Length of visa-free stay in Thailand is set to be reduced

As of July 2024, the Thai government has allowed passport holders from 93 countries (including the UK) to enter Thailand for tourist purposes for free as long as they are staying less than 60 days. Previously, this was only allowed for citizens of 57 countries.

The authorities have agreed in principle to shorten the stay period from 60 days to 30 days for citizens of countries granted visa exemption under the program. The details will be discussed before the change in regulation is formally announced.

Tour operators have previously expressed concerns about the extended period, as tourists from distant countries typically spent only 14 to 21 days in the country on average, while those travelling from closer countries spent less than two weeks in Thailand, or about seven days on average.

The Association of Thai Travel Agents had previously raised the issue with the ministry as the number of foreigners working or doing business illegally in the country has been growing. The Association of Thai Hotels said the extension of the visa-free period was partly to blame for the increase in the number of apartments being illegally rented out to guests.

In response to a recent appeal by a former Phuket MP urging the government to crack down on foreign businesses and shorten the visa-free period to 30 days, Natthriya Thaweevong, secretary of the ministry, said the ministry had instructed the Department of Tourism to more seriously enforce the Tourism Business Act. She added that a special joint operations centre run by six agencies, including the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Police, had consistently investigated illegal activities taking place in Phuket and five other popular tourist areas, namely Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Koh Samui and Bangkok. In Phuket, for example, the licenses of 15 tourism companies were revoked - this was the case of a tourism company also registered under five different names.

There is currently no information on when the shortened visa-free stay period will come into effect. So if you're planning an extended trip to Thailand on a budget, now is the time to go and avoid those fees.