Thailand imposes new visa regulations for tourists

BANGKOK, Sept 16 (VNA) - The Thai government on Friday announced new visa regulations for tourists limiting the foreign visitors to a maximum stay of 90 days each every six months in order to ease social problems and crime in the country.

Immigration Bureau chief Pol. Lt. Gen. Suwat Thamrongsrisakul told journalists that the new visa regulations, which will take effect from October 1, are aimed to prevent foreign tourists from commiting crime, or creating social problems.

Under the existing system, foreigners from 41 countries which have good relations with Thailand , are granted 30-day tourist visas, which can be extended twice from within the country.

Under the new system, the tourists from the 41 countries will only be granted 30-day tourist visas, which may then be extended twice, after which the tourists will have to leave the kingdom for at least 90 days before returning again.

The 41 countries include most European nations, China, Japan, Canada, the United States and member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in which Thailand is a member.

Visitors from other countries are only allowed 30-day tourist visas, which can not be extended.

TNA