Thailand Visa-Free Travel Reduced to 2019 Rules

Following in the footsteps of many beloved destinations around the world, Thailand has made a move to return its travel rules to pre-pandemic patterns. With its entry rules already on the decline in terms of Covid, Thailand has now made a change to the length of a visa-free stay for international travellers.  

This week, Thailand announced that British travellers can no longer remain in the country visa-free for as long as previously. This rule has now been changed back to its pattern of 2019, meaning all UK travellers to beautiful Thailand will need to apply for a visa sooner than before.  

According to the updates from both Thailand officials and the FCDO on the Foreign Travel Advice page, British travellers to the destination are now required to apply for a visa before a stay that is intended to last over 30 days. This means that if you travel to the country without a visa, you can only say 30 days before you will need a visa.  

Prior to, and up until, the 31st of March 2023, travellers from Britain to Thailand could stay there under this visa-free exemption scheme for up to 45 days. This is a measure that was introduced in October 2022 to celebrate the beginning of post-covid travel and to encourage visitors to travel to the destination. 

The FCDO released a swift update on the information after it was released and it has warned all British travellers to Thailand that any traveller who stays beyond their 30 days visa-free will see a fine of 500 baht (approx. £11) per day they overstay with the fine reaching a limit of £500.  

The FCDO added a comment and said, “You also risk being held in detention, deported at your own expense, and banned from re-entering Thailand for up to 10 years. The enforcement of penalties for overstaying is strict, and conditions in detention centres can be harsh.” 

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