At a press briefing held on March 20 in Bangkok, Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, announced that his ministry is preparing to submit a proposal to the government to reduce the visa-free stay period in Thailand from 60 days to 30 days.
Reflecting on the current policy, he recalled the context in which the measure was introduced, emphasizing its economic importance.
“Up to now, and under the previous government of Prime Minister Srettha, we have granted a 60-day visa exemption to more than 90 countries. The objective was to promote tourism, which is important, as tourism generates significant revenue and contributes to Thailand’s GDP. However, today, the ministry, through the visa committee that we chair, believes that 60 days may be too long,” said Sihasak Phuangketkeow.
Introduced on July 15, 2024, this expanded visa exemption policy currently allows nationals of 93 countries to stay in Thailand without a visa for up to 60 days. Travelers also have the option to extend their stay by an additional 30 days while in the country, bringing the maximum duration to 90 days.
“Tourists entering Thailand generally stay 30 days, which is sufficient”
In detail, authorities are relying on an analysis of real-world travel patterns, considering that the current 60-day period does not reflect the actual behavior of most travelers, whose stays are typically shorter.
Based on this observation, Thailand’s diplomatic authorities aim to adjust the scheme to better align it with observed travel habits.
In reality, tourists entering Thailand generally stay around 30 days, which is sufficient. We will therefore propose to the government to reduce the visa exemption period from 60 days to 30 days.
Sihasak Phuangketkeow – Minister of Foreign Affairs – March 20, 2026
Beyond average stay durations, authorities have also pointed to certain abuses.
“60 days may be too long and can create opportunities for individuals whose purpose is not tourism to remain in Thailand for extended periods, or even settle there,” the diplomat explained.
These concerns were reinforced following a recent visit by the minister to Phuket, where several stakeholders in the tourism sector reported challenges linked to the current regime. In this destination, as in other high-traffic areas, authorities have been alerted to situations involving foreign nationals entering visa-free and engaging in non-tourism activities, including setting up businesses in sectors reserved for Thai nationals or acquiring real estate through nominee arrangements.
Additionally, operations targeting online scam networks have revealed that some individuals arrested had entered the country under the same visa exemption scheme, further raising questions among authorities about its use.
A desire to preserve tourism appeal
At the same time, authorities sought to reassure the public about the practical impact of such a change.
The minister specified that if the proposal to shorten the visa-free stay is approved, “a person staying for 30 days will still be able to apply for an additional 30-day extension.”
This clarification underscores that the goal is not to restrict tourism flows, but rather to better regulate longer stays while maintaining a degree of flexibility. “This measure therefore does not constitute an obstacle for tourists,” added Sihasak Phuangketkeow.
These statements mark a further step in the process. What had until now been a discussion in recent months now appears as a formal proposal at the governmental level.
Despite this position, no changes have taken effect at this stage. The proposed reduction of the visa exemption period remains part of an internal decision-making process and will require formal approval by the Thai government.
