Thailand ends 60-day visa-free stay - effective date not yet announced

[Gaybutton]

Apparently for the time being the 60 day visa-free is still in effect, but probably not for long. We will keep you updated as information becomes available.
______________________________

Thailand ends 60-day visa-free stay

May 19, 2026

The cabinet on Tuesday decided to end the 60-day visa-free programme for foreign visitors to Thailand, but the timeline for enforcement has not yet been disclosed.

The decision meant that the rules for all countries covered by the scheme would revert to the immigration regulations used before the 60-day programme took effect, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said.

Thai authorities for months have been signalling that 60-day stays, introduced to help spur the post-Covid tourism recovery, had brought unintended consequences. Chief among them was the rise in foreigners putting down roots to run businesses or engage in criminal activity.

Mr Surasak did not give an effective date for the change, saying only that the cabinet decision would be relayed to all agencies responsible for the issue.

The Visa Policy Committee, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will later consider which countries will benefit from eased measures in the future by taking into consideration security and economic impacts, Mr Surasak added.

Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkaeow said recently that authorities would also be examining the overall visa framework to determine whether the large number of visa categories remains necessary and whether some could be merged. he said on Tuesday.

Thailand for many years had allowed nationals of 56 countries to stay without a visa for 30 days. In July 2024, the exemption was increased to 60 days and eligibility expanded to 93 countries.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/ge ... afree-stay
____________________________________________________

Thailand scraps 60-day free visa, restores old exemption rules

by Tanawan Vinaisatien, THE NATION

May 19, 2026

Surasak Phancharoenworakul, Minister of Tourism and Sports, said on Tuesday (May 19, 2026) that the Cabinet meeting had resolved to cancel the 60-day visa-free scheme for more than 90 countries.

The cancellation would also apply to countries with more than one visa arrangement, with the previous criteria to be reinstated.

The next step would be to notify various agencies of the resolution.

All countries for which the 60-day visa-free scheme is cancelled would return to their previous visa categories, most of which allow about 30 days, or the 30-day visa-free scheme.

On the criteria for revising the visa system, the Visa Policy Committee would reconsider each country to decide which visa type was suitable, taking security and economic considerations into account from all sides.

For the next step, the government will notify relevant agencies of the Cabinet resolution.

The revised criteria and conditions to be submitted later will be assigned to the Visa Policy Committee for detailed country-by-country consideration, to assess which visa category is suitable for each country.

The review must take into account both security and economic dimensions in a balanced manner.

“We will not focus only on tourist numbers. The emphasis must be on quality tourists, not simply on making entry easy and achieving high volume. The prime minister has instructed that visa issuance be considered carefully to strengthen safety and improve the tourism system as a whole,” Surasak said.

A closer look: why is the government scrapping the 60-day visa-free scheme?

According to in-depth information, the 60-day visa-free scheme, which was previously introduced to stimulate the economy and tourism, has come under close scrutiny from security authorities after key “loopholes” were identified as follows:

* Blocking security threats and grey-capital groups: The previous scheme had become a channel for some foreigners to enter Thailand under the guise of tourists, before allegedly setting up illegal nominee businesses, working without permits and using the country as a base for transnational crime, including call-centre gangs.

* Most tourists stay for less than 60 days: Statistics from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports show that most foreign tourists travelling to Thailand stay for an average of just nine days. Reducing the entitlement to the 30-day visa-free entitlement is therefore believed to have little impact on the main tourism market.

* A new 15-to-30-day structure expected: The Visa Policy Committee’s fresh screening process is expected to regroup countries in line with the current diplomatic situation. Some countries may have their entitlement reduced to the 15-day visa-free entitlement, so that the measure better serves short-term tourism.

In addition, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports is preparing to move ahead in parallel with the collection of an Entry Fee from foreign tourists, commonly referred to as the “landing fee”, at THB300 per person, mainly for air arrivals.

The revenue would be channelled into the Tourism Promotion Fund and used to improve the efficiency of the screening system.

What is expected to happen next

* Cancellation of the 60-day visa-free scheme: Foreigners from the original group of 93 countries and territories will no longer be able to stay in Thailand automatically for 60 days.

* Return to previous criteria, mostly the 30-day visa-free entitlement: The maximum period of stay will be reduced in line with previous bilateral arrangements.

