Thailand Considers Shortening Visa-Free Stays for Chinese Tourists

[webfact]

Photo courtesy of Invest Bangkok Property

 

Thailand is mulling a change to its tourist policy, potentially shortening visa-free stays for Chinese visitors. Currently, the visa-free duration stands at a generous 90 days. The new plan could see this slashed to a mere 30 days, according to Sorawong Thienthong, the Tourism and Sports Minister.

 

The reasoning is clear: most Chinese tourists don't linger for long. Mr. Thienthong highlighted that the majority leave by the 15-day mark. Exceptions exist, mostly among those eager to learn Thai boxing or culinary arts. Thus, he suggests that 30 days is just right.

 

Now, let's rewind a bit. In March 2025, a mutual visa-free pact was born. This agreement allowed citizens from Thailand and China to pop over for 30 days, with an overall tally not exceeding 90 days every six months. But this new proposal could soon change the game.

 

Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong. Picture courtesy of Thai PBS.

 

Concerns? Thienthong assures us there's no link between the review and any shady business dealings by Chinese firms in Thailand. This is all about aligning the tourist wave with local capacity.

 

 

 

 

The "We Travel Together" programme is set for a revival. This well-loved scheme will return in May or June, aiming to pep up the travel scene during the quieter months. 

 

Amidst this, government officials will be happy. They can join the travel scheme without sacrificing leave days, embracing the new norm of working online wherever they may roam. All this adds up to a travel-friendly move that aligns tourism with modern work habits.

 

Based on a story by Thai PBS

 

-- 2025-03-28

 

 

[BrandonJT]

Quote

Concerns? Thienthong assures us there's no link between the review and any shady business dealings by Chinese firms in Thailand. This is all about aligning the tourist wave with local capacity.

When has Thailand, especially Tourism ministers, ever cared a whit about capacity.  The only thing they ever talk about is MORE MORE MORE, BOOST BOOST BOOST.

[Harrisfan]

Never ending changes

[MalcolmB]

Imagine the outrage on this forum if the word Farang was in that headline instead of Chinese.

[KhunBENQ]

Get back to 15 day visa on arrival like in the good old times!

VoA could be substituted by ETA with a fee if it is finally ready.

[KhunBENQ]

17 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

Imagine the outrage on this forum if the word Farang was in that headline instead of Chinese.

I am outraged that Chinese got 90 days and we have 60.

What circle of Chinese can afford 90 days on holiday from savings/funds?

[MalcolmB]

1 hour ago, KhunBENQ said:

What circle of Chinese can afford 90 days on holiday from savings/funds?

They are smart the Chinese. 
It only costs them zero baht.

[watchcat]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The new plan could see this slashed to a mere 30 days,

 

That's more than enaugh.

[newbee2022]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Photo courtesy of Invest Bangkok Property

 

Thailand is mulling a change to its tourist policy, potentially shortening visa-free stays for Chinese visitors. Currently, the visa-free duration stands at a generous 90 days. The new plan could see this slashed to a mere 30 days, according to Sorawong Thienthong, the Tourism and Sports Minister.

 

The reasoning is clear: most Chinese tourists don't linger for long. Mr. Thienthong highlighted that the majority leave by the 15-day mark. Exceptions exist, mostly among those eager to learn Thai boxing or culinary arts. Thus, he suggests that 30 days is just right.

 

Now, let's rewind a bit. In March 2025, a mutual visa-free pact was born. This agreement allowed citizens from Thailand and China to pop over for 30 days, with an overall tally not exceeding 90 days every six months. But this new proposal could soon change the game.

 

Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong. Picture courtesy of Thai PBS.

 

Concerns? Thienthong assures us there's no link between the review and any shady business dealings by Chinese firms in Thailand. This is all about aligning the tourist wave with local capacity.

 

 

 

 

The "We Travel Together" programme is set for a revival. This well-loved scheme will return in May or June, aiming to pep up the travel scene during the quieter months. 

 

Amidst this, government officials will be happy. They can join the travel scheme without sacrificing leave days, embracing the new norm of working online wherever they may roam. All this adds up to a travel-friendly move that aligns tourism with modern work habits.

 

Based on a story by Thai PBS

 

-- 2025-03-28

 

 

No special rights for bros and sis??😂

[John Drake]

China will probably endorse this idea. I doubt the PRC likes too many of their people spending too much time and money abroad. BTW, didn't I read a year or two ago that Chinese visas for Thailand, extensions and such, had to be passed through the PRC embassy first?

[QPRFC]

This isn't news, just the usual rumours

[jcmj]

They are just trying to cover their butts for lower numbers arriving, and the numb nuts who don’t believe that this has affected shady business practices need to read more news, instead of creating more news to cover it up. They wouldn’t be bringing it up if it wasn’t an issue. 

[factual monk]

fresh joke for the weekend... 

Happy weekend... 😃 

[Woke to Sounds]

Should be 30 days for all nationalities.

 

Prove your worth beyond that point, if you got the ballz.

 

This goes for deadbeat Chinese gangsters, Russain scumbags, Canadian freeloaders, United Statesian jerks, UK potheads, Swiss maniacs and German perverts.

 

And I forgot the Israeli shxtheads.

[hotchilli]

30 days is adequate for most tourists. If they wish to stay longer they can visit an Immigration office and get an extension after verifying why.

[harryviking]

Thailand's "back licking" of the dictatorship in China is disgusting.

[norsurin]

Better shortend the visa for Russian and other criminal countries.These scumbags only come for criminal reasons.

