Visa policy of Thailand
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![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/Thailand_Immigration_Stamps.png/200px-Thailand_Immigration_Stamps.png)
Visitors to Thailand must obtain a visa from one of the Thai diplomatic missions unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries, or citizens who may obtain a visa on arrival, or citizens eligible for an e-Visa.[1]
Visa policy map
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/Visa_policy_of_Thailand.svg/678px-Visa_policy_of_Thailand.svg.png)
History
In May 2014, there was a brief crackdown on visa runs, meaning that if foreigners wish to re-enter Thailand after their visa-free or visa on arrival period has expired they have to obtain a visa in advance, or remain outside Thailand at least for one night.[2]
In August 2014, Thailand Prime Minister ordered the Immigration Police to be more flexible as the strict application of the law was affecting schools and the tourist industry.[3]
On 31 October 2018 it was announced that within 30 days (by the end of November 2018), overstay visas will no longer be allowed, and there will be no remaining overstayers in the kingdom by that date.[4]
Visa exemption
Bilateral agreements
Due to bilateral visa exemption agreements with Thailand, citizens of the following countries and territories may enter Thailand without a visa for up to the duration listed below.[1][5] They may enter via any port of entry (unless otherwise noted).
90 days within any 6 months 60 days 30 days 14 days |
1 - For Chinese citizens with People's Republic of China passports, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports or Macao Special Administrative Region passports only.
2 - No more than 90 days within any 180 days.[6]
3 - For air arrivals only.
T - Temporary measure: 60 days from 1 May 2024 until 31 July 2024, then 30 days.[7]
Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme
Under the Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme, citizens of countries and territories around the world may enter Thailand without a visa for a stay of up to 30 days and may extend their stay for another 30 days,[8] provided the purpose of entering Thailand is for tourism only.[1][5][9]
Citizens of the following countries may enter Thailand for unlimited times without visa by air but are limited to a maximum of 2 visa-exempt entries per calendar year when entering Thailand via land or sea (unless otherwise noted).[1][5][9][10][11]
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B - Visa-exempt entries will be granted based on existing bilateral agreements.
T1 - Temporary measure from 10 November 2023 until 10 May 2024.
T2 - Temporarily exempt from business visa as well from 1 January 2024 until 31 December 2026.
1 - For Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport holders only.
2 - For British citizens and British Nationals (Overseas) only.
Non-ordinary passports
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a3/Visa_policy_of_Thailand_for_holders_of_diplomatic_and_service_category_passports.png/800px-Visa_policy_of_Thailand_for_holders_of_diplomatic_and_service_category_passports.png)
Holders of diplomatic, official or service passports issued by the following countries and territories are allowed to visit Thailand without a visa for a maximum period of up to 90 days (unless otherwise noted):[5]
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D - Diplomatic passports only.
1 - 30 days
Visa on arrival / Electronic Visa (e-Visa)
Besides traditional visa on arrival policy, from 21 November 2018 Thailand started issuing tourist visas valid for 15 days in a simplified procedure to visitors from the countries whose citizens are eligible for visa on arrival.[13]
The e-Visa application also became available from February 2019 in some of the consulates of Thailand abroad.[14][15][16][5][17]
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Visa type | eVisa | eVOA | VOA | |
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Multiple | Single | Single | Single | |
Duration of stay | 60 days | 15 days | ||
Validity | 6 Months | 3 Months | 30 days | N/A |
Visa-fee | Depend on applicant's nationality and place of residence (cheaper than VOA) | Standard: 2,560 THB
Express: 4,560 THB |
Standard: 2,000 THB
Express: 2,200 THB | |
Processing time | 3-10 working days | Standard: 24-72 hours
Express: less than 24 hours |
May take up to several hours (depends on how busy the visa office is at the moment) | |
Proof of funds | 60,000 THB (upload proof online) | 20,000 THB (upload proof online) | Following items may be checked at port of entry:
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Extendable | Yes | No | ||
Application submission | thaievisa.go.th | thailandevoa.vfsevisa.com | Visa office at the port of entry |
Eligible citizens
Visa on arrival e-Visa
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E - Already visa-exempt in general.
Eligible ports of entry
There are 48 immigration checkpoints providing visa on arrival, including:[18]
International Airport # - Airport which accepts e-visa on arrival Land and harbor checkpoint
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Visa required in advance
Citizens of the following countries and territories must apply for a visa at the Thai embassy or consulate in their home country.
