Thailand says 60-day visa-free stay may be longer than necessary for tourists

Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said the visa-exemption policy introduced during the Srettha Thavisin administration was designed to support tourism, a key driver of Thailand's economy, by allowing eligible foreign nationals to enter for tourism or short-term business without applying for a visa in advance.

However, Sihasak said the ministry's visa committee had concluded that a 60-day stay may be longer than necessary for most travelers and could create loopholes for people seeking to remain in Thailand without the appropriate visa.

Authorities have reported cases of foreigners using visa-free entry to operate businesses in sectors reserved for Thai nationals and to hold assets through nominees. Some individuals arrested in crackdowns on online scam networks were also found to have entered Thailand on tourist visas.

He noted that the 60-day allowance could be exploited by those not genuinely visiting for tourism, including individuals seeking to stay without applying for appropriate long-term visas.

Under the proposed changes, eligible visitors would be allowed to stay for 30 days, with the option to extend for another 30 days.

The minister stressed that the measure is not targeted at any specific nationality but aims to tackle issues such as online fraud and other abuses.

Thailand remains committed to welcoming tourists while ensuring national security.

Thailand recorded 6.5 million foreign visitors in the first two months of 2026, a 4.2% decrease compared to the same period last year, Nation Thailand reported.

COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMERS

4English does not own the rights to this content. All rights belong to the owner. 4English only uses this content to help users learn English via the app's features. Contact to request the removal of your content: contact@4englishapp.com.