Foreigners who are only staying in Thailand short-term can continue to do visa runs, according to Immigration Commissioner Pharnu Kerdlarpphon.
“Genuine tourists are fine. All they have to do is prove to the immigration officer at the border checkpoint that they really are tourists by presenting evidence such as their travel itinerary, hotel booking, tour bookings and any other documents to prove their travel in Thailand is genuine,” Lt Gen Pharnu told the Phuket Gazette.
“Then they will be allowed to re-enter the country.”
“The crackdown is all about preventing foreigners from using visa-exemptions and tourist visas to stay in Thailand and work,” Gen Pharnu said.
The immigration chief was clear that from August 13 any foreigners who fail to prove that they are tourists will not be allowed to re-enter the country on visa exemption status as explained in a formal notice posted on Bangkok Immigration’s website on May 8.
