Kamal Ghorui
In a recent update, the government of Thailand has announced plans to tighten its visa-free entry rules for 93 countries. The Thai government has decided to reduce the visa-free stay period from 60 days back to 30 days because the officials are worried over the rising concerns of misuse of long visa-free stays. The extended tourist entries are also linked with illegal activities. The news was announced by Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkaeow on Tuesday. He stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will share a plan to the Cabinet for approval but did not mention when.According to Reuters, between January 1 to May 10, 2026, Thailand has received 12.4 million foreign tourists. It is a decrease of 3.43% compared to the same period last year. It is a fact that Thailand’s economy is largely dependent on tourism.Let’s find out more about the new move: When did it all startIn order to revive tourism, the Thai government had rolled out this scheme to attract long-stay visitors. Since then, Thailand has become even more popular and the tourists number increased significantly at destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai. Back in July 2024, Thailand allowed tourists from 93 countries to stay visa-free for up to 60 days. It included travellers from India, Bhutan, China, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, among others. Will it affect Indian travellersYes, it includes India as well. This means that Indian travellers planning a long-term stay in Thailand can not extend their stay beyond 30 days (visa-free). This means shorter travel flexibility, especially for those planning slow travel or workations. Travellers who previously split two-month stays between islands, remote work and regional travel may now need to carefully monitor their itinerary.Reason As per reports citing Thai authorities, the new policy aims to prevent misuse of extended tourist visas by individuals using their stay for unauthorised business operations, scams and illegal employment. Can the visa be extendedAs per Thailand’s Foreign Ministry while the visa-free duration will be reduced to 30 days, travellers may still be able to apply for an extension within the country, subject to immigration approval.A budget destination
Thailand is among the easiest and most affordable destinations for Indians. It is because of its strong air connectivity, visa-friendly policies and low travel costs. There are several budget airlines running between Indian cities including New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru to Thailand.But now Indian travellers will have to be careful. Visitors may increasingly be asked to show proof of onward or return tickets and hotel bookings. They might be asked for sufficient funds during immigration checks. So travelling to Thailand is going to be tricky in the coming days.Updated Thailand entry guidance
Foreign travellers need to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before arrival. Tourists must be ready to show proof of funds (around THB 10,000 per person or THB 20,000 per family) nearly INR 29,609 and INR 59,219.The latest policy shift also reflects a broader trend across Asia, where countries are recalibrating post-pandemic tourism policies.