Thai embassies or consulates abroad only accept applications of these citizens if they have a residence permit of the country they want to apply from.[19]
Sri Lanka and Thailand are working on a mutual visa waiver after both parties signed an FTA in 2024.[20]
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1 - Except Algeria, Congo, Ethiopia, Libya, Mauritius and South Africa.
Transit
Passengers transiting through Suvarnabhumi Airport for less than 12 hours do not require a visa, unless they are travelling on Angkor Air, Beijing Capital Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Eastar Jet, Golden Myanmar Airlines, IndiGo, Intira Airlines, Jeju Air, Jet Asia Airways, Jetstar Asia Airways, Jetstar Pacific, Jin Air, Juneyao Airlines, Lao Central Airlines, Tigerair Mandala, Norwegian Air, Orient Thai Airlines, Regent Airways, Shandong Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, South East Asian Airlines, SpiceJet, Spring Airlines, T'way Airlines, Thai Smile, Tigerair or VietJet Air.[1]
Those transiting through Don Mueang International Airport for less than 12 hours do not require a visa only when travelling on Thai AirAsia or Thai AirAsia X.[1]
Citizens of Pakistan are required to obtain a visa when transiting through Thailand at all times.[21]
APEC Business Travel Card
Holders of passports issued by the following countries who possess an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) containing "THA" on the back of the card may enter Thailand without a visa for business trips for up to 90 days.[1]
ABTCs are issued to citizens of:[22]
Mandatory yellow fever vaccination
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/Mandatory_yellow_fever_vaccination_for_Thailand.png/400px-Mandatory_yellow_fever_vaccination_for_Thailand.png)
Citizens of the following countries or citizens arriving from the following countries require an International Certificate of Vaccination in order to enter Thailand, unless they produce evidence that they do not reside in the following areas.
Failure to fulfill this requirement could result in refusal of entry into Thailand.[23]
Visa types
General visa types
- Courte Upon official request, the Royal Thai Embassy may grant courtesy visas/laissez-passer to diplomats/UN officials/others who wish to enter the Kingdom on official duty and/or other purposes
- Permanent resident: To qualify for this visa, you must have stayed in Thailand for 3 consecutive years with the one-year visa extensions. If married to a Thai for 5 years, one must be earning 30,000 baht/month. If single, your monthly income must be 80,000 baht minimum.
- Tourist: If an individual wishes to remain in Thailand for more than 30 days, he/she may wish to obtain a tourist visa at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate prior to arriving in Thailand. The tourist visa must be used within validity date, that varies with the number of entries purchased, and allows an initial stay of 60 days. After arrival in Thailand, a tourist visa or a visa exempt entry may be extended once for an additional 30 days according to immigration Bureau order 327/2557. There is a 1,900 baht fee for each extension.
- Transit: This type of visa is issued to applicants who wish to enter the Kingdom for the following purposes: to travel in transit through the Kingdom in order to proceed to the country of destination or to re-enter his/her own country (category "TS"); the person in charge of or crew of a conveyance coming to a port, station, or area in the Kingdom (category "C")
Non-Immigrant visa types
- Type B: to conduct business; work; attend business conferences; teach school; attend scuba diving, muay Thai, and massage courses
- Type D: diplomatic visa
- Type ED: to study; to come on a work study tour or observation tour; to participate in projects or seminars; to attend a conference or training course; to study as a foreign Buddhist monk
- Type EX: to undertake skilled work or to work as an expert or specialist
- Type F: to perform official duties, e.g., military exercises or governmental assignments
- Type IB: to invest or perform other activities relating to investment, subject to the provision of the established laws on investment promotion
- Type IM: to invest with the concurrence of the Thai ministries and governmental departments concerned
- Type M: to work as a film-producer, journalist, or reporter with permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Type O: to visit family; to perform duties for a state enterprise or social welfare organizations (NGOs); to receive medical treatment; to be a sports coach as required by the Thai government; to be a contestant; to be a witness in a judicial process
- Type O-A: retirement visa
- Type R: to perform missionary work or other religious activities with the concurrence of the Thai ministries or government departments concerned
- Type RS: to conduct scientific research or training or teaching in a research institute
- Type S:to participate in an officially recognised sports event.
