Pictures courtesy of Thaitabloid

 

Immigration announced on 25 November, enhanced screening and verification measures for all foreign nationals entering and exiting Thailand. The initiative applies across all international airports and border checkpoints nationwide to prevent individuals disguising themselves as tourists from committing crimes or engaging in unlawful activities.

 

Police Major General Jaturapat Bhiromkaew, Deputy Spokesperson, stated that the measures are preventive and applied equally to all nationalities, without targeting any specific group. Screening focuses on identifying high-risk behaviours, such as unusually frequent entries and exits, misuse of visas, or suspicious information from INTERPOL and security intelligence agencies.

 

Operationally, immigration checkpoints have been instructed to increase inspection thoroughness using biometric systems and international databases. This approach aims to prevent document forgery, illegal entry, and movements of individuals potentially linked to human trafficking, illegal labour, call-centre fraud, money laundering, and emerging transnational crimes.

 

Despite the increased measures, authorities emphasise adherence to human rights standards, ensuring law-abiding tourists are not adversely affected. The measures are part of the government, Immigration and Royal Thai Police’s broader policy to strengthen tangible prevention of transnational crime while maintaining public and tourist confidence.

 

Police General Kittharath Punpetch, Commissioner-General, reinforced that all officers involved are strictly prohibited from soliciting or accepting any benefits. Any violations will result in immediate criminal and disciplinary action.

 

Immigration will continue monitoring and refining screening procedures, ensuring effectiveness against high-risk individuals while safeguarding the travel experience of legitimate tourists. Regular assessments and collaboration with international law enforcement are expected to maintain robust prevention standards.

 

Thaitabloid also reported that Immigration police have also stated they are focusing on blocking foreigners, particularly scammers, who exploit Thailand’s visa-free entry scheme by making repeated “visa runs” to extend their stay. Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimpadee, deputy chief of the Immigration Bureau, said that officers would carefully question foreigners making a third consecutive visit with back-to-back visa-free requests to stay for up to 90 days each time. Officers would also examine those who had stayed at least 45 days during previous visits.

 

“These foreigners do not visit Thailand for tourism. Many of them work or operate businesses with Thai nominees as fronts. They use the visa-free scheme to avoid official visa requests before travelling, and their data is not included in Thailand’s systems controlling occupations and taxation,” the deputy commissioner said. Some visitors had made as many as seven visa runs in a row, with accumulated stays exceeding 200 days.

 

Immigration police would deny repeated entry to such visitors, preventing scammers fleeing suppression in neighbouring countries from relocating illicit businesses to Thailand, Pol Maj Gen Choengron said. He added that those cashing in on visa-run services had begun spreading false information, claiming immigration was targeting visitors from specific countries, including China.

 

The deputy immigration chief emphasised that the measures are applied fairly to all nationalities and do not affect genuine tourists. Real tourists typically stay in Thailand for an average of 15 days per visit, providing clear information about accommodation, trips around the country and departure dates, he said. Immigration police welcomed such visitors.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Biometric and international database checks have been strengthened at all Thai entry points.

• Measures are preventive, applied to all nationalities, and respect human rights.

• Officers are prohibited from accepting benefits, with strict penalties for violations.

 

Related Stories

 

Phuket-clamps-down-on-‘visa-runners’-with-new-measures/

 

 

 Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Thaitabloid 2025-11-26

 

 

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Immigration police would deny repeated entry to such visitors, preventing scammers fleeing suppression in neighbouring countries from relocating illicit businesses to Thailand, Pol Maj Gen Choengron said.

So no more unlimited exit/entries for tourist visa holders. The Immigration should never had allowed this to begin with. 

 

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

These foreigners do not visit Thailand for tourism. Many of them work or operate businesses with Thai nominees as fronts. They use the visa-free scheme to avoid official visa requests before travelling, and their data is not included in Thailand’s systems controlling occupations and taxation,” the deputy commissioner said

this is not something new. They have known this for many many years. Only now they are spouting it out like it is new knowledge. 

Most tourists do not come on holiday and then decide to stay again and again. They stay because there is something keeping them in the country other than just travelling to different places for tourism. Either illegal work or scam centers or other illicit activities. The average Joe would not be able to support their stay for more than a couple months without returning or doing some work to generate more income. (except for those who are rich playboys)..

14 minutes ago, thesetat said:

So no more unlimited exit/entries for tourist visa holders. The Immigration should never had allowed this to begin with.

In the past TAT welcomed this to boost numbers, border runs were a norm,

IO officers were known to take a tip at the border crossings to enhance income

Aranyaprathet used to have 200 baht inside the passport as you exited Thailand before turning around to re-enter to get your next 90 days.

