Prime Minister orders comprehensive review of visa-free entry

[Gaybutton]

In my opinion this should have been done months ago. The visa-free entry did indeed attract more tourists - but far too many of the wrong kind. Unfortunately the idea seems to have backfired. All kinds of incidents, violence, drugs, nuisances, public drunkenness, bar fights, all kinds of laws and customs ignored - the list goes on.

I would have said it's Thailand's own problem with no effect on those of us in Thailand obeying the laws and behaving properly and appropriately. But so much of this has been going on that it does have a negative effect on us. It stigmatizes, stereotypes, and causes prejudice against all farang - and we don't deserve that to happen to us because of the actions of others.

I would have no objection if they totally revoke visa-free entry.
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Thai Prime Minister Orders Comprehensive Review of Visa-Free Entry Program, Changes Coming

by Adam Judd

April 22, 2025

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered a comprehensive review of Thailand’s visa-free entry scheme, citing concerns over the rising number of foreign visitors overstaying their permitted duration and engaging in illegal employment, according to government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub on Tuesday.

The visa-free program, which allows citizens of numerous countries to enter Thailand for up to 60 days without a visa, has been a cornerstone of the nation’s tourism-driven economy. In 2024, Thailand welcomed over 35 million foreign visitors, contributing majorly to its GDP. However, authorities have reported a growing trend of visitors exploiting the scheme, with some staying beyond the allowed period and taking up unauthorized work in sectors such as hospitality, construction, and entertainment.
“The Prime Minister has stated the need to balance tourism promotion with national security and legal compliance,” Jirayu said in a press briefing. “The revision will aim to tighten oversight while ensuring Thailand remains a welcoming destination for genuine tourists.”

The move comes amid review of immigration policies following high-profile cases of foreign nationals involved in illegal activities. The government has not yet specified the exact changes to the visa-free scheme but indicated that measures could include stricter entry requirements, enhanced tracking of visitors, and harsher penalties for violators.

Thailand’s visa-free entry currently applies to citizens of 93 countries, including major tourism markets like China, India, and several European nations. The scheme was expanded in recent years to boost post-pandemic tourism recovery, but critics argue it has strained immigration enforcement resources. The Tourism Authority of Thailand reported that Chinese visitors, who benefit from the visa exemption, accounted for the largest share of arrivals in 2024, with over 6 million travelers.

The revision is expected to involve consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Immigration Bureau, and tourism associations to ensure minimal disruption to the industry, which employs millions of Thais. “We want to maintain our reputation as the ‘Land of Smiles’ while protecting our economy and security,” Jirayu added.
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions. Tourism operators expressed cautious support but urged the government to avoid measures that could deter visitors. Meanwhile, local Thai communities in popular destinations like Phuket and Pattaya have welcomed the move, citing concerns over illegal foreign workers competing with locals for jobs.

Details of the revised visa-free scheme are expected to be finalized in the coming weeks and months. Until then, current entry rules remain in effect, and travelers are advised to comply with existing visa regulations to avoid penalties.

https://thepattayanews.com/2025/04/22/t ... es-coming/

[christianpfc]

"with some staying beyond the allowed period and taking up unauthorized work in sectors such as hospitality, construction, and entertainment."
That's a completely different issue and should be persecuted as such.

"the rising number of foreign visitors overstaying their permitted duration"
This is nonsense, overstay will be caught at exit and persecuted as such.
Shouldn't they rather increase the visa-free stay to reduce the number of overstay?

The 60 days visa free has been a boon for me and several friends, who all stay longer in Thailand than we used before. If it reverts back to 30 days, I can't see myself applying for tourist visa to stay 60 days, rather to do more visa runs and spend more time and money outside of Thailand. I haven't heard about the proposed reduction from 60 to 30 days for a while, and hoped it fell under the table (keep it at 60 days and don't talk about it any more).

[Undaunted]

As a full time resident I will be pleased with the roll back to 30 days noting the mass amount of low life tourists Pattaya has been plagued with .

[Jun]

Going back to 30 days won't fix overstays.

If they want to address that problem, figure out which countries have the problem and abolish visa free entry for those countries.

[Gaybutton]

Going back to 30 days won't fix overstays.

You are probably correct, but in my opinion that's not the problem. It's the behavior of the types of people visa free is attracting. To me, that is the problem. I'm with Undaunted on this one.

