KUALA LUMPUR - Tourists visiting Thailand are expressing concern over the government’s plan to reduce the duration of visa-free stays for foreign visitors.
The move, announced on May 19, is aimed at curbing crime involving foreigners and will affect tourists from more than 90 countries.
Travellers in Bangkok’s popular tourist areas said the shorter visa-free period could disrupt travel plans and reduce flexibility for longer trips.
Irish tourist Alex Brady said the planned one-month visa-free limit would have significantly affected his travel plans in Thailand.
Brady, who was travelling with friends for about five weeks, said the current 60-day visa-free arrangement allowed them to explore the country more freely.
“Initially I came here with no plan at all,” he said.
The 24 year old said the new restrictions would make it harder for tourists to visit multiple destinations across the country.
“Really restrict you in what you can see,” Brady said.
He said his group planned to travel from Bangkok to Koh Tao before continuing north to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.
“If you're paying for an expensive flight ticket out here, you want to spend a good amount of time out here,” he said.
Tourism contributes more than 10% to Thailand’s gross domestic product, although visitor numbers have yet to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels.
Thailand introduced the 60-day visa-free policy two years ago to attract more tourists and encourage longer stays.
However, recent arrests involving foreigners linked to drug offences, public indecency and illegal businesses have sparked criticism from the public.
Authorities now plan to shorten visa-free stays on a country by country basis to address concerns over crime and immigration violations.
Officials have not yet announced when the new policy will take effect or explained how it will reduce visa overstays and illegal activities.
Under the proposed rules, tourists would still be allowed to extend a 30-day visa-free stay once for another 30 days, subject to immigration approval.
Travellers would also still be allowed to make one ‘visa run’ annually before needing to apply for another visa category such as work, education or retirement visas.
Elin Ovrebo, who manages a university study abroad programme from the United States, said she regularly brings students to Thailand for 28-day visits and usually extends her own stay.
While she said the new policy could affect her future travel plans, she added that it would not stop her from returning to Thailand.
“It won't stop me from coming,” she said.
German tourist Anna Heindrich said she was travelling to Laos briefly to renew her stay in Thailand through a ‘visa run’.
The 80-year-old said she had already spent three months in Thailand and hoped to stay two weeks longer.
“I spoke with the agency and it sounded easy on paper. Not necessarily very comfortable, but easy,” she said.
Bangkok Buddy Manager, Tanya Chansuwan said the tighter visa rules could increase demand for visa-run services but might also discourage some tourists from visiting Thailand.
“It will be tougher for the clients, and some might choose to go somewhere else.
“Vietnam, because it's cheaper,” she said.
