Winter sun holiday destination to introduce stricter entry rules for tourists including Brits
THAILAND is set to change its entry rules for Brits, despite introducing a more relaxed scheme last summer.
In July 2024, the country confirmed that tourists from 93 countries would be able to stay in the country for 60 days without the need for a visa.
This means British tourists would be able to stay for up to two months without having to get any form of visa.
However, Thailand is now backtracking on the relaxation, citing “illegal activities” taking place that have taken advantage of it.
This includes tourists working in Thailand or doing business.
The new rules mean tourists will only be able to stay up to 30 days without a visa instead.
An official date for the new rules has not yet been confirmed, with it only agreed in principle by a number of Thai ministries, Bloomberg reports.
However, the Association of Thai Travel Agents flagged the concerns following the visa time extension, also raising issues of illegal, long-term home rentals.
The UK Foreign Office still currently states: “You can visit Thailand for a period of 60 days for the purpose of tourism, business engagements, and urgent or ad-hoc work.
“This visa category can be extended for another period not exceeding 30 days.”
Visas cost around £30 for a single-entry tourist visa, or £150 for a multiple entry.
Tourists who overstay their visa can be fined up to 20,000 baht (£460) as well as risk deportation and being banned from Thailand for 10 years.
Tourists also need to have at least one blank page in their passport and six months left on it to enter Thailand.
A number of other countries are introducing new visa rules too.
Japan currently allows British tourists to visit without paying for a visa, instead issues a free one on arrival for up to 90 days.
However, new plans revealed last year could see the country introduce a pre-travel visa waiver, similar to the US ESTA.
Named the JESTA, tourists would be screened before travel visa an online portal, although an official start date is yet to be revealed.
Thankfully, South Korea has extended its current K-ETA visa waiver until the end of 2025, which costs just £7 for three years.