Thailand cuts visa-free stays for visitors

Thailand has approved a plan to shorten visa-free tourist stays to 30 days from 60 days for travelers from 93 countries and territories, according to Thai officials and local media reports. The move reverses a policy introduced in July 2024 that had expanded visa-free entry to support tourism. Officials said the longer stay had been misused by some foreigners for illegal work and other unlawful activity. The change affects one of Thailand’s main entry rules for short-term visitors, including travelers from the United States. ### What exactly is Thailand changing? Thailand’s current visa-exemption scheme allows nationals of 93 countries and territories to enter for up to 60 days without a visa, under rules that took effect on July 15, 2024. The Foreign Ministry has now moved to halve that period to 30 days, while keeping the visa exemption itself in place. Thai media reports said the cabinet approved the plan this week. (cnn.com) CNN reported on May 20 that Thailand was ending the 60-day visa-free entry program in its current form for those travelers. Bangkok Post and Nation Thailand reported earlier that the proposal under review was a cut from 60 days to 30 days, not a cancellation of visa-free access altogether. ### Who pushed for the change? Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has been the main public face of the policy shift. (image.mfa.go.th) Bangkok Post reported that he said the ministry would propose reducing the visa-free stay because the 60-day period had created room for abuse and security concerns. Nation Thailand reported that officials argued 30 days should be enough for most tourists. (cnn.com) March reporting from Bangkok Post said the 60-day exemption had been introduced under former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s administration to support tourism, a key part of Thailand’s economy. More recent reports said the government now wants tighter screening while still presenting Thailand as open to visitors. (bangkokpost.com) ### Why did officials say the old rule was a problem? Nation Thailand reported that a government study found most foreign tourists stayed only a little over nine days, which officials used to argue that a 30-day limit would still cover ordinary leisure travel. The same report said authorities were concerned that some foreigners were posing as tourists while working illegally or operating improper businesses. (bangkokpost.com) Bangkok Post said the Foreign Ministry framed the proposal as a response to abuses and potential security threats. Other reports described the concern more broadly as crime involving foreign nationals and misuse of the longer stay period. ### Does this mean travelers can no longer stay longer than a month? (nationthailand.com) Thailand’s 2024 rules allowed a 60-day visa-exempt stay to be extended for another period not exceeding 30 days, subject to immigration officers’ discretion. The official Foreign Ministry documents available online still reflect that 2024 framework, and Thai authorities have not yet published a new public document setting out the final mechanics of the shorter stay. (bangkokpost.com) Because the implementation details are not yet fully published, travelers planning stays longer than 30 days should verify the latest requirements before departure. That includes checking Thai embassy notices, Foreign Ministry updates and immigration guidance for any effective date, extension rules or country-specific exceptions. (image.mfa.go.th) ### Which travelers are most likely to notice the difference? Visitors planning longer holidays, remote-work-style stays or multi-stop trips through Thailand are likely to feel the change most directly. Bangkok Post reported on May 21 that some travelers already in Thailand were adjusting plans around the expected shorter visa-free window, especially those trying to spread a costly long-haul trip across several destinations. (image.mfa.go.th) For now, the next concrete step is publication of an official implementation notice. Until Thai authorities issue that notice, the most current formal baseline remains the July 2024 visa-exemption document covering 93 countries and territories, including the United States. (image.mfa.go.th) (bangkokpost.com)