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What should I do if Thailand reduces the visa exemption period to 30 days?
Feb 15, 2026
2 months ago
SincereJ*********
ORIGINAL POSTERSo if they cut the tourist visa (exempt) to 30 days, anyone know how much notice we'll get?
Booked all tickets for a 40 day stay and now the shift the goalposts?
WTF??š¤š¤š¤
Booked all tickets for a 40 day stay and now the shift the goalposts?
WTF??š¤š¤š¤
TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation revolves around the potential return of Thailand's visa exempt entry period for tourists from 60 days back to 30 days. Many commentators express concerns, especially those with prolonged travel plans, questioning how much notice will be provided. While some insist this is just speculation, others suggest that if the change occurs, it should ideally be announced several months in advance. The dialogue includes multiple perspectives on visa options, such as applying for a tourist visa for 60 days or extending stays, and hints that these discussions may influence tourist travel plans.
Pelle Erikssonā
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Luca G.ā
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SerenePa********
Chillā¦ not gonna happen. Thatās some āold newsā that Bangkok Post, put out again.
Do anybody really believe that they are talking about the 60 days exempt when the government even is set yetš
Do anybody really believe that they are talking about the 60 days exempt when the government even is set yetš
Ian *********
If it happens it will take months!
Donāt worry about it.
Donāt worry about it.
SincereJ*********
ORIGINAL POSTERIan Murdoch we are travelling in March 26, so it should be ok then.
Ian *********
SincereJaguar1448 Iām sure it will be fine and if you are that worried get a Tourist Visa now. You have plenty of time which will give you 60 days with option to extend.
They flip flop all the time and normally takes forever to implement. The TDAC got pushed back about 4 times š
They flip flop all the time and normally takes forever to implement. The TDAC got pushed back about 4 times š
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Ian *********
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David **********
Big deal for us we've booked 88 days so were relying on the 60 plus 30
James *********
When are you booked for? It's NOT gonna happen for awhile. Chill as much as possible and Enjoy Your Lifešš
Bent *************
You can extend for another 30 days. 1900 baht.
Paul ********
Visa revisions announced only this last week stated that the visa exempt entry of 60 days would be extended to more countries ! I wouldnt get bent out of shape just yet !
SincereJ*********
ORIGINAL POSTERI hope you're right.
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SincereJ*********
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Vinson *******
Bangkok , being the most visited deatination in the world , probably has done the math already
Long stay , DTV and visa run quasi legal tourists are the land equivalent to old livaboard boaters
They prefer people with cash to spend who arent a danger of being homeless and sick
The world is changing, people with money are looking beyond the old winter eacapes
People rich and flat broke are trying to come to ASEAN countries in record numbers, who do you think will win!
Long stay , DTV and visa run quasi legal tourists are the land equivalent to old livaboard boaters
They prefer people with cash to spend who arent a danger of being homeless and sick
The world is changing, people with money are looking beyond the old winter eacapes
People rich and flat broke are trying to come to ASEAN countries in record numbers, who do you think will win!
David *******
I see no upside for any tourist by this proposed cut.
Peter *******
David Holst There is no upside or downside if you are a tourist, won't make any difference, you will still get 30 day extension, so 60 day max
SincereJ*********
ORIGINAL POSTERAnother one of the reasons why the visitor numbers are dropping, losing out to Vietnam.
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SincereJ*********
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Mick ************
Just apply for the appropriate visa through the embassy in your country
SincereJ*********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mick ***********
thanks its a little more complicated than just that.Reply to
SincereJ*********
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Penny ******
It still needs to be ratified, it was always 30 days, after Covid it was extended to 60 to promote tourismā¦. My first trip years ago I came for 2 weeks after I would save vacation days to get 3 weeksā¦ 3 weeks was perfect and that is statistically what most tourist do regardless of the 60 rule. You can extend at the immigration office ā¦ but I would not stress it likely (
*****
) wonāt be changed but you can get an extension by getting a tourist visa on line before you ever leave ā¤ļøFred **********
exemption 60 days.
