Thailand is preparing to roll back one of its most tourist-friendly policies by reducing the visa-free stay period for travellers from 93 countries from 60 days to 30 days.
According to reports, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkaeow announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will soon submit the proposal to the Cabinet for approval. However, officials have not yet revealed when the new rules will officially come into effect.
Thailand introduced the 60-day visa-free policy in July 2024 as part of its strategy to revive tourism after the pandemic and encourage longer stays from international travellers. The move helped boost tourism significantly, with destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, and Chiang Mai witnessing strong tourist footfall.
However, Thai authorities now say the extended visa-free period has also been misused by some individuals for unauthorised business activities, scams, and illegal employment. As a result, the government has decided to tighten immigration rules and increase scrutiny across multiple visa categories.
Tourism continues to remain a crucial part of Thailand’s economy. Between January 1 and May 10, 2026, the country welcomed around 12.4 million foreign tourists. While the numbers remain strong, this represents a slight decline of 3.43% compared to the same period last year.
India is among the 93 countries affected by the upcoming policy change, directly impacting a large number of Indian tourists who regularly travel to Thailand.
For regular vacationers planning short holidays, a 30-day visa-free stay is unlikely to create major problems. However, the decision could significantly affect digital nomads, long-stay travellers, and workation enthusiasts from India who have increasingly been spending extended periods in Thailand after remote work became more common.
Many travellers who previously planned month-long stays across destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai may now need to manage their travel schedules more carefully under the revised system.
Thai officials have indicated that visitors may still have the option to apply for an in-country extension after arrival, subject to immigration approval. Whether the extension process remains simple and accessible will likely become an important factor for long-term travellers going forward.
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