Thailand to implement enhanced immigration checks to combat potential scammers abusing visa-free entries
Thailand is tightening its borders to stop foreigners from abusing its visa-free entry scheme — a loophole authorities say scammers and illegal operators have been using to remain in the country for months without proper visas.
According to the Bangkok Post, Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has instructed officers to scrutinise foreigners who arrive for their third consecutive trip using visa-free entry, allowing them to stay up to 90 days each time.
The bureau’s deputy chief said these travellers often aren’t tourists.
‘They are not here for tourism,’ says Immigration deputy chief
“These foreigners do not visit Thailand for tourism,” he said, claiming that some use the visa-free scheme to work illegally or run businesses through local nominees.
Because they do not hold proper visas, their information is missing from Thailand’s labour, commercial, and tax oversight systems, making enforcement difficult.
Source: Khaosod English
Some foreigners have allegedly made up to seven back-to-back visa runs, staying more than 200 days in the country without ever applying for a legitimate visa.
Travellers staying over 45 days repeatedly will face extra checks
To clamp down on misuse, immigration officers will target foreigners who make more than two consecutive entries, each lasting over 45 days.
Such travellers will undergo further checks, including verification of:
- Accommodation
- Return tickets
- Travel itineraries
If inconsistencies are found, entry may be denied, and travellers will be advised to apply for the correct visa instead.
Authorities deny targeting any nationality
The deputy chief rejected claims that the new measures target specific nationalities.
This follows public scrutiny over Chinese nationals detained in Thailand who allegedly received special treatment, as well as concerns over illegal Chinese-run businesses.
The tightened rules also aim to prevent scam centre gangs from neighbouring countries from relocating to Thailand via repeated visa-free entries, reports Khaosod.
The deputy chief stressed that genuine tourists — who stay an average of 15 days — will not be impacted.
“If we focus solely on convenience and boosting headline tourist numbers without proper scrutiny, Thailand will face national security risks and criticism for becoming a haven for foreigners staying illegally,” he added.
Also read: Thailand to cut visa-free stay from 60 to 30 days amid tourism crackdown, S’pore not exempt
Thailand to cut visa-free stay from 60 to 30 days amid tourism crackdown, S’pore not exempt
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Featured image adapted from Suvarnabhumi Airport on Facebook and Khaosod English.
