Officials have indicated that the proposal will be presented to the Cabinet for approval, although no specific timeline for the implementation of the updated rule has been provided.
Currently, the extended 60-day visa-free program — introduced in July 2024 — permits citizens from 93 countries, including India, to visit Thailand for tourism and short-term business purposes. Travellers can also extend their stay by another 30 days at local immigration offices.
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Thai officials have stated that the proposed adjustment aims to tackle issues related to illegal business activities and the misuse of long-term entry permissions. They contend that the current 60-day requirement may be unnecessarily lengthy for typical tourism and could be misused for unauthorized work or business ventures.
The government has emphasized that this review is not targeted at any particular nation but is part of a wider initiative to regulate foreign stays and bolster immigration enforcement.
If approved, the significant change for Indian travellers would involve shortening the visa-free stay duration from 60 days to 30 days. However, extensions under existing immigration rules may still be possible, causing minimal disruption for short-term tourists.
In conjunction with these proposals, Thailand is continuing to promote long-term travel options through various visa programs, such as the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV). This five-year multiple-entry visa allows eligible foreigners, including Indians, to remain in the country for extended periods, catering to remote workers, freelancers, and digital nomads.
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(Edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)
