Thailand trip: What to do if visa-free stay drops from 60 to 30 days? (page 1 of 2)

Hey everyone, hope you're doing well! :) I’m planning to go back to Thailand at the start of next year—once just wasn’t enough 😅 I’ve seen that nothing’s official yet, but they’re considering reducing the visa-free stay from 60 to 30 days. If I book for 58 days like last time and they change the rules last minute, what happens? It takes forever to get a visa—I saw you have to prove you have enough funds to cover your stay. How much money do you need in your account? Thanks!

Hi, You just need to make a round trip to Malaysia (3 months visa-free) to reset the counter to zero. Best regards, JPBRIERE

It takes a long time to get a visa—I saw that you have to prove you have the means to support yourself while there. How much money do you need in your account? Thanks!

I’d advise against moving to Thailand right now, given the political situation with Cambodia. As far as we know, there are 138,000 displaced people at the moment. If it’s just for a few days, that’s fine, but if it’s for three months, things could get worse. If China or Russia decides to support Cambodia militarily—it’s an old communist dictatorship—who knows where this is headed. You’ve been warned, as they say.

Hi there,

You can simply apply for a 30-day visa extension for 1,900 baht (50 €) at an immigration office in Bangkok or elsewhere. Don’t wait until the last day—go about a week before your 30-day visa exemption ends. But for now, there’s no official announcement about the end of the 60-day stay. Keep an eye on the news, though, as tensions with Cambodia are heating up.

As mentioned before, you’ll be allowed 30 days extendable by another 30. But if it does actually drop to 30 days, to be sure you can board in Paris, buy a one-way ticket to a neighboring country.

Hi there, Right now, it’s a visa exemption for 60 days. Don’t forget to fill out the DTAC online for Thai immigration at least 72 hours before your trip. Some airlines might ask you to show this document.

Hi there, Could you please stop posting nonsense?!!! The situation in Thailand isn’t dramatic. With your comments, you’re spreading misinformation. If it’s just to spout rubbish, don’t reply anymore

In theory, things could still escalate, but it’s not the most likely outcome.

Apparently, high-ranking Cambodian officials have financial interests in clandestine call centers on their territory, which scam people over the phone and sometimes even kidnap Thais and Chinese from Thai soil. This little conflict is a last-resort tactic to divert attention. Don’t pay too much attention to our grumpy friend—it’s just age talking, but deep down, he’s a good guy. 😉

Cambodia has called for an "immediate" and "unconditional" ceasefire with Thailand during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on the clashes between the two neighbors, according to its ambassador to the UN. Thailand warned on Friday that the deadly conflict with Cambodia could escalate into a "war" just before the emergency UN Security Council meeting, amid clashes that have led to the evacuation of nearly 140,000 Thais.

We French kinda messed up when we drew the border back in 1907... given the lay of the land, Preah Vihear is clearly on the Thai side, up on the cliff overlooking the Cambodian plain.

Hello Please stop writing nonsense!!!! The situation in Thailand isn’t dramatic. Your comments are spreading misinformation. If you’re just going to spout nonsense, don’t reply anymore.

How am I writing nonsense? The fighting involves heavy weapons and artillery—are you keeping up with the news?

Right now, Thailand has declared martial law in some provinces bordering Cambodia. Did you know that? So a lot of young Thais risk being mobilized to the front lines. We’re already at 33 deaths, and the fighting isn’t close to stopping. If Putin supplies weapons to Cambodia—which he is—the conflict could start to look a lot like the Ukraine-Russia war. If Cambodia sends drones to Bangkok or vice versa, it could cause serious damage. So, moral of the story: if you’re an expat in Thailand, have a Plan B for returning to Europe. Tourism is going to take the hit.

After that, do what you want—you’re free.

In theory, things can always escalate, but it’s not the most likely outcome.

Unfortunately for you and everyone else, the situation *is* escalating. The belligerents—and therefore the politicians—don’t give a damn about the ceasefire agreement. So it’s just the number of idealists left on this forum.

Hello, Can you please stop writing nonsense!!!! The situation in Thailand isn’t dramatic. With your comments, you’re spreading misinformation. If you’re just going to talk rubbish, don’t reply anymore.

Maybe you should come back down to earth. How am I writing nonsense? The fighting involves heavy weapons and artillery—are you keeping up with the news?

Right now, Thailand has declared martial law in some provinces bordering Cambodia. Do you know that? So many young Thais risk being mobilized to go to the front. We’re already at 33 deaths, and the fighting isn’t about to stop. If Putin supplies weapons to Cambodia—which he is—the conflict could start to look like the Ukraine-Russia war. If Cambodia sends drones to Bangkok or vice versa, it could cause serious damage. So, the moral of the story: if you’re an expat in Thailand, have a Plan B to return to Europe. Tourism is going to take a hit.

After that, do what you want—you’re free.

Hello, Yes, in your messages, you’re telling French residents to leave Thailand for another plan. Personally, I live in Thailand for 9 to 10 months a year. I often meet French residents who’ve been living here for many years, from all kinds of social backgrounds. I don’t know any who’d want to leave Thailand (and go where, anyway?). Sure, conflicts exist with neighboring countries (they have for ages). But practically advising residents to leave? You’d need to be serious to make such claims. If you were a resident in Thailand, I think you’d consider a different tone.

I’ll say it again—do what you want, you’re free.

If you were a resident in Thailand, I think you’d consider another language

What language are we talking about? You know as well as I do, given the global political situation, that everything can collapse overnight, right? Again, the consequences of this crisis are the impact on tourism, which the economies of Thailand and Cambodia heavily depend on.

I’ll say it again—do what you want, you’re free

If you were a resident in Thailand, I think you’d consider another language

What language are we talking about? You know as well as I do, given the global political situation, that everything can collapse overnight, right? Again, the consequences of this crisis are the impact on tourism, which Thailand’s and Cambodia’s economies heavily depend on.

Hi, Residents are adults and don’t need advice or comments about them.

hi

Residents are adults and don’t need advice or comments about them

Even if the local economy is struggling? You’re not really free in life...

Anyway, our fellow citizens can’t go back to France since it seems Russia is going to attack us. Ha ha ha

hello

Residents are adults and don’t need advice or observations about them

Even if the local economy is struggling? You’re not really free in life...

Alright, I give up!!!! Too much.....

Anyway, our fellow citizens can’t go back to France since it seems Russia is going to attack us. Ha ha ha

How many degrees of humor is that???

The local economy is doing well—it's the low season for tourism, like every year. I live in Thailand and can assure you there are no rationing tickets. 🙂 Just avoid areas where there are occasional gunfire exchanges, like you’d avoid the three separatist provinces in the deep south.