Thailand is considering reducing its visa-free tourist stay from 60 days to 30 days, a proposal that has added to a series of recent policy shifts affecting foreign visitors. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs are close to approving the plan, while other measures under discussion include a possible 300-baht tourism fee on arrivals and insurance requirements intended to reduce the burden of medical costs on the state. Immigration Police have also increased scrutiny of so-called visa runs, contributing to what officials describe as tighter border management signals.

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The proposed reduction follows earlier decisions to extend visa-free stays to 60 days only about a year ago, alongside efforts to promote long-stay tourism through schemes such as the Destination Thailand Visa, which allows stays of up to five years. The policy mix has created uncertainty over whether Thailand is prioritising longer visits or tightening entry conditions. Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said the 60-day allowance has been used for “purposes other than those intended”, adding that 30 days is sufficient for tourism, while 60 days increases the risk of delinquency.

Government concerns have focused on so-called grey activities and scams, with officials suggesting stricter visa rules are needed to address misuse. However, available data indicates 3,249 visas were revoked for crimes and unrest in 2025, out of more than 30 million foreign arrivals. Visa revocations linked to student visa abuse are significantly higher, exceeding 10,000 cases annually, including incidents involving foreign nationals entering under student visas to work on projects such as the State Audit Office construction case involving engineers from China.

Experts have questioned whether reducing visa duration will address underlying issues. Sawet Vienthong, a professor of political science at Mahamakut Buddhist University, said stronger background checks on entrants and monitoring of links to illegal networks would be more effective than adjusting visa length alone. Meanwhile, Paisan Sukcharoen, acting chairman of the Chiang Mai Tourism Industry Council, supported the intent but warned that proposed extensions beyond 30 days could create loopholes for misuse. He also noted potential impacts on legitimate long-stay visitors, including digital nomads.

The Bangkokpost reported that the policy debate highlights competing goals between attracting long-stay tourists and strengthening enforcement against criminal activity. Critics argue that those intent on abuse may bypass visa rules through other means, including corruption or alternative visa categories. The government is expected to continue reviewing enforcement mechanisms and visa structures as it seeks to balance tourism growth with security concerns.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Bangkokpost 12 Apr 2026

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Because it doesn't know it's **** from its elbow.

Because they have a problem with certain nationalities 'setting up shop' here and living long term illegally, and also often engaging in more nefarious activities. It may also tie in with the much more liberal Visa Exempt qualifiers on top of the longer stays. Sixty days gives them much more opportunity to get established and 'dig in'!

So was Thailand a crime-free place when the visa-exempt was 30 days?

Were there no scams at 30 days?

Nope...30 days made no difference whatsoever....

30 or 60 days same same..

Thai authorities need to take action because alot of Thai's are being scammed and defrauded within the country from people coming from certain countries, on top of that many illegals are now working.

I find it amusing the racist British lot want no immigration back in their own country, but in other countries they demand an open border system - hypocrisy at it's finest.

Whilst this measure won't elimate the problem, it will certainly help in curtailing it.

I totally agree. 30 day visa free for tourists is more than enough. We are talking about tourist and most of them never stay longer than 3 weeks. All others are not tourists.

And I would also like to see that after people have left the country they are not allowed to come back in the first 90/180 days. So tourists will stay tourists, All other people who want to stay longer have to apply for an entry visa, with bank statements, funding of their stay and their adress(es). And also after leaving their stay not allowed to enter within 90/180 days. Many people on this forum will not agree, but if the intentions are good, there is no problem for anyone.

The whole system is now being abused and that is why people can open illegal businesses or work. Good and tight rules can solve this.

10 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

Thai authorities need to take action because alot of Thai's are being scammed and defrauded within the country from people coming from certain countries, on top of that many illegals are now working.

I find it amusing the racist British lot want no immigration back in their own country, but in other countries they demand an open border system - hypocrisy at it's finest.

Whilst this measure won't elimate the problem, it will certainly help in curtailing it.

Burmese and Cambodians have always worked in Thailand for slave wages.

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

Burmese and Cambodians have always worked in Thailand for slave wages.

It's become a little more aggressive now with Russians, Israelis also now working, or at least setting up companies. Furthermore, it was expected the Chinese scammers would turn up once visa restrictions were removed and they haven't let anyone down on that front. What's actually surprising is the number of Indian scammers, setting up casinos etc that are being found lately.

Of course you then have the trash tourists who basically use the 60 day visa to live in Thailand.

4 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

I totally agree. 30 day visa free for tourists is more than enough. We are talking about tourist and most of them never stay longer than 3 weeks. All others are not tourists.

And I would also like to see that after people have left the country they are not allowed to come back in the first 90/180 days. So tourists will stay tourists, All other people who want to stay longer have to apply for an entry visa, with bank statements, funding of their stay and their adress(es). And also after leaving their stay not allowed to enter within 90/180 days. Many people on this forum will not agree, but if the intentions are good, there is no problem for anyone.