Statistics
Most visitors arriving to Thailand on short term basis were from the following countries of nationality:
Country | 6/2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 |
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3,439,482 | 3,521,095 | 273,567 | 13,043 | 1,251,498 | 10,997,338 | 10,535,241 | 9,806,260 | 8,757,646 | 7,936,795 | 4,636,298 | 4,637,335 | 2,786,860 |
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2,435,960 | 4,626,422 | 1,948,549 | 5,511 | 619,623 | 4,265,574 | 4,020,526 | 3,494,488 | 3,494,890 | 3,418,855 | 2,613,418 | 3,041,097 | 2,554,397 |
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1,040,069 | 1,628,542 | 997,913 | 6,544 | 263,659 | 1,996,842 | 1,598,346 | 1,415,197 | 1,194,508 | 1,069,422 | 932,603 | 1,050,889 | 1,013,308 |
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934,983 | 1,660,042 | 538,766 | 12,077 | 262,017 | 1,890,973 | 1,796,426 | 1,709,265 | 1,464,200 | 1,373,045 | 1,122,566 | 1,295,342 | 1,163,619 |
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920,989 | 1,482,611 | 435,008 | 30,759 | 590,151 | 1,483,337 | 1,472,789 | 1,346,338 | 1,090,083 | 884,136 | 1,606,430 | 1,746,565 | 1,316,564 |
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618,792 | 919,401 | 502,124 | 733 | 380,207 | 1,854,792 | 1,664,630 | 1,682,087 | 1,388,020 | 1,220,522 | 1,053,983 | 976,639 | 975,999 |
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533,280 | 724,594 | 94,834 | 1,675 | 117,511 | 790,039 | 687,748 | 573,077 | 522,273 | 552,699 | 394,149 | 502,176 | 394,225 |
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507,251 | 930,206 | 453,678 | 37,880 | 212,669 | 1,165,950 | 1,122,270 | 1,056,423 | 975,643 | 867,505 | 763,520 | 823,486 | 768,638 |
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501,895 | 1,033,688 | 468,393 | 1,794 | 132,127 | 1,048,181 | 1,028,150 | 935,179 | 830,220 | 751,162 | 559,415 | 725,057 | 618,670 |
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485,093 | 817,220 | 444,432 | 38,663 | 223,087 | 992,574 | 986,854 | 994,755 | 1,004,345 | 947,568 | 907,877 | 905,024 | 873,053 |
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470,789 | 805,768 | 290,146 | 9,461 | 322,677 | 1,806,438 | 1,656,101 | 1,544,442 | 1,439,510 | 1,381,702 | 1,267,886 | 1,536,425 | 1,373,716 |
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465,450 | 1,027,424 | 614,627 | 5,931 | 126,771 | 1,059,484 | 1,069,867 | 1,032,647 | 967,550 | 938,385 | 844,133 | 955,468 | 831,215 |
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446,431 | 729,163 | 365,030 | 45,874 | 231,782 | 852,481 | 886,523 | 850,139 | 837,885 | 761,819 | 715,240 | 737,658 | 682,419 |
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441,341 | 762,118 | 235,632 | 2,577 | 99,530 | 710,494 | 644,709 | 576,110 | 534,797 | 469,125 | 497,592 | 594,251 | 447,820 |
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399,556 | 802,368 | 162,240 | 1,657 | 124,518 | 1,045,361 | 1,015,749 | 821,064 | 751,264 | 669,617 | 483,131 | 588,335 | 473,666 |
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380,013 | 545,003 | 268,587 | 23,461 | 237,317 | 745,346 | 749,556 | 740,190 | 738,878 | 681,114 | 635,073 | 611,582 | 576,106 |
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352,812 | 687,745 | 336,688 | 9,577 | 123,827 | 767,291 | 801,203 | 817,218 | 796,370 | 807,450 | 831,854 | 900,460 | 930,241 |
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276,107 | 583,708 | 379,665 | 4,914 | 165,027 | 910,696 | 948,824 | 840,871 | 674,975 | 537,950 | 550,339 | 481,595 | 423,642 |
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274,945 | 394,134 | 193,778 | 7,256 | 55,279 | 378,232 | 368,188 | 365,606 | 341,626 | 259,678 | 206,794 | 172,383 | 129,385 |
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261,451 | 461,251 | 178,021 | 4,078 | 72,762 | 506,430 | 432,237 | 381,252 | 339,150 | 310,968 | 304,813 | 321,571 | 289,566 |
