TravelMole

Thailand is again looking at revising its visa rules for international visitors.

The previous government of Srettha Thavisin (August 2023-August 2024) had decided during his tenure to extend visa-free entry up to 60 days for citizens of 93 countries to facilitate visits for purposes of tourism, business and temporary work in Thailand. The measure implemented on July 1st, 2024 also allowed visitors to extend their stay by another 30 days.

Clamping down on visitors’ illegal activities

However, while the measure provided better flexibility to travelers and boosted post-pandemic tourism recovery, authorities recorded an increasing number of visitors misuse. Especially from some nationalities engaged in illegal business activities such as running travel agencies or even small hotels. Or operating as illegal tour guide and tour driver.

In March of this year, former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra ordered to study the impact of the 60-day visa-free stay on tourism economics. The government looked also to the “ideal” length of stay for travelers to maximize economic benefits for the Kingdom. Thailand political turmoil froze the concrete revision of the 60-day visa-free scheme.

However, this week, the current Thai government of Anutin Charnvirakul announced to look again at the issue. And this time, it looks serious.

On October 22, Thailand’s Department of Consular Affairs, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as Thailand Minister of Tourism and Sports had an official meeting to discuss again the impacts of the policy. Relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Interior, the National Security Council, the Immigration Bureau, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand were also part of the discussion.

The revision is gaining priority with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to propose the Prime Minister to give an order to re-establish the Visa Policy Committee.

The discussion resulting from this meeting will be submitted to the new Visa Policy Committee for comprehensive consideration and to ensure compliance with government’s policies.

According to the ministry’s statement, “the urgent item on the agenda is to assess the impact of the visa exemption policy (which allows foreign visitors entering the country for tourism to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days) and to consider adjusting the permitted length of stay for those re-entering the country,” the ministry said.

Finding the right balance ?

For Attakorn Sirilatthayakorn, Minister of Tourism and Sports, the urgency is to control illegal business activities while still providing tourists with sufficient time to explore and enjoy their travels. “This meeting is to strike a balance between promoting tourism and enforcing immigration regulations, ensuring that Thailand remains an attractive destination while protecting local businesses from illegal foreign competition,” he declared.

As the Anutin Charnvirakul government is due to stay in power for a period of 4 months, it is likely that the new regulation for the visa-free length of stay might be adopted before the end of 2025. With a possibility to eventually revert to 30 days for all visitors to the Kingdom.