Thailand

Thailand’s upcoming visa exemption reform will have major consequences for travelers from 21 countries. Starting September 15, 2026, they will no longer be able to enter the kingdom visa-free. For tourism purposes, travelers will notably be able to apply online through Thai e-Visa system.

Just days before Thailand’s revised visa exemption rules take effect, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published an official infographic outlining the new entry arrangements for ordinary passport holders starting September 15, 2026.

Thailand has officially published the regulations ending its 60-day visa exemption scheme. Starting September 15, 2026, nationals of 60 countries and territories, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, will be allowed to stay visa-free for up to 30 days. Citizens of two countries will receive a 15-day visa exemption, while three nationalities will remain eligible for a Visa on Arrival.

The measures ending Thailand’s current 60-day visa exemption have now been signed. An Interior Ministry letter dated August 27 confirms that the texts have been forwarded for publication in the Royal Gazette. Under the new framework, nationals of 60 countries and territories, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia, will be eligible for 30 days of visa-free entry.

A new regulation governing the deportation of foreign nationals takes effect in Thailand on August 28, 2026. The measure notably targets individuals who violate Thai law or whose behavior is deemed to threaten public order.

Thailand is moving ahead with its proposed tourist fee for foreign visitors, with authorities now considering a flat rate of 450 baht per person. The scheme, which could potentially use the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) as part of the collection process, must still go through public consultation and several approval stages before it can take effect.

Starting October 16, 2026, security personnel at Thai airports will be allowed to open and inspect certain checked bags without the passenger being present. The procedure will only be used when screening detects a suspicious item, and each inspection must be video recorded.

Announced in spring 2026 and further clarified in July, Thailand’s overhaul of its visa exemption rules has still not taken effect. Nationals of 93 countries and territories can currently continue to stay visa-free for up to 60 days, while the country is also moving ahead with the digital modernization of its entry procedures through the TDAC and the upcoming THIM app.

Thailand is reminding foreign visitors that they may be asked to show proof of sufficient financial means when passing through immigration.

Thailand is testing the THIM mobile app, presented as a future digital gateway for immigration services. But one question keeps coming up among travelers: does this app replace the TDAC? At this stage, the answer is no. THIM is an optional, complementary channel, while the Thailand Digital Arrival Card remains the mandatory arrival requirement.

Thailand is testing a new official immigration mobile app called THIM. The app is designed to allow international travelers to prepare their arrival formalities on their smartphones, in line with the already mandatory TDAC digital arrival card.

Thailand is preparing to overhaul its visa exemption and visa-on-arrival programs. Following the announced end of the 60-day visa-free scheme for 93 countries and territories, the future policy would introduce several permitted lengths of stay, distinguishing between general exemptions, bilateral agreements and visas on arrival.

Thailand’s Cabinet has approved the end of the 60-day visa exemption introduced in 2024 for travelers from 93 countries and territories. The measure still needs to be formally implemented by the relevant authorities, but it is expected to bring back the previous entry rules, generally around 30 days of visa-free stay for many nationalities.