The whole system is now being abused and that is why people can open illegal businesses or work. Good and tight rules can solve this.

Other countries nearby give 90 days. Thailand changes PMs and visa rules more often than I buy socks.

1 minute ago, Rockyroad said:

Other countries nearby give 90 days. Thailand changes PMs and visa rules more often than I buy socks.

You can have a 90 day visa to.. Only apply for it.

1 minute ago, ikke1959 said:

You can have a 90 day visa to.. Only apply for it.

Why? It should be free like Singapore, Japan and Malaysia. The entry card is stupid too. If they want more money just add on the 300 baht entry fee and be done with it. The airlines collect it. Foreigners spend billions of baht in Thailand. The dumb visa laws turn people off.

8 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

It's become a little more aggressive now with Russians, Israelis also now working, or at least setting up companies. Furthermore, it was expected the Chinese scammers would turn up once visa restrictions were removed and they haven't let anyone down on that front. What's actually surprising is the number of Indian scammers, setting up casinos etc that are being found lately.

Of course you then have the trash tourists who basically use the 60 day visa to live in Thailand.

When it was 30 days Brits and Americans were border hopping for 20 years before. Most of the scammers are Chinese, Taiwanese and the visas make no difference.

Well, excuse me., but Anutin has always had an anti-Farang, anti-non-Thai tendency, and I can't say I blame him. The "unpaid medical bills" problem could be solved easily, show proof of travel insurance or pay a fee at immigration, that wouldn't cost a fortune. I remember ca. 10 years ago, people were still being discovered that had been here for really long periods without official visa status. Those days are gone.

As mentioned above, a four weeks stay is well above what the average "tourist" needs for a holiday. If you want to stay longer than that, then you have other motives, you can apply for a 90 days visa.

They relax the time period and let anyone in when they need revenue to boost the economy, such as after COVID. They've been doing it long enough to know it comes with an associated increase in criminal and anti-social behaviour, but are prepared to swallow it to see tourist numbers and overall revenue increase. Now as numbers are falling they trot out the familiar refrain that numbers don't matter, they are focusing on quality and spend. All the while the underlying fact is they are incapable of doing anything or seem to care about improving the product. All hot air without any action, because the issues that need improving are all part of what is fundamentally wrong with the country which they won't address. Safety, corruption, infrastructure etc.

All this chopping and changing is just to give some sort of false narrative that they actually have a tourist policy vision and are doing something.

Personally I now come as a tourist every 5 months on visa exempt, after 10 years of retirement visas. The length of time they offer me I'll utilise without extending. A reduction from 60 to 30 just means 30 days less expenditure in Thailand, certainly not going to lose any sleep over a reduction having lived here for so long.

1 hour ago, Rockyroad said:

Why? It should be free like Singapore, Japan and Malaysia. The entry card is stupid too. If they want more money just add on the 300 baht entry fee and be done with it. The airlines collect it. Foreigners spend billions of baht in Thailand. The dumb visa laws turn people off.

Ok but nobody tells you not to go there. I agree with 30 days for tourists If you are sysying longer, you are not a really tourist. Vietnam is also 45 days visa free. Abuse of the visasystem is a problem, and i agree to reform it.

Seeking for quality tourists.. Annoying to be named a low quality tourist...but how do you attrack quality tourists in a low quality land???

5 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

...30 day visa free for tourists is more than enough. We are talking about tourist and most of them never stay longer than 3 weeks. All others are not tourists.

And I would also like to see that after people have left the country they are not allowed to come back in the first 90/180 days. So tourists will stay tourists, All other people who want to stay longer have to apply for an entry visa, with bank statements, funding of their stay and their adress(es). And also after leaving their stay not allowed to enter within 90/180 days. Many people on this forum will not agree, but if the intentions are good, there is no problem for anyone.

There are many types of tourists. Many tourists want to stay in Thailand for more than 30 days. Young people, pensioners, those taking a gap year, etc. I am a teacher myself and my summer vacation lasts more than 60 days. So I have often visited Thailand for about sixty days.

Applying for a visa is a hassle in itself, yes it reduces real tourism. It is difficult task for many pensioners, for example. I know many pensioners for whom 60 days without a visa was a great relief. Applying for even 30 additional days from Immigration is often a source of great stress and sleepless nights for many people. At least for Nordic tourists, European holiday destinations, such as Spain, are very attractive due to easier entry.

Politicians make decisions for political reasons. I am pretty sure that the planned decision is harmful to tourism, also timing is totally wrong, when there are so many other problems. A change in the rules is clearly needed, but there are certainly much better alternatives.

1 hour ago, DonniePeverley said:

It's become a little more aggressive now with Russians, Israelis also now working, or at least setting up companies. Furthermore, it was expected the Chinese scammers would turn up once visa restrictions were removed and they haven't let anyone down on that front. What's actually surprising is the number of Indian scammers, setting up casinos etc that are being found lately.

