BANGKOK: Thailand has reduced the permitted visa-free stay for tourists from 60 days to 30 days, under a new Interior Ministry notification published in the Royal Gazette on Monday (Aug 31).
The notification sets out a new list of 60 countries and territories whose passport or eligible travel-document holders may enter Thailand temporarily for tourism without obtaining a visa and remain in the country for no more than 30 days.
The measure takes effect on Sept 1, 2026, as the notification specifies that it becomes effective on the day following its publication in the Royal Gazette.
The change ends the special 60-day visa-exemption arrangement introduced under an Interior Ministry notification dated July 15, 2024.
That arrangement had allowed eligible visitors entering for tourism, work or short-term business purposes to remain in Thailand without a visa for up to 60 days.
The new notification was issued on Aug 26 and signed by Anutin Charnvirakul in his capacities as prime minister and interior minister. It followed Cabinet approval on July 14, 2026.
The Interior Ministry said the list was revised to reflect current circumstances, taking into account national security and economic considerations as well as the promotion of tourism.
The notification also repeals earlier Interior Ministry notifications dated March 4, 2019, and June 21, 2022 concerning the 30-day tourist visa-exemption scheme.
60 countries and territories covered
Passport or eligible travel-document holders from the following countries and territories qualify for visa-free stays of up to 30 days:
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Belgium
Bulgaria
Bhutan
Brunei Darussalam
Canada
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Fiji
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
India
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kuwait
Kyrgyz Republic
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Malaysia
Maldives
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Oman
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Türkiye
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Land-border entries limited to twice a year
The notification also imposes a separate condition on visa-exempt travellers entering Thailand through immigration checkpoints at land borders.
Eligible travellers using such crossings may enter Thailand under the visa-exemption scheme no more than twice in a calendar year.
The restriction does not apply to nationals of Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia or Singapore.
The notification also allows nationals of other countries designated by the interior minister to enter through land-border checkpoints more than twice per calendar year. - The Nation/ANN