My first year this was done on a multi-entry visa.

Not sure about 15 days, travelling for 24-30 hours each way in many cases 15 days is not enough. Personally I would say more like one month 

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

 

Pictures courtesy of Thaitabloid

 

Immigration announced on 25 November, enhanced screening and verification measures for all foreign nationals entering and exiting Thailand. The initiative applies across all international airports and border checkpoints nationwide to prevent individuals disguising themselves as tourists from committing crimes or engaging in unlawful activities.

 

Police Major General Jaturapat Bhiromkaew, Deputy Spokesperson, stated that the measures are preventive and applied equally to all nationalities, without targeting any specific group. Screening focuses on identifying high-risk behaviours, such as unusually frequent entries and exits, misuse of visas, or suspicious information from INTERPOL and security intelligence agencies.

 

Operationally, immigration checkpoints have been instructed to increase inspection thoroughness using biometric systems and international databases. This approach aims to prevent document forgery, illegal entry, and movements of individuals potentially linked to human trafficking, illegal labour, call-centre fraud, money laundering, and emerging transnational crimes.

 

Despite the increased measures, authorities emphasise adherence to human rights standards, ensuring law-abiding tourists are not adversely affected. The measures are part of the government, Immigration and Royal Thai Police’s broader policy to strengthen tangible prevention of transnational crime while maintaining public and tourist confidence.

 

Police General Kittharath Punpetch, Commissioner-General, reinforced that all officers involved are strictly prohibited from soliciting or accepting any benefits. Any violations will result in immediate criminal and disciplinary action.

 

Immigration will continue monitoring and refining screening procedures, ensuring effectiveness against high-risk individuals while safeguarding the travel experience of legitimate tourists. Regular assessments and collaboration with international law enforcement are expected to maintain robust prevention standards.

 

Thaitabloid also reported that Immigration police have also stated they are focusing on blocking foreigners, particularly scammers, who exploit Thailand’s visa-free entry scheme by making repeated “visa runs” to extend their stay. Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimpadee, deputy chief of the Immigration Bureau, said that officers would carefully question foreigners making a third consecutive visit with back-to-back visa-free requests to stay for up to 90 days each time. Officers would also examine those who had stayed at least 45 days during previous visits.

 

“These foreigners do not visit Thailand for tourism. Many of them work or operate businesses with Thai nominees as fronts. They use the visa-free scheme to avoid official visa requests before travelling, and their data is not included in Thailand’s systems controlling occupations and taxation,” the deputy commissioner said. Some visitors had made as many as seven visa runs in a row, with accumulated stays exceeding 200 days.

 

Immigration police would deny repeated entry to such visitors, preventing scammers fleeing suppression in neighbouring countries from relocating illicit businesses to Thailand, Pol Maj Gen Choengron said. He added that those cashing in on visa-run services had begun spreading false information, claiming immigration was targeting visitors from specific countries, including China.

 

The deputy immigration chief emphasised that the measures are applied fairly to all nationalities and do not affect genuine tourists. Real tourists typically stay in Thailand for an average of 15 days per visit, providing clear information about accommodation, trips around the country and departure dates, he said. Immigration police welcomed such visitors.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Biometric and international database checks have been strengthened at all Thai entry points.

• Measures are preventive, applied to all nationalities, and respect human rights.

• Officers are prohibited from accepting benefits, with strict penalties for violations.

 

Related Stories

 

Phuket-clamps-down-on-‘visa-runners’-with-new-measures/

 

 

 Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Thaitabloid 2025-11-26

 

 

Why just foreigners?  Thais need screening too. This is discrimination 

So this is good news for the 'real' tourists and those with actual visas!

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimpadee, deputy chief of the Immigration Bureau, said that officers would carefully question foreigners making a third consecutive visit with back-to-back visa-free requests

Will this impact tourists who fly in to Thailand and then set out to explore neighboring countries before flying back from Thailand?  So these (genuine) tourists could find themselves blocked from re-entry and so unable to access their flights out of Thailand?

What they didn't (and never) mention is foreign residents.

 

We don't seem to ever be considered.

10 minutes ago, Nickcage49 said:

What they didn't (and never) mention is foreign residents.

 

We don't seem to ever be considered.

Just a question, by foreign residents, do you mean those who are in Thailand on one year extensions, for retirement or marriage??

My point is 1.5–2 million foreigners live here long-term, many for life, but Thailand treats every single one of us as temporary guests who can be sent home tomorrow. We’re tolerated, welcomed, and often loved — but never, ever “residents” in the way that word is understood elsewhere.

