Thailand cuts visa-free stay to 30 days

Thailand has approved a rollback of the 60-day visa-free stay it introduced in 2024, cutting the allowance for travelers from 93 countries and territories back to shorter periods under revised entry rules. The Thai government’s public relations department said the cabinet approved the revision on May 19, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (thailand.prd.go.th) Reuters reported on May 13 that the move would reduce the visa-free stay period for tourists from 93 countries from 60 days to 30 days. India is among the affected countries, according to India Today and other reports. The change reverses part of Thailand’s post-pandemic tourism policy. (thailand.prd.go.th) Bangkok had expanded visa-free access in July 2024 to support travel demand, but officials later said the longer stay had been misused by some foreigners for illegal work, overstays and other offenses. Bangkok Post reported that the cabinet had decided to end the 60-day visa-free program, while ABC said officials were not targeting any specific country. ### Which Thailand rule changed, exactly? Thailand’s cabinet approved three linked revisions on May 19, according to the government statement. The measures include revoking the 60-day visa exemption for all 93 countries and territories, revising the 30-day visa exemption scheme for tourism, business and urgent work, and limiting visa-on-arrival access to four countries. (thailand.prd.go.th) Reuters reported before the cabinet decision that Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said the visa-free stay period would be cut from 60 days to 30 days to help prevent criminal activity. Bangkok Post said the timeline for enforcement was still being worked out after the cabinet decision. (thailand.prd.go.th) ### Why are Indian travelers paying attention? India Today reported on May 23 that India is among the countries affected by the rollback and that Indian travelers planning stays longer than 30 days may need a different visa under the revised system. The report said the change matters for leisure travelers, long-stay visitors and some patients planning treatment-related travel. (thailand.prd.go.th) The practical point for travelers is narrow but important. A short holiday is still covered by Thailand’s visa-exemption framework, based on the government’s published revision, but trips beyond the new limit would no longer fit under the previous 60-day window. (msn.com) India Today said that is the part likely to affect travel planning most directly. ### Why did Thailand reverse a policy it expanded in 2024? Thai officials tied the rollback to misuse of the longer stay period. Reuters said the government wanted to prevent criminal activity, while ABC reported officials cited abuse of the visa system by foreigners committing crimes in Thailand. (indiatoday.in) Bangkok Post said authorities had become concerned that the 60-day allowance was being used in ways not intended for tourism. The policy had originally been part of a tourism recovery push. The Thai government statement said the 60-day visa exemption had been introduced in 2024 before being withdrawn in this latest revision. (thailand.prd.go.th) ### Does this mean travelers now need a visa before every trip? The answer is no for standard short visits from countries still covered by Thailand’s exemption list, but yes for some longer or non-qualifying stays, based on the revised framework. The official government statement says the 60-day exemption is being revoked, not visa-free entry itself. Reuters and Bangkok Post both described the move as a return to a 30-day visa-free stay for affected tourists. (msn.com) India Today framed the shift as the return of visa-on-arrival or other visa requirements for Indians whose travel plans extend beyond the revised limit. That means travelers will need to check the exact category that applies to their nationality, trip length and purpose before departure. (thailand.prd.go.th) ### What is still unresolved? The implementation date has not been pinned down in the material published so far. Bangkok Post said enforcement timing was still being worked out, and ABC reported that the timeline for the changes to come into effect remained unclear. (thailand.prd.go.th) Thailand’s government said on May 19 that the cabinet had approved the revisions, and the next concrete step is formal implementation by the relevant authorities. Travelers from India and the other 92 affected countries will need to watch for the official start date and updated immigration guidance from Thai authorities before booking stays longer than 30 days. (indiatoday.in) (thailand.prd.go.th) (bangkokpost.com)