Thai authorities have rejected claims circulating online that foreign nationals will be limited to entering Thailand visa-free only twice a year.
The warning was issued by Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society after the rumour gained traction on social media platforms and messaging apps.
According to the ministry, the false information was identified through monitoring by Thailand’s Anti-Fake News Centre, which reviews online content as part of government efforts to counter disinformation and technology-related crime.
The most widely shared claim stated that new regulations would restrict visa-free entry for foreigners to two visits per year. The ministry said it had coordinated with the Thai Immigration Bureau, which confirmed that the claim is false.
No announcement has been made to amend immigration law in this regard, and no legal framework has been introduced to impose such a limit, the ministry said.
Thai immigration authorities continue to apply existing measures, including stricter screening of foreigners who frequently enter and leave the country in patterns resembling so-called “visa runs.” These checks, however, do not involve a fixed annual cap on visa-free entries.
During a review conducted on 15 January, the Anti-Fake News Centre examined more than 157,000 online messages. Of these, just under 5,000 required verification. Among the most widely shared items, several were found to be either false or misleading.
In addition to the visa-related rumour, authorities flagged misleading health claims and unverified reports involving elections, online lottery sales, overseas job offers and loan schemes promoted on social media.
The ministry urged the public to verify information through official sources before sharing it online, warning that false news can lead to misunderstanding, financial loss and risks to personal data.
Source: Khaosod English
