Answered2 years ago
What were the visa changes expected on June 1st and why were they not implemented?
The press told lies about changes to visas starting June 1st. Where were the government disinformation people to correct those lies before people arrived on June 1st expecting 60 day stamps?
Edit: I have been in Thailand long enough to know that we are being lied to. But foreigners showing up expecting stamps don’t know that.
Edit: I have been in Thailand long enough to know that we are being lied to. But foreigners showing up expecting stamps don’t know that.
Answer summary
The post expresses frustration over misleading information from the media regarding visa changes that were anticipated to take effect on June 1st. The original expectation was for travelers to receive 60-day entry stamps, but the actual enforcement of new visa rules is expected to be postponed until late June or early July. Several commenters clarify that the government press office confirmed this shift on May 31, indicating that new rules must be processed through the proper channels, including publication in the Royal Gazette. Many emphasize the need for caution when relying on media reports about Thai regulations, suggesting that such changes are often poorly communicated.
81 repliesnewest first
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James **********
Zzzzzzzz
Carlos *********
It doesn't matter what the media say, ( and all media is about the same today, you should know not to trust ANY!?!).
If it's not in the Royal Gazette, it's all water cooler talk.
If it's not in the Royal Gazette, it's all water cooler talk.
Andy **********
Lol ok
Chris ***********
Treat anything in the media, in any country, with a pinch of salt. Always question.
Phil ******
@Gray *****
not the press aa they reported right. I read the PR from ministry of foreign affairs Thursday 30th and it said 1st June. Then on Friday 31st it changed to late June early July. Guess they didn't tell Immi.
Peter ********
Personally I never believe anything till it’s completely done and has been for a while. And by the time it’s on FB you know it’s total BS.
Don *******
Q
John **********
Lies!!!I think not, more likely incompetence
Andy *******
It's been published that the first phase of the new visa rules will be implemented in late June beginning of July..we shall wait with baited breath..
Michael ********
Thailand Pass during Covid ! Remember anyone ? Ist October 555 no way.
Mika ********
If indeed you have been in Thailand “ long enough “ then your post seems incredibly naive ( or just attention seeking 🤔)
Chris *********************
@Mika *******
correct my friend a plonker
Steven ***************
People trusting media verbatim is exactly why the world has become what it is now..
James ********
Life’s a bitch and then ….. !🥴
Bob **********
Never listen to the media over here when you read it in the Royal Gazette then it’s real
Chris *********************
Brandon Thurkettle
According to alot of these comments You are responsible for the 60 day not happening, on the 1st, would you please say what you thinking and stuff them 😉
According to alot of these comments You are responsible for the 60 day not happening, on the 1st, would you please say what you thinking and stuff them 😉
Jody *******
What often looks rude in Thailand more often can be rightfully attributed to incompetence.
Shayne **********
Don't hold your breath!
Maybe you don't want a visa in the future with these words?
Maybe you don't want a visa in the future with these words?
Dan ********
I think 'LIE' is a very strong word, and not the right word. The press published the 'news', whether they were informed in a press briefing, or simply leaked by a government official with knowledge of discussions to a single news outlet that everyone else followed and copied, I don't know. But the press seem to do what they like, and publish sensationalist stories to draw attention. And you should know that nobody will speak out of turn, unless told to do so by their superiors, and nobody undermines their superiors, and nobody thinks outside of the box, that's the thai way It does seem to be above the top brass in immigration, which is odd to have no input from those with a greater understanding of which countries citizens are most desirable to accommodate, and which could possibly be problematic. And when public/press and immigration themselves seem to be quite anti-foreigner currently, its odd to suddenly open up the doors to the likes of Albania for example, and doubling all countries visa exempt period, while they are all complaining about foreigner's working illegally, running businesses etc, Criminal enterprises, abusing visas, and business structures, and land ownership. And to rush any announcement and start date of these odd policy changes, just even more bizarre. Ultimately, nobody wants lose face, hence the quiet, and hence things didn't change as quoted. The whole thing is just odd.
