On 4/12/2026 at 12:41 AM, Rockyroad said:

Other countries nearby give 90 days. Thailand changes PMs and visa rules more often than I buy socks.

Thailand simply does not have the resources to police out all the scams and issues with workers working illegally (and probably some 'issues' at local level) to deal with the issues.

Singapore does not offer 90 days to Indians or Chinese. They also have a surverilance system, facial recoginition cameras everywhere that are live, to weed out criminals.

On 4/12/2026 at 12:16 AM, redwood1 said:

So was Thailand a crime-free place when the visa-exempt was 30 days?

Were there no scams at 30 days?

Nope...30 days made no difference whatsoever....

30 or 60 days same same..

Correct. It was the concurrent extending of visa-exempt entry to several countries whose citizens previously needed to apply for a visa and thus be pre-screened. Put those countries back on visa-required list + the Chinese and Russians, and the criminality will reduce.

On 4/12/2026 at 12:35 AM, DonniePeverley said:

I find it amusing the racist British lot want no immigration back in their own country, but in other countries they demand an open border system - hypocrisy at it's finest.

They're demanding what now? You have evidence of Brits wanting open borders here? The Reform UK fanboys seem to be the forum's loudest gurners about the Indians, Chinese, Russians and Israelis.

1 hour ago, DonniePeverley said:

Thailand simply does not have the resources to police out all the scams and issues with workers working illegally (and probably some 'issues' at local level) to deal with the issues.

Is it true that a lot of the scams and illegal worker trafficking is enabled by the very entity that's supposed to "police" such immigration abuse?

1 hour ago, DonniePeverley said:

Singapore does not offer 90 days to Indians or Chinese. They also have a surverilance system, facial recoginition cameras everywhere that are live, to weed out criminals.

One-party, pseudo-police states can do that easily.

As a UK citizen I can stay:

180 days visa-free in Hong Kong

90 days visa-free in the US

90 days visa-free in the EU (twice a year)

90 days days visa-free in Malaysia

90 days visa-free in Taiwan

45 days visa-free in Vietnam

Now Thailand is considering reducing theirs back to 30 days along with a fee and a wasted day to extend by another 30?

I stayed 6 months last year and 6 months the previous year (with a 6 month gap inbetween) and was grilled by airport immigration on the second entry in 2024 and both entries in 2025; treated like a buffalo rather than a paying customer.

I don't think I'll bother this year and am definitely reconsidering my upcoming retirement plans 😠

9 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

1 hour ago, NanLaew said:

Is it true that a lot of the scams and illegal worker trafficking is enabled by the very entity that's supposed to "police" such immigration abuse?

One-party, pseudo-police states can do that easily.

9 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Politics has nothing to do with an economy of a country unable to have enough resources to tackle scams, illegal workers etc.

It's why i always found the marijuana laws perplexing, as in no way was Thailand equipped with the resources to police so it was used responsible. I honestly believe it turns away more tourists than the resources it brings in, and secondly i believe the trash element that is visiting Thailand is attracted to the relaxed laws.

7 hours ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

As a UK citizen I can stay:

180 days visa-free in Hong Kong

90 days visa-free in the US

90 days visa-free in the EU (twice a year)

90 days days visa-free in Malaysia

90 days visa-free in Taiwan

45 days visa-free in Vietnam

Now Thailand is considering reducing theirs back to 30 days along with a fee and a wasted day to extend by another 30?

I stayed 6 months last year and 6 months the previous year (with a 6 month gap inbetween) and was grilled by airport immigration on the second entry in 2024 and both entries in 2025; treated like a buffalo rather than a paying customer.

I don't think I'll bother this year and am definitely reconsidering my upcoming retirement plans 😠

A wasted day, aw poor you.

You want to consider what it's like for Thais to have to get a PAID visa to enter the UK (the cost of the visa, the application form and providing support documents to prove you're worthy on entering the Uk). As a Brit having supported my wife in her many visa applications to visit our family in the UK over 30 years, it gets harder and costlier every time we want to visit.