Thailand VE to be cut to 30 days

[khaolakguy]

2 hours ago, jimmie50 said:

The only question at the present time is when the new 30-day rule takes effect.  The immigration officer was unsure, but believed it will be around July 1.  

The new visa system will come into effect 15 days after it appears in the Royal Gazette, where legal and regulatory notifications are published.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c78q3qjqnn5o

[daydreamer]

The Thai government has revised their tourist entry requirements.  One big change in the new scheme is that India drops from the 60 day Visa Exempt entry to a 15 day Visa on Arrival.  The Visa on Arrival carries a fee of 2,000 baht, payable in cash at the immigration counter on arrival, so this may affect Indian arrival numbers.

This appears to be the final draft, before it goes to the King for his endorsement.

 

[Travelingguy]

I am a little confused.  Do Russians and Chinese now need visas?  The chart does not make that clear.

[siriusBE]

3 hours ago, Travelingguy said:

I am a little confused.  Do Russians and Chinese now need visas?  The chart does not make that clear.

That was my first thought, too 

[daydreamer]

China and Russia have bilateral visa exemption agreements between their governments and Thailand, so they appear in a separate box at the bottom of the chart. 

The chart is accurate, it was produced by Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the badge in the lower right corner indicates.

[zoomomancs]

It seems a long delay before publication in the gazette, leaving many news websites reporting the drop to 30 days when it hasn't happened yet. 

[Rent Boy]

Well hopefully there should be fewer Indians attempting to jump the queue at BKK, as they will be in the visa on arrival line.   

 

[Travelingguy]

14 hours ago, Rent Boy said:

Well hopefully there should be fewer Indians attempting to jump the queue at BKK, as they will be in the visa on arrival line.   

 

Is that a known specific issue of disruptive behavior by  Indian tourists at arrival immigration? I’m just curious if there may be more method to these planed changes than I had previously been considering. 

[PeterRS2]

21 hours ago, zoomomancs said:

It seems a long delay before publication in the gazette, leaving many news websites reporting the drop to 30 days when it hasn't happened yet. 

Sadly the delay in announcing almost any change and its finding its way into the Gazette is not at all unusual.

[mauRICE]

The return to a 30-day visa exemption from 60 days starts today, 1 September 2026.

Entry via a land border is limited to twice a year but Malaysians and Singaporeans, among others, are exempted from this rule. 

https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/09/01/thailand-cuts-visa-free-stays-from-60-days-to-30-days-for-60-countries-including-malaysia

 

[mauRICE]

Apparently, the return to the 30-day visa exemption starts on 15 September 2026, not 1 September 2026 as indicated above.

 

 

[durian]

I was looking at this yesterday, It's still possible to enter for 60 days by buying a 60 day visa online before you travel. 40 dollars.

A 90 day visa for Vietnam is only 25 dollars.

Thailand seem to be shooting themselves in the foot.

Then people on the socials harp on about most people don't need 60 days.  

I like to have 60 days, I'm retired, I'm not a criminal, I behave myself, always. 

90 days in Vietnam is over in two days time, it's been fabulous, I will almost certainly be back here in December and January and cancel my 2 month booking in chiang mai. 

If as often mentioned they are doing this to stop the bad behaviour and criminal activity, they are going about it the wrong way imo.

It's not like criminal and bad behaviour starts on day 31 of your 60 day visa.....