Thailand is considering reducing its visa-free stay for foreign tourists from 60 days to 30 days, as authorities seek to address growing concerns about how the system is being used.
According to reports from the Bangkok Post, the proposed change would still allow visitors to extend their stay by another 30 days, meaning travellers can still spend up to 60 days in total if needed. The key difference is that the initial entry period without a visa would be shorter.
This shift comes after a policy review by Thai authorities, who found that the 60-day visa-free window, originally introduced to help tourism recover after COVID-19, may now be creating room for misuse.
Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow pointed to concerns raised by local businesses, especially in places like Phuket.
Some foreign nationals were reportedly using tourist visas to run businesses that are meant to be restricted to Thai citizens. There were also cases where property ownership was being arranged through local nominees, which goes against local laws.
Authorities are also concerned that people are using tourist visas as cover for activities such as online scams. Longer visa-free stays, they say, make it easier for such individuals to remain in the country without drawing attention.
The idea behind the proposed change is to close these gaps without making things harder for genuine tourists. If approved, visitors will get 30 days on arrival and can apply for a one-time 30-day extension through the usual immigration process.
Officials say the focus is not on restricting tourism but on ensuring the system is used properly.
There are no plans to target specific countries, and most travellers are unlikely to feel much impact, since many trips to Thailand typically last less than a month.
The move also fits into a broader update of Thailand’s travel system. Authorities recently replaced the Electronic Travel Authorization with the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, a mandatory pre-arrival registration for travellers from visa-exempt countries. The goal is to make entry smoother, improve screening, and reduce paperwork.
Even with the proposed tightening, Thailand is making it clear that it still wants tourists. The country continues to rely heavily on tourism for jobs and economic growth, and officials insist the changes are about balance, not restriction.
For most visitors heading to destinations like Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, or Krabi, a 30-day stay should still be more than enough to cover their travel plans.