News Forum - Confusion at BKK Airport Immigration: Travelers got 30 days entry instead of 60 days

[Thaiger]

The recent announcement of a 60 days visa exempt at arrival in Thailand has apparently not yet been enforced at Suvarnabhumi Airport and land borders. Confused travellers arriving this morning at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) received 30 day entry stamps only, not 60 days as they had expected. The announcement from different Thai Government entities had … …

The story Confusion at BKK Airport Immigration: Travelers got 30 days entry instead of 60 days as seen on Thaiger News.

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[MrStretch]

Ah, the Thai government.  As efficient as ever.

[samiam123]

To be fair, I don't think the Thai gov't actually said this officially starts June 1.  I don't think it's official until it's published in the Royal Gazette.  I think that is just what the Bkk post article said and then various other sites just repeated it.

Edited June 1, 2024 by samiam123

[Vigo]

Big announcements are made, but no one ensures the changes are put into effect. Not the first time.

[JohnnyCanuck]

Finding reliable info and not just scraped news and bogus youtube articles about the new measures I think is best found on the official Government PRD website,  where it states the measures are to take effect late June or early July. 

Posted May 31:

 https://thailand.prd.go.th/en/content/category/detail/id/48/iid/293120

There is also a good Video presentation there as well

Posted May 29:

https://thailand.prd.go.th/en/content/category/detail/id/2541/iid/292340

[MrStretch]

Thanks for that, Johnny.  I've bookmarked the site, and will surely visit it again.

[JohnnyCanuck]

Your welcome Stretch. 

  From a tourists perspective that just wants to escape the winters in the Northern Hemisphere, a clear statement on the 60 day visa exempt policy would go a long ways to helping us Northerners plan a winter (Nov to April) getaway. Without knowing with certainty how long one can legally visit and stay in the Kingdom, I think they are missing a large percentage of wealthy Northerners that would happily fly and stay middle/first class in Thailand for the Northern winter,  but do not want to have to deal with the immigration rules uncertainty, or complicated visa applications. I personally dont want to spend my vacation dollars in Mexico or Costa Rica or the Caribbean anymore , but they are still real good options,  where Canadians, Americans, Brits and I think Euros , as long as you are of decent character and have enough funds for your stay, can show up unannounced, spend a minute with the IO at the airport and be welcome to stay 6 months or more. No Immigration requirements, no visa applications , just a welcome smile. 

   Its sad really , when you think about this lost opportunity of thousands of wealthy Northerners that would do exactly what they want (significantly inject money into local economies) but somehow capitalizing on it is missed.

 

[Ramanathan.P]

Well, they always announce these extended visa status, but never allow foreign registered vehicles to stay more than 30 days. At least if it runs parallel, then they can also see some additional travellers who will spend more time in the country. These people have to also spend money on fuel and other maintenance costs for their vehicles, which will also add in some percentage for the overall revenue. It could be negligible, but it is always little droplets which makes the flood.