Thailand is planning to reduce the visa-free stay duration for tourists from 60 days back to 30 days, a change that will impact visitors from 93 countries and regions, including holders of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passports.
The policy, which has been in effect since July 15, 2024, extended the visa-free stay period from the original 30 days to 60 days. However, this adjustment is being reconsidered to combat illegal commercial activities by some foreign visitors, including scams and human trafficking.
According to the Bangkok Post, Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports confirmed on March 17 that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other stakeholders have, in principle, agreed to shorten the visa-free stay period to 30 days.
Industry representatives in Thailand have expressed concerns about the current visa-free stay duration. They noted that long-haul travelers typically stay for 14 to 21 days, while short-haul tourists average around 7 days. The extended 60-day limit, they argue, may inadvertently encourage foreign visitors to engage in illegal activities during their stay.
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