Answered7 months ago
Why is Thailand considering changes to its visa-free entry policy?
16/03/2026
"Mr. Nantiwat Samart" clearly explained that Thailand does not oppose any nationality, but should review the free visa measures and increase screening of tourists through the visa system.
On March 16, 2026, reporters reported that Nantiwat Samart, former secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and former deputy director of the National Intelligence Service, posted a message on his Facebook page, "Nantiwat Samart," regarding the calls to abolish the visa-free policy. He stated that Thailand does not have any anti-Semitic or anti-nationalist stance and continues to welcome foreign tourists to the country.
The post stated, "Regarding the cancellation of visa-free entry, there are currently many calls to abolish it. It's important to understand that Thailand does not discriminate against Jewish people or any particular nationality. Thailand still welcomes foreign tourists, but we will need to screen them. Thailand wants quality tourists with money, not tourists who intend to come to find work or settle in Thailand."
Furthermore, "the method of screening tourists is through the visa application process, where tourists must have a good record and sufficient income to support their travel. Not just anyone can enter Thailand. Thailand has many valuable assets to showcase to the world, but there is a fee for entry; it's not free. Don't focus too much on the number of tourists and forget about the safety and security of the country. Thailand is then at risk from terrorists, individuals with a history of involvement with scammers, online cybercrime, and foreign mafia groups."
However, "tourists who overstay their permitted time, whether Jewish or of other nationalities, must be asked to leave the country because it is unacceptable. If they want to stay in Thailand and work, they must apply for a different type of visa. Immigration must be much stricter with overstaying tourists and illegal immigrants. There aren't enough personnel or equipment; we need to urgently request this during this transition period between governments."
#cancelfreevisa #immigration #thaigoverment
"Mr. Nantiwat Samart" clearly explained that Thailand does not oppose any nationality, but should review the free visa measures and increase screening of tourists through the visa system.
On March 16, 2026, reporters reported that Nantiwat Samart, former secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and former deputy director of the National Intelligence Service, posted a message on his Facebook page, "Nantiwat Samart," regarding the calls to abolish the visa-free policy. He stated that Thailand does not have any anti-Semitic or anti-nationalist stance and continues to welcome foreign tourists to the country.
The post stated, "Regarding the cancellation of visa-free entry, there are currently many calls to abolish it. It's important to understand that Thailand does not discriminate against Jewish people or any particular nationality. Thailand still welcomes foreign tourists, but we will need to screen them. Thailand wants quality tourists with money, not tourists who intend to come to find work or settle in Thailand."
Furthermore, "the method of screening tourists is through the visa application process, where tourists must have a good record and sufficient income to support their travel. Not just anyone can enter Thailand. Thailand has many valuable assets to showcase to the world, but there is a fee for entry; it's not free. Don't focus too much on the number of tourists and forget about the safety and security of the country. Thailand is then at risk from terrorists, individuals with a history of involvement with scammers, online cybercrime, and foreign mafia groups."
However, "tourists who overstay their permitted time, whether Jewish or of other nationalities, must be asked to leave the country because it is unacceptable. If they want to stay in Thailand and work, they must apply for a different type of visa. Immigration must be much stricter with overstaying tourists and illegal immigrants. There aren't enough personnel or equipment; we need to urgently request this during this transition period between governments."
#cancelfreevisa #immigration #thaigoverment
Answer summary
Nantiwat Samart, a former government official, clarified that Thailand does not discriminate against any nationality but is considering revising its visa-free entry policy to screen tourists more effectively. He emphasized the need to attract quality tourists while addressing concerns of overstaying and illegal activities. Comments from the community reflect a mix of support and skepticism, with some advocating for stricter regulations to enhance safety and others warning about potential negative impacts on tourism and the Thai economy.
56 repliesnewest first
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Jim *******
True, even as a private person using his knowledge from his stint with the goverment, he can and is welcome to do it.
However, his opinion has no more weight than the opinions of anyone else here.
However, his opinion has no more weight than the opinions of anyone else here.
Matthew *********
Ya funny how they think tourist are coming to look for work. A bunch of non sense. Only people are neighboring countries like Cambodia and Burma.
