Thailand’s visa-free stay for tourists looks likely to be cut from 60 days to 30 days, though no official announcement or effective date has been published yet.
The signal came from Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, who used a foreign-policy briefing at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs to say the ministry is pushing ahead with the plan.
For now, the existing 60-day visa exemption for 93 countries remains in place.
What Thailand’s Foreign Minister actually said
Speaking at a Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefing in Bangkok on 21 April 2026, Sihasak Phuangketkeow indicated that Bangkok intends to halve the visa-exempt period for nationals of 93 countries, according to a readout of the briefing published by VisaHQ.
That April comment followed an earlier 20 March meeting at which the ministry’s visa committee gave the proposal its internal green light.
In an earlier interview with the Bangkok Post, the minister argued that 30 days is “sufficient” for most tourists and that 60 days had created loopholes for online scam operators, illegal workers, and long-term residents using the waiver to avoid proper visas.
Important caveats to keep in mind:
- No implementation date has been officially confirmed. The Thai government itself has not announced a date.
- The proposal still requires approval from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Cabinet.
- The rule only takes legal effect once it is published in the Royal Gazette.
- Officials have promised “adequate notice” for travellers before the change takes effect, according to the Thai Examiner.
In plain terms: the foreign minister’s comments strongly suggest it’s coming, but nothing has changed for travellers on the ground yet.
Who would be affected if the 30-day rule goes through
If enacted, the change would apply to all 93 nationalities currently eligible for Thailand’s 60-day visa exemption, the same list that was introduced on 15 July 2024 under the previous Srettha Thavisin government.
That list includes every major source market for flights to Thailand. Here are the countries most relevant to Wego readers.
Gulf and Middle East travellers affected:
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
Other heavily-affected markets:
- United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland and the rest of Europe
- United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
- Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao
- South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico
The Thai MFA’s official summary has the complete list of 93 countries and territories, and that is the source to check for any edge cases.
Nationals who enter Thailand under a separate bilateral agreement — for example, many ASEAN nationals — are on a different legal footing and would not necessarily be caught by this change.
What would still be possible: the 30-day extension
Even if the visa-free stay is halved, the 30-day extension option looks set to stay, based on the minister’s public comments.
Under the proposal described by the Thai Examiner, eligible travellers would still be able to apply once for a 30-day extension at a Thai immigration office, bringing the maximum visa-free stay back up to roughly 60 days in total.
The extension works like this today, and is expected to continue:
- Fee: 1,900 Thai baht in cash, per the current TM7 extension process.
- Apply in person at a Thai Immigration Bureau office before your initial stay expires.
- Bring your passport, a completed TM7 form, a passport photo, and proof of your address in Thailand.
- Most applications are processed the same day.
One thing to be aware of: the Thai Immigration Bureau has also been scrutinising back-to-back visa-exempt entries more closely in recent months. Using repeated visa-free stays as a long-term residence strategy is already harder than it used to be.
What travellers should do now
The honest answer is: don’t panic, but start planning as if 30 days is the new reality, especially if you’re booking a trip longer than a month.
A few practical steps based on the current guidance:
- Trips shorter than 30 days — you are unlikely to be affected even if the change takes effect during your trip. Most Bangkok hotel stays and island holidays fall well inside this window.
- Trips between 30 and 60 days — budget for a likely visit to immigration and the 1,900 THB extension fee, plus the time and paperwork involved.
- Trips longer than 60 days — if the change goes through, the visa-free route will no longer get you there in one go. Look into a proper Tourist Visa (single or multiple entry) via the official Thai e-Visa portal or your nearest Royal Thai Embassy well before you fly.
- Workcations and remote workers — the 60-day waiver has been a popular tool for digital nomads; if you relied on it, start looking at the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) or other long-stay options before entry rules change.
Before you fly, check your exact situation with your nearest Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate, as they will be the first to issue formal guidance once the Cabinet signs off.
It is also worth monitoring official announcements from the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Thai Immigration Bureau in the days before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Thailand’s visa-free stay already reduced to 30 days?
No — not yet. As of 22 April 2026, the 60-day visa exemption remains in place and the 30-day proposal has not been formally approved or gazetted.
When could the change take effect?
No official date has been confirmed. Industry trackers have pointed to mid-May 2026 as a possible target, but this has not been announced by the Thai government.
Will I still be able to extend my stay?
Yes, based on the minister’s public comments. The proposal still allows a one-time 30-day extension at a Thai immigration office for a 1,900 THB fee.
Does this affect GCC travellers?
Yes — all six GCC countries are on the 60-day list. UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman would all drop to 30 days if the change goes through.
What should I do if my trip is already booked?
Check the length of your stay first. Trips under 30 days are unlikely to be affected; longer trips may need an extension or a proper tourist visa depending on when the new rule takes effect.
Sources
- Bangkok Post — MFA proposes slashing visa-free tourist period in half
- Bangkok Post — 30-day visa-free stay ‘sufficient’, says minister
- The Nation Thailand — Foreign Ministry, security agencies eye visa-free cut to curb hidden threats
- Thai Examiner — Visa change from 60 to 30 days given green light by Foreign Affairs
- Tourism Authority of Thailand — Visa-free entry for 93 countries
- Royal Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Summary of Countries and Territories entitled for Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival (PDF)
- VisaHQ — Thailand Cuts Visa-Free Stay for UK and 90 Other Nationalities From 60 to 30 Days
- Wikipedia — Sihasak Phuangketkeow (position and tenure)
- Thai Immigration Bureau — Official site
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