17 minutes ago, Nickcage49 said:

What they didn't (and never) mention is foreign residents.

 

We don't seem to ever be considered.

They don't want us

1 hour ago, thesetat said:

Most tourists do not come on holiday and then decide to stay again and again. They stay because there is something keeping them in the country other than just travelling to different places for tourism. Either illegal work or scam centers or other illicit activities. The average Joe would not be able to support their stay for more than a couple months without returning or doing some work to generate more income. (except for those who are rich playboys)..

OTTOMh I can think of at least 10 legit reasons for tourists to stay here longer, topping the list - their teerak/s. 

Moreover, Thailand remains a relatively low-cost destination, allowing experienced, budget-conscious travelers to stay well beyond two months without needing to work or spend much.

By the looks of it, the exempt entry 'long stay folks-tourists' may now be seeing a 7 day stamp ( get your affairs together and leave in a week ) if lucky. Sure don't want 7 day stamps in your PP, get a proper visa to hang here long term.........

28 minutes ago, dr_lucas said:

OTTOMh I can think of at least 10 legit reasons for tourists to stay here longer, topping the list - their teerak/s. 

Moreover, Thailand remains a relatively low-cost destination, allowing experienced, budget-conscious travelers to stay well beyond two months without needing to work or spend much.

Budget-conscious travelers that do not have jobs...

 

"Real tourists typically stay in Thailand for an average of 15 days per visit, providing clear information about accommodation, trips around the country and departure dates, he said. Immigration police welcomed such visitors."

 

Average means just that. For every person that comes for a week, someone else comes for three. 

 

A lot of people come for a long weekend. 

I remember the excitement about CCTV cameras 40 or more years ago. Crime would end, they thought. Now, crime continues and the terrible quality of the videos don't help catch anyone.

Biometrics are fine if you could link then to criminals, but most countries don't share their criminal databases otherwise a lot more people would be stopped on entry or before boarding a plane.

Seems like if they are looking at visa exempt abuse they could just flip through a person's passport.

And what about the roving BMWs ? 

What ingenious programs have the RTP come up with to curb crime committed by the locals, the mafias, the officials, and the gangs? 

 

Are we the main culprits now? Leaves me with such a warm and fuzzy feeling. 

That maybe great news for cracking down on people involved in illegal activities etc but unless the Biometric system is shared globally how will that make a difference, at point of entry immigration get to view your passport and can see how many times you have visited and the durations you have stayed! 

15 minutes ago, Cabradelmar said:

Seems like if they are looking at visa exempt abuse they could just flip through a person's passport.

Indeed, when you enter Thailand and Immigration scan you passport into the database, the IO can immediately see every entry/exit you have made. 

It can't  be too difficult to figure out if a person is abusing the system? 

Why not get AI to do it?

2 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

What ingenious programs have the RTP come up with to curb crime committed by the locals, the mafias, the officials, and the gangs? 

 

Are we the main culprits now? Leaves me with such a warm and fuzzy feeling. 

Its the same old story, we foreigners are aliens and constantly reminded despite most of us here being honest and in many cases hard working people contributing to the Thai economy, paying taxes and supporting local industry unlike many Thai nationals. 

1 hour ago, mikeymike100 said:

Just a question, by foreign residents, do you mean those who are in Thailand on one year extensions, for retirement or marriage??

My point is 1.5–2 million foreigners live here long-term, many for life, but Thailand treats every single one of us as temporary guests who can be sent home tomorrow. We’re tolerated, welcomed, and often loved — but never, ever “residents” in the way that word is understood elsewhere.

And how do you think the word "resident" is understood elsewhere. It is what any country wants to make it.

In the UK they have a residency test based on the concept of "settled purpose", and that comes at a significantly higher cost than a long term stay in Thailand.

Careful what you wish for.

Such xenophobia on the part of the Thai government. Shame on them. 

 

Are they out finding government officials who are engaged in drug trafficking or sex slavery? No. Why? Because those goons are protected. 

 

Are they patrolling the highways to find reckless drivers? No. Why? Because they do not care one iota about traffic safety. It is all lip service. 

 

 They should have hundreds of highway patrol vehicles looking for reckless drivers. In all the years I have been here, I have never seen anyone pulled over for speeding or recklessness. Get the useless highway patrol to actually patrol the highway. 

 

How about 30 days in jail, for any highway patrolman found in an office, instead of out there on the highway? Roadblocks accomplish very little, except clog the highways. It is a lazy approach. 

 

The only obscenity committed here, is the one done by the RTP. The level of pretense, the level of fake purity, the dumb and mindless application of laws here is beyond inane. 

