Thailand is set to tighten its visa exemption rules, introducing shorter stays and reducing the number of eligible countries following a cabinet review. The 60-day visa exemption previously available to citizens of 93 countries has been scrapped, according to Mungkorn Pratoomkaew, director-general of consular affairs.
New 30-Day Exemption
A 30-day visa exemption will remain in place, but the number of eligible countries will be reduced from 57 to 54. The three excluded nations have not been named. These adjustments address concerns over reciprocity and multiple exemption schemes that have caused confusion among tourists.
Reasons for the Changes
Thai authorities have voiced concerns that extended visits led to misuse and illegal activities. The 60-day exemption was introduced in 2024 to boost tourism and aid post-pandemic economic recovery by encouraging longer stays. However, the government now believes that a shorter exemption period will help mitigate these issues while still supporting the tourism sector.
Implementation Timeline
The new measures will take effect 15 days after an official announcement in the Royal Gazette. Tourists planning to visit Thailand should check the updated list of eligible countries and ensure their stay does not exceed the new 30-day limit.
