NationThailand-Apr 23
Thailand is reviewing its 60-day visa-free entry scheme and is likely to scrap the blanket arrangement for all eligible countries, as the government seeks to tighten screening, curb abuse and shift its tourism strategy towards higher-quality and longer-stay visitors. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the review followed discussions involving the Foreign Ministry, security agencies and the Tourism and Sports Ministry. Surasak said the main purpose of the visa overhaul was to use the system as an initial screening tool, reduce problems linked to undesirable visitors and focus more on travelers who bring stronger long-term value to the economy and society. The current direction, he said, is to move away from the 60-day visa-free stay and return to a more suitable country-by-country framework, while supporting longer-stay travel through other visa channels. He said data gathered during the trial period showed that around 90% of tourists stay in Thailand for no more than 30 days, suggesting that a shorter visa-free period would better reflect actual travel behavior. The government has therefore been studying whether the current 60-day stay is still appropriate, with visitors needing longer stays able to use other visa categories such as the Destination Thailand Visa, which allows stays of up to 180 days. He stressed that the broader goal was sustainable tourism growth built around safety, confidence and greener development, so that tourism would generate real benefits for local communities and the wider economy. Alongside the visa reform, he said the government was also preparing “quick win” measures to stimulate domestic tourism, including fresh support modelled on earlier tourism stimulus tools and possible tax-relief steps to reduce the cost of travel within Thailand. Read more at
