What are the Current Rules for Visa Exempt, Visa Waiver, and Visa on Arrival in Thailand?

Apr 1, 2023
2 years ago
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Visa exempt, visa waiver and Visa On Arrival.

Ok so it’s been confirmed by multiple sources that entry using visa exempt, visa waiver or visa on arrival have reverted back to their original number of days since midnight.

Visa exempt is now 30 days. You can extend for 30 days at a local immigration office.

Visa waiver is 30 days. You cannot extend this.

Visa on arrival is 15 days. You cannot extend this.

For those that are going to post that you can get a 7 day extension on the latter two options is debatable in terms of semantics. You can apply for an extension, but it will be denied. Because of the denial you will be given 7 days to leave the country.

If your entry stamp shows ผ.30 that’s a visa exempt stamp.

If your entry stamp shows ผผ.30 that’s a visa waiver stamp.

If your entry stamp shows TR-15 that’s a visa on arrival stamp (and you’ll be out of pocket by 2,000 baht, so you’ll know that).

No point in debating the pro or cons of whether they should have or shouldn’t have. Its happened.

For those of you that were spouting that “it’s been extended till the end of the year” because of a few media reports - that’s why we have to wait and see if official stuff gets published in the Royal Gazette before we believe it.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Recently, the regulations regarding entry into Thailand through visa exempt, visa waiver, and visa on arrival options have changed. Visa exempt allows for a stay of 30 days, which can be extended for an additional 30 days at a local immigration office. The visa waiver also grants 30 days but cannot be extended. The visa on arrival provides a maximum stay of 15 days, which likewise cannot be extended. The entry stamps provide clarity on each visa: a visa exempt stamp shows ผ.30, a visa waiver stamp shows ผผ.30, and the visa on arrival shows TR-15. There is a common misconception that one can apply for an extension on the last two options, but any applications are likely to be denied, resulting in a mandatory 7-day departure notice. Discussions among expats highlight the importance of being informed about these regulations, as misinformation can lead to misunderstandings about visa status and extensions.
Soss **********
the exemption of visa works for all nationality ?
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Soss *********
no. It is for some 56 countries. Mostly western countries.
Jack *********
Hi Stewart, great post. If I did a border hop to Kuala Lumpur and went to the Royal Thai embassy, would I be able to get a 60 day entry visa same day? I'm American.
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jack ********
No. in KL you make an appointment to apply. And you make an appointment the following working day for a pick up. No Embassy/consulate around here does same day.
Jack *********
@Stuart ********
Just my luck the only appointment they have this week is on Friday. 🤢 I can't stay in town that long. Ah well.
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
That is a visa for 3 months. Can you count? Try using one finger for one, the second finger for 2 and get to the third finger and stop. 3 months.
Joel *******
Can someone please clarify the difference between visa exempt and visa waiver? Is it just up to the individual agent which one I get, or is there more to it than that?
Joel *******
@Brandon ***********
that's not true, see Mikhail's reply below yours
Mikhail *********
@Joel ******
visa exemption = Thailand granted visa exemption

Visa waiver = entry based on bilateral agreements
Joel *******
@Mikhail ********
useful info thanks! I know the Argentinians get 3 months for free so I guess that would be "visa waiver" vs "visa free" from UK.
Mikhail *********
Craig *******
Why would they extend it? The intent was to boost tourism and I doubt there was any real impact. People who want to stay longer term have plenty of options, the 45 day VE was a nice convenience for them but I doubt it made a difference in tourism $$. Also they are on track to be fully recovered covid by 2024.
Jim ********
Too many tourists. They are tired of the traffic and increased business for the locals!
Elley *****
Is there any way to extend for longer than 30 days ?
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Elley ****
As a tourist, no. You’d need to leave and re-enter.

There are options if you’re married to a Thai, have Thai kids or over 50 or studying and various other reasons, but they generally come with specific requirements to meet and a financial commitment.
Elley *****
@Stuart ********
bummah, thanks for the info!
Jeremy *************
Got here just in time . Got 45 stamp 5 days ago
Jason ********
Im booked for 35 days on a british passport in september . whats the best option for me , thks in advance
Paul *******
Jason Morris1) get a tourist visa 2) change your return flight date 3) get an extension at immigration 4) spend 2-3 weeks in Thailand, go to Cambodia or Laos for 5 days or however long you want, come back, get a new 30 day stamp and you can leave on your originally booked ticket.
Oleg ***********
People over 50 can get 15 month retirement visa without leaving the country to get NON O . With 30 day stamp
Oleg ***********
Do I look like I use agent? This my shop
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
Go over what you’ve said with a fine tooth comb. Check it out with some form of AI chat bot or something. Perhaps you’ll come to an understanding that you are just plain wrong. Perhaps you won’t. Have a good Sunday.
Maxim ***********
@Oleg **********
You got a non-o followed by 12 months retirement extension. Both got done at the same time while immigration was holding your passport. This is why you got confused. You by mistake thought that the non-o process was skipped, it wasn't, it was just done consecutively. This is common if u use an agent, lawyer, or any kind of helper, which is very common in Chonburi.
Oleg ***********
Maxim ***********
@Oleg **********
Yes, that's a well known agency :)
Maxim ***********
@Oleg **********
And since you are Russian, or at the very least Eastern European, you kind a had to use such agent to not get rejected at any step of the way. Because yes, there is discrimination here based on your country of origin. These shop are partially border run agency, but it's a legal loophole. They make 90%+ of their money with the visa and extension aspect. It's like when a shop call themself "massage shop" when in fact 90% of it is hand job happy ending. It's a front which is not legal but highly accepted. What you got is just the accelerated version of the 3 months non-o + 12 months retirement extension. You pay premium price to avoid stress and get everything done at once.
Oleg ***********
@Maxim **********
you are crazy if say like this. Goodbye!
Maxim ***********
@Oleg **********
You needed an agent to hold your hand, which they did, and you paid premium price for it. I am not judging that, if you have the $, there is nothing wrong with it, but it's simply a fact. The other fact is that you got 3 months non-o + 12 months retirement extension, which were done at the same time, hence why you thought that you were clever and reinvented the wheel. Again, just be humble next time.
Oleg ***********
@Maxim **********
I understand your point of view! But the other person arguing here said can not extend stamp, after he say need to go out to get non o, after he said something different, his words were very different from yesterday and today. Anyone can read this. That’s what the argument was all about. I understand what you say.

Let me ask your opinion, without twisting words.., you already say that this was non o 3 months plus extension 1 year. So what this person get?

1. Visa

2. Visa plus extension

3. Extension of stamp

?

Stuart first say there is no visa without leaving the country, after he say there are no extensions and his words changed many times. That’s what the argument was about..
Alistair **********
@Oleg **********
his words aren't different at all.... He said you can't get a 1 year visa without leaving the country. So you're right in one way "anyone can read this".

Actually read what people posted
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
I never said you couldn’t apply for a Non O visa in country off a visa exempt or visa waiver. I said you cannot get an extension off a visa waiver. You can’t. Fact.
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
anyway, I’m sure you have work permit, visa services for company objectives, Thai people working, license.. yes? Because Thailand immigration and criminal police are reading this now. Maybe if not have work permit, only Facebook page.., can get criminal case and deportation, this should consign you, not me..

By the way Phuket is little different from other Thailand..
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have no work permit (used to but no longer). I do volunteer for the immigration office in Phuket. I would certainly hope I won’t be deported for doing so.
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Whoops. Your call.
Oleg ***********
@Maxim **********
can you show non o + 12 months extension? Or is it imagination?

