https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2841457/explainer-thailands-new-visas

Answered2 years ago

What are the key changes in Thailand's new visa rules regarding visa-free entry?

Thailand Visa Rules Visa-free Entry Visa Types Immigration Policy Expatriate Information

Daniel ********

asked Aug 12, 2024

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Answer summary

The new visa rules in Thailand clarify that there is no specified limit on the number of times a traveler can enter the country visa-free within a calendar year, effectively waiving the previous restriction on land border crossings.

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Daniel ********

The article goes on to say that when it comes to Visa-free entry:

"The immigration office, they do not have a specified number as to how many times you can enter," Mr Naruchai told the vodcast. "You can enter as many as many times as possible within a calendar year."

It sounds like they've waived the two-times limit on land border crossings.

2 years ago

John *********

Correct. But they still harassed people coming by air.

A few people did get sent back from where they came from by airport immigration. I think one even had a visa obtained in a neighboring country.

I’m not trying to fear monger and I hope I’m not spreading misinformation. Thailand immigration was super strict before Covid.

Even with retirees. One friend couldn’t get his visa renewed because he failed to make a deposit in July despite not being in Thailand the entire month. Little things like that.

Families were leaving. Packed up the wife and kids and left for partner’s home country.

Other retirees were seen as undesirable and pushed out. Many of them landed in Cambodia.

Post Covid the illegal Chinese gambling dens being cracked down on made it extremely hard to get ED and volunteer visas. Not just the back door ones but the fully legit ones.

The new DTV is shocking in its ambiguity, easiness to obtain, length of stay, and duration of visa.

It almost doesn’t make sense… except all the other half-thought out initiatives didn’t work (attract anywhere close to the number of applicants they hoped for) so it’s time for something new.

It sure is a lot easier to stay/work/live in Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, or Laos.

We are in this group and don’t want to live in those places.

2 years ago

John *********

Legally yes. In practice, we will see.

Before Covid even offshore workers coming here every 6 weeks by plane were being hassled.

2 years ago

Daniel ********

@John ********

As far as I know, there have never been set limits for entering Thailand by air, but they enforced a rule a couple of years ago limiting land border crossings to two times.

2 years ago