Officials indicate that the proposal will be presented to the Cabinet for approval; however, no specific timeline has been announced for when the revised regulation might take effect.
Currently, the enhanced 60-day visa-free scheme — initiated in July 2024 — permits citizens from 93 countries, including India, to enter Thailand for tourism and short-term business engagements. Visitors can also extend their stay by an additional 30 days through local immigration offices.
ALSO READ | EU plans new regulations for unified train travel across Europe involving competing rail companies
Thai officials have stated that this proposed amendment aims to tackle concerns related to illegal business activities and the misuse of long-stay entry permissions. They believe the existing 60-day period might exceed what is necessary for typical tourism and could be misappropriated for unauthorized employment or business ventures.
The government has made it clear that this review is not targeted at any particular nation but is part of a wider initiative to regulate foreign stays and enhance immigration enforcement.
If approved, the primary change for Indian travellers would be the reduction of the visa-free stay duration from 60 days to 30 days, though extensions may still be obtainable under current immigration regulations. Short-term visitors are expected to experience minimal disruptions.
As the proposal advances, Thailand continues to encourage long-term travel opportunities via other visa programs, such as the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), which offers a five-year multiple-entry visa allowing eligible foreigners, including Indians, to remain in the country for extended periods, targeting remote workers, freelancers, and digital nomads.
ALSO READ | Countries you can still visit amid rising airfares and flight disruptions
(Edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)