I not really understand...you wanted 30 days, if you know before then why book 40 days?
I not really understand...you wanted 30 days, if you know before then why book 40 days?
Jeremy ********
With all things immigration related it moves at light speed
Most likely a 10-14 day notice
Good luck
Most likely a 10-14 day notice
Good luck
Stephen ********
Tourist visa is still 60 days, only the visa exempt entries are expected to be returned to 30 days, as the 60-day trial is finished
Frangipani *******
How big a deal is this, reallyā¦?
SincereJ*********
ORIGINAL POSTERYou tell me?
Frangipani *******
SincereJaguar1448 no š
You tell me š
I obviously donāt think itās a big deal at all.
Perhaps it would have been different if we were talking cutting back from 6 months to 3 months without alternativesā¦
Enjoy your stay š
You tell me š
I obviously donāt think itās a big deal at all.
Perhaps it would have been different if we were talking cutting back from 6 months to 3 months without alternativesā¦
Enjoy your stay š
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Frangipani *******
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Michael ********
Just apply for a 60 tourist visa . Cost you 35 euro ! Then apply for extension cost you 1900 TH . So you can still plan your holidays and stay 40 days . As you know the dates just apply or gamble that may be they not change and calculate the cost.
Si ******
Michael Hoevel what I used to do before the 60 rule
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Si ******
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John *********
At a cost, yes.
Most tourists don't want to spend half a day at immigration. If you use agents, more cost.
I personally think that if the Thai government want to fetch this 30 day back in, they should give a clear notice of around 3 or 4 months while in that time, they can see how booking numbers for planes & hotels are affected in relation to visitor numbers from neighbouring countries.
Most tourists don't want to spend half a day at immigration. If you use agents, more cost.
I personally think that if the Thai government want to fetch this 30 day back in, they should give a clear notice of around 3 or 4 months while in that time, they can see how booking numbers for planes & hotels are affected in relation to visitor numbers from neighbouring countries.
Khun **********
John Emmonds certainly
SincereJ*********
ORIGINAL POSTERJohn Emmonds, exactly, if I knew this, I would have shortened my stay??
Or maybe go to Vietnam rather...
Or maybe go to Vietnam rather...
Colin *********
SincereJaguar1448 you said that you planned a 40 day stay, but when? This month, next month, or still months away?
Nongnuch ********
SincereJaguar1448 a completely different vibe in Vietnam. Cannot compare to Thailand
SincereJ*********
ORIGINAL POSTERNongnuch Kamdee I know, I like both.
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SincereJ*********
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Carl ********
just do a tourist visa on-line for 60 days. it's like 25Ā£ and so easy to do!
John **********
IF they do. It's currently just rumour and conjecture. And even if it does revert to 30 days there will still be a 30 day extension available
Jessie ******
@John *********
Maybe Never know who your going to get at immigration
It comes down to their discretion
Jeremy ********
@John *********
ąøæ1,900 at your local immigration office But you run into the multiple visa runs or border bounce criteria
You could buy the 60 Single Entrance Thai Visa for ąøæ1,900 at a Thai embassy/consulate
Or the 6 month METV if you meet the criteria
Billy ********
Jeremy Miller I applied for the 60 day Visa, and they said because i was only coming for 43 days they wouldn't give me a visa. They said i had to use Visa exemption on arrival.
John **********
@Jeremy *******
he's only coming for 40 daysJeremy ********
@John *********
40 days can turn into 5 years extremely quickReply to
Jeremy ********
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Alan ********
If? Who said they are? Too many people making things up.
Euan ********
Alan Hooper being reported on many sources and definitely seems to be more than a if this time and just a case of when
John *********
Alan Hooper no itās going to happen, they need to tighten up the undesirables (not genuine tourists) visiting and working illegally etc
Reply to
John *********
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