BANGKOK: The Thai Cabinet has officially approved the cancellation of its 60-day visa-free entry scheme for travelers from 93 countries, including India. Rolled out in July 2024 to stimulate post-pandemic tourism, the generous policy is being rolled back following a rigorous review of national security and economic interests. Officials found the extended window was increasingly being exploited for illegal employment, unauthorized nominee-owned businesses, and transnational scams.
Under the revised rules, which will take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette, most affected nations will revert to their original bilateral agreements, typically capping visa-free stays at 30 days. Moving forward, the Visa Policy Committee will evaluate entry privileges individually on a country-by-country basis.
Complete Bangkok List of Affected Countries by Continent
The policy change impacts 93 countries and territories globally. To help travelers monitor their upcoming itineraries, here is the complete, comprehensive list of all affected nations grouped by their respective continents:
Asia & the Middle East (24)
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Bahrain
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Bhutan
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Brunei
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Cambodia
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China
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Hong Kong
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India
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Indonesia
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Israel
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Japan
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Jordan
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Kazakhstan
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Kuwait
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Laos
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Macao
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Malaysia
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Maldives
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Oman
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Philippines
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Qatar
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Saudi Arabia
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Singapore
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Sri Lanka
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United Arab Emirates
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Uzbekistan
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Vietnam
Europe (43)
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Albania
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Andorra
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Austria
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Belgium
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Bulgaria
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Croatia
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Cyprus
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Czechia
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Denmark
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Estonia
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Finland
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France
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Georgia
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Germany
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Greece
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Hungary
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Iceland
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Ireland
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Italy
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Kosovo
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Latvia
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Liechtenstein
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Lithuania
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Luxembourg
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Malta
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Monaco
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Netherlands
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Norway
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Poland
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Portugal
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Romania
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Russia
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San Marino
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Slovakia
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Slovenia
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Spain
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Sweden
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Switzerland
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Turkey
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Ukraine
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United Kingdom and Northern Ireland
North & Central America (8)
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Canada
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Cuba
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Dominica
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Dominican Republic
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Guatemala
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Jamaica
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Trinidad and Tobago
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United States
South America (6)
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Brazil
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Colombia
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Ecuador
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Peru
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Uruguay
Africa (3)
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Mauritius
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Morocco
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South Africa
Oceania (4)
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Australia
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Fiji
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New Zealand
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Papua New Guinea
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Tonga
Shift Toward “Quality Tourism”
According to Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister, Surasak Phancharoenworakul, the government’s focus is pivoting away from chasing sheer arrival volumes toward attracting high-value, law-abiding visitors. Statistics compiled by the tourism ministry reveal that the average international tourist stays in Thailand for just nine days, meaning the reduction to a 30-day limit will have virtually no impact on the core holiday market.
For slow travelers, digital nomads, and remote workers who have grown accustomed to splitting two-month stays between Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and the southern islands, travel flexibility will become more constrained. However, authorities note that tourists can still apply for in-country visa extensions via local immigration offices, or explore alternative pathways like the 5-year Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for longer stays.
Also Read: Meet the “Lower-Value Human Capital”: The Corporate Redefinition of the Working Class
