New visa exemption rules for Thailand

THAILAND has changed
its 30-day visa exemption
rule for travellers entering
at border posts from
Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar
and Malaysia. Travellers
who have not obtained a
visa prior to travel, will only
be allowed to stay 15 days.
According to the Thai
Embassy, travellers will
also be limited to two
entries by land in a
calendar year. Those who
want to re-enter more than
twice or stay longer than
15 days must obtain a Thai
visa in advance of their
visit.
The change is believed
to have been introduced
to prevent tourists from
extending their stay in
Thailand by briefly visiting
neighbouring countries
and qualifying for another
visa-exemption period when
they return.
The change does not
apply to travellers entering
Thailand by air. Travellers
entering by air who do
not require a visa, will be
granted 30 days’ visa-free
entry. This can be done
multiple times.