The RTP are a blight on the nation. Not us foreigners. Stop the nonsense. 

Cool, actually using information already required. This is way faster.

1 hour ago, Expat68 said:

They don't want us

The government certainly don't...

7 minutes ago, sandyf said:

And how do you think the word "resident" is understood elsewhere. It is what any country wants to make it.

In the UK they have a residency test based on the concept of "settled purpose", and that comes at a significantly higher cost than a long term stay in Thailand.

Careful what you wish for.

The ordinary legal meaning of resident includes a core element that Thailand deliberately and permanently denies foreigners:

For most 'developed countries' you have Security of status – You cannot be kicked out on a bureaucrat’s mood after living there 20–40 years.   Unless you commit a very serious offense.

In many countries you can even own land.

USA: Green card = permanent resident → own land, vote after 5 years, can’t be deported except for serious crimes.

Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Japan, Korea… all the same.

Even Malaysia you can own landed, property after a certain investment or time period and gives you permanent residency that isn’t revoked yearly.

 

“Settled purpose” in the UK (or “domicile” in many countries) still grants you the exact things Thailand deliberately withholds forever:

The right to vote in local and national elections after a few years.

The right to buy freehold land/houses without tricks or nominees.

A realistic, statutory path to citizenship (5–6 years in the UK, similar elsewhere).

Protection from arbitrary deportation once you hit indefinite-leave-to-remain/permanent residency.

Access to the full social-safety net and public funds after the qualifying period.

 

Thailand gives you none of that 

Paying £2,000–£10,000 a year for Elite or coughing up 1–3 million Baht in living costs to renew retirement/marriage extensions is cheap compared to London or Sydney, sure. But you’re still renting your right to breathe the air there, year after year, with zero security or stake. That’s not “ settles purpose”; that’s perpetual probation.Most countries let you graduate from guest → resident → citizen.
Thailand’s message is crystal clear and deliberate: you never graduate. You stay a guest until the day you leave or die.

Cheap? Yes.
Easy? Yes.
Real residency? Not even close.

Be careful what you romanticize. Some folks actually like owning the patch of earth they live on and having a say in the country that taxes them. Thailand’s bargain is fantastic — until you realize it’s a lifetime lease on life, not ownership of one.

How about digitizing things, so that one doesn't have to make and hand over several copies of the same documents and passport pages every time one wants to extend a visa, or make a 90-day report? 😆 

3 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

How about digitizing things, so that one doesn't have to make and hand over several copies of the same documents and passport pages every time one wants to extend a visa, or make a 90-day report? 😆 

Do the 90 day online

"Real" tourists take note:

 

"Officers would also examine those who had stayed at least 45 days during previous visits"

 

Thailand offering you 60 day Visa Exempt visits..........but if you actually use more than 45 days of your 60 day entitlement they will treat you as a possible crim the next time you visit,

 

Lovely Thai "reasoning".

 

 

3 hours ago, thesetat said:

The average Joe would not be able to support their stay for more than a couple months without returning or doing some work to generate more income. (except for those who are rich playboys)..

 

Yes, all visitors to Thailand can only afford a 15-day vacation at best, cause at home they all live paycheck to paycheck... 😆 

Haven't they been using biometrics for years now? Were we putting on fingers on that screen and smiling for absolutely nothing prior to this? And what is with the repeated emphasis of not targeting any specific group? If the goal is to crack down on illegal labour, call center fraud, and human trafficking wouldn't you want to pay special attention to the specific groups that are involved in those activities? And if 99% of these problems are originated from countries X, Y, and Z wouldn't it be prudent to publicly announce you are giving them special scrutiny to deter them from trying in the first place and encourage them to move their operations elsewhere? You could still even be "diplomatic" if you want and avoid naming the countries specifically but why not say, "yeah, visitors originating from countries that have high rates of illegal labor or business activities will get heightened scrutiny".

 

They are going to carefully question anyone attempting to make a third consecutive visa exempt entry in a year (which would be 150 days) but then also anyone who has stayed  45 days? Which is it? They've been scrutinizing people for making repeated visa free or TR entries for years now so what is even the change here? The only concrete thing they've managed to communicate seems to be the one 30 day extension per calendar year thing. Is this just a cultural aversion to clarity or are they attempting to make paying for safe entry services the norm? It is genuinely confusing for an outsider because obviously they could just say no more than 150 days per calendar on ANY combination of TR or Visa Exempt and that solves all the people working illegally and running businesses problems without leaving any wiggle room for immigration side corruption but they seem to be going out of their way to not do that.