Jim *******
Matthew Plymale And what work it is? Construction, hard physical labor, fishing boats, nothing that fences out Thai who want to do it.
حا **********
OPMatthew Plymale How long have you been in Thailand? Where have you been? I suggest you visit Mae Hong Son, Pai, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Phuket. You'll get to see and experience the locals firsthand. Try to interact with the people there and find out what problems they face.
เบ็น ****************
By quality, he simply means people with money. Most of the gangsters that come here will have plenty of money to spend to get themselves set up... Also, what kind of narrative is it to say you don't want people who will come here and work, pay tax, and settle...
حا **********
OP@เบ็น ***************
Do you understand the meaning of "foreigners working illegally" here? We mean that ..We're not referring to foreigners who work legally and pay taxes. We're referring to foreigners who illegally occupy Thai land, conduct illegal businesses, and work illegally. If you read the comments below, you'll understand what Thai people mean.
เบ็น ****************
@حا *********
that is not is what stated in the original postحا **********
OP@เบ็น ***************
over stay but wanna live and work in Thailandحا **********
OP@เบ็น ***************
However, "tourists who overstay their permitted time, whether Jewish or of other nationalities, must be asked to leave the country because it is unacceptable. If they want to stay in Thailand and work, they must apply for a different type of visa. Immigration must be much stricter with overstaying tourists and illegal immigrants. There aren't enough personnel or equipment; we need to urgently request this during this transition period between governments."(((Do you read this in the post ?)))
Alan ******
Regardless of whether Thai or frang a visa is not going to prove or cure anything, Thailand is not the only country with foreigners behaving badly, the reason is a little deeper dig and you shall find the answer.
حا **********
OPAlan Wood It's true that this idea may not solve the problem 100%, but at least it helps reduce it. And most of the people who see this post and don't understand or are angry about the calls to abolish visa-free entry are in that category.
Yo***
If thailand or Thai government makes more strict rules for renting or selling a motor bike or car to foreigners, especially tourists, I am very very sure that Thailand becomes much more safe and peaceful. This is not so difficult at all. Just more enhanced and strict rules to apply. Such as, rental price must be over
*****
THB or like something like that. Now the rental price of motor bike is too cheap, that is why all stupid foreigners can rent motor bike so easy and cheap way. And, when foreigners drive a car or motor bike in Thailand, they must obtain Thai license in more difficult and practical ways. Not just exchanging the licenses. International driving permit is not enough at all. They must obtain real Thai license.حا **********
OPYoung i agree 🙏🇹🇭 thank you for your comment.
David ******
If he's not anti semitic, why did he only mention Israel and several times at that. This would decimate thai tourist numbers and the vast majority are just that, genuine tourists.
حا **********
OPDavid Kemp Are you sure????
David ******
@حا *********
of the 36 million tourists last year how many broke any laws? I'd say around 1%. You're an idiotic women and typical stuoid brained thai person.حا **********
OPDavid Kemp you say im idiotic women??? What abt u man ???where u from .. no respect ppl even you don't knw me !!!
Pastel*******
That’s the case these days.
As someone who works in the area of offering visa/residency/citizenship, those privileges should be given to ambitious and hard working people who has well intention & wishes to secure their hard earned security to be there
As someone who works in the area of offering visa/residency/citizenship, those privileges should be given to ambitious and hard working people who has well intention & wishes to secure their hard earned security to be there
حا **********
OPPastelFox9170 exactly
Lester *********
I agree in part with his comments but if Thailand was to implement this train of thought, then the government would have to abolish the use of agents and the corruption that may be associated with certain types of extension of stays. However, as we all know there is no corruption in Thailand 555
Alastair *******
Won't happen. Thailand needs tourists money. Otherwise tourists will go elsewhere and spend their money in other countries.
حا **********
OPAlastair Munro From the perspective of the Thai people, we would be very happy if low-quality tourists chose to travel to other countries.🇹🇭🙏
حا **********
OPAlastair Munro He said he would screen for quality tourists, not deny them entry!
If Thailand really wanted to do this, it wouldn't be difficult at all. They just need to screen for quality tourists who genuinely want to travel in Thailand. Revoking the visa-free entry would help reduce the problems currently facing Thailand, where only low-quality tourists are creating issues. However, I don't mean all tourists are affected; there are still many high-quality tourists who visit Thailand.
