Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports announced plans to shorten the duration of visa-free stays for foreign visitors. The move, revealed by Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul, aligns with current traveler behavior, as most tourists visit for an average of only nine days. The proposal aims to streamline the stay period to better reflect typical visit lengths without impacting the tourism market.
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Currently, travelers from 93 countries can enter Thailand without a visa for up to 60 days. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will draft detailed plans, tailoring new stay durations by country. This adjustment is also part of efforts to control illegal activities conducted under the guise of tourism. Notably, Norwegian visitors, who stay the longest at an average of 21 days, would still have adequate time with a proposed 30-day period.
The Tourism Minister assured that this change would not negatively affect Thailand's appeal to international tourists. In addition, the government is proceeding with plans to introduce a 300 baht entry fee for tourists, with funds directed to the country's tourism promotion initiatives. This fee primarily targets air travelers, reinforcing Thailand's commitment to enhancing its tourism infrastructure.
Looking ahead, the reduced visa-free stay policy and entry fee are set to be discussed further by the Cabinet. The government remains optimistic about maintaining tourism growth, anticipating the new policies to be well-received by both the industry and visitors.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now · Khaosod · 11 May 2026
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