Thailand tightens tourist visa rules amid surge in foreigner-linked crime

The Immigration Bureau said some visitors have abused the 90-day visa-free policy, especially in expat hubs such as Pattaya, Phuket and Hua Hin, Bangkok Post reported, citing the bureau’s spokesman, Pol Maj Cheongron Rimpadee.

The visa exemption program allows nationals of 93 countries to enter Thailand for up to 60 days without a visa, with the option to extend for an additional 30 days at immigration offices.

But under the new rules, travelers who make more than two visa runs without a valid reason could be denied entry.

They will be required to obtain a visa to return, according to a statement on the Government Public Relations Department’s website.

This year immigration authorities have refused entry to some 2,900 people for misusing the visa-waiver privileges.

Immigration offices will also closely scrutinize requests for temporary-stay extensions.

The bureau said the enhanced checks could slightly slow passport processing during peak periods but said additional staff would be deployed to keep it efficient.

Thai authorities have been ramping up immigration checks and crackdowns on illegal activities following a surge in the number of drug-related crimes and foreigners working illegally.

Thailand received over 26.6 million foreign arrivals in the first 10 months of this year, a 7.2% decline from 2024.