Of course you then have the trash tourists who basically use the 60 day visa to live in Thailand.

1 hour ago, DonniePeverley said:

It's become a little more aggressive now with Russians, Israelis also now working, or at least setting up companies. Furthermore, it was expected the Chinese scammers would turn up once visa restrictions were removed and they haven't let anyone down on that front. What's actually surprising is the number of Indian scammers, setting up casinos etc that are being found lately.

Of course you then have the trash tourists who basically use the 60 day visa to live in Thailand.

the last part says it all.. 60 days to live in Thailand. That are not tourists. Tourists visit Thailand. For live in Thailand you can have other regulations

10 minutes ago, Jim Jum said:

There are many types of tourists. Many tourists want to stay in Thailand for more than 30 days. Young people, pensioners, those taking a gap year, etc. I am a teacher myself and my summer vacation lasts more than 60 days. So I have often visited Thailand for about sixty days.

Applying for a visa is a hassle in itself, yes it reduces real tourism. It is difficult task for many pensioners, for example. I know many pensioners for whom 60 days without a visa was a great relief. Applying for even 30 additional days from Immigration is often a source of great stress and sleepless nights for many people. At least for Nordic tourists, European holiday destinations, such as Spain, are very attractive due to easier entry.

Politicians make decisions for political reasons. I am pretty sure that the planned decision is harmful to tourism, also timing is totally wrong, when there are so many other problems. A change in the rules is clearly needed, but there are certainly much better alternatives.

60 days is no problem and hassle? Just to show you have enough funds for your stay, a health insurance and a adress where you are staying. Many other countries and the Schengenvisa have the same requirement, but it is. Difficult indeed, if you cant submit the needed information.

6 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Ok but nobody tells you not to go there. I agree with 30 days for tourists If you are sysying longer, you are not a really tourist. Vietnam is also 45 days visa free. Abuse of the visasystem is a problem, and i agree to reform it.

Quality people stay 2 months not 2 weeks. The fighters are the 2 week people. Just leave it at 60. If someone causes trouble 5 year ban. Simple.

9 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

efforts to promote long-stay tourism through schemes such as the Destination Thailand Visa, which allows stays of up to five years.

A five year visa to go to cooking school or go to a boxing gym seems absurd. Five years is enough to get a university degree and a graduate degree.

7 hours ago, cooked said:

The "unpaid medical bills" problem could be solved easily, show proof of travel insurance or pay a fee at immigration, that wouldn't cost a fortune.

Except that many people the government are complaining about (at least a lot of the high profile cases on Aseannow) did have travel insurance. But those injured and hurt violated the terms of the insurance coverage. Mandating travel insurance will not allow the government to get its money back for all the injuries on motorcycles, scooters, jumping off buildings, and other activity while using alcohol, driving without a license, without safety protections, using drugs, or violating the law.

8 minutes ago, John Drake said:

A five year visa to go to cooking school or go to a boxing gym seems absurd. Five years is enough to get a university degree and a graduate degree.

Just imagine your cooking skills and muay thai ability though. You could whip up a pad thai in 5 minutes and leg kick coconuts out of trees.

90 days per calendar year or similar is the easy fix. India and EU have these plans and they work well.

On 4/12/2026 at 5:08 AM, Georgealbert said:

Visa revocations linked to student visa abuse are significantly higher, exceeding 10,000 cases annually, including incidents involving foreign nationals entering under student visas to work on projects such as the State Audit Office construction case involving engineers from China.

Maybe that's why the building collapsed: They were students, not engineers.

19 hours ago, John Drake said:

Except that many people the government are complaining about (at least a lot of the high profile cases on Aseannow) did have travel insurance. But those injured and hurt violated the terms of the insurance coverage. Mandating travel insurance will not allow the government to get its money back for all the injuries on motorcycles, scooters, jumping off buildings, and other activity while using alcohol, driving without a license, without safety protections, using drugs, or violating the law.

Fair enough. So the problem isn't the length of stay, it's the attitude of the police towards motorcycle renters, etc.

4 hours ago, Spilornis said:

90 days per calendar year or similar is the easy fix. India and EU have these plans and they work well.

Just copy Malaysia and Singapore ie normal visas.

11 hours ago, Spilornis said:

90 days per calendar year or similar is the easy fix. India and EU have these plans and they work well.

The European Schengen zone visa free entry allowance is 90 days out of any 180 day period, not 90 days in a year.

Too many European troublemakers go to Thailand.

On 4/12/2026 at 6:37 AM, BritManToo said:

Burmese and Cambodians have always worked in Thailand for slave wages.

And still are but only for the hi so's.

Why this is happening ? Maybe dut to a bit of xenophobia or hostility towards foreigners in general, that definately does not help to extend visa free sojourns ?