60 day visa free entry to Thailand to be revoked.

[gerefan]

I see they are talking of reverting back to 30 day visa free stamps
Grrrr…
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Thai Government Agrees In Principle on Reverting Visa-Free Stay from 60 Days to 30 Days

By Adam Judd

18 March, 2025

In a shift in immigration policy, Thailand is reportedly planning to reduce its visa-free stay period for tourists from 60 days back to 30 days, which The Pattaya News previously noted was lobbied for by the hospitality and tourism industry at a recent conference.

This proposal, which has gained traction among Thai authorities, aims to address concerns over illegal employment, illegal condo and villa rentals, a rising number of criminal incidents involving foreigners, and the exploitation of the visa exemption scheme by foreign nationals. The change, if implemented, would mark a reversal of a tourism-friendly measure introduced in July 2024, reflecting the government’s efforts to balance economic benefits with stricter oversight.

Thailand’s visa-free entry program has been a major part of its tourism-driven economy. In July 2024, the country expanded this scheme, increasing the visa-exempt stay period from 30 days to 60 days for citizens of 93 countries, including major tourism markets like the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Russia, and India.

The policy allowed visitors to stay for up to 60 days without a visa, with a fairly simple option to extend for an additional 30 days at the discretion of immigration officials. This extension was part of a broader strategy to boost tourism, a vital sector that contributes significantly to Thailand’s GDP, especially following the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The move was initially widely praised by travelers and the tourism industry, as it provided greater flexibility for visitors to explore Thailand’s beaches, cultural landmarks, and bustling cities. The government also hoped it would encourage longer stays and increased spending, projecting a target of 40 million foreign arrivals in 2024 alone.

Recent discussions among Thai authorities, including the Tourism and Sports Ministry and the Immigration Bureau, suggest a growing concern over the unintended consequences of the 60-day visa-free policy, although The Pattaya News notes many critics warned of these potential problems when the expanded program began.

According to multiple news reports, the extended stay period has allegedly been exploited by some foreigners engaging in illegal employment and shadowy business practices. These activities, often conducted under the guise of tourism, include operating unlicensed businesses or working without proper work permits—both of which violate Thai immigration and labor laws.

The proposed reduction to 30 days is seen as a preventive measure to tighten control over such activities. By shortening the visa-free period, officials aim to discourage individuals from using the exemption as a loophole to easily remain in the country for unauthorized purposes.

If the proposal is finalized, the change could have a mixed impact. For tourists planning short visits, a 30-day visa-free stay remains sufficient, aligning with the previous policy that operated successfully for years. An option to extend would also likely be available at the discretion of Immigration agents.

However, for those accustomed to the flexibility of a 60-day stay—such as digital nomads, retirees, or long-term vacationers who aren’t utilizing other visas—the reduction may require adjustments. Travelers seeking to stay longer would need to apply for a tourist visa in advance (typically allowing a 60-day stay, extendable by 30 days) or leave and re-enter the country after 30 days, potentially incurring additional costs and logistical challenges.

Proponents of the change argue that curbing illegal activities will protect Thailand’s long-term economic interests and maintain the integrity of its immigration system.

This proposal comes amid a series of immigration policy updates in Thailand. Alongside the 60-day visa exemption, the government introduced the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) in 2024, targeting remote workers and digital nomads with a five-year, multiple-entry visa allowing stays of up to 180 days per visit. Such measures indicate Thailand’s intent to diversify its visitor base while adapting to global travel trends. However, the potential rollback of the 60-day visa-free stay highlights a tension between promoting tourism and enforcing stricter regulations and some have speculated the DTV has also been abused by some criminals and those working illegally and tighter restrictions could be coming here also.

Historically, Thailand has adjusted its visa policies to reflect economic and security priorities. For instance, before the 2024 expansion, the standard visa-exempt stay was 30 days, with occasional temporary extensions during high seasons or crises (e.g., a 45-day extension in 2022-2023 to aid post-pandemic recovery). The current proposal suggests a return to this more conservative approach, prioritizing control over leniency.

As of March 17, 2025, the reduction from 60 days to 30 days has been agreed upon “in principle” by relevant authorities.

However, the policy has not yet been officially enacted, leaving room for further deliberation or adjustments. Stakeholders, including tourism associations and foreign embassies, may weigh in before a final decision is made. Travelers planning trips to Thailand in the coming months should monitor updates from the Thai Immigration Bureau or consult their local Thai embassy for confirmation.

https://thepattayanews.com/2025/03/18/t ... o-30-days/

[Gaybutton]

Unfortunately the current policy has backfired. While the vast majority of holiday makers go to Thailand, have a wonderful time, and return home without any problems or incidents at all, there are just too many idiots who also go to Thailand and create problems for everybody.

