Thailand expects to welcome a record 2.7 million Indian visitors next year after recommending a 30-day visa-free entry, instead of the visa on arrival initially proposed, for Indian nationals, with tourism officials also banking on expanded flight connections from smaller Indian cities to boost demand.
The Thai cabinet has approved the visa exemption, although it will only take effect once the decision is published in the Royal Gazette. Officials have not confirmed when that will happen.
Visa change expected to boost demand
According to Patsee Permvongsenee, executive director for the ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific region at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Indian market remains one of Thailand’s strongest tourism performers despite an overall slowdown in international arrivals this year.
As of 18 July, Thailand had welcomed 17.3 million foreign visitors in 2026, down more than 3% compared with the same period last year. Indians accounted for 1.3 million arrivals, making India Thailand’s third-largest source market.
TAT expects Indian arrivals to reach 2.55 million this year before climbing to 2.7 million in 2027.
The forecast is also supported by airlines increasing services from India’s second- and third-tier cities. Carriers that temporarily suspended flights because of the Middle East conflict and higher fuel costs are also preparing to restore capacity.
Competition for Indian travellers
Khajornrit Khwanmongkol, director of TAT’s New Delhi office, said the weaker Indian rupee against the US dollar could discourage some middle-income travellers from booking overseas holidays, although he believes demand will remain resilient.
Indian visitors continue to be among Thailand’s higher-spending tourists, averaging about 6,200 baht per day, or more than 36,000 baht per trip.
Khajornrit also said recent uncertainty surrounding Thailand’s visa policy had caused more disruption than exchange rates. The previous switch to visa-on-arrival created confusion and had a greater impact on travel demand.
Nattachit Oonsiam, director of TAT’s Mumbai office, said some meetings and incentive travel groups had instead chosen Vietnam while Thailand’s visa arrangements remained uncertain, as such trips are often planned at least a month in advance. He noted that Indian visitors can enter Phu Quoc Island without a tourist visa, although visas remain necessary for other parts of Vietnam.
Airlines and tourism preparing for growth
TAT says around 66,000 airline seats are currently available each week on routes between Thailand and India. India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector, with new airports, additional aircraft and stronger domestic connections, is expected to support continued growth in outbound travel.
The authority estimates India’s outbound travel market will grow from 32.7 million trips in 2025 to around 50 million by 2030. Thailand currently ranks as the third most popular overseas destination for Indian travellers, with many considering holidays in Thailand competitively priced compared with premium domestic breaks within India.
TAT is also encouraging Thai tourism operators to provide more Hindi-language information, Indian vegetarian and halal dining options, digital payment facilities and flexible booking policies to better cater for the growing market.
Join the discussion? 
29 July 2026
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment