What are the implications of the new visa exempt entry restrictions in Thailand?

@John *********

how would they even know I went back to my home country? I will not get a stamp in my passport

@John *********

thank you as usual your always accurate!

@Robert *********

you will be fine then!

@Nick ******

yes, in otherwards don't rely on border runs as many have been doing.

@Martin ********

manly people use border run/bounces to be in thailand for months every year!

I'm a tourist and it deterred me. Tired of getting treated like a criminal in immigration office there also - the disrespect is ridiculous.. I'm in Cambodia now. beer, easier long visa. No wonder tourists are going elsewhere. Sod them.

@Nick ***********

Let's see.....how about this one "Thailand's new alcohol control law imposes a 10,000-baht fine for drinking after midnight, drawing criticism for hurting tourism and nightlife businesses. A major shift has taken place in Thailand's food and beverage industry after the Alcohol Control Act (No. 2) B.E. 2568 (2025) came into effect on November 8 2025"

@Kyle *******

I just hope that one day, I can have as much joy in my life as you have ❤️

@Andrew *******

Abusing the system? Me being the cause of this? I not stay like these people, a whole year, when at the time, years ago, a visa run, it was because then you only got a month visa exemption,and 2 months on a visa. So if you stayed 10 weeks, you had no choice. In 30 years, maybe had to use it maybe twice. Living here 6 years, no use of shady visa offices, I am completely in order, first on the 800.000 method and now in monthly income. Go accuse other people who deserve this, do not waste my time, with false accusations

@Graham ******

yet they are the ones who are committing those crimes…

@Graham ******

the Chinese are committing most of the financial crime 😆

Nothing is risky, if you keep your eyes open. You can live still very well here, if you use your brain a bit. Yes some things are more difficult, so are things at home. live your own life the fullest and you be good here.

@John *********

and how are they going to know if you returned to your home country? My home country doesn’t stamp my passport and neither does Singapore for example. A local immigration office in Issan isn’t representing all of Thailand

@Michael ******

i agree the OP is way off as normal

@Steve ***

I agree and those disagreeing are missing the point or simply being provocative.

@Faye ******

we shall see

@Alex ****

I don't know if they're not good for Thailands economy. However if they are breaking the law, they should be stopped.

@Greg ********

okay sexpat.

@Greg ********

yep ! You are right. Thailand is right to filter out these cheap travellers .. seriously no value add .. worse some come here to work illegally and take locals jobs and still think it’s their rights as a foreigner. (Read FB Visa comments).

@Greg ********

even low class tourists contribute to the local economy, you get some that only buy beers, and eat street food, even if 1000s of people are only doing that, it supports and keeps the local economy ticking over, any good business owners will tell you, a high turnover with a small profit is the best business model, a business with a high profit margin and a low turnover, they generally at the end of the day make less money, you can apply that same concept to tourism, Thailand has always attracted more lower end tourists than high end, and always will in my opinion, most rich people tend to go elsewhere, I personally think all "genuine tourists" that are travelling should be welcomed.

I traveled around the world for seven years. I was never a scammer or any kind of criminal. I paid my way and loved hopping in and out of countries. That was long before I came to Asia. I used Istanbul as my hub and loved traveling all over Europe. I often visited countries like the Netherlands, Greece and Czechoslovakia multiple times a year: to see museums, eat at restaurants and go to concerts. Just because others havent or cant imagine such kinds of tourists doesnt mean they dont exist. I wasnt even really very wealthy but I knew how to travel easily and cheaply. I have friends in their 60s who are spending months long holidays and they want to visit Thailand multiple times- these kinds of restraints are foolish.

@Steven *****

when I used to travel around Asia for 6 months I was in and out of Thailand regularly, sometimes a few days sometimes a couple of weeks. I wasn’t living here, I wasn’t a package tourist, I was a tourist.

@Steven *****

seriously? Singapore is 2.5 hours away and tickets are cheap do you think a normal tourist from Singapore will be stopped after a third visit? No way boy

@Steven *****

I agree with most and I am not for people abusing the system. But we will see how it affects tourism overall.

@Todd *******

I see a lot posting that do and know some personally. Im not advocating for anyone abusing the system.

I totally agree with you on that, people with genuine reasons for a visa such as marriage or a thai child should have an easy time getting a visa. I had no problems getting my visa based around my son but I have spoken to people who have struggled. Some people struggle meet the financial requirements, I'm lucky to have a relatively high paying job so I could save 400k but because I'm day rate and dont receive a salary every month I can't use my monthly income as financial proof so if others are day rate on a lower salary job they may struggle with the finances.

@Darren ******

The issues people will get soon enough is if you are in country longer than 183 days, they will be able to check if you filled a tax return! Crack down after crack down! Thailand has more crack than RFK and Hunter combined!

@Steve ***

more likely a potential 3b- if you give the officer a 1000 baht fee they will expedite adjudication/approval.

@Steve ***

won’t happen.

@Steven *****

well their lost , they will lose sooo much money, now everyones will go elsewhere as simple as is

@Steven *****

don't be ridiculous, I travel in around 6 times a year for short trips , as I have family in Thailand and my work is in a country nearby.

The issue will be more on the interpretation but Thailand is not running a good tourist PR presently

@Steven *****

they've also gained millions from tourists spending the only thing that needs sorting out is the overstays

@Steven *****

there are people from nearby countries that come here 8-10 times a year just for 5 days at at a time. There is no visa that is appropriate for that. They are genuine tourists and don’t live here. They are not abusing anything

Yes you can apply, but they have never been guaranteed.

@Jordan ****

Extensions have never been guaranteed, that's why you've always had to apply for them. Admittedly they're rarely refused but they're not a given and never have been.