Thailand has declared that it will reduce the duration of stays for international visitors who do not require visas by half, cutting it down from 60 days to 30 days.

This action follows as the Southeast Asian country tightens control over visitors who abuse the exemption for conducting illicit commercial operations, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong.

Local tourism and hospitality groups have likewise voiced worries about people leasing lodgings without proper approval.

Thailand reduces visa-exempt stay durations to tackle unlawful commercial practices

Starting from July 2024, citizens with passports from 93 nations have been permitted to remain in Thailand for tourist activities for a period of up to 60 days .

By cutting the number of days to 30, the government says it hopes to curb misuse of the waiver period without damaging tourism.

The Association of Thai Travel Agents has spoken out over concerns that an increasing number of foreigners are involved in illegal work or business activities while pretending to visit for tourist reasons.

The Thai Hotels Association brought up another significant concern: the 60-day rule was leading to an increase in unauthorized apartment rentals for foreigners, according to the Bangkok Post.

Thienthong mentioned that the proposal has received preliminary approval from major government departments, and they will announce an official implementation date shortly.

It is said that travelers with pre-existing reservations may qualify for potential exceptions or phased-in rules.

What impact will Thailand’s reduced visa-free stay duration have on tourism?

Thailand’s 60-day visa exemption has proven beneficial for numerous individuals. travellers eager to embark on prolonged journeys, such as those taken by digital nomads and retirees.

According to statistics provided by Forward Keys, approximately seven percent of reservations made for travel to Thailand during the period from January to February were for stays lasting more than 22 nights.

Authorities claim that decreasing the number of visa-exempt days might lead to a slight decline in incoming tourist numbers.

Tourism plays a crucial role in driving Thailand's economy, but the sector is also encountering various challenges.

"The possible policy change further compounds the series of issues affecting the industry [...], including safety worries for Chinese tourists and reduced travel expenditures among visitors from North America and Europe," according to a report released this week by Bloomberg Intelligence analysts.

Thai authorities are aiming for foreign tourist arrivals to exceed 40 million in 2025, which would break the country’s 2019 record.

From January to mid-March, the number of visitors to Thailand had increased by 3.9 percent compared to the same period in 2024.