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134,212 | 214,264 | 90,608 | 6,440 | 58,499 | 273,214 | 276,094 | 258,494 | 244,869 | 227,601 | 211,059 | 229,897 | 219,354 |
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114,319 | 229,539 | 116,354 | 8,539 | 52,402 | 241,608 | 236,265 | 222,409 | 235,762 | 221,619 | 211,524 | 218,765 | 208,122 |
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113,712 | 191,983 | 85,254 | 5,322 | 60,602 | 272,374 | 279,905 | 264,524 | 265,597 | 246,094 | 219,875 | 207,192 | 200,703 |
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113,443 | 178,259 | 97,378 | 17,094 | 111,994 | 287,341 | 311,949 | 323,736 | 332,895 | 321,690 | 324,865 | 341,398 | 364,681 |
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109,717 | 172,489 | |||||||||||
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107,863 | 217,084 | 146,293 | 14,038 | 29,444 | 195,856 | 188,788 | 173,673 | 161,579 | 141,031 | 138,778 | 134,874 | 129,551 |
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95,837 | 121,700 | |||||||||||
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90,860 | 156,337 | 81,180 | 11,429 | 52,361 | 192,130 | 207,471 | 209,528 | 209,057 | 206,480 | 201,271 | 199,923 | 191,147 |
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90,816 | 178,113 | 96,389 | 467 | 4,227 | 30,006 | 28,337 | 33,531 | 24,834 | 19,168 | 12,860 | 21,452 | 17,084 |
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80,479 | 115,224 | 64,249 | 8,480 | 66,848 | 162,456 | 169,373 | 161,920 | 165,581 | 159,435 | 160,977 | 163,186 | 167,499 |
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71,435 | 140,657 | 81,106 | 1,955 | 21,838 | 136,677 | 129,574 | 121,765 | 100,263 | 107,394 | 88,134 | 82,418 | 72,657 |
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70,657 | 153,458 | 87,400 | 3,514 | 25,904 | 188,997 | 181,880 | 179,584 | 168,900 | 150,995 | 116,983 | 123,084 | 113,141 |
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55,270 | 138,934 | 65,857 | 4,061 | 7,492 | 130,158 | 128,270 | 137,218 | 130,941 | 124,719 | 117,907 | 123,926 | 113,547 |
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55,129 | 88,706 | 42,683 | 5,486 | 36,381 | 111,428 | 116,656 | 104,784 | 100,373 | 97,869 | 100,968 | 106,278 | 94,667 |
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53,409 | 83,952 | 46,521 | 5,763 | 39,778 | 127,992 | 128,841 | 127,850 | 131,039 | 135,382 | 145,207 | 154,049 | 148,796 |
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50,106 | 85,512 | 48,684 | 5,386 | 26,394 | 114,669 | 114,270 | 112,266 | 111,013 | 106,090 | 99,729 | 101,109 | 94,896 |
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49,787 | 76,193 | 38,561 | 6,139 | 59,567 | 128,014 | 140,961 | 140,464 | 134,238 | 134,750 | 142,425 | 141,692 | 154,919 |
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43,161 | 85,897 | 35,900 | 1,151 | 15,709 | 112,680 | 116,726 | 117,962 | 111,595 | 112,411 | 108,081 | 118,395 | 113,871 |
Total | 17,501,283 | 28,150,016 | 11,153,026 | 427,869 | 6,725,193 | 39,916,251 | 38,178,194 | 35,591,978 | 32,529,588 | 29,923,185 | 24,809,683 | 26,546,725 | 22,353,903 |
Work permit
To legally work in Thailand, a foreigner must apply for a work permit. Work permit is a legal document that states a foreigner's position, current occupation, or job description and the Thai company he is working with. It also serves as a license to perform a job or an occupation allowed for foreigners inside Thailand.
A foreigner is eligible to apply for a work permit as long as he has a non-immigrant visa or a resident visa, has an available employer who will provide documents for work permit, and the occupation he will perform is not prohibited to foreigners.[24]
One Stop Service Centre for Visas and Work Permits
The One Stop Service Centre for Visas and Work Permits was established on 1 July 1997 by authority of the Regulations of the Office of Prime Minister promulgated on 30 June 1997.
