Thailand is set to tighten its visa-free entry policy, with citizens from dozens of countries, including the United Kingdom, soon required to apply for visas if they intend to stay longer than 30 days.
The Thai government on Tuesday approved plans to revoke the current 60-day visa exemption granted to tourists from 93 countries since July 2024. The policy was originally introduced to help revive the country’s tourism-dependent economy after the COVID-19 pandemic, but authorities now say it requires revision due to growing security concerns and complications within the visa system.
Speaking on the decision, Anutin Charnvirakul said the exemption policy needed to be adjusted “to be more suitable for the current situation, both in terms of the economy and national security.” Officials cited a rise in criminal cases involving foreigners, including allegations linked to drug smuggling and sex trafficking, as part of the reasons for the change.
Under the revised system, visa-free stays for many nationalities including citizens of Australia, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Spain and the United States, will be reduced to 30 days unless separate reciprocal agreements provide otherwise. Thailand’s foreign ministry said the move would also simplify overlapping visa arrangements that had created confusion for travellers.
The new rules are expected to take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette, the country’s official legal publication. Despite the stricter entry policy, tourism remains central to Thailand’s economy. The country attracted nearly 40 million visitors in 2019 before the pandemic disrupted global travel, while official figures show almost 12 million tourists have already visited this year.
Melissa Enoch
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