New Thai Visa Rule - "Visa on Arrival"

For NEW "Visa on Arrival" rule, please see addendum lower down page.

"Visa on Arrival" - The new definition for the Visa on Arrival is that IF you arrive "overland at a Thai border, rather than by International flight,you will be granted a visa enabling you to stay for just 15 days. The reason for this change I think is to cut down on the "visa runs",that have enabled people to stay in Thailand almost indefinately by just leaving the country at a border, then re-entering immediately.

The criteria of this visa are:

* The purpose of visit is strictly tourism.

* Must be in possession of a confirmed international flight ticket to show they will be flying out of Thailand within 15 days of entry,exiting Thailand via train, bus etc to neighbouring countries IS NOT accepted as proof of leaving.

* Having access to living expenses of the equivalent of 20,000 baht per person or 40,000 baht per family.

There are also a group of 19 countries that the "Visa on Arrival" rules also apply for, this visa is required upon arrival at Bangkok Airport:

Bhutan,China,Cyprus,Czech Republic,Estonia,Hungary,India, Kazakhstan,Latvia,Liechtenstein,Lithuania,Maldives,Mauritius,Poland,Saudi Arabia,Slovakia,Slovenia,Taiwan & Ukraine.

For the above countries, a fee is payable for this visa - 1,900 baht – upon entry, subject to change without notice.

Addendum: as of 1st June 2009 the Thai Immigration Bureau has issued a new regulation to be enforced from today:

"Any foreigner who has re-entered the kingdom on four (4) consecutive times on 15 days tourist "Visa on Arrival" stamps, will not be allowed to leave the country and re-enter Thailand. The only option is to exit Thailand and re-enter via an international airport, which will allow a further "Visa Exemption" 30 day stay".
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