Prime Minister orders comprehensive review of visa-free entry

[christianpfc]

All kind of misbehavior by tourists going on in Cambodia as well, all there on visas. One would have to compare tourist numbers and incidents to come to a conclusion. Or rather in Thailand it would be interesting to know on what visa or visa free those who misbehave are in the country. I think the connection between 60 days visa free entry and tourist misbehavior is far fetched. Even if there is a correlation, probably not causation.

[Gaybutton]

I think the connection between 60 days visa free entry and tourist misbehavior is far fetched. Even if there is a correlation, probably not causation.

Either way, Thailand needs to get rid of the people causing these incidents and seriously crack down on it. Too much of it is happening. News items are appearing virtually every day - and those are just the incidents that get reported. I hate to even think about how much more is going on, but doesn't end up in the news.

My way would be zero tolerance. No second chances. First heavily fine those causing these incidents, followed by deporting them and blacklisting them from ever returning to Thailand. Let their home countries deal with them. I see no excuse for these incidents and no excuse for tolerating any of it.

And since we're getting close to the return of the Kuwaiti motorbike maniacs, do the same with them instead of letting them get away with their behavior yet again.

The trouble is, none of those suggestions are likely to happen.

[Dodger]

According to the article linked below the PM has apparently given the green light for the free visa to be revised.

Reasons cited in the article include: illegal activities committed by foreign tourists – ranging from working without a working visa, stealing, reckless driving, assaults, call centre phone scam activities, and the most disturbing case, and one of the most recent, involved a Chinese tourist suspect who was arrested for murdering a Thai transgender at a rental apartment in Central Pattaya.

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/opinion/ ... carefully/

You never hear of a gay person committing these offenses. Maybe they should just ban all the str8s and call it a day...555.

[Gaybutton]

You never hear of a gay person committing these offenses. Maybe they should just ban all the str8s and call it a day...555.

Yet another very good reason for Thailand to be even more welcoming to gays.

[Jun]

You never hear of a gay person committing these offenses. Maybe they should just ban all the str8s and call it a day...555.

They don't usually report the sexual orientation of people when reporting offences, hence we're not going to read about it.

We don't have to look far for gays committing some of the offences you list. For example, working without a visa is very common.

[Gaybutton]

For example, working without a visa is very common.

If you meant working without a work permit, that is true. Often enough it is bar owners. For example, many of us remember Monty. I don't know what kind of visa he had, but I don't think he ever had a work permit. I remember when he had that pool bar - he damned near got deported when he was caught simply emptying ashtrays. I don't remember how he got out of that one, but I'd say most likely tea money somehow played into it.

That is one of Thailand's laws that I always found interesting. A foreigner can own a business, but cannot do any, and I mean any, of the work unless he holds a work permit.

[Dodger]

We don't have to look far for gays committing some of the offences you list. For example, working without a visa is very common.

Yes, but those are "love crimes" where the victims are getting blowjobs - not knife wounds - so it doesn't count...

Just jesting...again.

[Jun]

Often enough it is bar owners

Fortunately, it's even more common among bar staff.
Some of them aren't even up to date with their passport stamps, so the odds of them having a valid work permit are slim.

[Dodger]

....... it's even more common among bar staff.
Some of them aren't even up to date with their passport stamps, so the odds of them having a valid work permit are slim.

There are hordes of migrant working here who don't have proper work permits and/or visa's but they're not the source of the increase in crimes we're talking about.

The majority are pickers and planters working the farm fields, construction laborers, and sex workers. All services mentioned are needed and welcomed as I'm sure you can appreciate.

Regarding migrant sex workers, I think they should legalize prostitution and give sex workers special 12 month visa's as long as they maintain medical records indicating negative STD tests at prescribed intervals during their 12 month stays. Life is easier for them...a tremendous increase in supply to boost sex tourism... and everyone is safer in the process.

[Dodger]

Expats and long time residents of Pattaya are getting pissed:
____________________________________________________

Pattaya expats demand tougher action on misbehaving tourists – ‘Deport and Blacklist to Protect Thailand’s Image’

by Pattaya Mail

May 3, 2025

In the wake of several recent viral incidents involving unruly foreign tourists in Pattaya, long-term residents and expats are calling for authorities to take swift and decisive action—including deportation and long-term bans from reentering Thailand. The call for tougher enforcement has gained traction across local forums and social media, where frustration over rising disorderly behavior is reaching a boiling point.

“Deportation quickly and hit police control. Solved,” one expat bluntly commented, reflecting the general sentiment among the community. Many believe the current system lacks teeth, emboldening repeat offenders who show no respect for local laws or culture.

Suggestions from the expat community include not only immediate deportation for severe infractions but also placing offenders on a blacklist that would prevent them from entering Thailand for one to five years. Several comments emphasize that without firm consequences, bad actors will continue to take advantage of Thailand’s leniency.

The public backlash comes amid a rise in social media clips showing foreigners engaging in reckless driving, public intoxication, fights, and confrontations with law enforcement. “Clown Planet,” one commenter wrote sarcastically, referring to the absurdity of repeat incidents that tarnish the image of Pattaya. Another added, “A lot less than rising social media commenting…. Thai officials are weak.”

For some, the situation is drawing uncomfortable comparisons to overseas migration issues. “It’s looking a bit like the UK. Import the third-world, you get a third-world nation,” one particularly charged comment read. Another mocked the narrative of sympathy toward misbehaving tourists, saying, “So provide them refuge, they’re fleeing a war,” in reference to individuals who exploit visa-free policies or lenient immigration enforcement.

While the majority of Thailand’s foreign visitors respect the country’s laws, expats argue that the small percentage who don’t are causing outsized damage—not only to Pattaya’s global image but also to everyday peace and order in local communities.

They are now urging Thai authorities to tighten immigration enforcement, increase visible police presence, and make it clear that Thailand is not a playground for lawlessness.

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/pattay ... age-499590
_____________________________________________________________

As always I'll throw my two cents in:

Tea Money rules the day in Pattaya. Always has and probably always will.

In LOS "Good Guys In - Bad Guys Out" translates to "Good Guys In - Bad Guys with Tea Money In".

There's a place for everyone in Thailand...