I’m already humble brother
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
can you show a 1 year visa as you stated?
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
This whole stupid argument stems around the fact that you don’t know the difference between a visa and an extension. You claim you can get a 15 month visa for people. (You can’t). You post a picture of a three month visa (which is doable) and claim it’s a 12 month visa. Get your facts straight and people may perhaps use your services. I doubt many will until you do.
Maxim ***********
There are hundred of similar agency shop in Chonburi, and thousands all over Thailand. They help you for a fee much higher then what you would pay by doing it by yourself. They hold your hand to immigration and give an envelope to the worker there. Of if you are lucky you don't even go to immigration. It depend if you had the money in bank already or had to do the bank trick where they put the money there for you. We all knew you used an agent. You are fighting the wind at this point. Humble up man. It's okay to not know something.
Oleg ***********
Do I look like I use agent? This my shop
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
Fuck me. You offer other people services where you have absolutely no clue what you’re talking about? God help them.
Oleg ***********
First visa after stamp
Oleg ***********
Want see more? Family? Baby follow?
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
You don’t know the difference. They get a three month visa. Then a 12 month extension. It’s not a 15 month visa. They don’t exist.
Oleg ***********
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
I proved my words with facts, picture of visa, 15 months, without non o. You have anything to prove your words except words?
Incognia **********
Oleg ***********
Thanks
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
do you see 15 month? Visa is made in Thailand without going out with stamp on arrival!
Oleg ***********
You say there is no visa, and stamp can’t extend, are you confused? What is this?
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
do you feel little stupid?
Oleg ***********
15 months. Euro passport
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
can you read English? What the f does it say?
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
I’m not sure what you mean Stuart
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
it literally says “extension of stay”. That is not a visa. It’s an extension.
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
but you said cannot extend stamp in arrival! Then what is this?
Alistair **********
@Oleg **********
he said you can't get a 1 year visa in country. That's an extension of stay.
Oleg ***********
@Alistair *********
he also said cannot extend stamp on arrival and there it is..
Incognia **********
@Oleg **********
but it is about tourist visa
Alistair **********
@Oleg **********
did you extend it though? Did you get a 30 day extension for tourism? Or did you convert it to a different category? Then get an extension on that
Oleg ***********
@Alistair *********
I just made this person first retirement visa for 15 months with stamp on arrival. And next year extend 1 year.

There are 2 ways to do:

1. Get non o retirement 3 months outside the country + 1 year extend inside.

2. Just do 15 months inside, if know where to go.

That’s it!
Maxim ***********
@Oleg **********
There is no such thing as "retirement visa", nor a 15 months stamp. You got a 3 month non-o visa then you got a "retirement extension" for an additional 12 months. 3+12=15. You are confused by the semantics and your lack of knowledge of the Thai system. A valuable lesson in life is that if you don't know something, always be humble and willing to learn.
Oleg ***********
@Maxim **********
show me non o stamp for 3 months please!
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
you say all yesterday that cannot extend and there are no extension. Read your posts please, maybe forget already. It’s called you changed your shoes..

Now you say it’s extension and not visa

When were you lying yesterday or today?
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
There is literally no point in trying to make you understand that you don’t understand the difference between a visa and an extension. 10 years should have given you a bit of a heads up but if it takes that long to learn the basics then there is no point in trying anything else.
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
your words change from day to day. Mine-not.
Alistair **********
@Oleg **********
I thought you said you had a 15 month visa? When you posted an extension of stay......
Oleg ***********
@Alistair *********
you can twist words how you like.. have good Sunday evening! If want to talk or argue , can always do pm.
Alistair **********
@Oleg **********
no one twisted anything. You're on a visa advice page where people actually know what they're talking about. Yet not one person has come to back up your claims, yet many have disagreed with you.
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alistair *********
Ha ha. But he seems to have a visa shop to help others. Been here 10 years so knows his shit….
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
Others here are trying to tell you the same. You’re just too damn ignorant to listen. Go with what you think. You’ll be happier in life.
Maxim ***********
@Oleg **********
I wasn't there yesterday. But it's common mistake that rookie make. Marriage visa doesn't exist. Retirement visa doesn't exist either. They are both 12 months extension of stay after getting 90 days non-o.
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
very nice. And what?
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
that was how many years ago? Have something new? Less than 5 Years old
Oleg ***********
On my picture
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxim **********
Won’t listen to me. Perhaps they may for you…
Maxim ***********
@Stuart ********
He probably used a Pattaya agent who did the 3+12 all at once so he think that his extension is 15 months and called "retirement visa".
Oleg ***********
i don’t use agent
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
Ah ok. You walked in to a immigration office and gave them a filled out TM7 and got a 15 months stamp. Yeah go re-read your fairy tale books from childhood. That never happened.
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
your words in your posts don’t add up from yesterday and today!

Yesterday you said that there are no extension from stamp, yes? Sure, I showed you visa for 15 months, now you say it’s no visa but extension of stay. Extension of what?, there is no non o! Extension of stamp? You said it’s not possible yesterday… make up you mind please! Thanks
Oleg ***********
@Maxim **********
you are confused. Sorry. Look the picture again
Maxim ***********
@Oleg **********
We all saw the pictures and knew immediately what extension you got.
Oleg ***********
Read what I write

There are 2 ways to do.

