Thailand has decided to withdraw its 60-day visa-free stay policy for travelers from around 90 countries, including India, marking a major change in its tourism entry rules. The Thai Cabinet has approved scrapping the extended visa-free stay scheme introduced in 2024, which allowed visitors from eligible countries to stay for up to 60 days without a visa.
The news reform was announced on social media. The decision comes amid a series of high-profile cases involving foreign nationals allegedly linked to drug offenses, sex trafficking, and the illegal operation of businesses, including hotels and schools, without proper permits.
Thai authorities stated that some visitors have been actively exploiting the country's extended visa-free regime to overstay and operate illegally within the kingdom, prompting stricter enforcement and regulatory crackdowns, reported Hindustan Times.
For Indian travellers, the move effectively signals a return to the earlier visa-free arrangement that existed before Thailand introduced its temporary 60-day exemption in 2024.
Under the previous bilateral agreement, Indian passport holders were permitted to enter and stay in Thailand visa-free for a maximum of 30 days.
Tourism remains a critical driver for the local economy, accounting for more than 10% of Thailand's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Thai government expects to welcome approximately 33.5 million international visitors this year, representing a slight increase over the nearly 33 million arrivals recorded last year, as per HT.
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However, recent data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports indicates immediate headwinds for the sector, with foreign arrivals contracting by roughly 2.3% to 3.4% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year, largely due to ongoing regional and geopolitical disruptions impacting global travel.
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