Foreigners who have been exploiting the visa rules are in for a shock. Immigration police have said that people will be allowed to continue to re-enter Thailand on three consecutive “walk-in” visas until 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 who completes even one visa run in order to re-enter the country on visa-exemption status is to have his passport stamped “O-I”, to show they had already been “out and in” from/to Thailand.
Any foreigner attempting to re-enter Thailand after August 12 with a passport stamped “O-I” is to be refused re-entry.
Only in special cases will people be permitted to re-enter Thailand on consecutive trips on visa-exemption status, according to the Phuket Gazette.
The clampdown does not affect holders of non-immigrant visas or holders of tourist visas who still have remaining entries permitted on their legal visas. It will be enforced at land borders and airports.
Photo: Sarah Cuiksa