Please don’t embarrass yourself! Thanks
Maxim ***********
@Oleg **********
There is very little to say. There are always people like you who have been in Thailand for 2-3 years arguing with people who have been here for decades. You will one day be like us and argue with people who will remind you of your past self.
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxim **********
It’s probably easier bashing your head against a brick wall. They won’t listen. They’re too stupid to understand. They are right. Except they’re not but they will never be able to accept that.
Oleg ***********
@Maxim **********
I live here more than 10 years. Show me non o and 1 year extension on passport I showed. You not ok again from yesterday?
Maxim ***********
@Oleg **********
Put your glasses on and carefully read the text shown in blue on the picture you provided. It's there. Your just too far gone to humble up at this point. And no offence, but you are arguing on a basic topic level 1 entry level that every expat should know about. Understanding how non-o and extension work should not be something you still struggle understanding after 10 years.
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
show me non o please! Thank you
Alistair **********
@Oleg **********
How the fuck can someone show you something in your passport?? How stupid a comment is that?? You post one page of your passport.
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
I give up. I can’t fix stupid.
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
same to you. Stop saying different things that don’t add up from day to day. Anyone can read what you wrote yesterday, if not deleted already.

Have a good Sunday night! Cheers
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
Anyone can read what I said yesterday. Anyone can read what I’ve tried to tell you so many effing times. They can perhaps make a judgment on who knows their shit and who doesn’t.
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
sure, your words don’t add up! How can trust you?
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
Ok now I’m lost. What words? That you can’t get an extension off a visa waiver?
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
read again please! Have great Sunday!
Oleg ***********
It’s completely different!))))
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
Show me 1 year visa you got in Thailand. You didn’t. You just can’t accept that you are wrong. You didn’t get a 1 year visa. You perhaps managed to get a 3 month visa and an extension for 12 months at the same time by paying an agent. That’s not the same thing as a one year visa you’ve been spouting about but can’t accept that it doesn’t exist.
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
555. Look in a mirror.
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
You are confused. You just can’t accept what your eyes are seeing.
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
show me where is 3 month non o + 1 year extension on the passport I showed! Are you ok? Maybe holidays…
Alistair **********
@Oleg **********
"if you know where to go"? It's immigration. What you're referring to is standard and widely known and applicable throughout Thailand.

You said you could get a 1yr visa or 15 month visa in country. Which you can't and have shown yourself you haven't got. You converted to a 3 month non o and then got a 1 year extension of stay.
Oleg ***********
@Alistair *********
you see passport stamp I show. You not see 15 months? Or you see non o stamp 3 months + 1 year extension? Can you please look again? Thank you
Incognia **********
@Oleg **********
you are right this is not 12 months.This is 15 months in 1time haha
Alistair **********
@Oleg **********
see how the non o wasn't in the photo. But yet there was one, hence why the 12 month extension of stay was 15 months as it was 12 months added on to the 3 month non o period.
Alistair **********
@Oleg **********
I mean here's a 15 month stamp...
Gurumoorthy ***********
Hi,today I entered Thailand ..they are not allowed 15 days to 30 days new visa exemption policy...my return flight ticket April 26th..but they stamped 15days arrival visa only.past seven days eagerly waited for the extension of new visa exemption rule..just for information immediately I post this for waiting tourists.
Oleg ***********
@Gurumoorthy **********
what is your nationality?
Gurumoorthy ***********
@Oleg **********
I m Indian..
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gurumoorthy **********
A pure guess is that you’re Indian. If so then yes you’d have been given a stamp for 15 days. Visa on Arrival and paid 2,000 baht for the privilege.
Mark *********
Do you have to state on entry you want visa exempt ....over visa waiver ?
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark ********
it’s not a choice. It’s dependent on your passport country.
Jason ********
@Stuart ********
Hi there.What about british paaports .thks in advance
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jason *******
visa exempt.
Mark *********
@Stuart ********
cheers ....Australian passport
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark ********
visa exempt
Oleg ***********
Stamp on arrival is 30 days from today, not 15, yesterday-45 days
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
That depends entirely on your passport country. Some 30, Some 15, some 90.
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Purely as a guess from your name I’d say you are Russian. In which case if you didn’t buy a tourist visa before entering you’d now be stamped for 30 days. The stamp will say ผผ.30 which is not extendable.
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
Whitch euro passport get 15 days on arrival?
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
Bulgaria, Cypress, Malta, Romania (I don’t follow European stuff so no idea if they are full members of the European Union).
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
full members they are, just not in Schengen.
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
purely your guess is wrong. I stay here 10 years. And yes, I can extend stamp. Thank you so much!
Craig *******
It's a nothing burger .....90% who enter stay for less than 30 days. Of the other 10%, probably half have visas
Paul *******
@Stuart ********
The majority of people can get a tourist visa if they plan things well. A legitimate tourist doesn't come to Thailand without a visa with the intention of spending 90 days or more here.

