Thailand Faces Calls to Publicise Updated Entry Rules. Amid increasing cases of travellers being denied entry to Thailand, tourism operators are urging the government to consistently publicise updated rules and enhance pre-screening measures, as the nation clamps down on multiple visa runs. ASEAN NOW

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Amid increasing cases of travellers being denied entry to Thailand, tourism operators are urging the government to consistently publicise updated rules and enhance pre-screening measures, as the nation clamps down on multiple visa runs. 

 

Recently, the Immigration Bureau launched four strategies to stop foreigners from entering as tourists while engaging in unlawful activities, including cybercrime and money laundering. Restrictions on multiple 90-day visa-exempt entries have been tightened, limiting foreigners to two visa runs, with excess runs leading to denial of entry.

 

Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Association, highlighted incidents where guests were turned away under visa-free privileges, with similar reports surfacing on social media. Such occurrences could lead to confusion among potential tourists planning to visit Thailand.

 

Thienprasit stressed the need for clear communication of these updated rules to ensure tourists entering under the visa-free scheme are informed.

 

To alleviate any misconceptions, agencies must clarify why certain social media cases resulted in entry denial. "The situation now leads to speculations about tourists inadvertently breaking rules or potential exploitation by officials," said Thienprasit. He criticised the current random screening methods and suggested implementing pre-screening and automated immigration gates, similar to those used in other countries, according to a report by the Bangkok Post.

 

The Thai government is exploring a pre-approval system for visa-free travellers, akin to South Korea's model, which the private sector supports as a way to improve entry procedures and assure smooth travel. With the Thailand Digital Arrival Card already in use, these adjustments could streamline the process. As of December 7, Thailand has welcomed 30.2 million foreign visitors, a decrease from the previous year, with the majority arriving from Malaysia, China, and India.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Calls intensify for Thailand to publicise entry rule changes.
• New measures limit visa runs, aiming to reduce illegal activities.
• Tourism sector supports improved screening for seamless travel.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-12-11