* Tighter country-by-country screening: The final decision from the Visa Policy Committee is awaited before a new list is announced of countries eligible for the 30-day visa-free entitlement or 15-day visa-free entitlement, with security as the key consideration.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/policy/40066405
____________________________________________

Thailand Officially Revoking 60-Day Visa-Free Entry

By Goong Nang Suksawat

May 19, 2026

The Thai Cabinet has approved the cancellation of the 60-day visa-free entry scheme for more than 90 countries, reverting to the previous visa regulations. The decision, announced on May 19, 2026, by Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul, marks a big shift in Thailand’s immigration policy. Importantly, the exact dates of implementation were not made clear, with the Tourism minister only saying all relevant agencies and Immigration would be informed of the decision.

Under the new resolution, all countries previously granted 60-day visa-free entry will now return to their original visa categories, which for most visitors means a 30-day stay. The Cabinet also decided to revoke multiple visa options for certain countries, streamlining the system back to its earlier framework.

Minister Surasak explained that the next step will involve notifying relevant agencies of the change, while the Visa Policy Committee will reassess visa arrangements on a country-by-country basis. The committee is expected to weigh factors of national security and economic impact before proposing new visa rules.

For now, travelers from the affected countries should expect to follow the prior entry regulations, with shorter stays permitted under the standard visa exemption program. The government stated that the review process will determine which nations may qualify for extended stays in the future, but until then, the 30-day limit will apply.

The decision to revoke the sixty day visa is due to concerns about foreigners abusing the time period to illegally work and become involved in crime, drugs, scam centers, and other ongoing issues. Additionally, the tourism ministry has stated that the average true tourist coming to Thailand stays far under thirty days and so the thirty day window is more than appropriate. Extensions and longer visas may still be available through Immigration and/or relevant consulates and embassies.

https://thepattayanews.com/2026/05/19/t ... ree-entry/

[Jun]

The cabinet on Tuesday decided to end the 60-day visa-free programme for foreign visitors to Thailand, but the timeline for enforcement has not yet been disclosed.
Mr Surasak did not give an effective date for the change, saying only that the cabinet decision would be relayed to all agencies responsible for the issue.

Not much professionalism there. What about all the people who have booked holidays of more than 30 days and are expecting to travel imminently ?
Given that it can take a few weeks to apply for a visa, it would be reasonable to clearly give several weeks notice of the rule changes.
Not saying when it is effective is even worse.

[Gaybutton]

What about all the people who have booked holidays of more than 30 days and are expecting to travel imminently ?

It's "We're going to do it, but shhhh, let's not bother telling anybody when . . ."

In other words, at the moment it's anybody's guess when it will come into effect. It could be tomorrow. It could be weeks or months from now.

If it comes into effect by the time those people are ready to travel, then they'll all be stuck with having to go to immigration to extend their visas - and pay for the privilege. Less than two weeks ago I was at Pattaya immigration doing my annual retirement visa extension. It's the same old chaotic mob scene - merely distributed a bit differently. Certainly not my idea of improved efficiency.

What they're trying to do is curtail criminal activity. Why do I doubt this move will so much as put a dent in it?

By the way, for those of you who do have to go to immigration, the best times to go in order to avoid the worst of the crowds are:

1. Right at opening time in the morning.
2. Right at 1:00pm when they reopen after their 12:00-1:00 lunch break.
3. Late in the afternoon.

[2lz2p]

GB:

By the way, for those of you who do have to go to immigration, the best times to go in order to avoid the worst of the crowds are:

1. Right at opening time in the morning.
2. Right at 1:00pm when they reopen after their 12:00-1:00 lunch break.
3. Late in the afternoon.

Agree, but also avoid going on a Friday or Monday or day after a Gov't holiday. They tend to be busier than usual on those days.

[Gaybutton]

also avoid going on a Friday or Monday or day after a Gov't holiday. They tend to be busier than usual on those days.

Yes, that is for sure. I should have mentioned that. Thank you. They are always much busier on those days - usually massively busier.

And now they are also talking about raising the tourist entry fee from 300 baht to - not specified yet, but for sure it will be going up.

One thing that has never gone up in all the years I've lived in Thailand is the 1,900 baht annual retirement visa extension fee, along with other fees at immigration. I'm surprised that has not been raised too, but I certainly will not be surprised if they do raise it. And since the fee has remained the same all these years I can't complain if they do raise it unless the amount is unreasonable. But so far there has not been any talk, at least not any published talk, about raising that fee.
__________________________________________

Visitors to Thailand could face higher ‘tourist tax’

A day after major visa changes announced, minister says planned B300 entry fee could be raised

by Molpasorn Shoowong

May 20, 2026

Thailand will consider increasing its long-planned foreign tourist entry fee from 300 baht, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said on Wednesday.

He said the tourism tax — first proposed in 2020 but never implemented — could be higher than 300 baht because of inflation and rising insurance costs, in order to extend coverage at private hospitals.

