Thailand plans to cut tourists visa free stays to 30 days

BANGKOK – Thailand plans to halve the number of days it allows foreign tourists to stay without visas to 30 days as the South-east Asian nation cracks down on travellers exploiting the waiver to engage in illegal business, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong.

Since July 2024, Thailand has allowed passport holders from 93 countries to enter the country for tourism for a period not exceeding 60 days.

The reduction to 30 days has been agreed in principle by various ministries, various Thai media outlets reported on March 17, citing Mr Sorawong.

The Association of Thai Travel Agents had expressed concerns over the growing number of foreigners illegally working or doing business in the country, while the Thai Hotels Association said the long visa-free period may be partly to blame for the increase in condominium units being illegally rented out to foreign guests, the Bangkok Post reported.

Tourism remains a key driver of Thailand’s lacklustre economy, which is the second-largest in the region.

The government is targeting foreign tourist arrivals to top 40 million in 2025, which would break a record set in 2019. Between January and March 9, Thailand welcomed 7.66 million foreign tourists, up 4.4 per cent year on year. BLOOMBERG

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