Do not have a Thai spouse; and/or (3) Are not retired and age over 50 with the requisite retirement income/money in the bank?

 

Anyone?

 

Being of moderate means, I took a sabbatical from work in North America, in the 1996 to 1999 timeframe, first spending one year in Hong Kong and starting in 1997 two years in Thailand.  I had no work permit, I did not have a Thai spouse, I was under 50, and arguably not retired ( I was a digital nomad remotely trading the markets (outside of Thailand), stocks, and options, and futures).

 

I was in my early 40s and I liked Thailand.  I ended up meeting the Thai lady in the final year (1999) there, who would eventually become my wife.

 

Some of us, just like Thailand.  

 

And some under age-50 did have enough money to not work at that young age - albeit I concede that is a bit young to retire, and for those who retire so young, it often means (IMHO) that they can't afford the big "toys" (ie not the latest phones, computers, ski trips ... etc ...).

 

Doing multiple visa runs / border bounces is no fun.  And I hope that those affected by these tighter rules find an appropriate way forward.

.