Thailand is preparing to roll back one of its most generous entry policies.
The government plans to reduce visa-free stays from 60 days to 30 days for citizens of 93 countries, Bangkok Post reports. The proposed change will also apply to travellers from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland.
The 60-day visa-free scheme was introduced in mid-2024 to stimulate tourism during a slowdown in arrivals. It initially led to a surge in visitors from several markets. However, officials now argue that the longer stay has created loopholes that can be misused.
Officials insist there is little reason for concern.
“Foreign tourists on average stay in Thailand for 21 days at most,” Natthriya Thaweevong, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, said to Bangkok Post.
“This change should not impact tourism. If they want to stay longer than 30 days, they can simply apply for an extension as normal.”
Industry representatives have voiced support for the adjustment. Thanapol Cheewarattanaporn, President of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, said most tourists do not use the full 60 days. Those who stay longer, he suggested, sometimes misuse the scheme for non-tourism purposes, including unlicensed business activities or repeated visa runs.
Despite backing the reduction, tourism operators stress that visa-free entry remains crucial, especially at a time when arrivals are showing signs of contraction.
If approved, the new 30-day limit could be implemented by Thailand’s current caretaker government, as a new administration has yet to be formed.
[…] The widely discussed reduction of Thailand’s visa-free stay has now moved from speculation to decision. […]