Got some bad news today with another crackdown happening. As always with Thai crackdowns gotta wait and see but I already saw posts on reddit about people being denied extentions with two extentions done this year.
So in short:
- Two visa exempt entries and after that only with a very good reason but you will probably get denied on the third attempt
- No more one day border runs. You will not get another stamp if you try the famous same day border run
- One 30 day extention per year and second one will be just 7 days
And the long version:
Thailand has tightened its visa checks to stop people from abusing the system and to improve border security. The government wants to reduce overstays, stop illegal activities, and make sure only genuine visitors enter the country. These changes are part of a bigger effort to protect Thailand’s immigration system and keep the country safe.
The Immigration Bureau launched a nationwide crackdown on foreigners who misuse visa-free entry and especially those who do repeated “visa runs” and use Thailand as a base for cybercrime, human trafficking, or other illegal work. Authorities noticed a growing number of travelers entering on visa exemptions, staying too long, and coming back again and again without a real reason.
The new policy follows a meeting on November 12, 2025, in Phuket, where officials discussed how to deal with repeat offenders and overstayers. National authorities have ordered immigration offices across the country to strictly enforce the rules.
Below are the four major changes expats and frequent travelers should know:
1. Stricter checks for visa-free entries
Immigration officers will now look more closely at travelers entering under visa exemption. If someone enters Thailand more than twice without a good reason, they may be denied entry. This targets people who repeatedly leave the country for a day or two just to “reset” their visa-free stay. The goal is to allow genuine tourists, but stop people who use visa runs to live or work in Thailand illegally.
2. Increased surveillance at borders
Border checkpoints, especially busy or high-risk ones will now screen travelers more carefully. People who were deported, blacklisted, or linked to criminal groups (including scam and trafficking networks near the Myanmar border) will be stopped from re-entering Thailand. Authorities are also sharing more information with neighboring countries to prevent criminals from crossing borders easily.
3. Tougher visa extension reviews
Immigration offices will now check visa extension requests more carefully. If someone has a long history of visa runs or suspicious extensions, immigration may: reject their extension, cancel their current visa, and start deportation procedures. Extensions will only be approved for people who can clearly show they meet the requirements.
4. Stronger action against overstays
Crackdowns on overstayers are increasing. If you stay past your allowed date, you may face heavy fines, deportation, and potential blacklisting from re-entering Thailand. Immigration offices are actively tracking overstayers and will publish results of these operations to show how seriously the issue is being handled.
Impact on immigration wait times
These new measures may cause longer queues at immigration checkpoints.
Phuket Immigration warned that:
- screenings may take up to 45 seconds per person,
- during peak times, waiting could exceed 40 minutes,
- Thai citizens will have access to faster automated lanes (around 20 seconds per person).
Even though it may be inconvenient, the extra time helps ensure the system is secure.
What this means for expats and travelers
Thailand’s new rules are designed to stop visa abuse, reduce illegal activities, and keep borders safe. While the measures might create delays and stricter checks, they help maintain a stable and trustworthy immigration system. It seems for now living in Thailand on Visa exempt entries and tourist visas is not possible anymore.
