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What are the community's thoughts on recent visa regulations in Thailand and their impact on tourism?

Mar 18, 2025
a year ago
Frank **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
It only takes a few to mess it up for everyone else. DTV is going to be next.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Recent discussions highlight the community's concerns regarding Thailand's visa policies and their implications for tourism and expats. Many express that the extensions of visa exemptions may attract problematic tourists who do not respect local culture. There are fears that changes in visa policies, particularly the DTV (Digital Tourist Visa), could lead to complications and more bureaucracy for genuine tourists. Commenters suggest that the focus should be on enforcing laws against offending individuals rather than imposing strict measures on all visitors. Overall, there is a sense of apprehension about Thailand's reputation as a tourist-friendly destination amid these changes.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Bob *********
They opened up the country to loads more countries as well in the deluded thinking it would create more income wealth without thinking about the massive influct of visitors it would cause
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Mark *******
Thailand is regressing in many areas! And considering it's neighbours all welcoming tourists,this is a wrong move in my opinion!

Just deal with those breaking the law,don't punish all the genuine tourists/ visitors,who contribute generously towards the Thai economy!
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ฉันเป็นทางของประชาชน *********
There’s just too many incidents. 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽
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Steve ******
So is it for sure or still talked about??
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Sean ***********
It is in the Thai's DNA, that they jump into something in half-baked, ill thought through manner, then sort of stumble through it, and eventually get back to where they were, and change it without of course any recognition let alone admission that they screwed up - it is always the actions of others that have forced them to make another change. Anyone could have seen that extending visa-free from 30d to 60d would attract the 'wrong crowd' i.e. the sort of people that do not want to pay the pretty small cost of a visa, and/or do not want the review of their credentials that goes with a visa application - are not likely to be the type of people you want here anyway. It is similar to the cannabis law. They threw the gates open, and were then surprised by the most obvious things. Someone else on here commented on the lines of 'DTV next' - which would not be a surprise given that the DTV is really two different visas flying under the same banner, and the fact that it is such a stark contrast to the rest of the Thai visa landscape in terms of offering such good value and such freedom. I have always thought that the DTV visa will be changed, such that the 'soft power' options will have visa duration tied to the length of the booked courses, and more rigorous and more frequent checks on the 'workation' option to check their financials and them not working with or for Thai businesses.
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Ni**
Let's hope criminals don't have money for extra border runs and airport VIP deals!
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Klaus ***********
The issue is not the length of visa but to not allow refugee groups to take over communities- Russians and Israeli cause the most problems. It’s again failed response to solve an issue.
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Ni**
Maybe, but it generates more revenue through the visa run industry under the guise of yet another crackdown. Luckily criminals can't afford these services so they will leave Thailand. Everyone happy!
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Frank **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Klaus **********
it's mainly been Russians, Indians and Europeans who have been making the most problems according to the news reports.
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Klaus ***********
@Frank *********
Thailand can manage Indian , Chinese or even Brits and Germans in large numbers what is toxic to Thailand are those refugees who want to settle and introduce their conflicts and religious believes into communities.
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Frank **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Klaus **********
but the ones I mentioned are the ones doing the fighting, stealing, assaults and getting caught with drugs.
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Frank **********
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James *****
I don’t understand why “soft power” falls under this. A 2 week cooking course is a blatant abuse, where is someone who is working and has an income and allowed to work is another story…. Kinda needs revamping to stop this
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Dave *********
Come to beautiful Thailand, spend your money and Go Home
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Mark *******
Or visit Cambodia,Laos,or Vietnam,for far less money! Beautiful,and compared to Thailand unspoilt!
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Mark *******
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Shin *********
Honestly, DTV is indeed ridiculous, who would take a cooking or Muay Thai class for 5 years 😂
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Sam ********
@Shin ********
not everyone is 50+ for retirement visa nor has $ for elite visa.
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Shin *********
@Sam *******
yeah that's why I am pretty sure this won't last long because too many are taking advantage of this and up to something no good
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Shin *********
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Craig ********
Yes DTV is an abomination, I can't wait for them to stop it
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Rob **********
Tourists only have so much money. Means they will spend it all in 30 days instead of 60.
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NicoTimos *********
Supposed Thailand is a free country. One step back. It's sad 😔
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Craig ********
@NicoTimos ********
Free for Thai citizens not for the entire world
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Mark *******
But Craig Thailand needs the entire world for it's tourism,the 5th biggest part of their economy! And they know that,so just deal with the lawbreakers and undesirables; not rocket science!
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NicoTimos *********
They just want to collect more many for the local corruption
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NicoTimos *********
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Mark *******
Is Thailand in danger of losing tourists to other countries? Especially with lovely,beautiful countries nearby,like Cambodia and Laos? And better value for money also. And don't forget Viet Nam!

I certainly hope not. But the balance between control and liberalism is difficult, especially with the potential paranoia of the Thai authorities.
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Marcel ***
@Mark ******
beautiful like Scambodia? 😂 They don't even have proper streets in 2025 and 100mbps internet is the best you can get
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Jordan *****
@Mark ******
I am actually shocked by how cheap Vietnam is. I spent Christmas in Nha Trang at a nice 4 star hotel for 25% of what I normally pay in Thailand.
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Mark *******
I was/am thinking of returning to Thailand; but when you have the attraction and cost of for example Vietnam nearby,it does make one reconsider!
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Mark *******
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Rondosong *****************
Moor Nail,s in the Thailand Economy 🇹🇭 😍 all very Sad spoiling it for the Genuine Tourist I come every year for 90 Day,s .

