New 6 months multiple-entry visas for Thailand confirmed !

A few days after the announcement that Thailand bans visa runs (officially), there are some good news for travellers : a new tourist multiple-entry visa for Thailand  will be available from 13 November 2015.

The rumor was persistant, it is official now, Thailand will soon grant multiple entry visas to foreign visitors to prepare for the upcoming ASEAN Community and  boost the tourism industry in Thailand.

The multiple-entry tourist visa (METV) will cost 5000 baht and will provide travelers with multiple entries in Thailand for a period of 6 months, for a maximum of 60 consecutive days per entry. All foreigners are can apply to obtain this new visa.

The new visa will allow visitors to enter and leave Thailand as often as they want over a period of six months. It also means tourists will actually be able to stay in Thailand for six months with this visa if they leave the country every 60 days.

The news were welcomed by the tourism industry in Thailand. Charoen Wangananont, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, found it beneficial for those who often visit Thailand but also said that it is “a good start, although the six-month period is perhaps still a little short for some visitors.”

METV was announced in August, and was officially confirmed this week after its publication in the Government Gazette.

Thailand still hopes to welcome 29 million visitors this year. Tourism is a key sector of Thai economy has seen better days.

You can get this new multi-entry visa atthe immigration offices in Thailand. For the moment we have no information about obtaining it from abroad. We will keep you informed here on our Facebook page.

All practical information about visas for Thailand are in our “Practical Thailand” section.