Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand's Cabinet has approved a further review of visa exemption measures and visa privileges to prevent the abuse of the country's visa policies, deputy government spokesperson Ploytalay Laksameesangchan said on July 14.
The adjustments aim to ensure that entry facilitation measures for foreign visitors reflect current circumstances while closing security loopholes, preventing misuse, and reducing overlapping entitlements under the principle of “one country, one entitlement”.
Under the revised policy, Thailand will end the current 60-day visa exemption for nationals of 93 countries and territories, taking into account economic and security considerations, international relations, and reciprocity.
Nationals of 59 countries and territories will instead be allowed visa-free entry for tourism for no more than 30 days. The scheme will also be extended to nationals of six additional countries – India, Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, and the Maldives – bringing the total to 65 countries and territories. Citizens of Mauritius and Seychelles will be eligible for visa-free tourist stays of up to 15 days, Ploytalay said.
Meanwhile, citizens of Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia will be eligible for visas on arrival (VoA) at designated entry points. Thailand will discontinue VoA for Indian nationals to avoid overlap with the visa exemption scheme.
Five related draft regulations will take effect 15 days after their publication in the Royal Gazette. Travellers who enter Thailand before the new rules come into force will be allowed to stay for the period granted under the previous regulations.
Ploytalay stressed that the changes are not intended to restrict tourism development but to make Thailand's visa system more standardised and transparent. The revised policy seeks to balance economic stimulus, travel facilitation, and international relations with national security while preventing the misuse of visa privileges for illegal activities./.
Thailand shortens visa-free stay for visitors from over 90 countries
Most foreign nationals will now be allowed to stay for a maximum of 30 days instead of the previous 60 days, while citizens of some countries and territories may be limited to just 15 days.