Gray ******
OP@Dan *******
The superiors need to answer tough questions on simple matters like visas.Dan ********
@Gray *****
they don't 'need' to do anything. They don't need to answer to anybody, other than their superiors, and that is done privately, unless in exceptional circumstances. They don't care who has been put out by this (and the truth is, who actually has ? If anybody.) A couple of farang booked flights immediately and only got 30 days ? Who cares ? You get what your given. I think they're more concerned with how much this might affect their tea money, cause that gonna make a serious dent in it. Its the press who've published info, badly translated as always. They know it is required to be published in the gazette. We know it needs to be published in the gazette. Those that don't know, don't really matter. Immigration don't care about Revenue/income from visa holders/visitors, they care about policing their policy's/laws/requirements. Its top level government want these changes to drive revenue, and they seem to not care so much about who and where this revenue comes from. So a slight conflict of interest.Dan ********
@Gray *****
but you are 'in', so don't take it so personally. Look at how they deal with external forces, like animal rights, gay rights, human rights. They don't talk to anyone unless it benefits them. They don't care about the outside world. Hardly any of them go out there 🙄Dan ********
@Gray *****
again that's a little extreme, but I understand where you're coming from, it's not cool, infact it's ridiculous, but we all know it's not fact until its in the gazette. The fact that it wasn't in the gazette, was a big clue. We've seen the Elite Visa Program relaunch their products overnight, in a heartbeat, with big changes, nothing positive to new and existing members, and upto 100% price increases, and this after months of rumours, with no official statement from anyone before hand, so potential buyers all holding back, trying to judge if and when any changes would happen, and the result, based on the changes, was that NOBODY would proceed to buy, they lost thousands of potential buyers, that WOULD have made the purchase if they had some information, so lost 'sales'. Then existing members had lost contracted benefits, and a class lawsuit was immediately forming, some sending their membership cards back to Elite in disgust, and within a week or two maybe, Elite had to go back on itself, do a U turn, and offer deadlines for action, having revealed all by now. A real shit show. And very relevant, as Elite Visas are now not much more special than the various new visas offered, which are considerably less expensive. The release of information is badly managed. The plan of execution also. Too many departments, bodies, authorities, divisions.Gray ******
OP@Dan *******
Exactly, they really are saying to me “shut up slave”.
Tony ********
@Gray *****
the clue was in the media post on the first day, when it said the 'Cabinet' has announced. The cabinet doesnt make new laws (only under state of emergency, and still have to be published, etc). The cabinet can only propose, then the proposals have to be agreed in both houses, then presented to the king, and then published.
KO ********
Is this a parody profile?
Gray ******
OP@KO *******
Of courseRob **********
Maybe you should have done some checking yourself, it sounds like you are very new to Thailand, never believe what the newspaper and websites say. You only believe it when things are eventually implemented.
Gray ******
OP@Rob *********
Could you link to one story from a major Thai news source or government that says, visa exemptions did not start on June 1st?Rob **********
@Gray *****
quite obviously they haven’t started on June 1st, as people have been posting their visa exempt stamps that are giving them 30 days….do not believe the newspaper and the internet.
Richard ********
@Rob *********
to be honest matey, in my meager opinion, they are loosing face every time they release fake news about something. I have also lived here for a number of years and every time I see it happen I loose more and more faith in the countries ability to ever stop the corruption that is in every government office. Not on the subject I know. EnjoyRob **********
@Gray *****
yes they always do, they always jump the gun so to speak. Well known for making comments on their policies without releasing all the facts, but as we say this is Thailand, have seen and heard it all over many decades 🤷♂️🤷♂️Gray ******
OP@Rob *********
We can at least acknowledge that they misled people.Rob **********
@Gray *****
The Thai Government will never admit an error, as they will lose face.Gray ******
OP@Rob *********
Then I should have said the Ministry of Foreign affairs.Look how easy it is to make a correction. Government should be able to say they were wrong.
Rob **********
@Gray *****
no as that was released by the Ministry of foreign affairs, which is not the department of immigration. Two separate Government organizations.Gray ******
OP@Rob *********
Can we trust government press releases?Gray ******
OP@Rob *********
Please link to one source, before May 31st, that said it needed to be gazetted.I have been in Thailand for a very long time and know this happens and it must stop.
Mika ********
@Gray *****
Every major change such as these new visa changes Needs to be published in the Royal Gazette I would imaging the soi dogs know this without needing a “ link “
You are just making yourself look ridiculous here
Rob **********
@Gray *****
quite obviously you don’t know how the system works if you want to believe the newspapers and the internet, that is up to you, but then don’t start complaining that things didn’t happen.
Darren *******
@Gray *****
if you've been up Thailand "for a very long time" then you should know that every change needs to be published in the Royal Gazette before it becomes law.
Duncan *******
You should never trust the Thai press to get basic facts right. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday last week that it would be late June or early July.
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2ab1d&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0q8GYk24ZoxqDd80bbFEA10FyanqZ-TWaWZd9Hd3RZkMVckLapEUk0clc_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcwGray ******
OP@Duncan ******
The government waited until the May 31 to release this. There was not coverage of this in the press.*********************************************************************
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Henrik *****
Didn’t you notice these lines at then top of the most shared graphic about the eventual new rules ?
In a democracy it is not enough that the Cabinet decides new rules, it will have to go through Parlament also, and be announced in Royal Gazette, before in can come into force.
So everything is as usual, an no disinformation has occured.
People simply have to stop listening and sharing rumors, and have patience until new Initiatives has come into force.
In a democracy it is not enough that the Cabinet decides new rules, it will have to go through Parlament also, and be announced in Royal Gazette, before in can come into force.
So everything is as usual, an no disinformation has occured.
People simply have to stop listening and sharing rumors, and have patience until new Initiatives has come into force.
Rene ********
@Henrik ****
that's what I understood . Don't accuse people of lying on a public forumHenrik *****
I haven’t accused anybody of lying ! !
