Phuket hoteliers are not overly worried about a possible reduction of visa-free stays to 30 days, as data indicates that the average stay is two weeks. However, they suggest that addressing illegal businesses may require more practical solutions.
According to Suksit Suvunditkul, president of the southern chapter of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), European tourists in Phuket typically stay for two weeks, while those seeking longer stays generally prefer condominiums. He noted, “If the government limits visa-free stays to no more than 30 days, it would impact condo rentals more than hotels.”
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is considering shortening visa-free stays from 60 days to 30 days for nationals from various countries in an effort to curb abuses of the scheme by those running illegal businesses.
Mr. Suksit mentioned that prior to last year’s implementation of the 60-day visa-free scheme, there was a limited number of long-stay guests in Phuket who used tourist visas to extend their stays to 2-3 months. However, he expressed concerns that simply shortening the visa period may not effectively address illicit activities carried out by foreigners, suggesting that alternative measures could help better screen tourists.
Thanet Tantipiriyakit, president of the Phuket Tourist Association, highlighted that its members welcomed the proposed reduction, having long advocated for a 30-day visa-free period. He remarked that tourism operators do not fear negative market impacts, as there will still be other visa options available for those wishing to stay longer.
According to data from the Immigration Bureau, the number of foreigners in Phuket applying for visa extensions remains stable at around 10,000 per month, consistent with figures prior to the pandemic.
Mr. Thanet also emphasized the need for enhancements to the upcoming digital TM6 arrival form, which should assist in better screening tourists—a challenge in recent months. The online TM6 immigration form will become mandatory for all foreign arrivals entering Thailand starting May 1.
“With the implementation of the digital TM6 approaching, we have proposed to the Immigration Bureau and the minister to integrate other systems to effectively identify suspicious behavior among foreigners,” Mr. Thanet stated.
He suggested that the tourism sector propose linking the system with web-based mapping platforms like Google Maps to verify the addresses provided by travelers. Additionally, he called for integrating the digital TM6 data with the TM30 information required from accommodations under Section 38 of the Immigration Act, which mandates that landlords or hotel managers notify local immigration authorities about the foreigners they host.
These measures would enable authorities to verify if the addresses listed in the TM6 form match the TM30 records, potentially detecting properties that may be operating illegally, Mr. Thanet explained.
Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas at the Tourism Authority of Thailand, noted that before the introduction of the 60-day stay last year, around 200,000 tourists from visa-free countries applied for tourist visas annually. He pointed out that if the visa-free scheme were reduced to 30 days, it would impact these visitors who have benefited from the extended stay since it started in July of last year.
