It has been less than a month since the latest immigration changes were introduced. But Thai spokespeople are having some trouble swallowing the detail and the aftermath. Sistiwatcher Cheevarathanaborn, head of Travel Agents of Thailand, told the Bangkok Post, “The 60-day visa-free program for foreign tourists will allow more foreigners to work illegally in Thailand. Generally, people who come to Thailand for tourism stay less than a month.
The 60-day visa-exemption, which can be extended for another 30 days at local immigration, applies to 93 countries and covers most tourists who actually arrive at airports and border posts. Surawat Akaraworamat, vice president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said Thailand is now vulnerable to illegal and prescribed companies due to law enforcement, price-fixing and corruption. He cited many Russians fleeing to Thailand specifically to work illegally (just one example).
The new, five-year and multiple-entry Thai visa (DTV) also has its difficulties, as some consular posts are unknown. Applicants must apply from their home country embassy (or through the e-Visa portal but not from Thailand) but the consulates are not yet catching up. The Thai embassy in London (one of many) seems to be keeping quiet about DTV, saying that Brits are only visa free for 30 days. The Thai Embassy in Norway is reprinting the Thai Foreign Ministry handbook, which leaves many questions unanswered. Very few, if any, embassies go above that.
DTV does well when it receives applications from digital nomads and remote workers based on overseas contracts without Thai clients. According to unverified reports on social media, several hundred have already been issued through the e-portal. On the other hand, there is great reluctance to grant DTV to alternate “soft” applicants who claim to be enrolled in sports courses or have hospital appointments. What kind of vague details should they provide? No one knows. In either case, a bond of 500,000 baht (about US$14,000) may be required in a Thai or foreign bank account.
The new rules are the biggest shake-up to Thai entry regulations in 20 years since the Immigration Act of 1979. The policy is currently under review as several government departments try to figure out how these reforms affect the treasury purse. Knock-on effects for other visas and overall national security. But Bangkok officials are notorious for recalcitrance and backtracking, as evidenced by the government’s U-turns on cannabis policy. It would be very surprising if visa-free extensions and DTV appear unchanged after the current review period.
