Thailand has begun enforcing tougher controls on repeat visa-exempt entries, with immigration officials saying the move is not to target genuine tourism but to curb abuse by foreigners who overstay or operate illegal businesses or scams.
Immigration officers across Thailand have been instructed to scrutinise travellers who make multiple short-term visits under the country’s visa-free policy, following a nationwide order issued on November 12.
Officials said the new approach targeted foreigners whose travel patterns suggested they were not visiting for tourism, and instead were living, working or running businesses in Thailand for between 60 and 90 consecutive days – the period allowed under the policy – without having to apply for a long-stay visa.
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“These individuals are not coming to Thailand for tourism,” said Choengron Rimphadee, deputy commissioner and spokesman for the Immigration Bureau, as quoted by Thai news outlet Khaosod on Tuesday. “Many work illegally, operate businesses or use Thai nominees to run companies while avoiding proper visa applications.”
The latest measures were introduced by Panumas Boonyalak, the bureau’s immigration commissioner, following what Thai media described as a high-level emergency meeting on November 12. It follows growing political pressure to curb visa loopholes and illegal foreign activities, including cybercrime operations linked to Myanmar’s border regions.
Authorities are focusing on travellers who make more than two consecutive visa-exempt entries of 45 to 90 days each – often by briefly leaving and re-entering via neighbouring countries. These so-called “visa runners” are now required to show valid accommodation bookings, return flights and plausible itineraries. If immigration officials judge that a person is misusing the visa exemption rules, they will be refused entry and advised to apply for an appropriate visa.
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