Now I got load,s moor Paperwork to fill out and waist 2 Day,s Dealing with Bull shit.all very Sad I thought Thailand had become moor Tourist Frendly 😢 I was wrong 😢
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Kiran ***************
People like this are the reason why we can’t have nice things
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Ian ********
Bullshit it's a proposal nothing more
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Mike ********
Are the Russians still getting 90 days visa exemptions ?
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Frank-Steven ***********
I, for one, applaud all measure that aim at reducing the amount of visitors again. I have been living in Thailand for the better parts of the years since 2019. The years around COVID were a beautiful experience of only those coming, that actually cared enough about Thailand. What I witnessed early this year, that kind of main season and mass tourism was just sad and undesirable.
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Mark *******
But Frank it is Thailand's 5th biggest industry! They can't afford to be without tourism! It brings in massive income! The Thai authorities should deal with the lawbreakers!
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Michael *******
Tourists by definition spend 2-3 weeks here, as I did for many years with my family, before my wife and I took the decision to retire here, 7 years ago, on the correct retirement visa. What we are now seeing in many areas, is uncontrolled migration through abuse of the visa system and Thai hospitality, some areas are now no go zones due to uncontrolled visa abuse anti social behavior and criminality that invariably follows. It’s driven a property price bubble, which won’t end well and damage to the environment and oceans, not sustainable.
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Frank-Steven ***********
@Mark ******
I understand that tourism is a big segment in their economy. But they should refocus on quality over quantity. And they should also start strengthening other industries as that negative kind of overtourism might neither be sustainable nor desirable in the long run. But all I hear from politics is more, more and bigger.
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Frank-Steven ***********
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Makro *****
Not only tourist problems. You know i know, all these are to line up pockets. Before you people come to Thailand. Those days we crossed the border only 2-5 dollars per person.
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Keil ******
F thailand
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Martin *******
Is that because people that don't need visas don't break laws
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Jonathin *******
I don’t think this has any effect on the illegal businesses. All this means is that when they get caught it will be a 330 overstay instead of 300 days!
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Stephen ********
I was under the impression it was a temporary measure anyway 🤷‍♂️
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Bernard *********
@Stephen *******
you’re not wrong
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Stephen ********
@Bernard ********
it's appears that way 🤣🤣
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Stephen ********
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Chris *********
Too many young piss heads and troublemakers who can’t handle the smokes and who don’t respect the culture. Westerners think they can abuse and walk free until they end up head to toe in a cell
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Jordan *****
The deal we had before the summer of 2024, meaning visa exemptions for 30 days + 30 day extensions was not bad, so I do not see the fuss. In any case, visiting Thailand more than 4 months a year on a visa exemption is not advised
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Mark *******
Absolutely Jordan! Poipet was fine! Uncertainty is a toxic emotion,often totally unfounded and unnecessary,and spread by pessimists! But we are human after all! It is a shame you've felt the need to leave Thailand,but understandable; and Cambodia is nice!
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Mark *******
Interesting. I came back from Thailand on the 11th February this year. I arrived on the 2nd June last year. Stayed in the country for the whole period apart from: 4 border runs to Cambodia. No issues whatsoever. Though I gather the authorities may be getting more strict; though I followed the rules in place at the time. Knowing how absolutely vital tourism is to the Thai economy,I take a lot of the pessimism on this site,with a pinch of salt! Inshallah?
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Ian *********
@Mark ******
I have had nothing but issues lately doing the same thing, but I go to veitnam, to reset my visa, last time I entered Thailand they wanted a bribe and said I need to go somewhere else besides veitnam next time and they said I should no longer extend my stay past the exemption dates or I’ll have more issues in the future, so I left 60 days no extension, and now I’m in Malaysia, crossing my fingers when I go back I don’t have issues, now it sucks if it’s only 30 days I’ll have to use the extension. I need my 2 months minimum in Thailand per trip to live a happy life 😂
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Mark *******
Ian.

I gather nothing has changed as yet officially,changing back to 30 days is being considered,but actually hasn't occurred yet.

Though you seem to have had an unfortunate experience. Giving the impression of a lottery! Very unsatisfactory.
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Mark *******
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Jordan *****
@Mark ******
Yeah, I’ve been told Poipet is a terrible border and yet I still have not seen in the 10 times I crossed a single person being denied. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that the total number of daily denials is quite small, but the uncertainty has forced me to move to Cambodia until I gather the money for the Thai Elite Visa
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Jordan *****
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Jon **********
All part of big taxation plans on expats :-)
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Cho *************
@Jon *********
I don’t think begpackers contribute a lot mate
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Jim ********
@Jon *********
How is visa exempt reduction to 30 days anything to do with tax? I'm intrigued 😂😂😂
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Jim ********
@Jim *******
it hasn’t
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Jim ********
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Lynnette *******
@Jon *********
most countries have visa requirements much stricter than Thailand. And tax rules too.
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Dave *******
@Lynnette ******
which ones in Asia ?
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Lynnette *******
@Dave ******
no idea. You'd have to ask.
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Dave *******
@Lynnette ******
you posted the comment 🤣😳
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Lynnette *******
@Dave ******
my post said some countries do have reciprocal tax arrangements. UK for instance. I didn't make a post saying I knew every country that had this arrangement. If you want to know about Asia go look it up.
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Lynnette *******
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Jon **********
@Lynnette ******
high concentration of expats/foreigners here. Taxing farangs will be popular decision politicaly.
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Lynnette *******
@Jon *********
some countries have reciprocal tax agreements with Thailand.
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Lynnette *******
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