The cabinet on Tuesday decided to end the 60-day visa-free programme for foreign visitors to Thailand, with the timeline for enforcement still being worked out.
The decision meant that the rules for all countries covered by the scheme would revert to the immigration regulations in place before the 60-day programme took effect, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said.
Thai authorities for months have been signalling that 60-day stays, introduced to help spur the post-Covid tourism recovery, had led to a rise in foreigners putting down roots to run businesses or engage in criminal activity.
Foreign visitors already in Thailand or arriving before the new measures take effect will still be allowed to remain under their existing visa conditions until their permitted stay expires.
New rules would limit each country or territory to a single visa exemption category and revoke the 60‑day exemption for all 93 countries or territories.
Eligibility for the 30-day visa exemption will be reduced from 57 countries to 54.
As well, there will be a 15‑day visa exemption for certain countries, along with a streamlined visa‑on‑arrival scheme.
Thailand for many years had allowed nationals of 56 countries to stay without a visa for 30 days. In July 2024, the exemption was increased to 60 days and eligibility expanded to 93 countries.
The following is an unofficial list from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of applicable tourist entry eligibility by country after the end of 60-day visa exemptions:
54 countries and territories granted 30-day visa exemption:
Europe: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
Asia and Oceania: Australia, Bhutan, Brunei, Georgia, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey.
Middle East: Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates.
Americas: Canada, United States.
Africa: South Africa.
Three countries eligible for a 15-day visa exemption: Seychelles, Maldives, Mauritius.
Four countries (reduced from 31) eligible for visa on arrival: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Serbia, India.
Bilateral agreements:
14-day visa exemption: Myanmar (air arrivals only), Cambodia.
30-day visa exemption: China, Hong Kong, Macau, Laos, Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Timor-Leste, Vietnam.
90-day visa exemption: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, South Korea.