The majority of the revenue from tourism fees would be allocated to tourist insurance, with the remainder used to maintain tourist attractions and improve infrastructure, authorities have said.

Mr Surasak made the comment a day after the government announced it would scrap 60-day visa exemptions for travellers from 93 countries, another long-planned move made in response to concerns about an increase in illegal activity by foreigners.

He said his ministry is now finalising details of the fee collection method to ensure it does not affect traveller sentiment.

He said there are two collection options: via airline tickets or through the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system.

Airlines have said they cannot discriminate by taxing foreign passengers and excluding Thais, which means the government might have to collect the tax from all passengers and allow Thais to obtain refunds via an application later, he said.

The alternative would be to levy the tax through the TDAC system, which all foreign visitors are required to submit upon arrival.

In any case, the final amount of the fee will depend in large part on the projected costs of accident insurance and treatment at private hospitals.

Unpaid medical bills by foreign visitors cost Thai hospitals around 2.5 billion baht per year, studies have found.

The ministry plans to discuss an appropriate insurance premium with the Thai General Insurance Association at the next stage, noted Mr Surasak.

Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Association, said the ministry needs to clarify what types of incidents would be covered by the insurance fund. Authorities should also decide the exact proportion earmarked for major infrastructure projects, he added.

For instance, authorities should assess which types of incidents involving foreign tourists place a burden on hospitals, and whether the policy will also cover events such as floods, train construction accidents, or motorcycle crashes involving riders without licences.
Visa-change timeline

Authorities are also working out the timeline for ending the 60-day visa exemption for 93 countries and reverting to 30-day and 15-day allowances, and visa-on-arrival arrangements similar to those in place in 2024.

Mr Surasak said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the lead agency in the national visa policy committee, needs to coordinate communications with the foreign ministries of other countries.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports plans to ask the visa committee to adjust the scheme for selected countries.

For instance, India is a top-five source market for Thailand but its citizens only qualify for visas on arrival. The ministry favours a 15-day visa exemption for this market, said Mr Surasak.

Meanwhile, the ministry has asked the Tourism Authority of Thailand to revise its goals and strategy for 2026 as the prolonged US-Iran conflict could result in foreign arrivals missing the target of 33 million.

Mr Surasak said the shortened visa exemption period should not affect arrivals because the average stay for most foreign tourists is only nine days.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/ge ... ourist-tax

Here is the list of the 93 countries that will lose the 60-day visa-free (from THE NATION):

Albania
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Belgium
Bhutan
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Cambodia
Canada
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Estonia
Fiji
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
United Kingdom and Northern Ireland
Greece
Guatemala
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kosovo
Kuwait
Laos
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macao
Malaysia
Maldives
Malta
Mauritius
Mexico
Monaco
Mongolia
Morocco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Oman
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russia
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vietnam

[Gaybutton]

Visa rollback prompts Pattaya fury as long-stay tourists warn ‘We’ll go to Vietnam instead’

By Pattaya Mail

May 25, 2026

Thailand’s tourism industry may once again be heading toward a self-inflicted dilemma. Less than two years after introducing 60-day visa-free stays for citizens of many countries in a bid to revive tourism and stimulate spending, officials are now signaling a possible retreat back to shorter entry periods. The proposal has sparked backlash across Pattaya’s online forums, where long-stay visitors, retirees, bar owners, and frequent travelers are openly questioning whether Thailand truly understands the type of foreign visitor it wants to attract.

For many in Pattaya, the issue is not about backpackers chasing cheap beer or so-called “visa runners.” It is about the thousands of seasonal visitors — particularly retirees from Europe and North America — who spend months in Thailand every year, renting rooms, eating locally, supporting small businesses, and helping stabilize the economy during quieter months. One commenter described the growing demand for a dedicated six-month “snowbird visa,” aimed at older travelers escaping winter between November and April. According to supporters, these visitors often have substantial pensions and savings but cannot officially reside in Thailand year-round due to tax, pension, or residency restrictions back home. Others pointed to the practical frustrations surrounding Thailand’s existing retirement visa system, particularly requirements involving proof of accommodation before arrival. “How can you get a lease if you’re not yet in Thailand?” one user asked, echoing a complaint frequently raised by retirees navigating Thai bureaucracy.

But not everyone is sympathetic. A vocal group online argues the outrage is exaggerated, noting that the 60-day visa exemption only began in July 2024 and that Thailand functioned perfectly well for years with shorter visa-free stays. Some insist genuine holidaymakers rarely have 60 consecutive vacation days from work anyway. “Who has 60 days holidays?” one commenter bluntly asked.

