Thailand is preparing to tighten its visa-free entry policy, with citizens from several countries, including the United Kingdom, expected to apply for visas if they plan to stay beyond 30 days.
The Thai government on Tuesday approved plans to revoke the current 60-day visa exemption granted to nationals of 93 countries since July 2024.
The policy was initially introduced to support the country’s tourism-driven economy following the COVID-19 pandemic, but authorities now said it required adjustment due to emerging security concerns and complications in the visa system.
Speaking on the decision, Anutin Charnvirakul said the exemption policy needed to be reviewed “to be more suitable for the current situation, both in terms of the economy and national security.”
Officials pointed to a rise in criminal cases involving foreign nationals, including allegations related to drug smuggling and sex trafficking, as part of the justification for the policy shift.
Under the revised arrangement, visa-free stays for citizens of countries such as Australia, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Spain, the United States, and others will be reduced to 30 days, unless specific reciprocal agreements state otherwise.
Thailand’s foreign ministry also said the change is intended to streamline overlapping visa rules that have caused confusion for travellers.
The new policy is expected to take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette, Thailand’s official legal journal.
Despite the tougher entry rules, tourism remains a key pillar of Thailand’s economy.
The country welcomed nearly 40 million visitors in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global travel, while official figures indicate that almost 12 million tourists have already arrived this year.
