Thai immigration steps up visa run scrutiny
Visa renewals to be capped at two, as authorities close loopholes exploited by foreign criminals
The Immigration Bureau has intensified visa screening to deal with foreign criminals as part of a nationwide campaign against cybercrime, said the bureau’s spokesman, Pol Maj Cheongron Rimpadee.
He said the heightened measures are being carried out in accordance with directives from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and National Police Chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch.
Pol Lt Gen Panumas Boonyalug, the Immigration Bureau chief, met on Wednesday with officials to discuss the policy aimed at preventing foreign nationals from misusing Thailand’s visa exemptions for illegal activities.
Immigration authorities will now impose tighter scrutiny on foreigners who repeatedly enter and exit the country under the guise of tourism.
Police data shows that many individuals have exploited the visa-free policy, which allows stays of up to 90 days per entry, to conduct what are known as “visa runs”, Pol Maj Cheongron said.
In places with large expat populations, such as Pattaya, Phuket and Hua Hin, a thriving industry specialises in package trips to the nearest border point to take care of visa formalities. Some expats have lived in the country for years, making dozens of tourist visa renewals.
The ease of repeated entry to Thailand has created loopholes enabling some to engage in illicit activities, including online scams, money laundering and unlicensed business operations.
To close these loopholes, immigration checkpoints at airports and border crossings will now deny entry to travellers who make more than two visa runs without a valid justification.
Those affected will be required to apply for the appropriate visa types — business, retirement, education, marriage, and so on — before returning.
Since the beginning of this year, officials have already refused entry to roughly 2,900 individuals found abusing visa privileges.
Additionally, foreigners flagged on national or international watchlists will be prevented from entering border areas notorious for scam operations, particularly Mae Sot in Tak province.
Individuals who were previously deported from Thai-Myanmar border zones will be permanently barred from re-entry.
Immigration offices across the country have also been instructed to carefully review all applications for temporary stay extensions. Applicants showing patterns consistent with visa runs will have their extensions denied or revoked, followed by deportation.
A nationwide crackdown on overstayers will also be intensified, with the bureau pledging to regularly report results to the public.
Pol Maj Cheongron said acknowledged that the new procedures may slightly slow passport checks during peak hours.
Nonetheless, he assured that screening will remain efficient, taking no longer than 45 seconds per person, with queue times capped at around 40 minutes.
Additional personnel will be deployed to minimise delays, he said.
The bureau emphasised that these measures aim not to discourage tourism, but to attract “quality visitors” who contribute positively to Thailand’s economy.
Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3137011/thai-immigration-steps-up-visa-run-scrutiny
