Thailand’s Cabinet has approved the cancellation of the 60-day visa-free entry scheme for travellers from more than 90 countries and territories, reverting instead to the previous arrangements that mostly allow stays of around 30 days. The move marks a significant shift in the country’s tourism policy, with authorities citing security concerns and the need to focus on “quality tourists” rather than visitor numbers alone.

Get today's headlines by email

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said after the Cabinet meeting on 19 May 2026, that the government had agreed to scrap the 60-day visa exemption measures, including special privileges granted to countries with more than one visa arrangement. He said the government would now return to the original bilateral agreements already in place with each country.

The minister said the revised policy would be forwarded to the relevant agencies before full implementation, with the Visa Policy Committee reviewing the final details country by country. Authorities will consider which visa categories are suitable for each nation, taking into account both economic benefits and national security concerns.

The 60-day visa-free scheme was originally introduced to stimulate tourism and economic activity, but security agencies later raised concerns that it had created loopholes. Officials reportedly found that some foreign nationals had used the system to establish illegal nominee businesses, work without permits, and operate transnational criminal activities, including call-centre scam networks.

According to data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, most foreign tourists visiting Thailand stay for an average of only nine days. Authorities therefore believe reducing the maximum visa-free period to 30 days will have limited impact on the country’s main tourism markets.

The Visa Policy Committee is also expected to review whether some countries should receive only 15-day visa-free entry in future as part of a broader restructuring of the system. The government said the revised framework would better reflect current diplomatic and security conditions.

Komchadluek reported that officials said travellers from the original group of 93 countries and territories would no longer automatically receive 60-day stays. Further announcements and further details are expected once the committee completes its country-by-country review.

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN Now Komchadluek 19 May 2026

View full article

When do these changes go into effect ?

Its very important to tell people when the changes come into effect as some need to know that info when booking flights

I read a comment on FB that caught my eye.

The argument presented was that hoteliers have also pressurised the government to switch to 30 days in order to limit AirBnB encroaching on their territory.

For real tourists it will have a small impact as most have enough of 30 days.. All other must apply for a longer visa, which should not be a problem with good intentions. However if I read some posts it seems that people want to stay longer without applying for a visa, The question remains for them why??? It is not the cost of the visa I suppose and not the paperwork, but possible the requirements..in Vietnam for example the stay is also max 45 days and for more a visa is needed. There are no problems but there are people

2 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

When do these changes go into effect ?

Its very important to tell people when the changes come into effect as some need to know that info when booking flights

Sometime between today and 6 months from now. As per usual government announcement of a policy change. Don't worry though, they will make the announcement publicly about 6 hours after it actually goes into effect, also per usual.

If fuel prices continue to rise the new airfares may solve the problem by greatly reducing demand from most all countries to fly to Thailand. Maybe not the best time to be creating more hoops for those who would like to stay several months. Also with increased airfare I would think many people might want to stay longer to make the airfare cost and flying hassle worth it a bit more?

How about anyone who has been to Thailand several times before with zero overstays, arrests, problems still get 60 or even 90 days and those who break the rules get refused entry or closer scrutiny.

Frankly i doubt that the new proposed rules will actually become law but who knows. How about a promotion that if your stay is during slow season you get more days of visa free stay?

UPDATE

Thailand Tightens Visa-Free Entry Rules

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

Thailand has confirmed further details of its planned rollback of visa-free entry privileges, with authorities announcing that all 93 countries and territories currently eligible for 60-day visa-free stays will lose the scheme as part of a major overhaul of the kingdom’s immigration policy.

The update was announced on 19 May by Mangkorn Pratoomkaew, director-general of the Department of Consular Affairs, following Cabinet approval of a review proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Under the revised system, each country or territory will be granted only one visa exemption privilege to simplify Thailand’s immigration framework. Officials said overlapping visa privileges had created confusion for travellers and complicated the Foreign Ministry’s e-Visa system.

The government will also review the existing 30-day visa-free tourism scheme, reducing the number of eligible countries and territories from 57 to 54. In addition, Thailand plans to introduce a new 15-day visa-free tourism programme covering three countries or territories. Authorities also confirmed that the number of countries eligible for Visa on Arrival will be sharply reduced from 31 to just four under the new framework.

The changes will take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette through three announcements issued by the Ministry of Interior. Travellers already in Thailand, or those entering the country before the measures come into force, will still be permitted to remain under their existing conditions until their authorised stay expires. Once the new rules are implemented, all incoming travellers will be required to comply with the revised visa conditions.

Mangkorn said the review followed discussions between agencies under the Visa Policy Committee and considered national security, tourism, economic interests and reciprocal treatment between countries. Thai authorities have increasingly expressed concerns that generous visa exemptions were being exploited by illegal businesses and transnational criminal groups operating in the country.

The government has repeatedly stressed that future visa policy will focus more on attracting “quality tourists” rather than maximising arrival numbers. Further full details of new policy will be released as soon as possible by the government.

Khaosod reported that officials also confirmed that Prime Minister had signed an order appointing a new committee to regularly review Thailand’s visa policies. The committee will be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow to ensure immigration measures remain aligned with changing conditions.

Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 19 May 2026

It says: The changes will take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette ..

I am going in 3 weeks for 59 days .. so .. should be fine ... hopefully

They will do what they want but it seems to me this change is an overreaction to a problem that could have been addressed other ways and is in effect just throwing away a lot of tourism money for no good reason.

Is the Thai economy so great that they can afford to do that?

What's the deal?

Thailand is simply addicted to making wishy-washy announcements that are so loose

and without specifics, so no one is ever quite sure what it all means and what the details are...

Bloody hell....How about figuring out how all the nuts and bolts fit together first, before an announcement for once....

