Thailand is changing visa rules again. Russians – “long-term” tourists, relocators and winterers were warned that we are talking about an “extended” visa-free stay program, and now everything will be more difficult with this.
We are talking about the fact that on March 31, Thailand is likely to stop an expanded program of visa-free stay in the country – which allowed a tourist to stay in the kingdom for 45 days without any problems. Further, Thailand plans to return to the traditional 30 days of visa-free stay, including for Russian tourists, and for visas on arrival, the period will be reduced even more – up to 15 days.
True, so far no official statement has been published either about the reduction of the program or about its possible extension. However, tourists have already been warned to follow the terms of stay and avoid delays.
For Russian “winterers” this is all the more relevant, since recently everyone has been complaining en masse that they are “tightening the screws” on the borders of Thailand – and at the same time they are extorting money. We are talking primarily about the border run, i.e. crossing the border in order to extend their stay, the traditional method of extending residence for “winterers”. As local bloggers say, the situation is as follows: with the increased number of Russians using the border run, Thai border guards have become more active, who want to earn extra money on the current situation. “Now cases of bribes at the borders have become more frequent. At the entrance, you will already be charged a fee – but soon they will ask for “some separate document” a little more baht. There was also a case when for all residents of different countries the cost of the quota was, for example, 3 thousand baht (6.5 thousand rubles at the current rate), and the price of 4.5 thousand baht (9.8 thousand rubles) was offered to the entire Russian group at the border. ). Many didn’t even ask anything, but only a few at the end of the queue “came to their senses” and were able to explain in English that they did not agree with the different prices. Thus, the Thai, who understood everything perfectly in broken English, becomes absolutely dumb and writes these 4.5 thousand baht on a piece of paper with a threat not to let you into the country, ”the author shared her story. Read more here.
In general, as another “winterer” assures, it became a problem for Russians not to enter Thailand, but to leave it without consequences in order to return home or go abroad in order to reset the period for legal stay in the country (border run). “The border and law enforcement agencies pay special attention to Russian tourists, because over the past few years it has been “ours” who have not just gone on vacation to Thailand, but in the amount of 35-40% stay here for the winter or even live, naturally working illegally and having behind them expired visas in the passport,” says the author. It is from the holders of expired visas that money is most often extorted.
He is an expert for the following advice. Do not leave money on your accounts, a symbolic amount of “200 baht or 500 rubles” is enough. “Border guards will start to wonder how you spent so long in the country, they will start checking suitcases and looking for cash, as well as accounts in Thai banks, and if they see a decent amount (or indecent), they will most likely demand a fine from you or bribe,” the blogger said. He also advised “not to hide your head in the sand” and even if a demand for money follows, you should arm yourself with a phone and start filming what is happening on video. “They are only trying to intimidate you in order to earn some or a lot of extra money,” the author is sure. Read more at this link.
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