Transcript of the above video: 

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing the possibility of a new 6-month Tourist Visa in Thailand. I thought of making this video after reading a recent article from the Chang Rai Times, chiangraitimes.com, the article is titled: Thailand Changes Travel Rules for 2026 (2026 Visa & Entry Updates. Quoting directly: “Thailand has introduced major updates to its visa and entry rules just ahead of the busy travel season’ - well I don't know why they say “busy travel season” unless they're talking about upcoming Songkran. High season to my mind ends about mid-March. In fact, we're sitting like, if you will, talk to Julius Caesar, the Ides of March, that's usually where we see the numbers start to kind of drop off because it's just not in line with most travellers’ usual plans. For about 3 weeks - that's usually the way it goes - and then there is a bit of an uptake - not a bit of one, it's usually significant - for Songkran and then we kind of go back into the overall sort of doldrums if you will of the low season. So that's sort of the timing here when they say, “getting ready for travel season”. That said, quoting further: "For the millions planning trips to Phuket, Chiang Mai, Bangkok or the Andaman Islands, these changes bring more choice, but also more cost.

The biggest updates include a new 6-month multiple-entry tourist visa, a possible reduction to the current 60-day Visa-free stay, a 300 Baht tourist entry fee, and a sharp rise in airport departure charge. Thai officials say the new rules will help manage strong tourism demand, improve border control, and support public infrastructure. As a result anyone heading to Thailand in 2026 should review the latest rules before booking." Quoting further: 

New 6-Month Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa (MEV) Thailand now offers in more flexible option for visitors to plan longer stays or several trips in a short period. The Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa often called the MEV or METV allows repeated entries over 6 months.

Validity: The Visa stays valid for 6 months from date of issue.

Length of stay per entry: Travelers can enter Thailand multiple times and stay up to 60 days on each visit." - that's an interesting one. They are talking about this at the same time they're talking about the possibility of the 60-day exemption going away. I get into that in more detail in another video I made contemporaneously with this one. That said quoting further:

"Extension options: Each 60-day stay can be extended once for 30 more days at a Thai Immigration office for 1,900 baht.

Possible total stay: With careful timing and extensions, some travelers may spend eight or even 9 months in Thailand during the Visa's active period.

This Visa works well for repeat visitors, remote workers moving between cities, retirees trying out a longer stay, and families planning more than one trip. It also gives more freedom than the older single-entry Tourist Visa, which only offered a shorter validity period and required a new application after one use."

So yeah, the multi-entry tourist visa, it is what it is. It's another sort of quiver, or arrow in the quiver if you will, of folks who are looking to stay in Thailand. I'm starting to think, and I'm getting into this in another video again made contemporaneously with this one - I get into analysis of my thoughts on the fact that I think this may be indicative of some major changes about to happen within Thai Immigration. Specifically, I think it's very possible we may see the 60-day Visa exemption being downgraded to a 30-day Visa exemption probably sooner rather than later; again hard to say when exactly that will happen. Also important to remember, we now have a new Parliament convening here in Thailand and there was a comment made over the summer by the late great Mr. Barry Kenyon, where he thought or based on his observations, he thought that there was a possibility that we could see a new Immigration Act promulgated through this Parliament after the Parliament came into session. I disagreed with him under those circumstances but now in retrospect and looking at the situation as it is now and especially in light of comments made by a former Deputy Director of the Thai National Intelligence Agency on matters pertaining to Immigration, it leads me to believe that we may be looking at a Parliament which may actually pass a new Immigration Law which could have sweeping and profound effects over the expat community as well as tourism here in Thailand. Exactly when or if that will happen remains to be seen, but we will certainly be keeping folks updated as the situation evolves.