Thai Reactions Overwhelmingly Positive to End of 60-Day Visa-Free Policy, While Foreigners Lament the Change

[The Pattaya News]

The Pattaya News
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Bangkok, Thailand– Thailand’s Cabinet has officially approved the termination of the 60-day visa-free stay scheme for tourists from 93 countries, reverting most entries to the previous 30-day limit in an yet to be identified near future timetable. The policy shift, driven by security and economic concerns, has drawn almost universally strongly supportive reactions from many […]

Thai Reactions Overwhelmingly Positive to End of 60-Day Visa-Free Policy, While Foreigners Lament the Change
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[Petesie]

So they can't stay longer & spend more cash, hotel rooms, local businesses etc.. 🤔

[HimBadMan]

24 minutes ago, Petesie said:

So they can't stay longer & spend more cash, hotel rooms, local businesses etc.. 🤔

What do you expect them to publish ?  That they hate the governments decision?     I trust their news as much as a Fart in Thailand 

[Kandinski]

Whoever want to stay for 60 days can easily obtain a visa for a few THB but that will OFC piss off a few baloon chasing CC's

[yony433]

I don't think there is a happy or sad issue here, in practice it will affect few people,
90% of tourists come for less than a month,
Those who reach 60 days can go to the immigration office and get another 30 days,
Everyone else can get a visa in advance online

[Arnie85]

It was always temporary to boost tourism after Covid. The entitlement is off the charts. 

[smithy scotland]

It affects this cheap Charlie 60 days visa free start of year and end of year perfect for me in jomtein, can't be arsed with this visa, imagration saga, that is also now bound to change as well 

[Leo_Bia]

I will never understand "Tourism Operators" applauding this.

[Fire Bar Matt]

“Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkaeow and Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul cited exploitation for illegal work, “grey businesses,” overstays, online scams, nominee businesses, and unauthorized operations (especially by some foreign tour operators competing with locals)”

Yeah because anyone with the intent to do the above will not do it because of only havIng 30 days, if they were going to do it with 60 days they’ll still do it with 30 days. Farangs behaving badly is not a new thing, they did it when it used to be 30 days. 

Such a knee jerk reaction to the Chinese guy with an arsenal who was on Thai Elite 🤦. 

[Joeleg]

My guess is they did not want to offend the Chinese Govt but worked out that Chinese tours group and general Chinese visitors and business folks can manage within 30 days. So they took a political approach giving the impression they are not targeting any particular nationality.  

They probably worked out that the vast majority of visitors leave within 30 days and problematic ones are overrepresented in the 60 day cohort.

Edited Wednesday at 15:04 by Joeleg

[Kandinski]

Ive been trying to find statistics about how many stays more than 30 days and spending for that group but couldnt find anything at all. Has anyone come across official information?

[phlampson]

5 hours ago, Fire Bar Matt said:

Yeah because anyone with the intent to do the above will not do it because of only havIng 30 days, if they were going to do it with 60 days they’ll still do it with 30 days. Farangs behaving badly is not a new thing, they did it when it used to be 30 days. 

Pure uneducated speculation on my part, but I imagine it might change the calculus a little bit and discourage some illegal foreign workers. 

[alphagemo]

Does anyone know when this is starting? I literally have a 57 day trip planned for June 1st. I was originally going to get a multi entry visa as I have previously but didn't see a point for this trip.

[Leo_Bia]

20 minutes ago, alphagemo said:

Does anyone know when this is starting? I literally have a 57 day trip planned for June 1st. I was originally going to get a multi entry visa as I have previously but didn't see a point for this trip.

No, but it will start 15 days after it appears in the Royal Gazette, so you are fine.

[allwet]

Yes a lot of the trash tourists weren't staying 60 days but it will weed out the trashy poors that come over with little to no funds. It will also take care of a lot the foreign populations setting up their own little ethnic fiefdoms which is happening all over Thailand. Just look at how Pattaya has become Bengaluru on the Sea. I don't blame the Thai's for getting fed up. If you want to stay longer than 30 days then get the right visa.