You can come for 30, then visit Cambodia or Laos and come back for another 30 or 30+30, something like that, but to avoid trouble with airlines and immigration, best to get a visa unless you're using Thailand as a base for travel around the region and thus coming and going.
Paul *******
@Craig ******
Yeah exactly. The majority spend anywhere from 1 day to 3 weeks in the country. A lot of arrivals are stopovers, who come regularly but only spend a night or two before moving onto the next country. They then return to Thailand a week later, spend another few days here then go back home. A month or two later, they repeat the same itinerary. These are mostly business travelers.
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Craig ******
not sure of those percentages but it makes a difference for a few. They may want to stay 3 months and up until yesterday they could do that with one bounce. As of today that will take two.
Craig *******
@Stuart ********
90% might be low, considering the average length of stay is less than 5 days (published fact)
Paul *******
Stuart CummingThose people should stop being lazy and get a tourist visa that's what they're there for. You get 60 days then can do a 30 day extension at immigration. Or a 6 month multiple entry tourist visa.

Someone wanting to spend 90 days in Thailand should NOT take the visa exempt route.
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
Says who? You?

How is it being lazy not getting a tourist visa. They may not be in country that allows them to do so. There may be a whole slew of other reasons they can’t.
Tom *********
Visa "exempt" or "waiver" are usually used as synonyms....! Since you don't..., what's the difference?? I've certainly never heard of this one: "Visa waiver is 30 days. You cannot extend this. "
Oleg ***********
@Tom ********
I can just make another visa without leaving the country. Can do 3 months and can do 1 year…
Oleg ***********
One more thing. Every immigration is different… if compare Udon Thani, Pattaya and Bkk, it is little different..
Phil ********
@Oleg **********
You're mistaken.

****************************
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
you might think you can make a 1 year visa without leaving the country but you’d be mistaken. They don’t exist. You perhaps could apply for an extension of stay for a year if you qualify for whatever reason you’re applying for.
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
I make visa for living. Thanks. I know what I’m talking about.
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
Ah ok. Except you don’t.
Oleg ***********
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
You don’t make visa for one year in Thailand. It just doesn’t exist. There are options to make an extension for one year in Thailand depending on factors such as age or marriage or kids but not a visa. Except you know what you’re talking about as you do it for a living….
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
if person come to Thailand with 30 day stamp and I make him 15 months retirement visa or family visa, without getting non o. The person extend what? - stamp? You just said cannot do, so your posts contoverse themselves. One post you write cannot extend and and another it’s extension. You can play with words all you want but I think you are little confused..

have a good weekend Stuart.
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
it’s better not speak, if not know. There are first visas and extensions. Some can make here if know where..

