The Thai government is preparing to shorten its visa-free stay period from 60 days back to 30 days for tourists from 93 countries, in a move aimed at curbing illegal business activities and misuse of long-term stays.
Tourists may soon have less time to explore Thailand
The 60-day visa exemption was originally introduced in 2024 to attract more international tourists and stimulate the country’s economy. Before that, travellers from eligible countries were generally only allowed to stay for 30 days visa-free.
According to Thai officials, the majority of tourists typically spend less than 30 days in the country anyway, making the longer visa-free period unnecessary for most travellers.
Authorities also reportedly discovered cases involving foreigners misusing extended visas to operate businesses illegally or work without permits, prompting calls for stricter immigration controls.
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry is expected to submit the proposal to the Cabinet for approval soon, though no official implementation date has been announced yet.
Malaysians still allowed to stay up to 60 days
However, according to the official Thai e-Visa website, currently it still shows that Malaysian citizens are eligible to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days.
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