Its shocking how easy they get away with their behaviour.

[LudwigK]

Chinesisch ist sehr wichtig. 8-))))))

 8-))))

[Reddavy]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Photo courtesy of Invest Bangkok Property

 

Thailand is mulling a change to its tourist policy, potentially shortening visa-free stays for Chinese visitors. Currently, the visa-free duration stands at a generous 90 days. The new plan could see this slashed to a mere 30 days, according to Sorawong Thienthong, the Tourism and Sports Minister.

 

The reasoning is clear: most Chinese tourists don't linger for long. Mr. Thienthong highlighted that the majority leave by the 15-day mark. Exceptions exist, mostly among those eager to learn Thai boxing or culinary arts. Thus, he suggests that 30 days is just right.

 

Now, let's rewind a bit. In March 2025, a mutual visa-free pact was born. This agreement allowed citizens from Thailand and China to pop over for 30 days, with an overall tally not exceeding 90 days every six months. But this new proposal could soon change the game.

 

Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong. Picture courtesy of Thai PBS.

 

Concerns? Thienthong assures us there's no link between the review and any shady business dealings by Chinese firms in Thailand. This is all about aligning the tourist wave with local capacity.

 

 

 

 

The "We Travel Together" programme is set for a revival. This well-loved scheme will return in May or June, aiming to pep up the travel scene during the quieter months. 

 

Amidst this, government officials will be happy. They can join the travel scheme without sacrificing leave days, embracing the new norm of working online wherever they may roam. All this adds up to a travel-friendly move that aligns tourism with modern work habits.

 

Based on a story by Thai PBS

 

-- 2025-03-28

 

 

Good news. Get rid of the dirty locusts. 👍

[nofarang]

42 minutes ago, norsurin said:

Better shortend the visa for Russian and other criminal countries.These scumbags only come for criminal reasons.

Its shocking how easy they get away with their behaviour.

exactly!!!

no Russians longer than 15 days

[Hakuna Matata]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

30 days is adequate for most tourists. If they wish to stay longer they can visit an Immigration office and get an extension after verifying why.

 

No, 14 days is adequate for most tourists!

 

Singapore gives only 7 days.

 

 

[Hakuna Matata]

25 minutes ago, nofarang said:

exactly!!!

no Russians longer than 15 days

 

Only 14 days!

 

15 days is too much.

 

Singapore gives only 7 days.

[Hakuna Matata]

25 minutes ago, nofarang said:

exactly!!!

no Russians longer than 15 days

 

Only 14 days!

 

15 days is too much.

 

Singapore gives only 7 days.

[oustaristocrats]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Photo courtesy of Invest Bangkok Property

 

Thailand is mulling a change to its tourist policy, potentially shortening visa-free stays for Chinese visitors. Currently, the visa-free duration stands at a generous 90 days. The new plan could see this slashed to a mere 30 days, according to Sorawong Thienthong, the Tourism and Sports Minister.

 

The reasoning is clear: most Chinese tourists don't linger for long. Mr. Thienthong highlighted that the majority leave by the 15-day mark. Exceptions exist, mostly among those eager to learn Thai boxing or culinary arts. Thus, he suggests that 30 days is just right.

 

Now, let's rewind a bit. In March 2025, a mutual visa-free pact was born. This agreement allowed citizens from Thailand and China to pop over for 30 days, with an overall tally not exceeding 90 days every six months. But this new proposal could soon change the game.

 

Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong. Picture courtesy of Thai PBS.

 

Concerns? Thienthong assures us there's no link between the review and any shady business dealings by Chinese firms in Thailand. This is all about aligning the tourist wave with local capacity.

 

 

 

 

The "We Travel Together" programme is set for a revival. This well-loved scheme will return in May or June, aiming to pep up the travel scene during the quieter months. 

 

Amidst this, government officials will be happy. They can join the travel scheme without sacrificing leave days, embracing the new norm of working online wherever they may roam. All this adds up to a travel-friendly move that aligns tourism with modern work habits.

 

Based on a story by Thai PBS

 

-- 2025-03-28

 

 

 

Finally a good measure by the government. Although they deny, it is of course linked to the fraudulent business initiatives from Chinese who enter the country without any touristic plans. 

Let first see how the sino-thai elite and governement will react to this plan, they will probably claim it is unfriendly will provoke China. 

[BusyB]

2 hours ago, norsurin said:

Better shortend the visa for Russian and other criminal countries.These scumbags only come for criminal reasons.

Its shocking how easy they get away with their behaviour.

 

The Brits as well?

 

[jasoneyes]

The Chinese and Taiwan government are discouraging its citizens from visiting Thailand in fear of security. Really no reason for 90 day visas for countries discouraging travel to Thailand.

[OJAS]

4 hours ago, LudwigK said:

Chinesisch ist sehr wichtig. 8-))))))

 

What's that in English, please??

[thesetat]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

Concerns? Thienthong assures us there's no link between the review and any shady business dealings by Chinese firms in Thailand. This is all about aligning the tourist wave with local capacity.

Ohh.. I seem to recall TAT saying Chinese tourism numbers are down. The New Year the Chinese preferred Japan. So how can it be about aligning the tourist wave? 

[WHansen]

20 minutes ago, OJAS said:

 

What's that in English, please??

Using google translate...

Chinese is very important 8-)))

[Purdey]

Talk about bad timing. First the government is criticized by the West for sending Uyghyrs to China, supposedly at the whim of Xi. Then pointing at Chinese tourists and cutting the visa limit for its citizens. 

The timing makes the two events look linked.