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Why does Thailand restrict tourist stays compared to Europe?
Thailand Visa RulesVisa ExemptionVisa DurationTourism in ThailandImmigration PoliciesExpat Life in ThailandVisa Regulations in Europe
Apr 19, 2025
a year ago
Mike ******
ORIGINAL POSTERFor Americans, you got 6 months in Europe and got 2 months in Thailand without a visa, that doesn’t mean Thailand is less friendly to you than Europe, mostly because Thailand wants to generate more revenues from tourism by forcing you extending your visa or jumping back and forth, cutting the staying from 2 months to 30 days also aiming the same, generating more revenues, but this will bring more inconvenient for travelers and may affect their plans.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion centers around the visa-free stay durations for Americans in Thailand and Europe, with Americans receiving 60 days (30+30) in Thailand compared to what some believe to be 6 months in Europe. However, the reality pointed out by several commenters is that many European countries actually offer a maximum of 90 days, not 6 months, under specific regulations. The premise is challenged, suggesting that Thailand's policies aim to generate more revenue through tourism by shortening visas. The conversation highlights the complexities and differences in visa regulations across countries while expressing frustration over perceived misunderstandings.
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Todd *********
Mike, if you have no idea what you are talking about, save yourself the time of posting
Sami ******
europe is a continent
Todd *********
@Sami *****
Schengen is a zoneReply to
Todd *********
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Hugo *********
India is a year for most countries
Todd *********
Reply to
Todd *********
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Mark ******
If I get 60 days I normaly stay around 50 and spend more money. If I get 30 days I stay 28 and spend less
João ********
When I land in Japan from Canada, I automatically get 3 months stay visa with no questions asked!🙂
Jo **********
not anymore
Graham ******
Thailand are not considering cutting anything. If Visa Exempt reverts to 30 days that is just removing the temporary increase which has been in effect for about 9 months. A 60 day Tourist Visa still exists and is unaffected.
Duncan *******
Word of advice - go easier on the booze.
J ******************
Should maybe consider putting tariff tax on US passport holders entering any country that the US puts a tariff on .Maybe?
Jim ********
@J *****************
what an ignorant comment. First this page isn't for you to express your ignorant politics. Australia doesn't want to pay US Tariffs don't place Tariffs on US goods.Robert *********
@J *****************
definitely. Other countries should aspire to be as stupid as the Trump administration. No adults in the room. Brilliant.Jim ********
@Robert ********
you really should know what your talking about before you comment. You obviously have no idea of the level of tariffs other countries place on US goods...time to even the score.Reply to
Jim ********
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James ******
@J *****************
Thailand has 150% charge on cars from AmericaBernie *************
@James *****
not just from the USReply to
Bernie *************
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Lincoln *******
How many true 'tourists' stay in one country for more than 90 days anyway?
Tracy *********
@Lincoln ******
Thousands of Canadians winter for six months in the south of the states every year. Many owned properties Well they did till ()(*& got back in Office. .😁😁Lincoln *******
@Tracy ********
would you consider them tourists though?Tracy *********
some stay for four months, five months, some only stay for two months. It is all over the board with in the six month period.
Tracy *********
@Lincoln ******
Yes, because they only spend half a year every year......Reply to
Tracy *********
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Andy ********
Lincoln Crossa lot more than you think, South East Asia has a massive nomad population. 'Tourist', is just the label typically given to nonresidents. Perhaps you're conflating it with the term 'holidaymaker'.
Lincoln *******
Andy Wonder i guess under the Oxford definition of the term tourist "a person who is traveling or visiting a place for pleasure." Then it could be a fairly broad definition, though i still believe those "tourists" staying over 90 days are more like temporsry residents than tourists
Reply to
Lincoln *******
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Harry *******
Please educate yourself on Europe visa requirements then update your post. It’s misleading and flat out wrong. I’ve lived in Europe for 8 years now.
Kal *********
Maybe Thailand wants to get rid of low life tourist who stays long term
Robbie *******
@Kal ********
, so someone who has plenty of money and can go on vacation for a long time is a lowlife ? What a wanker you are .Michael *******
@Robbie ******
thats for the immig officer to decide I guess , slapping a wad of money on the counter is unlikely to help 🤔Robbie *******
@Michael ******
, the immigration officer has nothing to do with what I said , that bloke said that anyone who goes to Thailand for long vacations is a lowlife ?Reply to
Robbie *******
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Elías ********
Thailand is 90 days (60+30), as most of Europe.
Maksym ***********
When rule 90 of 180 days was cancelled? You can't stay in Schengen for more than 90 days as a tourist, any way.
Tracy *********
Not all European countries come under the Schengen law.
Maksym ***********
@Tracy ********
other countries still has the same rule, like Cyprus. The UK is visa free also for 90 days. What is left and who gives 180 days?Tracy *********
@Maksym **********
I lived in Europe for 22 years.....Costa rica gives 180 days on arrival.Maksym ***********
@Tracy ********
Costa Rica in Europe? 😬Tracy *********
@Maksym **********
No lol😜Reply to
Tracy *********
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Todd *********
@Tracy ********
29 and counting do belong to SchengenTracy *********
@Todd ********
Still not ALL! ;)Todd *********
@Tracy ********
and still only YOU have used the word ‘all’😂😂Reply to
Todd *********
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Terrence ***********
The only country that gives you 6 months in Western Europe is the UK.
Nongnuch ********
@Terrence **********
and I think Albania does so as well . . an American buddy of mine lives in Albania, they make a longstay easy for elderly people, and the living costs are very inexpensive.Terrence ***********
@Nongnuch *******
the keyword is Western.Nongnuch ********
@Terrence **********
Albania is within what you call Europe . . . I accept your call, Albania is not "western" EuropeTerrence ***********
@Nongnuch *******
I’m only speaking geographically.Reply to
Terrence ***********
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Oliver **********
you don't get six months in europe. Some countries get 90 days and you can do that twice a year, 90 days apart (actually 90 days within each 180 day period). it's not that different. There's no fixed number of times you can do the 60 days visa exempt (30+30) in Thailand. Moreover, ascribing any particular strategies to visa regulations here is about as accurate as astrology. Immigration moves in mysterious ways
Jack ********
What is this nonsense
Nigel **************
@Jack *******
exactly! NonsenseReply to
Nigel **************
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