Just cleared customs out of the country today 12/28 at BKK Airport. I entered the scanner area, scanned my passport (only choice) then stared at camera as it verified my identity then walked out of the area without an exit stamp! Concerned I worked my back ro a nearby immigration desk and asked them if ok. He was nice and scanned my passport and said, all is ok. You don't need a exit stamp. It is all "automatic ".
I mean, even when you received a physical stamp your entry/exit and visa history was already digitally documented. The only difference is that you don't have a physical exit stamp in your passport.
I was surprised when I left out this time on December 25th, there were no immigration officers at the exit at Suvarnabhumi airport. I simply had to scan my passport... i got a green light on a screen and the gate opened... no stamp in my passport and no human.
I'll be arriving for the first time in early January, so like Socrates I know nothing (from direct experience). However both my brother who has lived there with his Thai wife for about 20 years, and what I have gleaned from various other channels strongly indicate that being irritated at Thai government inefficiency is, in effect, like pissing up a rope, into the wind, with a high swell off the port bow dousing you with cold spray every two minutes. This is not the best way to handle the inevitable clash of cultures, it seems to me. Though I've not lived in Thailand yet, I have spent many years in Hawaii, a similarly tropical environment. Make no mistake, the heat and humidity have profound effects on more than building styles. Temperate and sub Arctic norms do not necessarily apply. Like they say in Hawaii "eat when hungry, rest when tired" or as an older Thai might say "sabai sabai". Given human nature, they are far more likely to change you than you are to change them.
@@johnnielson4341lol. What kind of nonsense is this . Two months for most countries . And before it was 30 days . 15 days if you are from Ethiopia or so. Secondly it’s not a visa on arrival. Most western countries are visa exempt . An arrival stamp is NOT a visa at all .
Thumbs up 👍 Hart
Just cleared customs out of the country today 12/28 at BKK Airport. I entered the scanner area, scanned my passport (only choice) then stared at camera as it verified my identity then walked out of the area without an exit stamp! Concerned I worked my back ro a nearby immigration desk and asked them if ok. He was nice and scanned my passport and said, all is ok. You don't need a exit stamp. It is all "automatic ".
I mean, even when you received a physical stamp your entry/exit and visa history was already digitally documented. The only difference is that you don't have a physical exit stamp in your passport.
I was surprised when I left out this time on December 25th, there were no immigration officers at the exit at Suvarnabhumi airport. I simply had to scan my passport... i got a green light on a screen and the gate opened... no stamp in my passport and no human.
Grapevine says it's being rolled out from June 2025, I'm in same position arriving in middle of Jan.
This "will it or will it not" thing is very annoying. I'm coming in February and just want to know if I will or if I will not need an ETA?!
I'll be arriving for the first time in early January, so like Socrates I know nothing (from direct experience). However both my brother who has lived there with his Thai wife for about 20 years, and what I have gleaned from various other channels strongly indicate that being irritated at Thai government inefficiency is, in effect, like pissing up a rope, into the wind, with a high swell off the port bow dousing you with cold spray every two minutes. This is not the best way to handle the inevitable clash of cultures, it seems to me.
Though I've not lived in Thailand yet, I have spent many years in Hawaii, a similarly tropical environment. Make no mistake, the heat and humidity have profound effects on more than building styles. Temperate and sub Arctic norms do not necessarily apply. Like they say in Hawaii "eat when hungry, rest when tired" or as an older Thai might say "sabai sabai". Given human nature, they are far more likely to change you than you are to change them.
How Thai Bureaucracy, Deliberate, and Function, is a Riddle with in a Riddle
Digitalization has gone totally mad. This can end badly.
I have a retiring visa with
Multi entry and currently in Australia I should be fine re-entering Thailand ?
Like myself we are all confused on visas .
Sounds like a case to case matter thou
so, visa on arival for vacation less then 60 days is still in place?
No such thing. Visa on Arrival is 15 days.
I'm guessing you mean the 60 day visa exemption for around 93 countries that it applies too.
I just arrived and was stamped for 60 days
@@johnnielson4341lol. What kind of nonsense is this . Two months for most countries . And before it was 30 days . 15 days if you are from Ethiopia or so. Secondly it’s not a visa on arrival. Most western countries are visa exempt . An arrival stamp is NOT a visa at all .
It’s a visa exemption of 60 days . No visum needed .