Thailand Visa Rules: 60-Day Exemption, Airport Immigration and Travel Costs

You can see how busy the airport is. My flight is at 3:30, but it’s a domestic flight. No worries. We still got plenty of time to pass through lots of important information. Some of them are related to the new visa rules or changes coming to Thailand.

You can see those are the arrivals, and the line, the queue is too long. These days, even if you are flying domestic, check in online because, as I said, after midday, it’s getting super crowded unless you are flying early in the morning.

93 countries are still enjoying 60-day stamps on arrival visa exemption. And, of course, if they want to extend, they can extend it 30 days more with no headaches. So, they can stay 90 days in Thailand without any complications till now.

Thailand’s 60-Day Visa Exemption May Be Reduced to 30 Days

But, as I said at the beginning, there are naughty tourists, bad tourists, who misuse the visa rules, extend again and again, overstay, and do illegal things in Thailand. That’s why first the Thai government restricted extensions more than one time for everyone who has red flags.

I have mentioned that before: four months, no more extensions, no more frequent border runs. But it seems that didn’t solve the problem. So, the tourism and sports minister insists the government plan to reduce visa-free stays from 60 days to 30 days should not impact tourism, as most foreign tourists on average stay for less than a month.

As they say, normal tourists won’t stay in Thailand for more than three weeks, 21 days. And just in case they want to stay more, they can extend it 30 days. That’s almost 60 days if you want to stay. Before, it was 90 days without headaches. Now, it’s getting back with the extension to 60 days.

What do you think about it? As I said, the talks are very serious, and once it’s applied officially, definitely I will update you. Till now, enjoy 60 days and don’t misuse the visa, or else the good people are suffering because of you.

Thailand Arrival Crowds and Fast-Track Immigration

As you can see today, the arrivals are much busier than the departures. And that’s obvious because next week is Chinese New Year. And if you are coming to Thailand in these two weeks, surely you should visit Chinatown because the celebrations are amazing, vibrant, and I’m sure you will love it. Lots of people like to spend these events in Thailand, especially the Chinese and the Asians.

Along the way, you can see the fast track. These days, if you want to take it and you don’t want to get stuck while you arrive in Thailand, then definitely you can buy it online. There are lots of websites, official websites, and different services, but most of them are amazing.

Just in case you are first class, business class, and, of course, long stay, you have Thailand Privilege Card and all these things. But just in case you are a normal person traveling to Thailand, just like me, then you can buy the fast-track service. And it’s not expensive if you don’t want to get stuck sometimes. It’s very, very crowded, and you are going to lose a lot of time. So, it’s worth it.

But lately, people arriving in Thailand are happy with the service at the immigration. It’s fast as much as possible as long as you are following the rules. So, if you have sufficient funds, if you have a return flight, and if you have accommodation proof, then no problem. The immigration is fast, and people are happy.

Thai Airport Taxes and Rising Travel Costs

Now, the recent extra cost that was added on all Thai airports, lots of you were asking me, “What about that?” You won’t even feel it because those taxes are added to your ticket fare. You won’t feel it. You will pay it, but you are not going to get annoyed because you don’t know how much extra you are paying.

These days, once you go online, you check the prices are up and down, but the extra tax for Thai airports is already on. So, nothing is getting cheaper anyway. And, as you know, nowadays, the Thai Baht in Thailand is around 31, up and down, and yes, things are getting a little expensive.

As I read lately, everything is 3% more expensive these days in Thailand if you are going to enjoy your vacation, like domestic flights and hotels. For example, today I have paid 3,200 Thai Baht for my flight. Last year on the same date, before Chinese New Year, for the same flight I paid 2,600 Thai Baht. Also, the hotel that I’m staying in is much more expensive. Not too much, but, as I said, at least 3% more expensive these days if you are coming to Thailand.

Clear Weather and Chinese New Year in Chinatown

Now, of course, visiting Thailand these days, the advantage is the weather. No flooding, no rain, still far from the rainy season. You can see clear blue skies. The weather is cool, still breezy. Yes, we are heading into summer, but still the weather is good for all the people who are worried.

And, as I said, this is an advantage because once we are in the hot season around April and May, it’s super hot, but that time you can enjoy Songkran. And after that, the rainy season starts. But if you are coming soon, then the weather is amazing, and that’s a big privilege.

It’s almost my boarding time. Is it better for the tourists that are traveling to Thailand? And, of course, is it much better for Thailand, as you know, these days Thailand is trying to have quality tourists rather than quantity?

The best thing I like about domestic flights is that there are no complications. Just show your passport and you are on your way to your flight.