Crackdown banning "walk-in visa runs" to begin August 13 in Thailand
Almasalla- Arab Travel Portal News – Foreigners will be allowed to continue to re-enter Thailand on three consecutive “walk-in” visas until August 12. The news follows the appearance of a formal notice posted on Bangkok Immigration’s website on May 8 stating that any persons who exit Thailand after completing a stay in the Kingdom on tourist-visa exemption status* are to be refused re-entry to Thailand.
The order, posted in Thai, states that the new rule is to come into effect at all immigration checkpoints – including airports – after August 12. After completing three consecutive stays on visa exemption status, foreigners must obtain a visa from a Royal Thai Embassy or consulate to be able to re-enter Thailand.
Any foreigner attempting to re-enter Thailand after August 12 with a passport stamped “O-I” is to be refused re-entry, the notice warned. The notice also explained that Immigration officials were targeting specific nationalities “such as Koreans”. Only in special cases will people be permitted to re-enter Thailand on consecutive trips on visa-exemption status, the notice read.
Source: RTN