There has been far too many incidents caused by the low life types. Before visa free, the incident rate was nothing like it is now. And if visa free continues, we're only a couple months away from the return of the Kuwaiti motorbike maniacs. I shudder to think what it will be like around here this time.

[Dodger]

As a full time resident I will be pleased with the roll back to 30 days noting the mass amount of low life tourists Pattaya has been plagued with .

Totally agree.

Since they started this Visa-Free nonsense the increase in "low-life" tourists is obvious.

Even here in little-old Bang Saray it's noticeable. Some of the farang we see now look like hobo's who just crawled out of the hull of a barge. And Pattaya is starting to look like a home for wayward terrorists.

[Jun]

Since they started this Visa-Free nonsense the increase in "low-life" tourists is obvious.

Even here in little-old Bang Saray it's noticeable. Some of the farang we see now look like hobo's who just crawled out of the hull of a barge. And Pattaya is starting to look like a home for wayward terrorists.

The way to alleviate this is not by reducing the number of visa free days from 60 to 30, but to require everyone from "problem" countries to get a visa.

There are all sorts of things that could be done to filter visitors. They could offer a 5 year multi-entry visa for people who meet preferred criteria. e.g. 90 days stay, as many times as you like, just as long as the total is below 180 days per year. No re-entry permits or other BS.
Then for all other tourists either give them 30 days (preferred countries) or insist they get a visa (non-preferred countries).

Somehow, I don't think it will work like that.

Also, the Thai economy is quite slow at the moment & US tariff policy won't help. So I'd imagine they would be keen to keep all but the most parsimonious tourists for now. If they know who those are. Which I doubt.

[Dodger]

The way to alleviate this is not by reducing the number of visa free days from 60 to 30, but to require everyone from "problem" countries to get a visa.

I'm sure the tourists from Sweden would be more than happy with that approach.

[Gaybutton]

Why not just send the trouble makers to El Salvador . . . ?

[Gaybutton]

Within just the past couple days another bar fight involving a foreigner, two separate incidents of public nudity and sex, one at a sacred Buddhist statue, a farang publicly urinating from the back of a baht bus, and a Pattaya lady boy murdered by a Chinese tourist.

These kinds of stories have been appearing in the news almost daily.

Just the kinds of people Thailand needs. Any questions about doing away with visa-free entry . . . ?

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That's quite a pair of scissors he must have had . . .
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Pattaya transwoman slain after refusing sex: Chinese suspect

by Chaiyot Pupattanapong

April 27, 2025

A Chinese male suspect said he killed a Thai transwoman in Pattaya because she refused to have sex with him, and then he cut open her body and removed organs because he wanted to "play" with it.

According to police, Fu Tongyung, 42, confessed to slaying Woranan Pannacha, a 25-year-old transwoman who was a native of Nong Khai province.

He was quoted as saying through a translator that he met Woranan near South Pattaya beach Friday evening and exchanged WeChat application contacts with her. At that time, he thought Woranan was a woman by birth.

At about 9pm Friday, Woranan contacted him. They met at his rented room and agreed to have sex for 8,000 baht.

The Chinese man said that Woranan later refused to have sex with him, so he demanded a 50% refund.

As she did not give the partial refund, the two quarrelled and fought. The woman scratched his face and kicked him off his bed. He then got back on the bed, sat on her body and strangled her.

He dragged her body to a toilet room, used scissors to cut open her breasts and pulled out silicone implants.

Then he felt like he wanted to “play” with the body. So, he used the scissors to cut open the body from the neck to the genitals and took out the heart, he told police.

Afterwards, he washed the body and himself, went to bed, slept, woke up in the morning, reserved a flight and travelled to Suvarnabhumi airport to return to China. He was arrested at the airport in Samut Prakan province on Saturday.

The Chinese man said he did not know if he was mentally ill because he had never sought a diagnosis. He said he could not control himself after the victim attacked him. He was a welder in China and had paid three visits to Thailand.

On his first visit, he travelled in a tour group but for the last two visits, he visited the country alone. He said he did nothing with the lungs of the victim, which were missing from the body. He apologised for the crime.

Pattaya police chief Pol Col Anek Sathongyu said the suspect confessed amid strong evidence proved he had committed the crime. The chief said that the lungs of the victim went missing but the bag that the suspect carried contained only a drinking bottle, not an organ.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... se-suspect