Thailand reduces visa-free stay to 30 days

Visa-free stays in Thailand will be shortened from 60 days to 30 days to limit the risk of illegal businesses taking advantage of the visa-free program.

Tourists in Thailand. Photo: Bangkok Post

The Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports has just announced that the visa-free stay period in Thailand will be shortened from 60 days to 30 days to limit the risk of illegal businesses taking advantage of the visa-free program.

Thai Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong said the issue of visa-free stay has been widely discussed by relevant agencies over the past few weeks.

He said everyone agreed in principle to reduce the length of stay from 60 days to 30 days for citizens of visa-exempt countries under the program.

However, additional details will be discussed before the regulatory adjustment is officially announced.

Since July 2024, the Thai Government has allowed passport holders from 93 countries to enter Thailand for tourism purposes for a period of no more than 60 days.

Previously, this right was granted to citizens of 57 countries.

However, travel companies have expressed concerns about the extended duration, as long-haul tourists typically stay for an average of 14-21 days, while short-haul tourists stay for less than two weeks per trip, or an average of about seven days.

The Thai Travel Agents Association had previously raised this issue with the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports due to the increasing number of foreigners working or doing business illegally in the country, while the Thai Hotel Association argued that this was partly responsible for the increase in the number of illegally rented apartments for guests on a daily basis.

Natthriya Thaweevong, Permanent Secretary of the Thai Ministry of Sports and Tourism, said the ministry has instructed the Tourism Department to strictly enforce the Tourism Business and Tour Guide Act.

Ms. Natthriya emphasized that a special joint operations center, managed by six agencies including the Tourism Bureau and the Tourist Police, has been continuously investigating illegal activities taking place in Phuket and five other popular tourist areas, including Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Koh Samui, and Bangkok.

TB (summary)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/thai-lan-giam-thoi-gian-luu-tru-mien-thi-thuc-xuong-con-30-ngay-407489.html