Another example of how the behavior of a few can cause problems and ruin a good thing for the many.

[Jun]

This proposal, which has gained traction among Thai authorities, aims to address concerns over illegal employment, illegal condo and villa rentals, a rising number of criminal incidents involving foreigners, and the exploitation of the visa exemption scheme by foreign nationals.

Thailand could also try law enforcement, except the people responsible for that are too busy with their own criminal activity, usually involving tea money.

Incidentally, 60 day visa free entry ought to reduce both the official visa income and the immigration tea money, which are probably the real reasons for the reversion in policy.

[Gaybutton]

Visa exempt entries to be slashed from 60 to 30 days

By Barry Kenyon

March 18, 2025

The Thai Cabinet has agreed to reduce the free visa exempt policy for tourists from two months to one month on arrival. The Tourist and Sports Ministry made the announcement to the Thai press but did not give a date for the introduction of the reduction.

The current policy dates from July 2024 when tourists from 93 countries were allowed to stay in Thailand for 60 days without prior approval or filling in forms on arrival. They could also increase their holiday for 30 more days, a total of 90, by applying for an extension at Thai immigration for 1,900 baht (US$54).

The change from 60 to 30 days has been predicted for months following scandals of tourists working illegally, fraudulent use of nominee trading companies and illegal short-term renting of foreign-owned condominium units. Many of the exposed abuses have involved Chinese passport holders, who provide more entries to Thailand than any other nationality, but singling out nationals of specific countries is unlikely at this stage.

Although a date for the new restriction is unknown, one possibility is May 1 2025. This is the date when the new digital TM6, or landing card, is to be introduced for all foreigners to complete online. It is not known at this stage whether visa-exempt tourists will be able automatically to extend their 30 days by a further month at immigration, bringing a new total of 60 days. Nor is it known whether these tourists will be able to complete a one day border hop to receive a further month’s stay.

Immigration sources say that the current lax controls over tourist arrivals has meant that many foreigners have not bothered to obtain proper visas for longstay visits. They say that genuine tourists do not need two or three months, or even more, to enjoy a vacation. The consequence has been a boom in illegal working without authorization, even in areas specifically reserved for Thais such as tour operators, barbers and taxi drivers.

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... ays-494305

[Gaybutton]

Not so fast. There is some government opposition.
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Thai authorities divided on end of 60 days visa-exempt tourism

By Barry Kenyon

March 22, 2025

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs admits that no changes in visa policy have actually been agreed yet by the government. Spokesman Nikorndej Balankura told the press that he was responding to widespread publicity, locally and internationally, that the 60 days visa exempt entries were to be cut to 30 days. He admitted that most (but not all) bona fide tourists stay in Thailand for less than one month before moving on.

The no-charge discretion was introduced in July 2024 to boost international arrivals from 93 countries which provide the bulk of tourist numbers to Thailand. The 60 days can be extended at local immigration offices for a further month on payment of 1,900 baht (US$54) and proof of having officially reported a Thai address. The system has been welcomed internationally as wonderfully non-bureaucratic and user friendly.

The argument for reducing the discretion is that foreign criminals have allegedly used the new policy to indulge in bad behaviour such as illegal working, establishing nominee companies contrary to business laws and fraudulently renting out condominium units to holidaymakers. Much of the negative publicity has centred on Chinese nationals, especially in Bangkok and resort cities such as Phuket and Pattaya.

The contrary argument is that foreign wannabe criminals are not deterred by changes in visa regulations. Many crimes can be accomplished in days rather than weeks or months and are often masterminded remotely on the internet. For example, illegal renting out of condo units is arranged via adverts on the internet with payment often made by credit card to bank accounts located overseas.

Skeptics also point out that some foreign criminals already have longstay visas, such as Elite or Long Term Residence, and are not deterred by technical immigration changes which do not affect them in any case. Even if the 60 days visa exempt was reduced to one month, extensions of a further 30 days would still be available at local immigration unless specifically stopped by the immigration bureau.

Some immigration gurus say the current policy will likely remain untouched, but that the digital TM6 landing card – due to be introduced for all foreign arrivals from May 1 – will be integrated into other immigration data bases to weed out unwelcome guests of the kingdom. The new digital check will require full personal details including phone number, full local address and travel plans. The actual online form has not yet been publicly released.

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... ism-494836