Thailand trip: What to do if visa-free stay drops from 60 to 30 days?

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.

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

Why are you coming after me? I’m not responsible for this situation at all.

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

Do you know of any country where, while some people are lounging on the beach, others are practically shooting at each other right next door? I don’t. And I wouldn’t be surprised if the authorities shortened visa durations or even suspended visa issuance altogether.

It almost sounds like you're confusing Thailand with Ukraine.

Besides, your reaction is quite logical—it can be seen as reasonable, but with all due respect, it’s a bit sheep-like. Indeed, as soon as something out of the ordinary happens, a wave of booking cancellations follows. I’ve seen this happen many times. Either people are ultra-cautious, or they’re a bit cowardly. Most of the time, the predicted apocalypse doesn’t happen. Personal anecdote: I wasn’t keen on visiting Egypt in July 2011, just two months after the Tahrir Square events. To my embarrassment, I must admit my wife was braver than I was. She managed to convince me—or at least I trusted her intuition. Once there, we did see a few buildings burned from the riots. It was very recent. Most importantly, the concrete result of our "audacity" and the cowardice of others was this: 30 boats on the Nile instead of 300, and sites where we were sometimes almost alone. Absolutely unforgettable.

So far, there have always been more or less severe skirmishes at the border (28 deaths 14 years ago), but it has never escalated into a large-scale conflict. I don’t think Cambodian leaders feel their army is strong enough compared to Thai forces—it’s a bit like Switzerland facing France. As mentioned before, there are other underlying mafia-like motives on the Cambodian side, and that’s truly criminal. As always, it’s mostly innocent people who suffer.

As for expats, their biggest fear would be having to return, even temporarily, to their home country, where 10,397 knife attacks (reported) were recorded in 2024.

It almost sounds like you're confusing Thailand with Ukraine. .

yeah. There are strong similarities. Earthquake rightly mentions separatist provinces.

Personal anecdote: I wasn’t keen on visiting Egypt in July 2011 [..]

I think my previous message was misunderstood. The decision to travel to Cambodia or Thailand isn’t yours—it depends on the authorities given the situation. Authorities could very well decide to temporarily suspend visa issuance, and your stay in Thailand or Cambodia, right?

On June 15, 1962, the International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled by 9 votes to 3 that Preah Vihear belonged to Cambodia[8] and by 7 votes to 5 that Thailand had to return all antiquities, particularly the sculptures, that had been taken from the temple[9]. In its decision, the court noted that during the five decades following the establishment of the map, Siamese and Thai authorities had never protested to any international body about the temple's location. They also hadn’t raised any objections when, in 1930, a French colonial official received Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, a high-ranking Siamese dignitary, at Preah Vihear. Furthermore, according to the court, Thailand had accepted and benefited from other elements of the border treaty[10]. From all this, it follows that Thailand had accepted the map and, as a result, the temple rightfully belonged to Cambodia.

you know a country where while some people are lounging on the beach, almost next door others are shooting at each other?

Egypt, a good part of South America, Marseille.

On June 15, 1962, the International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled by 9 votes to 3 that Preah Vihear belonged to Cambodia[8] and by 7 votes to 5 that Thailand had to return all the antiquities, including the sculptures, that had been taken from the temple[9]. In its decision, the court noted that during the five decades following the map’s establishment, Siamese and Thai authorities had never protested to any international body about the temple’s location. They also hadn’t raised any objections when, in 1930, a French colonial official received Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, a high Siamese dignitary, at Preah Vihear. Furthermore, according to the court, Thailand had accepted and benefited from other elements of the border treaty[10]. From all this, it follows that Thailand had accepted the map and, as a result, the temple rightfully belonged to Cambodia.

Sure, but from a topographical point of view, it would make sense for it to be on the Thai side…

I went there a long time ago, but I have a clear memory of the place. And one of the most beautiful temples I’ve ever seen.

"True, but from a topographical standpoint, it would make sense for it to be on the Thai side.".....

Hi there, So I invite you to visit this lovely temple And to display a nice Thai flag

It’s in the plans to go back… gotta wait a while, maybe even a few years. The Cambodians won’t let go just like that.

Admit you were a bit alarmist about this one 😇

There are fewer tourists, so the state is making less money. The minor conflict, some local incidents, the appeal of other countries in the region, and in my opinion, the effects of inflation are the main causes.

It’s just been decided that there will be a two-year moratorium for expats who would have had to pay a tax. The 300 baht entry fee has been postponed, and right now, the reduction of the 60-day period is on hold.

Stay tuned, but at worst, you can add an extra month for a modest fee.

good evening,

There are fewer tourists, the state is making less money. The mini conflict.

hmm, mini conflict—there was heavy weapon fighting, though. Anyway, don’t kid yourself; taxes will go up, especially for expats and foreigners—that’s just how it works, and it’s what’s coming. Because they need to fund and allocate part of the GDP to buy weapons and maintain military resources. Those Swedish fighter jets aren’t cheap to buy or upkeep. What to do? Tax the local population? They don’t have the financial means to pay taxes. After tax revenues drop, Thailand will have to borrow money to fund its development.

Hi there,

Thailand isn’t going to buy fighter jets by taxing expats. And the more they raise taxes, the fewer expats there’ll be. They’ve tried it—we saw how that turned out. Thailand isn’t a third-world country. Sure, there are poor people, like everywhere, but there’s also a large middle class that pays taxes. The real risk is that they’ll raise the VAT, which is currently at 7%.

uhhh mini conflict there were heavy weapon fights after all.

Meh, like in Marseille and the Paris region among others. No armored vehicles yet, but just wait. Despite that, tourists still came to France—though apparently fewer than in previous years.

Seen on a Thailand-focused site: " Observers accused Cambodia of provoking these tensions to create a diversion in the country while Hun Sen’s family circle was targeted by a U.S. investigation into call centers.

This could have been aimed at preventing the legalization of casinos in Thailand, to protect Cambodian casinos used for laundering money from call centers.

According to a United Nations report, fraudulent call centers contributed 40 to 60% of Cambodia’s gross domestic product. "

Interesting, right?

Thailand isn’t a third-world country. Sure, there are poor people like everywhere, but there’s also a large middle class that pays taxes. The real risk is that they’ll raise the VAT, which is currently at 7%.

Hi, I wouldn’t want you to put words in my mouth—I never wrote that it was a third-world country since it’s an emerging one. Yes, it’s obvious that VAT might be increased. But it’s not certain that’ll be enough because not only does it require a budget aligned with defense needs, but also infrastructure to develop—roads, schools, etc. Otherwise, the other option is to borrow from investment funds. But public debt could rise, so we’ll have to see what the big rating agencies say.

😨

It’s a border war over a few temples that’s been going on for decades—nothing new.

Don’t panic, and stay cool 😎