The Thai government is moving forward with a plan to shorten the visa-free stay period from 60 days to 30 days, following concerns over the misuse of the exemption scheme by illegal businesses. The decision, agreed upon in principle by relevant authorities, aims to address growing issues related to unauthorized commercial activities conducted by foreigners under the extended visa-free allowance, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry.
Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong confirmed that the Foreign Ministry had acknowledged the concerns raised by various stakeholders over the past few weeks. While the policy shift has been agreed upon in principle, further discussions will be held before finalizing and officially implementing the changes.
Since July 2024, Thailand has permitted passport holders from 93 countries to enter the country for tourism purposes without a visa for up to 60 days, an expansion from the previous limit applied to 57 countries. However, the extended stay duration has sparked concerns within the tourism sector, as industry operators note that most long-haul travelers typically stay between 14 and 21 days, while short-haul visitors average around seven days per trip.
The Association of Thai Travel Agents previously raised alarms regarding the increase in illegal work and business activities by foreigners taking advantage of the extended visa-free stay. Additionally, the Thai Hotels Association linked the issue to a rise in unlicensed short-term rentals, as illegal operations increasingly use residential condos for commercial lodging purposes.
Calls for stricter regulations have also been echoed in Phuket, where a former MP urged the government to crack down on foreign-owned businesses operating through Thai nominees. In response, Natthriya Thaweevong, Permanent Secretary of the Tourism and Sports Ministry, announced that enforcement of the Tourism Business and Tourist Guide Act would be intensified.
A special joint operational center, comprising six government agencies including the Tourism Department and Tourist Police, continues to investigate illicit activities in key tourism hotspots such as Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Koh Samui, and Bangkok. As part of this crackdown, 40 tourism-related businesses had their licenses revoked in 2024 for violating regulations on directorship and shareholder structures. In Phuket alone, 15 tour companies were stripped of their licenses due to similar infractions.
Authorities remain committed to curbing illegal operations while maintaining Thailand’s appeal as a top global travel destination. More details on the revised visa-free stay period and its implementation timeline are expected to be announced soon.