After months of confusion, speculation and mixed signals, Thailand has now made its decision.
The Thai cabinet on Tuesday officially agreed to end the country’s 60-day visa-free entry scheme for foreign tourists, Bangkok Post reports. The move means many visitors are expected to return to the previous 30-day visa-free stay.
The decision follows months of debate inside the Thai government, where authorities repeatedly hinted that changes were coming but without confirming exactly what would happen.
Now the government says the 60-day programme will be abolished for all 93 countries currently covered by the scheme.
Thai officials argue that the longer visa-free stays have created unintended problems. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, some foreigners have used the system to live and work illegally in Thailand or engage in criminal activities.
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the rules will return to the immigration framework used before the 60-day scheme was introduced in July 2024.
For citizens from Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland, this is expected to mean a return to 30 days visa-free entry.
The final implementation date has not yet been announced. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the changes will take effect 15 days after publication in Thailand’s Royal Gazette.
Visitors already in Thailand – or entering before the new rules come into force – will still be allowed to stay under their existing entry conditions until their permitted stay expires.
Thailand originally expanded visa-free access after the Covid-19 pandemic in an attempt to boost tourism and revive the economy. But tourism numbers have continued to weaken.
According to Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports, foreign tourist arrivals between January and mid-May this year were down 3.3 percent compared to the same period last year.
Authorities are now also reviewing Thailand’s wider visa system, including whether some visa categories should be merged or removed altogether.
