Popular Post Bazle Posted May 28 Popular Post Share Posted May 28 ... the number of countries eligible for visa-free entry would increase from 57 to 93. The 36 new countries included Albania, Cambodia, China, India, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Laos, Mexico, Morocco, Panama, Romania, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan. Visitors' stays under this scheme were also extended to 60 days, the government spokesman said. Visitors aged 50 years or more who want long-stay visas are currently required to have health insurance coverage worth 3 million baht. Under the cabinet's resolution on Tuesday, each long-stay visa applicant in this age group is required to have health cover of only 440,000 baht - 400,000 baht for inpatient treatment and 40,000 baht for outpatient cover. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2800891/new-visa-promotions-retiree-insurance-reduced 2 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Stillearly Posted May 28 Popular Post Share Posted May 28 60 days is great news , if it's passed 👍 3 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boydeste Posted May 28 Share Posted May 28 2 minutes ago, Stillearly said: 60 days is great news , if it's passed 👍 Certainly is, especially if you can then extend another 60 or 30 too. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazle Posted May 29 Author Share Posted May 29 There are a few of us who retain property in Thailand, even though we don't live there full-time. I was warned a few years ago, when I was entering visa-exempt, to get a visa next time, as exemption applied to tourists, and I wasn't a tourist. If that hasn't changed, I will need to renew my "retirement extension", even though I don't stay 60 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boydeste Posted May 29 Share Posted May 29 3 hours ago, Bazle said: There are a few of us who retain property in Thailand, even though we don't live there full-time. I was warned a few years ago, when I was entering visa-exempt, to get a visa next time, as exemption applied to tourists, and I wasn't a tourist. If that hasn't changed, I will need to renew my "retirement extension", even though I don't stay 60 days. I don't think that has anything to do with retaining property. They have spells where they clamp down on people entering on the exempt stamp. You are only allowed to enter the Kingdom so many times per year. That said it very much depends on the IO at the time of entry. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painter Posted May 30 Share Posted May 30 On 5/28/2024 at 4:24 PM, boydeste said: Certainly is, especially if you can then extend another 60 or 30 too. From the new updated wording on the uk gov site... ... I'm wondering if the new 60 day visa exempt arrival stamp is to avoid the hassle of having to get an extension, but that the new 60 day stamp WON'T be extendable... https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/entry-requirements 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boydeste Posted May 30 Share Posted May 30 2 hours ago, Painter said: From the new updated wording on the uk gov site... ... I'm wondering if the new 60 day visa exempt arrival stamp is to avoid the hassle of having to get an extension, but that the new 60 day stamp WON'T be extendable... https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/entry-requirements I will be surprised if you can't extend it because it gives them more revenue. BUT. TIT. Even so, it makes my life a little easier if it's for ever so to speak. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painter Posted May 30 Share Posted May 30 1 minute ago, boydeste said: I will be surprised if you can't extend it because it gives them more revenue. BUT. TIT. Even so, it makes my life a little easier if it's for ever so to speak. How much is a 90 day visa pre trip (does one exist, I'm out of touch?) v presumably 1900b for an extension? As always, it'll be announced in the gazette sometime...! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boydeste Posted May 30 Share Posted May 30 2 minutes ago, Painter said: How much is a 90 day visa pre trip (does one exist, I'm out of touch?) v presumably 1900b for an extension? As always, it'll be announced in the gazette sometime...! I think you can still get one if you meet the requirements similar to what you did before, but single entry. Price wise it was in the region of 100 quid, maybe more. A 60 day TV is 30 quid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob lt Posted May 30 Share Posted May 30 4 hours ago, Painter said: From the new updated wording on the uk gov site... ... I'm wondering if the new 60 day visa exempt arrival stamp is to avoid the hassle of having to get an extension, but that the new 60 day stamp WON'T be extendable... https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/entry-requirements Thai Embassy London website doesn't have any new information. Thai E-Visa Official website still states 30 days max for exempt entry. Seems like UK Gov website is jumping the gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horizondave Posted May 31 Share Posted May 31 11 hours ago, bob lt said: Thai Embassy London website doesn't have any new information. Thai E-Visa Official website still states 30 days max for exempt entry. Seems like UK Gov website is jumping the gun. I think, until the new rules are advised in the Royal Thai Gazette (or whatever it's called), there will be no update of Embassy websites etc. The heads up looks promising and 60 days entry is wonderful but would like to see the wording on a Thai embassy site. I presume (despite what is said) that a 60 day visa free entry would be extendable, isn't a 30 day visa free extendable? Of course getting a 60 day tourist visa costs money so anybody staying up to 60 days can now get that entry for free, the Thais losing money is un heard of but I suppose they believe that the extension for many other countries, including UK will bring new revenue in, exceeding that of what they would lose on the £30 cost of a visa. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krapow Posted May 31 Share Posted May 31 People coming on say the 30 day on arrival, then extending it, or now 60, and extending it if allowed. What do you do about airline tickets? If it was 30 on arrival, and you had planned to extend, do you just book for the 60 days flight, and if questioned say that as you have no visa, and that's okay with the airline? I assume you don't change the flight from 30 to 60 in Thailand, as it would be expensive? Or am i being thick, which wouldn't be the first time, let's be honest ... 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richy65 Posted May 31 Share Posted May 31 This should make things easier when arriving on visa exempt to convert to a retirement visa if you now get 60 days? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horizondave Posted May 31 Share Posted May 31 16 minutes ago, richy65 said: This should make things easier when arriving on visa exempt to convert to a retirement visa if you now get 60 days? Not sure about that. Aren't you meant have a 90 day Non O visa to then convert to a Retirement Visa. Not sure 30 days or 60 days visa free makes a difference. If you are saying you only need to do 30 days before applying for a Retirement Visa (total 90 days on country) then that is only OK if you know a visa agent that will give you a Retirement Visa without having a Non O first. It's a while since I had a Retirement Visa but I needed a Non O visa issued first (usually issued outside Thailand). I once completely forgot to get a reentry stamp for my Retirement Visa and on arrival was stamped 30 days. I had to then go get a new 90 day Non O visa before being given a new Retirement Visa. I did do this through an agent but of course things may have changed. 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richy65 Posted May 31 Share Posted May 31 12 minutes ago, Horizondave said: Not sure about that. Aren't you meant have a 90 day Non O visa to then convert to a Retirement Visa. Not sure 30 days or 60 days visa free makes a difference. If you are saying you only need to do 30 days before applying for a Retirement Visa (total 90 days on country) then that is only OK if you know a visa agent that will give you a Retirement Visa without having a Non O first. It's a while since I had a Retirement Visa but I needed a Non O visa issued first (usually issued outside Thailand). I once completely forgot to get a reentry stamp for my Retirement Visa and on arrival was stamped 30 days. I had to then go get a new 90 day Non O visa before being given a new Retirement Visa. I did do this through an agent but of course things may have changed. Yes, you have to get a non o first but afaik this has to be applied for very quickly if arriving on a 30 day stamp so 60 days gives a lot more time to arrange things It’s what I plan to do eventually but I’ll definitely get an agent to help with everything. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horizondave Posted May 31 Share Posted May 31 2 minutes ago, richy65 said: Yes, you have to get a non o first but afaik this has to be applied for very quickly if arriving on a 30 day stamp so 60 days gives a lot more time to arrange things It’s what I plan to do eventually but I’ll definitely get an agent to help with everything. I am with you now, thanks for clarification. Cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painter Posted May 31 Share Posted May 31 29 minutes ago, richy65 said: Yes, you have to get a non o first but afaik this has to be applied for very quickly if arriving on a 30 day stamp so 60 days gives a lot more time to arrange things It’s what I plan to do eventually but I’ll definitely get an agent to help with everything. Yes. At the moment agents ask for 20 working days to sort out the change from a 30 day stamp to a non O and then get a visa extension. 60 days on initial arrival should make this a more leisurely activity! 2 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freee!! Posted May 31 Share Posted May 31 10 hours ago, Horizondave said: [...] Of course getting a 60 day tourist visa costs money so anybody staying up to 60 days can now get that entry for free, the Thais losing money is un heard of but I suppose they believe that the extension for many other countries, including UK will bring new revenue in, exceeding that of what they would lose on the £30 cost of a visa. Another possible explanation is that those 60 day tourist visa are getting popular and the costs of processing them is more than the tourists pay for them. I know it is unlikely as it would require Thai to apply common sense, but I can't rule it out. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boydeste Posted May 31 Share Posted May 31 (edited) 6 hours ago, Krapow said: People coming on say the 30 day on arrival, then extending it, or now 60, and extending it if allowed. What do you do about airline tickets? If it was 30 on arrival, and you had planned to extend, do you just book for the 60 days flight, and if questioned say that as you have no visa, and that's okay with the airline? I assume you don't change the flight from 30 to 60 in Thailand, as it would be expensive? Or am i being thick, which wouldn't be the first time, let's be honest ... It isn't normally mentioned. I book a return flight for 90 days in the Kingdom, but only have a 60 day TV or sometimes not even that if a side trip to Cambodia or the Philippines is planned. Edited May 31 by boydeste 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stillearly Posted May 31 Share Posted May 31 (edited) 9 minutes ago, boydeste said: It isn't normally mentioned. I book a return flight for 90 days in the Kingdom, but only have a 60 day TV or sometimes not even that if a side trip to Cambodia or the Philippines is planned. On my last trip , I was asked at check in if I had proof of an onward flight, because my return ticket was longer than 30 days ..... it's the first time I've been asked , but have heard it happen to others ... it's worth booking either a cheap throwaway ticket .. or a full priced one that you can cancel without cost if you are unsure of your plans .. that said the "proof" that I showed them was from my itinerary app and not the actual ticket ( you can manually add stuff to the app ) Edited May 31 by Stillearly 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yesitisdakid Posted June 1 Share Posted June 1 (edited) Had a friend arrive at about 8:00 a.m. this morning sent me a message telling me they had stamped him in for only 30 days. Seems somebody hasn't gotten the memo or it's not official yet. I told him to go down to immigration Monday morning show them the date he was stamped in maybe they'll change it to 60 days I highly doubt it but it doesn't cost anything to try. I did ask him why he didn't inquire with the immigration officer but he was unaware that they had even changed it as they did it while he was out of the country. Edited June 1 by Yesitisdakid 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KWA Posted June 1 Share Posted June 1 Seems it has to go through the legal procedures and will be another few weeks yet. Not sure if it was the press or government who first said June 1st for implementation, but this infographic seems clear it'll take time. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom51red Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painter Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 On 5/30/2024 at 4:47 PM, Painter said: From the new updated wording on the uk gov site... ... I'm wondering if the new 60 day visa exempt arrival stamp is to avoid the hassle of having to get an extension, but that the new 60 day stamp WON'T be extendable... https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/entry-requirements Uk govt website has backtracked to 30 days... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karon steve Posted July 2 Share Posted July 2 Has anyone heard when the 60 day visa exempt starts? A mate arrived in Phuket June 27th and got 30 days not 60 as he hoped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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