Planning a Thailand Trip? New Visa Rules Could Ruin Your Summer Travel Plan – What Indian Travellers Need to Know
Thailand says the change will curb abuse of the visa-exempt scheme and push longer-stay visitors to apply for tourist visas or extensions.
- The Thai government announced this week that it reduced the visa-free stay period from 60 days to 30 days for travellers from more than 90 countries, including Britain, the United States, Australia, Germany, and Canada.
- Amid growing concerns over organized crime, illegal working, and sex trafficking networks, authorities reduced the visa-free period to close loopholes that officials claim criminal groups exploited to remain in the country without scrutiny.
- The previous 60-day exemption had become popular among Britons and other Western travellers seeking long-term stays in destinations like Phuket, Bangkok, and Chiang Mai during winter months.
- Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra backed the approach as a security crackdown to restore confidence, though some tourism industry operators fear the shorter period may discourage long-stay visitors contributing heavily to local economies.
- Immigration enforcement will become increasingly strict in the coming months, authorities warned, as travellers wishing to remain longer must apply for official tourist visas or extensions through traditional channels.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Visa-Free Stay For Brits Drastically Reduced by Authorities in Thailand Due to Drugs and Sex Trafficking Cases
British holidaymakers planning extended trips to Thailand will now face tighter travel rules after authorities dramatically reduced the visa-free stay period from 60 days to 30 days amid growing concerns over organised crime, illegal working and sex trafficking networks operating under the guise of tourism. The move, announced by the Thai government this week, affects travellers from more than 90 countries, including the UK, the United States, A…
Planning a Thailand trip? New visa rules could ruin your summer travel plan – What Indian travellers need to know
Thailand is reducing visa-free stays for travellers from over 90 countries to combat crime linked to foreign nationals. New durations will vary, with most getting 30 days and some only 15. This marks a return to prior rules for Indian travellers, effective in 15 days.
Cutting visa-free stays? Show us the lower crime stats
After circling the issue seemingly since being elected, the cabinet finally moved forward this week to end the 60-day visa-free programme for 93 nationalities, citing a need to stem crime and misconduct by foreigners. But if discussion of the decision’s necessity is now officially closed, attention must turn instead to results.
The Phuket Express
TPN National NewsPhuket Businesses Back End of 60-Day Free Visa, Accept Short-Term Dip in Tourism
The Phuket Express =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Phuket — Private sector leaders in Phuket have voiced support for the government’s recent decision to abolish the 60-day free visa policy for 93 countries, reverting instead to country-specific rules that generally allow stays of around 30 days. Our previous story: The Thai Cabinet has approved the cancellation of the 60-day visa-free entry scheme for […] Phuket Businesses Back End of 60-Day Free Visa, Accept …
60-day visa-free entry to Thailand ends for Singapore + 92 countries, after foreigners work illegally and engage in crime
BANGKOK: After foreigners abused a programme allowing travellers from nearly 100 countries and territories to stay in Thailand for 90 days without obtaining a visa, the country has scrapped it. The move came after several foreigners had been arrested in Thailand for cases that include those linked to human trafficking and drug smuggling. Last month, a police raid on an unlicensed international school in Bangkok revealed that 10 foreigners had be…
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