The new 30-day limit for visa-free stays in Thailand has been formally announced and will take effect on Sept 15 for visitors from 60 countries.
The Royal Gazette published the announcement signed by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Monday. The change will take effect 15 days after publication.
The cabinet earlier this year decided to reduce visa-free stays from 60 days to 30 days for visitors from many countries in response to growing concerns that the system was being abused.
The 60 countries covered by the new regulation are:
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Belgium
Bulgaria
Bhutan
Brunei
Canada
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Fiji
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
India
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Malaysia
The Maldives
The Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Oman
The Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Turkey
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
If visitors from these countries arrive by land, their visits are limited to twice a year – a move intended to cut down on ‘visa runs’ used by foreigners to extend their stays in Thailand.
Exemptions to this rule will apply to visitors from Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and other countries that the interior minister specifies.
The Royal Gazette announcement also said that visa-free stays of up to 15 days would be allowed for nationals of two countries: Seychelles and Mauritius.
As well, visitors from Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia will be eligible for visas on arrival at immigration checkpoints.
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.
However, authorities said the system was being abused, with an increase in illegal activity by foreigners taking advantage of longer stays in the country.