Gray ******
OP@Henrik ****
Please link to a news story that told foreigners that they would not get a 60 day stamp starting on June 1.
Pete *******
The government press office announced on
****
/24 that the proposals would come into effect end of June beginning of July. So I think that answers your question.
Garry ********
@Pete ******
that's what I heard 👍🏻 NOT the 1st JuneHenrik *****
With this announcement from Thailand's Government Information Department, it appears that the rumored visa rule changes will not take effect until 1 month from now.
thailand.prd.go.th/en/content/category/detail/id/48/iid/
thailand.prd.go.th/en/content/category/detail/id/48/iid/
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0?Brandon ************
Maybe you're new to Thailand but this is far from unusual. It happens with pretty much every government initiative that is even slightly discussed. The media makes it out to be a big new thing starting soon and then it either starts much later or just disappears altogether.
Graeme ******
@Brandon ***********
hi Brandon agree although somebody in the thai government or consulate must of informed the UK government of the date because if you.lool for advice on the UK government website for travel to Thailand it clearly states the change to 60 day visa exempt from the first of June . So any new travellers to. Thailand are now being miss informed. I personally have sent them an email on their contact details to tell them this so let's see if it gets changed.Michael ********
@Graeme *****
It did the same with the Thailand Pass during covid.
Paul *********
@Brandon ***********
it helps of you get your facts right before knocking thailandGray ******
OP@Brandon ***********
But during Covid they talked about correcting disinformation. The June 1st day was clearly a lie and government agencies should have said so.Brandon ************
@Gray *****
This happened far more during Covid than any other time. And it continued and continues to happen.The government currently has a lot going on that this is a good distraction from for them. In their eyes all these headlines are a good thing even if they're false.
Gray ******
OP@Jamie *****
Right “shut up and don’t complain “Chris *********************
@Nick ******
every one is taking it out on Brandon it not his fault???
Nick *******
@Chris ********************
steady on mr Grumpy. Move along if you don't like whats being posted on here.
Jamie ******
@Gray *****
it’s ALWAYS up to the discretion of the officer IF YOU GET IN OR NOT NO Matter how many days is possible
Michael *******
@Gray *****
not the govt, the media now there’s a strange thing which is not unique to Thailand get over it and don’t take as gospel what you read, fact check……Chris *********************
@Gray *****
shut the fk up we've heard enough. Send a letter to the powers that be.Nick *******
@Brandon ***********
anyone that has been living here for a longtime like myself, should know nothing is confirmed until it appears in the Royal Gazette.
Mark ********
@Gray *****
Regardless of what the Press said in their reports…the government proposals and changes also printed by the Press, stated the changes need to be approved and gazetted and late June July possibly at the earliest for said changes. People should not just read headlines or part of the story, and take responsibility for themselves to read a bit more and clarify the validity. All the information was given regardless of the headlines. Fancy turning up at the airport without clarification of something you had read in any newspaper anywhere in the world today 🤔🤔Gray ******
OP@Brandon ***********
A story about government misleading foreigners would be a great distraction.Brandon ************
@Gray *****
also as I mentioned the government right now wants these distracting headlines. The PM could possibly be removed in a couple of weeks and Taksin is getting charged for lese majeste again. These headlines distract from that regardless of if they are true or not.Gray ******
OP@Brandon ***********
They knew it when they wrote it.Brandon ************
@Gray *****
It's a holiday weekend. No one in the government cares about anything. They probably all took off FridayGray ******
OP@Brandon ***********
Are you saying they don’t do press releases? They have PR personal.Brandon ************
@Gray *****
What immigration PR department?Gray ******
OP@J *****************
WTF, Fox? This is Thailand. The immigration PR department should have corrected this the day after. There is no excuse for people to arrive in Thailand and not know how many days they will be stamped in for.
J ******************
@Gray *****
the people who don't understand the system should be responsible for themselves. The media is never accountable for anything it says anywhere Fox news is still allowed to publish lies for example and dumb people believe it .If you want 60 days it is still possible any longer than that you are probably not a genuine tourist.Gray ******
OP@J *****************
Immigration laws on only trivial for government, if we violate then they are not trivial.The press needs to be held accountable.
J ******************
@Gray *****
just like media in every country in the world about much more serious stories than this .Like political leaders and military activity items much more important than a trivial item such as thisGray ******
OP@J *****************
The papers that published it should face consequences for reporting false news.Gray ******
OP@Brandon ***********
But the immigration PR people should have been saying “we have no authority to start this on June 1st” and they were silent. The press knows it needs to be published in the gazette, and they left that out of their stories. Some people need to be unemployed.J ******************
@Gray *****
they did not have to correct anything that was NEVER passed in to law ,as has been said above this often happens, it is what it isBrandon ************
@Gray *****
it's not up to immigration. This is way above them.Gray ******
OP@Brandon ***********
But the immigration leadership should have corrected this, there is no excuse.Activity
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