For example- retirement. I just make for 15 months here. No need non o 3 months or anything. Same marriage and baby follow! What are you talking about mister?!
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
FFS. Yes you are better off not to speak if you don’t know the difference between a visa and an extension. A visa let’s you in to the country, or allows you to change the reason for being in the country. No visa exists that allows you to buy it in Thailand valid for one year. You can overseas but not here. You are perhaps referring to getting a non O visa (valid for 3 months only) and then getting an extension for 12 months off that. Get your terminology right if you want to succeed doing things correctly.
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
with me no need to go get non o! Feel the difference?
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
FFS you’re just making yourself look stupid now. Your call. Argue all you like. I can guarantee you you won’t be getting a year visa in Thailand. They don’t exist.
Incognia **********
@Stuart ********
is Elite visa an extension?For the first time stamp inside Thailand?
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
are you joking? Of course can do without non o! Not only year, but 15 months, one stamp. Have a nice weekend Stuart!
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
yeah good luck on that. They don’t exist so it’s not possible to do. Have a good weekend. Perhaps others will comment that you’re wrong. You don’t believe me.
Oleg ***********
@Stuart ********
I do them all the time, not extensions.. so yes.. they don’t exist.. good luck
Oleg ***********
Not non o, but actually 1 year visa with stamp, no problem!
Alistair **********
@Oleg **********
what 1 year visa can you get in country? Can you post photo of the stamp?
Oleg ***********
@Alistair *********
you not see photo?
Alistair **********
@Oleg **********
yeah I see it now. It's a 1 year extension of stay. Not a 1 year visa.
Oleg ***********
@Alistair *********
it’s 15 months after stamp..
Oleg ***********
Even 15 months, not 1 year. Not like?
Garrett ***********
@Tom ********
visa waviers cannot be extended in country.
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tom ********
they are different entry schemes entirely. These countries get 30 days visa waiver due to a bi-lateral agreement. Hong Kong, Laos, Macau, Mongolia, Russia & Vietnam. Some South American counties get 90 days but that’s outside of the scope of the changes in effect today.

A visa waiver entry cannot be extended. A visa exempt one can.
Henrik **************
I did a border bounce in Nong Khai yesterday and I asked the IO in passport controll when I arrived back if it would be extended and he said the would go back to 30 days today as planned.
Jeremy ********
The people that arrived and made it through immigration before 2359 hours (31 Mar 23) last night are super super happy…the ones that made it through from 0001 on 01 Apr 23 are super depressed 🤣🤣🤣
Steve ********
@Jeremy *******
"Super depressed"? Over 15 days? Geez, I'd hate to see how these people react if something serious happened in their lives 🤣🤣🤣
Jeremy ********
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeremy *******
can’t imagine what it would have been like being in the queue to get through immigration in time….
Jeremy ********
@Stuart ********
I’m sure you had a few sympathetic I/O’s until let’s say 0130 hours then it was back to 30 days…
Paul *******
Jeremy MillerYou're assuming every arrival will stay the maximum number of days, extend, do a border run and then do it all over again. Get the correct visa! Legitimate tourists generally only stay between 1-3 weeks. Many stopover visitors spend 1-5 days in Thailand, go to another country in the region, come back for another couple of days, visit a second country, then come back to Thailand for a day or two then fly home.
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeremy *******
I’m not sure that “I/Os” and “sympathetic” are not oxymorons.
Angeles *********
I'm just being happy I got my my last 45 days yesterday upon crossing to Laosand back to Thailand.. thanks Stuart for the informative information...
Martin *********
Just did a boarder run thankfully before the end of march so still recived 45 days 😁
Zamawelase ********
@Martin ********
I thank God I did my run last week 😄
J ******************
The calling of the election also did not allow the 45 days to continue apparently
Paul *******
@J *****************
If they had wanted to extend it, they literally had 6 months to make a decision. Since no decision was made, the scheme ended on the date originally announced back in August.
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@J *****************
dissolving parliament certainly didn’t help, but even if it hadn’t been it’s debatable whether it would have been extended. One side of the fence wanted it. The other didn’t.
Steve ********
It's not like it's a surprise. It's been known since August last year that it would run October 1 to March 31. This was set in stone by the Royal Gazette
Oleg ***********
Welcome anytime
Oleg ***********
Paul *******
@Steve *******
You're totally right. It became perfectly obvious to me from the beginning that TAT couldn't be trusted based on their many contradictory statements and frankly, just fantasy talk. Almost none of their proposals ever saw the light of day.
Steve ********
@Paul ******
Agreed the bubble could have worked. However, the point I was making is that so many people are melting down because they believed the TAT/Bangkok Post hype in January that the 45 day concession would be extended. I was trying to tell people that anyone believing TAT "proposals" needs to have a reality check.
Steve ********
@Mar***
Rollinson. This was the best! June 2020 when Australia was locked down and people unable to leave, the good old TAT came up with another game winner! Cackle!
Steve ********
@Mar***
Rollinson. Another great initiative of the misguided and deluded TAT during covid. There was no shortage of these great ideas!
Martyn ***********
@Steve *******
all of which could have been extended...
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
Ha Ha. “Lower infection rates”. Ffs
Tom *********
@Steve *******
"There was never any mention that it would be extended." That is clearly wrong ! The usual MSM made headlines like: government mulls extension etc..., but apparently it did not get approved. !
Steve ********
@Tom ********
It was media hype. The government never "mulled" it. I understand it was The Thaiger and Bangkok Post who reported this. It's called "click-bait".
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
Some media reports came out earlier this year and said XYZ government department wants it extended until the end of the year. Some interpreted that to being a foregone conclusion that it would be.
Steve ********
@Stuart ********
That was TAT. When you look at the number of proposals TAT put forward during covid to get tourists into the country that were totally laughable you'd have to be pretty silly to believe anything which comes out of the Tourism Authority! (The best one I think was they wanted a "travel bubble" with Australia, and then someone must have tapped them on the shoulder and said "Um, Australia's not letting anyone out", so they came up with a number of other "bubbles", none of which got anywhere). The bodies which matter, which is MFA and Immigration never uttered a word
Paul *******
@Steve *******
Actually, the travel bubble with Australia could have happened since there was one with New Zealand that allowed free movement between the two countries without requiring government permission (even though it was short lived). So from that perspective, it could have happened.