The objective of this centre is to simplify visa extension and permit issuance procedures to create a good investment environment. It aims to facilitate applications of visa extension and work permits (e.g., stay permission, re-entry permit, work permit).
The Center is located on Chamchuree Square Building, Floor 18, Phatumwan, Bangkok.[25]
Foreigners who are eligible to apply for visa extension and work permits
- Foreigner who is an executive or expert with privileges accorded to them by the following laws:
- Investment Promotion Act B.E. 2520 (1977);
- Petroleum Act B.E. 2514 (1971);
- Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand Act B.E. 2522 (1979);
- Foreigner who is an investor.
- If investing not less than 2 million Baht, he or she will be granted a 1-year permit.
- If investing not less than 10 million Baht, he or she will be granted a 2-year permit.
- Foreigner who is an executive or expert.
- Foreigner's associated company should be registered with capital or possess asset of not less than 30 million Baht.
- Foreigner who is a member of the foreign press must present a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a copy of an ID Press Card issued by the Department of Public Relations.
- Foreigner who is a researcher or developer on science and technology.
- Foreigner who is employed in a branch office of an overseas bank, foreign banking office of an overseas bank, provincial foreign banking office of an overseas bank or a representative office of the foreign bank in which all offices are certified by the Bank of Thailand.
- Foreigner who works on the necessary and urgent basis for a period of no longer than 15 days.
- Foreigner who is an official of the representative office for foreign juristic persons concerning the International Trading Business and Regional Office of Transnational Corporation in accordance to the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999).
- Foreigner who is an expert on information technology.
- Foreigner who works at regional operating headquarters.
See also
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Wikivoyage-Logo-v3-icon.svg/40px-Wikivoyage-Logo-v3-icon.svg.png)
- Visa policy of Laos
- Visa requirements for Thai citizens
- Thai passport
- Thai national ID card
- Tourism in Thailand
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Visa and passport". Timatic. International Air Transport Association through Emirates. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ^ "Phuket: Strict new immigration regulations mean crackdown on visa runs".
- ^ "Phuket: Coup leader calls for Immigration to relax 'out-in' visa clampdown".
- ^ "No more overstayers, no more corruption at Immigration – Hakparn".
- ^ a b c d e "Summary of Countries and Territories entitled for Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival to Thailand" (PDF).
- ^ "ไทย-จีน "วีซ่าฟรี" เริ่ม 1 มี.ค. อยู่ครั้งละ 30 วัน ลุ้นนักท่องเที่ยวคึกคัก". Thairat h (in Thai).
- ^ "Visa-free scheme for Russian visitors extended".
- ^ "Thailand to Offer Extra 30 Days to Visa Exempt Travellers". asiatraveltips.com. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ^ a b "Visa Exemption Scheme | Royal Thai Embassy". thaiembassy.sg. Royal Thai Embassy in Singapore. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ^ Royal Thai Consulate General, Hong Kong. "Revision of the Visa Exemption Scheme Regulation" (PDF). Retrieved 2018-04-01.
- ^ "Thailand Visa Exemption Available for 7 New Countries".
- ^ "Thailand and Kazakhstan Approve Visa Waiver Program to Boost Travel". The Government of Thailand. 29 April 2024.
- ^ "Visa on Arrival".
- ^ "Thailand offers online visa applications from February".
- ^ "E-visas available from February 2019. China first country". 3 December 2018.
- ^ "China First to Benefit From Thai E-Visas Next Year". Archived from the original on 2018-12-04.
- ^ "Launch of Online Stickerless E-Visa Application Platform &Termination of Visa Application in Person and by Post". สถานเอกอัครราชทูต ณ กรุงเอเธนส์. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
- ^ Royal Thai Embassy, Singapore. "VISA ON ARRIVAL". Retrieved 2015-02-27.
- ^ "สถานเอกอัครราชทูต ณ กรุงย่างกุ้ง".
- ^ "Lanka, Thailand sign FTA with facility for visa-free travel". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "Thailand makes transit visa mandatory for Pakistani passengers".
- ^ "ABTC Economy Entry Information" (PDF).
- ^ Thailand Visa Information : List of countries which require International Health Certificate for Yellow Fever Vaccination.
- ^ "Thai Visas for Americans". US Embassy and Consulate. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
- ^ "Thailand Visa Information : Non-Immigrant Visa "B" (for Business and Work) - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand". mfa.go.th. Retrieved 2018-09-08.