If Thailand really wanted to do this, it wouldn't be difficult at all. They just need to screen for quality tourists who genuinely want to travel in Thailand. Revoking the visa-free entry would help reduce the problems currently facing Thailand, where only low-quality tourists are creating issues. However, I don't mean all tourists are affected; there are still many high-quality tourists who visit Thailand.
David ******
@حا *********
youre so stupid.
Morris *****
This post is for the sexpats, broke backpackers, and degens causing trouble mainly in Pattaya and Phuket...
حا **********
OPMorris Ong That's a very clear comment, thank you.
Adam ***********
Sounds great if it doesn't impact Thai economy too much
حا **********
OPAdam Hollinger yes its sounds great and we hope doesn't impact the economy. But now Thailand got problems from foreigners and tourists everywhere
Especially in many famous tourist areas in Thailand, in some areas, tourists act like mafia, bullying locals and fellow tourists. Our problems for Thais now are Israelis settling in Thailand, Russians working illegally, and Chinese people owning a large amount of real estate in Thailand and working illegally. The main problem is scammers, but the more frightening problem is transnational criminals fleeing to Thailand. This is why Thais are demanding the abolition of visa-free entry.
Especially in many famous tourist areas in Thailand, in some areas, tourists act like mafia, bullying locals and fellow tourists. Our problems for Thais now are Israelis settling in Thailand, Russians working illegally, and Chinese people owning a large amount of real estate in Thailand and working illegally. The main problem is scammers, but the more frightening problem is transnational criminals fleeing to Thailand. This is why Thais are demanding the abolition of visa-free entry.
Yo***
agreed, but the problem is how?? How can Thai government distinguish foreigners who are bad or who are good. I am just worry about this.
David ******
@حا *********
tourist numbers will be decimated overnight. Instead of punishing everyone, deal with those that are breaking laws. I'll bet you don't rely on tourism, if you did, you wouldn't be shouting for this.حا **********
OPYoung Abolishing easy entry into Thailand by revoking visa-free entry and requiring foreigners to apply for visas with the same conditions as Thais applying for visas to European countries, I think it's difficult, but it doesn't mean it's impossible. If the Thai government is serious about this, I believe it can be done.
Kevin ********
Indeed! 🙏
حا **********
OPKevin Rosser thank you for your comment 🙏🇹🇭
Stephen ********
Sadly foreigners whether tourists, fake tourists, or genuine long-stayers have abused the visa system for years. Many foreigners openly boast about perpetual border-bouncing, and others paying huge bribes to obtain extensions. It's time this was stopped and these frauds removed from the country. They are sticking their fingers up at Thailand and the Thai people
Yo***
Stephen Howell yes right. I hope all stupid foreigners must be removed from Thailand. Good bye and good luck to you. 🤣
حا **********
OPStephen Howell i agree 🙏🇹🇭
Rjw *******
Quality tourists for the safety and security of the country? I’ve never seen a foreigner go into a kindergarten or school in Thailand and shoot the place up - they’ve all been Thai. Isn’t that why the garbage bins are transparent…so we can supposedly see when an explosive is put inside? Wasn’t that the idea 20 years ago…and the metal detector machines at mall entrances…they’re there because of us foreigners????? This guy is looking at the wrong people.
Noam *****
I think South Korea also wants quality tourists. Time for the 140'000+ illegal Thai ผีน้อย to return home. 😉
حا **********
OPNoam Ito yes i agree ... !!
Yo***
Rjw James No, not because of foreigners. It is because of you. I am a foreigner here too, but I am not one of you.
حا **********
OPRjw James I think you still don't see what problem Thailand is currently facing with opening up visa-free entry to tourists without proper screening. He's not referring to bombings or anything like that. If you follow the news, you'll see that tourists, or even foreigners, who own land in Thailand are still violating the law by using Thai nominees.