However, knowing what Thailand was like during Covid, it would have been an unequal agreement, whereby anyone entering Thailand from Australia (or any other bubble country) would have had to do at least 1 day quarantine and multiple tests even if Australia demanded nothing coming into the country from Thailand.
Steve ********
@Martyn **********
It was announced in August, the 45-day visa exempt stimulus would run from October 1 to March 31. There was never any mention that it would be extended. That sounds pretty solid to me
Oleg ***********
@Steve *******
welcome anytime!!
Oleg ***********
@Steve *******
in Thailand everything change how the wind go… even if you remember Covid extensions. How many times it was all changed..?
Steve ********
@Oleg **********
Covid extensions are not connected with Visa Exempt entries. One is Thai Immigration the other is MFA. Two totally separate ministries under different ministers. The MFA announced the 45-day visa exempt concession about six weeks before it was introduced. If there was going to be an extension it would have been announced weeks ago.
Oleg ***********
@Steve *******
are a bot?
Steve ********
@Oleg **********
Are you a fake profile troll? Sounds like a bullshit name 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Oleg ***********
@Steve *******
no, it’s my real name and middle name, same passport, work permit and all the other documents. I’m not hiding from nobody.. send you my shop address?
Oleg ***********
@Steve *******
please close your dirty mouth or I can do for you. Stop being racist, it’s not exaptble in Thailand, same black immigration help you try to do. I have never said anything bad to or about you. Be respectful please or go home. It is no tolerant in the land of smiles. Thank you and have a great Sunday evening

Anyway, you know where my place is already, stop by anytime drink coffee! Chok dee
Steve ********
@Oleg **********
You accuse me of being a bot when you're nothing more than a POS. I don't need your business
Steve ********
@Martyn **********
If a start and finish date is announced isn't that clear enough? The government also announced Songkran this year will be 13 to 15 April. They haven't announced that won't be extended, so should we all believe it'll be extended until the 16th? Or do we just go by what is announced?
Martyn ***********
@Steve *******
songkran near me is the 20th! So that is the perfect example of how things can be extended... 555
Paul *******
@Martyn **********
Songkran in your area isn't the 20th. However if you're in Pattaya or Phuket, it could be that water splashing activities have been extended until that date especially for tourists.

In Thai areas, they tend to start one or two days before the official start date (such as April 11 or 12) and finish up by the 15th. By the 16th, hardly anyone is still splashing water. In Bangkok, you'll probably have designated zones between the 12th and 16th and it should be equally busy on any of these dates
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Martyn **********
That’s weird. Thai new year is the 13th of April every single year since 2566 years ago. No idea why they’d change that where you’re at. Some areas like to celebrate more than one day. Some only one day.
Steve ********
@Martyn **********
Every where else is 13,14,15 but I'm sure there are deluded people who think it will be extended 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Martyn **********
Not the initial announcement. Was always set to revert as of April 1st.
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