Thailand May Reduce Visa-Free Stay from 60 to 30 Days
The Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs officially announced a potential reduction in the visa-free stay period from 60 to 30 days on March 20. Although nothing has been signed yet, the decision appears to be imminent.
What's Happening
Since July 2024, citizens of 93 countries have been allowed to enter Thailand without a visa for 60 days, with the possibility of extending their stay by an additional 30 days on-site. This means the maximum allowed stay is 90 days. However, Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow aims to change this by proposing an initial stay period of 30 days, still with the option to extend for an additional 30 days on-site.
Why the Change?
The authorities have cited two main reasons for this change:
- Economic Abuse: Some foreigners have been using tourist visas to establish businesses or purchase real estate through Thai nominees, which is prohibited for non-residents. Reports of such activities have been made, particularly in Phuket.
- Links to Crime: Operations against online scam networks have revealed that some suspects entered Thailand using the visa-free scheme.
Not Yet in Effect
This reduction is not yet official and is still a proposal that needs to be formally validated by the Thai government. The minister emphasized that the measure does not target any specific nationality, but rather aims to better filter out non-tourist long stays and discourage abuse, without discouraging tourism.