In Pai District, Mae Hong Son Province, Phuket Province, Koh Phangan, and Koh Samui, they use Thai nominees to buy land and real estate in Thailand for them, and then conduct illegal businesses in Thailand. If you follow various news pages, you will see that there are tourists—and I mean from many countries—causing trouble in Thailand: getting drunk, fighting, not paying taxi fares, physically assaulting Thai people, and many other reasons. I hope you will see the mistakes in granting free visas to this type of tourist.
In Pai District, Mae Hong Son Province, Phuket Province, Koh Phangan, and Koh Samui, they use Thai nominees to buy land and real estate in Thailand for them, and then conduct illegal businesses in Thailand. If you follow various news pages, you will see that there are tourists—and I mean from many countries—causing trouble in Thailand: getting drunk, fighting, not paying taxi fares, physically assaulting Thai people, and many other reasons. I hope you will see the mistakes in granting free visas to this type of tourist.
Stephen **********
Yes, I agree that the Thai nominees are really helping to facilitate crime in many instances. There should be a crackdown on this process and arresting those that facilitate the crimes in their country as well as those that are from other lands.
David ******
@حا *********
100% will never happen. It may be reduced, but never removed entirely.حا **********
OPAll Thai people and Thailand truly need high-quality tourists and foreigners.
حا **********
OPQuality tourists are those who genuinely intend to visit Thailand for tourism, not those who come to cause trouble, work illegally, reside illegally, or seize property that is prohibited for foreigners in Thailand. If you are a quality tourist, or a quality foreigner who wishes to relocate to Thailand, all Thais welcome you. However, you must respect our laws and not come to exert influence and oppress Thai people.🙏🇹🇭
حا **********
OPStephen Lodewick Thai people are now demanding this from the government to help deal with Thai nominees who assist foreigners in committing illegal acts in their own country. The Thai people are demanding this, and I am one of them. I want the free visa program to be revoked.
Frank *********
target the Chinese for falsifieing and the British for disorder, problem solved
حا **********
OPFrank Peeters Thailand target is Israel and Russia
Mary ********
Common sense really. Those of us who have moved here are guests and we need to respect the rules in place, the people and the culture if we wish to remain welcome here.
حا **********
OPMary Gerber thank you mam,
Then you'll see that Thai people who live in European countries or other foreign countries, who enter legally, pay expensive visa fees. If we work, we pay taxes legally. We respect the laws of those countries and have never caused any trouble or problems. But look at Thailand. Because Thailand offers free visas to tourists, it doesn't screen for truly quality tourists. Some groups of tourists come to hv sex with prostitutes,drink, get drunk, fight, and overstay, becoming homeless and penniless to return to their home countries, thus becoming a burden to Thailand.
Then you'll see that Thai people who live in European countries or other foreign countries, who enter legally, pay expensive visa fees. If we work, we pay taxes legally. We respect the laws of those countries and have never caused any trouble or problems. But look at Thailand. Because Thailand offers free visas to tourists, it doesn't screen for truly quality tourists. Some groups of tourists come to hv sex with prostitutes,drink, get drunk, fight, and overstay, becoming homeless and penniless to return to their home countries, thus becoming a burden to Thailand.
حا **********
OPThai people and Thailand welcome all foreigners. However, for the safety of our country, I support screening tourists and foreigners entering Thailand, revoking visa-free entry, and requiring them to enter with valid Thai visas and respect Thai laws. You can see the influx of tourists into Thailand – I won't name specific countries – as you've seen in the news – they are creating problems for Thailand and attempting to take over Thai territory. There are also groups engaging in illegal business activities in Thailand. You've seen why foreigners choose Thailand – because Thai people are kind, generous, and helpful. But please, don't use our kindness to harm Thai people. Thank you very much for taking the time to read this.
Russ **********
..... 'jewish' is not even a nationality
Deslea ********
This won’t be a popular take I imagine, but people really need to take heed of what’s being said here. He says it straight out here, Thailand doesn’t want people who don’t really qualify to settle here, settling here by stealth. They view that as doing the wrong thing. They view that as an abuse of process and an abuse of their generosity in letting you come here. If you want to really live here, get a visa designed and intended for really living here. Hint: That isn’t the one that makes you leave on a regular basis and doesn’t let you have a bank account or buy a car.
حا **********
OPDeslea Selmes thank you for your comment ..i agree 🙏🥰
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