Thailand has rolled out a stricter set of visa regulations aimed at stopping long-stay misuse and cracking down on illegal activities carried out under the guise of tourism. The updated rules, which came into effect last Thursday, reflect the government’s growing concern over scams, unlawful employment, and repeated visa abuse by foreign nationals entering through neighbouring countries.
Under the revised framework, tourist visa extensions have been sharply limited. Travellers can now extend their stay only twice—a 30-day extension followed by a 7-day extension. This is a major shift from earlier policies that allowed more flexible and repeated extensions.
Officials have also moved to restrict the practice commonly known as “border runs,” where travellers briefly exit to a nearby country to obtain fresh entry stamps. Attempting this more than two times may now lead to refusal of entry or bans.
Immigration Bureau Chief Police Lieutenant General Panumas Boonyalak stated that the tightened requirements are designed to disrupt scam networks and prevent re-entry by individuals previously deported for illegal activities. Instances of foreigners returning via neighbouring borders — particularly Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia — after being deported for fraud have pushed the authorities to adopt a firmer line.
The new measures form part of a broader nationwide effort led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. In southern Thailand, immigration teams have increased inspections of foreign-run establishments and are verifying that visitors entering on tourist visas are genuinely in the country for leisure, not work or unlawful business operations.
Despite the stricter rules, officials clarified that bona fide travellers planning conventional short holidays have little to worry about. Visitors with proper documentation, confirmed return itineraries, and typical tourist plans will continue to be processed normally. The revised system is primarily designed to deter long-term overstays and misuse of tourist visas for non-tourism purposes.
Thailand’s tightened entry rules underscore its commitment to safeguarding tourism — one of its most vital economic sectors — by ensuring that genuine travellers continue to enjoy a safe, well-regulated environment.
