Thailand bans foreigner 'visa runs' to borders

Bangkok, September 15: Immigration police at land border crossings have now stopped giving entry stamps to foreigners who exit and immediately return to Thailand to extend their stay for 15-30 days on visa runs, media reported on Tuesday. “The order is not new. Origilly, officers were authorised to consider giving permits. But in this current situation of heightened security, all officers have to step up restrictions,” said an official at the immigration bureau said. Many foreigners regularly go on visa runs to Cambodia and return through the Sa Kaeo immigration checkpoint, the Bangkok Post quoted the official as saying. “Some foreigners do not even go themselves, but get illegal networks to obtain the entry stamp for them,” the official said, adding the government has cracked down on the border-run syndicates, prompting them to change tactics. IANS