Thailand: Visa exemption to be scrapped for Australia, other countries, changed to 30 days

A major overhaul to Thailand’s visa system is going to impact the more than 700,000 Australians who visit Thailand each year.

Changes approved by Thailand’s cabinet this week will likely see the 60 day visa exemption scrapped and changed to only 30 days.

Stays beyond this period are expected to require a visa application.

A single-entry, three month tourist visa currently costs $60.

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the changes were reflective of the need to boost security, as reported by the Bangkok Post.

“Revising these policies is crucial to prevent visa misuse, criminal activities, scams, and illegal labour exploiting visa exemptions, while also strengthening confidence in Thailand’s safety and perception among international tourists in the long run,” he said.

Since July 2024, Australian tourists and those from 92 other countries have been able to travel to the southeast Asian nation visa-free for 60 days.

It was introduced to boost tourism and the economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, almost two years later, the visa system is being overhauled and reverted to a tiered system.

Under the changes, each of the 93 countries will be evaluated on a country-by-country basis, with some exemption periods being shorter or longer than the 30 days.

Other countries previously eligible for the exemption include the UK, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Spain and the US.

A cap of two visa-free entries per year is also expected to be introduced for those travelling via land borders.

Exemptions for so-called visa runs will be in place for those travelling from Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore.

It is not yet clear when the changes will come into effect; however, it will be 15 days after it appears in the Royal Gazette, the mandatory channel for legally enacting new laws.