Replacing visa-free entry with a visa-on-arrival (VoA) scheme for Indian tourists is unlikely to significantly affect travel demand to Thailand, according to an Indian travel agent, who said affordability remains the key factor for visitors from India.

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The Thai cabinet has decided to end the 60-day visa exemption for 93 countries, including India. Under the new arrangement, Indian travellers will be granted access through a visa-on-arrival service, similar to the system used before 2024.

Amit Gilani, owner of TravelButler in Mumbai, which specialises in outbound groups and independent traveller bookings, said the change should not discourage most Indian visitors. He noted that the VoA fee of 2,000 baht remains affordable for Indian tourists, while travellers also have the option of applying for an e-visa costing 1,000 baht.

Mr Gilani said the policy adjustment could help Thailand screen visitors who may seek to abuse tourist visas by overstaying or working illegally in the country. He welcomed the move, saying: “This is a good move by Thailand. Hopefully this won’t tarnish India’s name any further.”

The Tourism and Sports Ministry is also planning to propose to the National Visa Policy Committee that Indian visitors receive a 15-day visa exemption, reflecting India’s status as one of Thailand’s top five tourism source markets.

Mr Gilani said a 15-day exemption would be adequate for most Indian travellers, including those booking wellness retreats, as visitors typically stay for no more than two weeks. TravelButler currently promotes 12 to 15-day wellness packages focused on mental and physical wellbeing, which are becoming increasingly popular among Indian tourists.

Phuket, Pattaya and Bangkok remain the most popular destinations for Indian travellers due to the availability of direct flights from numerous Indian cities. However, interest is growing in destinations such as Koh Chang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Pai, supported by promotional efforts and familiarisation trips organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Patsee Permvongsenee, executive director of the ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific region at TAT, said the agency is targeting 2.55 million Indian arrivals in 2026, provided the visa exemption scheme remains in place.

More than 2.48 million Indian tourists visited Thailand in 2025. As of 7 June 2026, Thailand had welcomed 1.1 million Indian arrivals, making India the country’s third-largest inbound market.

The Bangkokpost reported that Mrs Patsee said the target could be revised downward if the VoA system is implemented. Based on discussions with Indian travel agents, she said the change is expected to affect mass tour groups more than luxury or independent travellers.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Bangkokpost 14 June 2026

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As long as Thailand allows 40kg of check-in baggage for all the buy-one-get-one-free shirts from Pratunam, a 2,000-baht visa fee won't stop them 🛍️✈️

Good for the Indians.

I find that surprising....

When they got Visa Exempt for 60 days there sure seemed to be lot more Indians about in Pattaya.

6 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

I find that surprising....

When they got Visa Exempt for 60 days there sure seemed to be lot more Indians about in Pattaya.

Exactly....

The Indians will not want to pay to come to Thailand......They will just go to Vietnam....

This is sad news for the ladyboy gold chain collectors....

Should we be happy or sad ?

1 hour ago, redwood1 said:

Exactly....

The Indians will not want to pay to come to Thailand......They will just go to Vietnam....

This is sad news for the ladyboy gold chain collectors....

Utter nonsense.

Indians need a visa for Vietnam too.

Pretty much locally only Thailand and Vietnam are open to them. Europe, is closed to them, as well as all developing nations without strict visas.

The visa on arrival will keep away those who don't have the funds for a holiday, low spenders, those who will sleep on a beach to save money, or try and have 10 guys in one hotel room, don't have the funds to spend anything. Scammers too.

You have to remember gdp per person in India is massively low. It's even lower than Thailand's.

Those on holiday with funds, will simply get the visa on arrival.

Yes, it may deter some Indian travelers. Anyway, I hope the IOs start to interigate some of the dodgy looking ones a bit more - like how much money do they have to spend (prove it), do they have a return ticket (prove it), where are they staying (prove it). Having said that, the VoA may ask all those questions anyway. Still 'prove it' to the IO.

4 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

I hope the IOs start to interigate some of the dodgy looking ones a bit more

Totally agree. Quite a few of the dodgy Brits could likely be stopped before they got a chance to enter into Magaluf mode.

The Indians will still come because of a cheapish holiday with hookers available which is sweet for them (same as for others too), but it will put off the cheap Charlie Indians... also a money grab from the Thai authorities too because they are skint.

4 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

like how much money do they have to spend (prove it),

Bht 20,000 IN CASH!

Probably unrelated:

https://aseannow.com/topic/1396680-indigo-to-temporarily-suspend-krabi-flights-from-india/

Majority of indians come on 5 to 9 days tour packages to see thailand... so it wont effect much whether its VOA or Visa free. There are approximately 130 to 135 direct flights every day from India to Thailand... so the travel company is correct in its analysis

Thailand hosts between 300 to 400 Indian destination weddings annually. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), over 1,200 Indian couples tied the knot in the country. These multi-day, grand-scale celebrations typically draw 200 to 400 guests and generate billions of baht in tourism @ 2024- 25

On 6/14/2026 at 8:05 AM, DonniePeverley said:

Utter nonsense.

Indians need a visa for Vietnam too.

Pretty much locally only Thailand and Vietnam are open to them. Europe, is closed to them, as well as all developing nations without strict visas.

The visa on arrival will keep away those who don't have the funds for a holiday, low spenders, those who will sleep on a beach to save money, or try and have 10 guys in one hotel room, don't have the funds to spend anything. Scammers too.

You have to remember gdp per person in India is massively low. It's even lower than Thailand's.

Those on holiday with funds, will simply get the visa on arrival.

VOA is basically visa free except you pay a small fee and fill in a form. It’s not like it involves any checks or hurdles to overcome.

Other than the fact that Thailand makes some money from each person, it’s a pointless form filling exercise. Unless making some money from each person is the actual point.

42 minutes ago, factual monk said:

Thailand hosts between 300 to 400 Indian destination weddings annually. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), over 1,200 Indian couples tied the knot in the country. These multi-day, grand-scale celebrations typically draw 200 to 400 guests and generate billions of baht in tourism @ 2024- 25

This is where the money is at.

India is full of very good three star hotels that exist on wedding business.

Given a middle class of 200M plus it's not too hard to see some of that business coming Thailand's way if done well.

On 6/14/2026 at 9:42 AM, ronnie50 said:

Yes, it may deter some Indian travelers.

Or not.

On 6/14/2026 at 3:37 AM, Georgealbert said:

Mr Gilani said a 15-day exemption would be adequate for most Indian travellers, including those booking wellness retreats, as visitors typically stay for no more than two weeks. TravelButler currently promotes 12 to 15-day wellness packages focused on mental and physical wellbeing, which are becoming increasingly popular among Indian tourists.

Might deter those with just enough funds to fly, looking to cheat their way through visit.

On 6/14/2026 at 3:52 AM, Jingthing said:

Good for the Indians.

Yes, but is it good for everyone else?

7 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

Yes, but is it good for everyone else?

I think they're being scapegoated.