Thailand has said that it will reduce the duration of time foreign visitors are permitted to enter the country illegally from 60 days to 30 days.
The action was taken as the country in Southeast Asia cracks down on tourists abusing the waiver to engage in illicit commercial activity, according to Sorawong Thienthong, minister of sports and tourism.
Concerns about tourists renting out lodging without formal authorization have also been raised by regional tourism and hospitality associations.
In an attempt to curb illegal trade, Thailand limits travel without a visa.
Passport holders from 93 nations have been permitted to visit Thailand for up to 60 days since July 2024.
The government claims that by reducing the number of days to 30, it intends to prevent abuse of the waiver period without endangering travel
The Association of Thai Travel Agents has spoken out about worries that a rising number of foreigners are engaged in criminal employment or business activities while claiming to be there for tourism purposes.
Another major concern brought up by the Thai Hotels Association was that the 60-day stay was leading to an increase in the unlawful rental of homes to foreign tourists, according to the Bangkok Post
According to Thienthong, important ministries have approved the proposal in principle, and a formal date for the change will be revealed shortly.
There will reportedly be possible exemptions or transitional measures for travellers who already have bookings in place.
What impact will Thailand’s shortened visa-free period have on travel?
For many tourists, notably retirees and digital nomads, who wish to take longer excursions, Thailand’s 60-day stay has been a blessing
According to data from Forward Keys, almost 7% of reservations made to Thailand between January and February were for stays longer than 22 nights.
According to officials, the demand for inward travel may be slightly impacted by the reduction in the number of days when visas are not required.
Thailand’s economy depends heavily on tourism, but the sector is also confronting other difficulties.
The potential policy move adds to a growing list of factors weighing on the sector along with Chinese tourists’ security concerns and tighter travel budgets among North American and European travellers,” Bloomberg Intelligence analysts wrote in a report this week.
In 2025, Thai authorities hope to surpass 40 million foreign visitors, breaking the nation’s 2019 record.
Thailand’s visitor numbers between January and mid-March were already 3.9% higher than in 2024.
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