Thailand may cut visa-free stay to 30 days

Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed it will propose reducing the visa-free stay for foreign tourists from 60 days to 30 days, citing concerns over misuse of the current system and potential security risks, according to a report by Bangkok Post. The proposal will allow travellers to extend their stay by another 30 days if required. The move follows a review by a committee on visa policy, which found the existing 60-day duration to be longer than necessary for most visitors and open to misuse.Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said the extended stay was introduced earlier to support tourism growth, which remains a key part of the country’s economy, as per the Bangkok Post report. However, feedback from tourism operators has raised concerns about its impact. Concerns over misuse and illegal activities The minister said he received multiple complaints during a recent visit to Phuket, where businesses reported cases of foreigners using tourist visas to operate ventures in sectors reserved for Thai nationals. There were also reports of illegal property ownership through local nominees. Authorities also found that several individuals involved in online scam operations had entered the country on tourist visas. The minister said the longer stay period could be misused by people not visiting for genuine tourism purposes. “In practice, a 30-day period should be sufficient for most tourists,” he said, as quoted by Bangkok Post.125963127 Proposed changes and next steps Under the proposed system, eligible travellers can stay for 30 days without a visa and apply for an extension if they need more time. The ministry said the policy is not targeted at any specific nationality but aims to address broader issues linked to visa misuse and security. The government also noted that some individuals used extended visa-free stays to move across neighbouring countries while engaging in illegal activities. The minister said Thailand will continue to welcome foreign visitors while ensuring that gaps in the system do not allow activities outside the scope of tourism.