PATTAYA, Thailand – As Southeast Asia reopens to the world in recent years, long-term foreign residents in Thailand—often known as expats—are voicing support for stricter visa-free entry rules, even as neighboring Vietnam considers liberalizing its visa policies to attract more international visitors.
The Thai government recently began reevaluating its own visa exemptions amid concerns about overcrowding, crime, and an influx of low-spending, short-stay travelers. Many expats in Thailand say they support the effort to reduce the current 90-day visa-free stays for certain nationalities, arguing that a 30-day limit would better control who enters the country and for what purpose.
“Exactly. They need to put it back to 30. Ninety would ruin Thailand,” said one long-term Western resident of Bangkok, echoing sentiments widely shared across online expat communities. “Ohhhh no, 30 days is enough,” added another.
Now, as Vietnam flirts with expanding its own visa exemptions to 90 days for select countries, some expats watching from Thailand are urging caution—warning Vietnam not to follow in the footsteps of Thailand’s most heavily touristed cities.
“Open visa exemption to 90 days… you will have ‘full crumble’,” wrote one commenter, suggesting that such a policy risks attracting the same problems now plaguing parts of Thailand’s tourism sector.
Others went further, criticizing the type of mass tourism that visa-free policies can encourage. “Vietnam tourism will do well until they let in a wave of Indians and Africans. Then we’ll move elsewhere,” one poster remarked bluntly, reflecting a controversial—some would say xenophobic—undercurrent in ongoing visa debates.
One frequent traveler praised Vietnam’s current appeal. “Vietnam is a great choice… less full-on than Pattaya but definitely cheaper, and the tourists there are much better behaved. Pattaya and Phuket attract the worst types these days.”
While Vietnamese officials hope that visa-free travel will stimulate economic growth and support the hospitality industry, some seasoned expats say the country should be careful what it wishes for.
“Most countries need a visa to enter Vietnam… maybe people prefer a more controlled and safer environment, as opposed to anyone can come and do whatever you want?” wrote one experienced Southeast Asia resident.
For many longtime expats, the fear is that relaxed visa rules, though well-intentioned, could pave the way for unchecked tourism and social issues—similar to what’s now seen in the more commercialized corners of Thailand.
As one commenter put it: “Visa-free sounds great until you realize you’ve turned your peaceful city into another Walking Street.”
