BANGKOK — Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has intensified border inspections targeting foreigners who abuse visa-exemption policies, dismissing claims the crackdown will harm legitimate tourism.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Choengron Rimphadee, immigration bureau spokesperson, said Monday that officers at land and air checkpoints have stepped up scrutiny of travelers making repeated short-term entries. He accused operators profiting from “visa-run” services of spreading misinformation on social media, alleging the measures would damage tourism and alarm genuine visitors from countries including China, Singapore, South Korea and Russia.
The crackdown targets foreigners of all nationalities exploiting visa-exemption schemes that allow 90-day stays, Choengron said. Some travelers exit briefly before re-entering for another extended stay, with cases showing more than seven entries totaling over 200 days in Thailand.
“These individuals are not coming to Thailand for tourism,” Choengron said. Many work illegally, operate businesses or use Thai nominees to run companies while avoiding proper visa applications, leaving no official record for labor, commercial or tax oversight.
Authorities also aim to prevent call-center gang members from neighboring countries, displaced by recent crackdowns, from relocating to Thailand through visa-exemption entries. Several arrests have revealed suspects with repeated visa-run patterns.
Choengron rejected claims immigration would specifically target tourists from 16 countries, particularly Chinese nationals. The measures apply to any nationality making more than two consecutive entries of at least 45 days each.
Officers will verify accommodation, return tickets and travel plans for those showing irregular patterns before deciding whether to grant entry. Those denied will be sent back and advised to apply for appropriate visas.
The measures help identify genuine tourists who benefit Thailand’s economy, Choengron said. Statistics show legitimate tourists typically stay 15 days with clear itineraries and face no issues.
Foreign arrivals, especially from China and India, continued rising in November, with airports averaging 115,000 daily arrivals. Suvarnabhumi Airport handles about 73,000 daily, followed by Don Mueang and Phuket. Wait times during peak hours reach 40 minutes, but automated channels will expand to include visa holders by year-end to ease congestion.
Immigration Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanumat Boonyalak defended the policy as necessary for proper border management aligned with international standards.
“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,” Choengron said.
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