Why did I only receive a 30-day visa exemption instead of the expected 60 days upon my arrival in Thailand?

Thailand visa visa exemption 60-day rule 30-day visa immigration policy expat advice tourist visa Royal Gazette Thai legislation

Jun 1, 2024

6 months ago

Alan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

 New 60 Day Visa Exempt Rule 

Just landed after midnight on June 1st and only received a 30 day VE not a 60. I asked the officer the reason and he said the government hasn't passed it yet.

So either he is right or he has been I'll informed, but just be aware that if you are coming in with the 60 day expectation then you maybe disappointed. I'm going to have to come up with a plan B now.

I obviously jumped the gun too quickly.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A recent traveler to Thailand anticipated receiving a 60-day visa exemption but was only granted a 30-day exemption. This discrepancy arises from the fact that the proposed new rule had not yet been officially implemented, as it must be published in the Royal Gazette to become law. Various comments from other travelers reflect a general understanding that the changes might be approved soon, but they are not yet in effect. Therefore, travelers should prepare for the possibility of receiving only 30 days until the official stance changes.

Łukasz *********

I arrived yesterday and got 30 days - they told me the 60 day isn’t official yet.

5 months ago

Don *******

Just back from a border run. 30 days

5 months ago

Michael *********

Nothing is law until it is published in the Royal Gazette, these proposals haven’t yet despite the government claiming they would come into effect 1st June. The big man hasn’t spoken.

5 months ago

John *******

I received the new stamp. I guess?

5 months ago

Bob **********

@John ******

This is a tourist visa,stamped in At Suvanabumi, your supposed to get 60 days thanks

5 months ago

Flukie ******

@John ******

You got 60- days visa on arrival?

5 months ago

Reply to

Flukie ******

David ******

Just so you know how the laws in Thailand are made -

***************************************************************************

Reading news publication is only a teaser to get you interested in the story. It becomes law once published into the “Royal Gazette” with the effective dates.

5 months ago

Warren ******

Looks like I will be paying $1900 bath extension 🤣🤣

5 months ago

Andrew *******

Landed at 3pm today 1st of June and got 30day, asked why not 60 and they said announced but not official yet

5 months ago

Martin *********

Jai yan yan

LiKa *****

jai yen yen

Martin *********

same same

Us *****

mai muan gan

Reply to

Us *****

Bob **********

Don’t ever go by what the media post over here once it’s passed it will be posted in the Royal Gazette

5 months ago

Phil ******

@Bob *********

MFA forgot to tell immi what was happening

5 months ago

Reply to

Phil ******

Tony ********

The government issued press release yesterday saying PROPOSED changes should be implemented Late June to Early July.

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5 months ago

Will ************

Start date very likely to be July 1.

5 months ago

Lee-Ann *******

It's only getting confirmed today, won't be actually starting today,

5 months ago

Bob *******

I just arrived as well. 30 days (US) but no paperwork and no questions asked. Only planning 12 days so no issues. He wrote in the date, good till 30 June

5 months ago

Gary **********

It's only just been announced it's to early to get it yet .. patient guys and girls

6 months ago

Kevin ******

I don’t think this is is The Royal Gazette yet.

6 months ago

Philip *********

You're not the only one to jump the gun:-

6 months ago

Tony *********

It's bit official yet . Until it's in the royal gazette then it's official so looking at end of June I reckon

6 months ago

Colin *******

TiT

6 months ago

Jeff ********

The 60 day is if you paid in advance and received a Tourist Vice. A visa exempt entry remains at 30 days.

6 months ago

Alastair ********************

@Jeff *******

visa exempt was/is anticipated to be extended to 60 days on arrival. There has been some suggestion that was coming into effect from the 1st June.

6 months ago

Jeff ********

@Alastair *******************

I did see an article today that the hoped for 60-day VE may be out by July.

5 months ago

Alan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Alastair *******************

Correct. I decided to come early and not apply for the 60 day visa through my nearest Consulate.

Looks like Thai government announcements are like software updates - never be the first one to try it out as there are bound to be bugs :)

6 months ago

Alastair ********************

@Alan ********

sorry for your loss (of 30 days) and that was a funny comparison.

6 months ago

Alan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Alastair *******************

Thanks.. Probably some naivety or over zealouness on my part also expecting it to work straight away

6 months ago

Reply to

Alan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Here is a photo of my stamp. No personal information shown so happy to post it publicly.

6 months ago

Brandon ************

@Alan ********

Thank you!

5 months ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

Could you post a photo of your stamp or send it to me in DM?

6 months ago

Alan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

I will in about an hour or so. Don't have it with me at the moment.

6 months ago

Paul *******

@Alan ********

I.m curious about one additional question. As required by many airlines, and Thai rules too, you must show a ticket exiting Thailand, (at least when you check, in my experience)

Did any one check to see if you had a ticket out?

Ie: when checking in or getting yr stamp.

5 months ago

Alan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Paul ******

On the way out yes, but I bought an online forwarding ticket and made that 30 days so there was no issue there.

5 months ago

Paul *******

@Alan ********

thanks...I was curious if you made

your onward ticket for 30 or a 60 day stay...good move you made it 30 days.

Thanks for the confirmation. I was wondering if your airline allowed you to get on with a 60 day flight out.

Cheers

5 months ago

Alan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Sorry, but not at Thai immigration when I got stamped, have never been asked this before in Thailand, only as I exit my home country

5 months ago

Reply to

Alan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Stamp says to June 30 but will send it through

6 months ago

Brandon ************

@Alan ********

Right, we just need to see the stamp, the entry date and the handwriting on the stamp. That will give us 100% verification to the new scheme not being implemented yet. Sorry that didn't work out for you though. They always do a terrible job with this type of thing.

6 months ago

Mil *****

@Brandon ***********

just a curiosity, why do you need 100% confirmation that it’s not implemented? He just told all of us here that it’s not and then, just like him, someone else will also come and say they got it, eventually. I’m just really curious why do you need confirmation (for a failure so to speak). It makes more sense if people were to have been more inclined to see what the new stamp looks like (in the case of a success)

6 months ago

Brandon ************

@Mil ****

because the internet is full of people that KNOW it was effective today and they will not accept anything but hard evidence. It doesn't help that some Thai embassies and even the UK government website have put up notices that it started today. So evidence is the only way to refute those things.

I spent half of the day arguing with people in comments telling them that nothing has been made official yet but they continue to say it's already done. They don't know Thailand very well.

6 months ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

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What are the new rules regarding visa exempt entry stamps in Thailand?

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