Thailand to Revise Tourist Visa Policy

Darwin, 20 May: Thailand’s cabinet has decided to significantly reduce the duration of visa-free stays for tourists from more than 90 countries around the world.

According to Al Jazeera, the country is moving away from the 60-day visa exemption policy introduced in July 2024 as part of its post-COVID-19 economic recovery strategy. The policy had applied to tourists from the United States, Israel, parts of South America, and 29 European countries within the Schengen area.

Government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek confirmed the development during a press conference on Tuesday. However, officials have not yet announced when the new rules will officially take effect.

Speaking on the matter, Rachada said tourists will no longer be allowed to stay for a blanket period of 60 days as before. Under the revised tier-based system, the maximum stay will now be limited to 30 days, while citizens of some specific countries may only receive 15 days.

The spokesperson added, “Some individuals are exploiting the current system. Although tourism remains a vital pillar of the Thai economy, national security and public safety are now being given the highest priority.”

According to Thai policymakers, the extended 60-day visa-free policy contributed to a concerning rise in illegal informal businesses, unauthorized foreign workers, and online scam networks operating within the country. As a result, the government now considers a 30-day stay sufficient for genuine and high-quality tourists.

Thailand adopted the stricter measures following the recent arrests of several foreign nationals involved in crimes such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and operating unauthorized hotels and language schools.

Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow stated that the decision is not aimed at citizens of any particular country. Instead, it is intended to prevent people from abusing the current visa system and bypassing immigration laws.

To further curb misuse of visa privileges, Thailand’s Foreign Ministry also announced that travelers entering through land borders will only be allowed a maximum of two visa-free entries per year.

Tourism contributes more than 10 percent of the GDP of Thailand, the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia. According to government data, foreign tourist arrivals during the first quarter of the year fell by 3.4 percent compared to last year, partly due to a nearly 30 percent decline in visitors from the Middle East. Despite the slowdown, Thailand has maintained its annual target of attracting 33.5 million foreign tourists this year.