Thailand will halve the length of visa-free stays for tourists from more than 60 countries and territories to 30 days, effective Sept 15, the foreign ministry said earlier this week.
Tourism is vital to the South-East Asian nation’s economy, but officials say the move is part of an effort to curb crime involving foreign nationals.
A string of recent arrests has included foreigners accused of drug offences, sex trafficking and operating businesses such as hotels and schools without proper permits.
Under Thailand’s current tourism scheme, travellers from more than 90 countries – including Europe’s 29-nation Schengen area, China, India, the United States and several South American countries – are eligible to visit for up to 60 days without a visa.
The reduction to 30 days visa-free applies to over 60 countries and territories, including China, US and 27 EU countries, the Thai foreign ministry’s consular affairs department said on Sept 1.
The visa-free status for around 20 other countries was unclear, with a foreign ministry official declining to comment.
Visitors from Peru, Brazil and South Korea will be granted 90-day visa-free stays, up from 60 previously.
Tourists will be able to extend their stays once, although at the discretion of an immigration officer, a government spokeswoman said in May when the cabinet approved the measure.
Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said back in May that the plan to trim visa-free visits was part of a crackdown on individuals abusing the visa system by committing crimes in the country.
Thailand has attracted 20.9 million tourists since the beginning of the year, down 3% on the same period in 2025, according to official figures. – AFP