And another thing...When the 30-day visa-exempt was in effect before.... Was Thailand without crime or rule breakers? Nope....I can see zero difference between the 30 day visa exemp and the 60 day visa exempt as far as the number of rule breaking by farangs goes...

30 days, plenty of rule breakers

60 days, plenty of rule breakers

Back to 30 days plenty of rule breakers...

Edited May 19May 19 by redwood1

4 hours ago, MIke B Bad said:

I read a comment on FB that caught my eye.

The argument presented was that hoteliers have also pressurised the government to switch to 30 days in order to limit AirBnB encroaching on their territory.

Make sense. Even though plenty of airbnb rent for less than 30 days.

Edited May 19May 19 by KimchiCurry

5 hours ago, KimchiCurry said:

Make sense. Even though plenty of airbnb rent for less than 30 days.

True, though illegal....oh wait.....this is thailand.

This is very sad. Europe extends Schengen visas for Thais and Thailand Tightens Visa-Free Entry Rules.

I used to spend 5 or 6 months in Thailand every year. With changing rules for Non-O visas and extensions, I will most probably stop spending money in Thailand. Not sure to come for 30 days.

7 hours ago, KimchiCurry said:

Make sense. Even though plenty of airbnb rent for less than 30 days.

More likely, replace "plenty" for most.

The new rule won’t change anything at all.

13 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

When do these changes go into effect ?

Its very important to tell people when the changes come into effect as some need to know that info when booking flights

Yet to be announced, plus a few other details that will be evaluated on a country by country basis.

1 hour ago, daejung said:

This is very sad. Europe extends Schengen visas for Thais and Thailand Tightens Visa-Free Entry Rules.

I used to spend 5 or 6 months in Thailand every year. With changing rules for Non-O visas and extensions, I will most probably stop spending money in Thailand. Not sure to come for 30 days.

Overseas countries should reciprocate, when it comes to property ownership, citizenship, visas and other matters when Thais go to foreign countries. Of course the Thais would claim this as racial discrimination, especially if they had to do 90 days reports.

1 hour ago, daejung said:

This is very sad. Europe extends Schengen visas for Thais and Thailand Tightens Visa-Free Entry Rules.

I used to spend 5 or 6 months in Thailand every year. With changing rules for Non-O visas and extensions, I will most probably stop spending money in Thailand. Not sure to come for 30 days.

How many visa-free days can you stay in the Schengen area?????

13 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

How many visa-free days can you stay in the Schengen area?????

Iirc 60 countries for 90 days

If you plan to stay more than 30 days just apply for a visa beforehand!

Thailand offers a 60-day e-Visa to citizens of many countries, and you can apply for this online without having to send your passport to an Embassy or Consulate.

Only thing to be aware of is that it could take a few weeks to process.

15 hours ago, MIke B Bad said:

I read a comment on FB that caught my eye.

The argument presented was that hoteliers have also pressurised the government to switch to 30 days in order to limit AirBnB encroaching on their territory.

15 hours ago, MIke B Bad said:

I read a comment on FB that caught my eye.

The argument presented was that hoteliers have also pressurised the government to switch to 30 days in order to limit AirBnB encroaching on their territory.

15 hours ago, MIke B Bad said:

I read a comment on FB that caught my eye.

The argument presented was that hoteliers have also pressurised the government to switch to 30 days in order to limit AirBnB encroaching on their territory.

Who would believe a rubbish statement like that from fakebook ?? not me.

“According to data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, most foreign tourists visiting Thailand stay for an average of only nine days. Authorities therefore believe reducing the maximum visa-free period to 30 days will have limited impact on the country’s main tourism markets”

In the knowledge that they had this data, one wonders why they previously came to the conclusion that it was a good idea to introduce the 60 day visa free scheme.

1 minute ago, wensiensheng said:

“According to data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, most foreign tourists visiting Thailand stay for an average of only nine days. Authorities therefore believe reducing the maximum visa-free period to 30 days will have limited impact on the country’s main tourism markets”

In the knowledge that they had this data, one wonders why they previously came to the conclusion that it was a good idea to introduce the 60 day visa free scheme.

Or what impact reducing it will have as obviously irrelevant to 9 day visitors.

Nobody got the country list?

I'm not sure if this is the right way to keep the riffraff off entering the kingdom but it's worth a try.

Maybe more control now?

16 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

When do these changes go into effect ?

Its very important to tell people when the changes come into effect as some need to know that info when booking flights

If you travel it's common sense to inform yourself about visa regulations prior to departure. Anything else is just "dumb"

I was hoping this would take longer to implement. I purchased tickets in January for my next trip. Usually I go for 30 days. This time, tickets for October/November trip were Much Cheaper (around 1/2) if I went 5 weeks. Now looking like I will have to apply for an actual visa before flying 😤☹️😞

7 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

I'm not sure if this is the right way to keep the riffraff off entering the kingdom but it's worth a try.

Maybe more control now?

The real riff raff are the locals, long-term bum migrants and crooks (oh sorry I mean le expats) and people on a 1-2 week drunken blowout. Oddly enough the most decent group who just want to snowbird for 3-4 months of the year are most affected..

1 minute ago, ttk said:

I was hoping this would take longer to implement. I purchased tickets in January for my next trip. Usually I go for 30 days. This time, tickets for October/November trip were Much Cheaper (around 1/2) if I went 5 weeks. Now looking like I will have to apply for an actual visa before flying 😤☹️😞

Good luck.

I hope you can manage an application for a visa.

Or use an Agent?

I wonder when will this be effective? My wife and kids visiting me from Italy on June 13th have already return tickets after 60 days hence might not be allowed to leave Italy with such return date.. anyone has experience how long to be published on Royal Gazzette?

Edited May 20May 20 by NicoBKK