Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing Visa Exemption Stamps. There has been a lot of talk about this, a lot of speculation as to whether or not they would go ahead and extend the validity of Visa Exemption Stamps. What are we talking about when we talk about Visa Exemption Stamps? Well for nationals of certain countries for example Americans, those folks can travel into Thailand, they can just simply use their passport and they are automatically, I shouldn't say automatically but they will be as a matter of course stamped into Thailand which is a 30-day stamp on arrival. It is not a Visa technically, it's an exemption from a Visa but it is 30 days of lawful status upon arrival in the Kingdom. 

Now there has been talk about this 30 days being extended out to 45 days in coming weeks and as of yet, it has been talked about really seriously but I haven't seen anything that would cause me to say yeah that looks like that is a foregone conclusion until recently when I read a recent article from Thai PBS World, that is thaipbsworld.com, the article is titled: Thai Cabinet approves 45-day stay for tourists entitled to Visa Exemption and 30 days with Visa on Arrival. Quoting directly: "The Cabinet approved an edict of the Interior Ministry today (Tuesday) extending the period of stay from 30 to 45 days, for tourists from countries and territories entitled to Visa exemptions and from 15 to 30 days for those eligible for a Visa on Arrival. The extension is however, only temporary from October 1st until the end of March next year to coincide with the traditionally tourism high season in Thailand, when more tourists, especially from Europe in the US are expected to escape the cold weather and head to Thailand." So good news. At least for the immediately foreseeable future, it looks like it is going to be possible to come to Thailand without a Visa, arrive, be granted a 45 day stamp. It is even possible apparently to get an extension; it looks like it is possible to be here 90 days without obtaining a Visa before coming. 

So these are all going to be highly beneficial I think for the Tourism Sector here in Thailand and boy could the Tourism Sector use it because after two and a half years of truly being decimated in terms of numbers, it is definitely good to see that a bunch of these restrictions have been lifted and we are going to see a Thailand Tourism Sector that hopefully will start seeing some numbers pouring in sooner rather than later.