Thailand is scrapping a regulation allowing 60-day visa-free entry for tourists that was introduced just two years ago.
The Cabinet decided to revert to the previous entry rules. In future, visitors from 54 countries will once again be allowed to stay in the country for only 30 days without a visa, the Bangkok Post reported on Tuesday, citing the government.
The 60-day rule was introduced in July 2024 to boost the vital tourism sector following the coronavirus pandemic.
However, according to the government, the relaxation also led to problems. Authorities reported an increase in cases of foreigners who exploited the extended stay options to conduct illegal business or live in the country permanently.
Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the decision would be forwarded to the relevant authorities. The Foreign Ministry said the changes are set to take effect 15 days after publication in the Thai government gazette.
The South-East Asian has been recording lower tourist numbers for months. According to official figures, international arrivals were 3.3% below the previous year’s level by mid-May. The government also expects a significant decline in visitor numbers for the year as a whole, from 33 million foreign visitors in 2025, to just 32 million this year.
The decline is particularly marked among Chinese visitors, traditionally the country’s most important tourist group.
Industry representatives generally attribute the weaker interest to increased travel costs and geopolitical tensions. Higher airfares resulting from the Iran war are also weighing on the tourism sector.
