Thailand is drastically reducing the length of visa-free stays for tourists from more than 90 countries in a bid to combat crime involving foreign nationals, officials announced on Tuesday. The move brings an end to the 60-day visa exemption introduced in 2024, which had been agreed with 93 nations, including the United Kingdom, the United States, and much of Europe.
New Visa Regulations
Under the revised rules, visitors will be granted a 30-day visa exemption instead of the previous 60-day allowance. Additionally, the number of countries or territories eligible for this scheme will be reduced from 57 to 54, according to Mungkorn Pratoomkaew, director-general of the foreign ministry’s consular affairs department. The specific list of eligible countries has yet to be disclosed.
Officials state that the new regulations will be streamlined to minimise confusion among tourists. Tourists will be able to renew their visas once by visiting an immigration office, but the renewal is not automatic. “The 60 days was automatic but the renewal will be decided by the officer and tourists will have to explain why they are staying longer,” a government spokesperson told Agence France-Presse.
Reasons for the Change
Tourism is a vital sector for Thailand, accounting for between 10 and 20 percent of the country’s GDP. However, concerns over visitors breaking the law have prompted calls for stricter immigration rules. Government spokesperson Rachada Dhanadirek explained that while tourists bring benefits such as economic boosts, “the current scheme has allowed some people to exploit it.”
Frequent incidents involving tourists committing crimes—from shoplifting to indecent exposure—have drawn public attention online. There is particular concern about foreigners overstaying their visas and illegally operating businesses in tourism hotspots without proper permits. Thai authorities have also cited worries about transnational criminal groups abusing immigration laws.
Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow stated last week that Thailand is not targeting any specific country but rather individuals who abuse the visa system by committing crimes in the country.
Impact on Tourism
Thailand relaxed its visa rules in 2024 to boost the tourism sector’s recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. However, visitor numbers have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, partly due to the impact of the US-Israel war on Iran, which has driven up jet fuel and air fares.
According to the Bangkok Post, foreign arrivals to Thailand fell by 3.45 percent year-on-year in the first four months of 2026. Arrivals from the UK dropped by 22.8 percent to 85,059 tourists, and Middle Eastern arrivals also declined sharply. The National Economic and Social Development Council has revised its target for tourist arrivals this year from 35 million (forecast in February) down to 32 million.
