Thai Immigration Clamping Down On Visa Runs

Immigration police have announced they are going to reduce the amount of times tourists can re-enter Thailand using the 30 day visa exemption reports The Bangkok Post. The clampdown does not affect holders of non-immigrant visas or holders of tourist visas who still have remaining entries permitted on their legal visas.

Chaninat & Leeds Thailand attorneys specialize in business law and business dispute litigation in Thailand.

The crackdown aims at foreign visitors, particularly westerners, who do not hold a visa, but who exit and then immediately return to Thailand every 15 or 30 days to receive another stamp to extend the time they are permitted to stay in Thailand.

How many foreigners reside in Thailand and use visa runs to maintain status is not currently known, but The Bangkok Post says that information gleaned from internet forums seems to indicate the number is considerable.

“Today we found a South Korean who has done this seven times. It turns out he has a Thai wife in Nakhon Ratchasima. In his case, we didn’t allow him to re-enter because he is not a tourist,” Pol Maj Gen Chatchai said.

Officials at border points will use their discretion on a case-by-case basis.

Read the full report here.