rki.news
Source: Xinhua
BANGKOK: Thailand’s cabinet has approved a major revision of its visa exemption rules, ending the 60-day visa-free entry scheme previously granted to tourists from 93 countries and territories.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the overhaul aims to streamline immigration procedures while addressing national security concerns, tourism management, economic factors, and diplomatic reciprocity.
Officials said the new regulations will take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette.
Under the revised framework, Thailand will enforce a strict “one visa exemption per country” rule, removing overlapping entry privileges. The most significant change is the complete cancellation of the 60-day visa-free stay for all eligible nationalities.
Authorities also cut the number of countries eligible for the 30-day visa exemption from 57 to 54, limiting the scheme strictly to tourism purposes.
A new 15-day visa exemption category has been introduced for select countries and territories. The visa-on-arrival program has also been reduced significantly, with eligible jurisdictions cut from 31 to four.
Director General of the Department of Consular Affairs Mungkorn Pratoomkaew said the reforms aim to create a more controlled entry system while maintaining tourism flows.
Officials added that the changes reflect Thailand’s broader effort to modernize immigration policy and improve oversight of foreign arrivals while supporting the tourism sector.