The duration of visa-free stays in Thailand is set to be shortened from 60 days to 30 days, as relevant authorities have agreed in principle to this change in an effort to address the risks of illegal businesses taking advantage of the visa exemption scheme, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong stated that the Foreign Ministry recognized this issue, which has been widely discussed among all relevant stakeholders in recent weeks.
There is a consensus to reduce the stay period for citizens of countries eligible for visa exemption from 60 days to 30 days, though further details will be discussed before an official announcement regarding the regulatory change.
Since July 2024, passport holders from 93 countries have been permitted entry into Thailand for tourism for a maximum of 60 days. This privilege was previously available to citizens from 57 countries.
However, tourism operators have expressed concerns about the extended stay period, noting that long-haul visitors generally remain for only 14 to 21 days on average, while short-haul tourists typically stay less than two weeks, averaging around seven days per trip.
The Association of Thai Travel Agents has raised this issue with the ministry, citing a rising number of foreigners illegally working or running businesses in the country. The Thai Hotels Association has linked this trend to an increase in the illegal rental of condos to guests on a daily basis.
In response to calls from a former Phuket member of parliament for the government to crack down on foreign businesses using nominees and to shorten the visa-free period to 30 days, Natthriya Thaweevong, the ministry’s permanent secretary, indicated that the ministry has directed the Tourism Department to implement the Tourism Business and Tourist Guide Act more stringently.
She explained that a special joint operational center, comprising six authorities including the Tourism Department and Tourist Police, has been actively investigating illegal activities in Phuket and five other major tourism areas: Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Koh Samui, and Bangkok.
The department has revoked the licenses of 40 companies in 2024 for secretly altering their authorized directors and the proportions of directors and shareholders, which resulted in their disqualification from operating tourism businesses.
In Phuket alone, licenses for 15 tour companies have been revoked, and there was also an instance of a Thai committee of a tour company being registered under five different company names.
