The British Foreign Office wasn’t the only one to jump the gun and announce a change in visa rules for entering Thailand without a visa (visa exemption) from the present 30 days to 60 days. The following is an extract from an article in the Pattaya Mail, dated June 4, 2024, in which they apologise for their earlier premature announcement of a change in the visa-exempt rules. I’m sure many of us would welcome a change in the rules and hope it happens sometime soon once the Thai authorities get all their ducks in a row.

The latest 60 days visa-exempt tourist stays are delayed

By Barry Kenyon
June 4, 2024

Like most media, Pattaya Mail jumped the gun by stating that the 30 days on arrival by air, land and sea was doubled to 60 days at the beginning of the month. We apologize for our carelessness. The statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has to be confirmed by various bureaucracies prior to implementation.

The Ministry’s September 1 start date for the new DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) and the reduction in medical insurance required by O/A retiree visas and extensions of stay is also unconfirmed. Both subjects could be delayed further if linked to a “reconstruction” of retiree visas as suggested in the original press handout.
Source: Pattaya Mail

And, of course, it wasn’t just British passports holders who would have benefited from a change in the rules. According to an earlier article in the Pattaya Mail, dated May 29, 2024, nationals from 93 countries, including European Union citizens, USA citizens and Australian citizens would also have benefited from the change.

Thailand’s new visa rules from June 1 break fresh ground

By Barry Kenyon
May 29, 2024

Nationals from 93 countries – including Brits, EU citizens, Americans, Australians – will now receive a no-charge, 60 days visa-exempt stamp on entering as opposed to the current 30 days. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke did not go into detail, but they presumably can then re-enter Thailand by air, land (border runs) or sea to receive a further two months visa-free. The new rules will also apply to Indians and Chinese as well as dozens of other countries including Morocco and Albania.
For the full article see: Pattaya Mail