Supporters of stricter rules also argue that visitors wanting extended stays should simply apply for the correct visas instead of relying on repeated visa exemptions. Others claim longer-stay visitors are not necessarily high spenders and that the government should prioritize “quality tourists” with stronger financial backgrounds.

Yet critics of the proposed rollback say that argument misunderstands Pattaya’s economic reality.

Long-stay visitors may not spend lavishly in luxury malls every day, but many contribute consistently to local economies through rent, restaurants, transportation, nightlife, healthcare, and small businesses. A tourist staying 42 days in a locally owned guesthouse during low season may contribute more directly to Pattaya’s grassroots economy than a short-term luxury traveler who remains inside a resort compound. Some forum users also questioned whether shortening visa-free stays would actually reduce crime or illegal behavior — one of the justifications often raised in public discussions about tighter immigration controls.

“Criminals will still do criminal things,” one commenter wrote, arguing that reducing visa-free days from 60 to 30 would do little to stop scams, street fights, or petty theft. Others warned Thailand risks losing market share to regional competitors such as Vietnam, where visa policies have become increasingly flexible and attractive to long-stay travelers, digital nomads, and retirees. The deeper concern emerging from Pattaya’s forums is not merely about visas. It is about uncertainty. Tourism operators, long-term visitors, and returning travelers increasingly feel Thailand’s policies swing unpredictably between aggressive tourism promotion and sudden regulatory tightening. For a country heavily dependent on tourism revenue, critics say constantly changing entry rules sends mixed signals to the very visitors Thailand claims it wants to attract. Whether the proposed rollback ultimately happens or not, the fierce reaction online reveals growing anxiety over Thailand’s long-term tourism strategy — and whether the kingdom risks pushing away loyal repeat visitors while chasing an ever-changing vision of the “ideal tourist.”

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/visa-r ... ead-550613

[Jun]

“Criminals will still do criminal things,” one commenter wrote, arguing that reducing visa-free days from 60 to 30 would do little to stop scams, street fights, or petty theft.

I can't help think one of the main objectives is to increase crime. Organised crime, or corruption as it's commonly known.

Cutting visa free to 30 days will just provoke more interactions with the authorities. Which the authorities will make as difficult as possible & some punters will choose to have agencies grease the wheels.

From my perspective, it's a slight inconvenience, but not insurmountable. I can apply for a 90 day visa, then go somewhere else for a while and get another 30 days when I return.
If I'm staying in Thailand for even longer, it's probably time to get a retirement visa or one of the others.

Where it's more problematic: I gather the reduction also applies to boys from Laos, Myanmar etc.
They're going to have to do more visa runs & bear in mind the nearest land borders are closed.
Some boys may quit and others will spend less time in Pattaya. A few might visit an agency who could produce miracles with work visas, for a fee (just occasionally, I meet a foreign money boy who has a work visa).

My main reason for going to Pattaya is the boys. Drive the boys away and I will at least think about other destinations. I already have the impression that the boy trade in Cambodia is better since it's far more difficult for them to work in Thailand now.
So the Thai authorities are doing their best to make other countries attractive to visit.

[christianpfc]

"...had brought unintended consequences. Chief among them was the rise in foreigners putting down roots to run businesses or engage in criminal activity."
The argumentation is flawed. Correlation and causality.
They should rather do better check on business activities and prevent criminal activity by police action.
Thailand is still the best to meet boys in bars or online, but if that were not my main purpose, I would go elsewhere.

Take that back, Cambodia and Myanmar are better and/or cheaper to meet boys for free or pay, and considering that gogo bars in Thailand don't have any more what I'm looking for, the absence of gogo bars in these countries does not matter to me.

[Jun]

prevent criminal activity by police action.

In Thailand, that's like putting the fox in charge of the hen house.

Thailand is still the best to meet boys in bars or online, but if that were not my main purpose, I would go elsewhere.
Take that back, Cambodia and Myanmar are better and/or cheaper to meet boys for free or pay, and considering that gogo bars in Thailand don't have any more what I'm looking for, the absence of gogo bars in these countries does not matter to me.

Pattaya is still the best place to meet boys, in my view. I'm also very pleased with the accommodation I have, with nice rooms for a very reasonable monthly rate.
However, I'm very tempted to try a longer trip to Cambodia next time.

The quality of food & coffee in Myanmar is a disadvantage. The last time I left Myanmar, it was to Mae Sot. There I got to a Thai veggie restaurant just before they closed. He cooked something very quickly and was quite apologetic about it. That food was far better than anything I'd eaten in over 2 weeks in Myanmar.