From Oct. 1 this year, tourists from 41 countries and districts who are allowed to enter Thailand without visa could stay in the country for no more than 90 days in six months, as a new move by Thai government to tighten immigration regulations.

Tourists who have stayed for 90 days must stay out of the Kingdom for at least 90 days before being permitted a re-entry, according to the new rules issued by Thai Immigration Bureau, effective from Oct. 1.

The move will affect tourists from 40 countries, among them most European nations, Japan, the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, plus Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China. Tourists from these favored countries have been allowed to stay in Thailand without visa for up to 30 days.

The new rules are issued as an increasing number of tourists have overstayed the period allowed, according to Immigration Police Chief Suwat Thamrongsrisakul in an announcement on Friday. Some tourists would extend their stay by so-called "visa runs" -- making brief trips to neighboring countries and returning with new entry stamps.

Repeating this practice has enabled some foreigners an almost unlimited stay in Thailand, during which they "exploit" the policy aimed at boosting tourism by doing business or working illegally in the country, rather than sight-seeing.

(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2006)