thailand cuts visafree

Thailand Cuts Visa-free Stays To 30 Days For 60 Countries From September 15

BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand will halve the visa-free stay for tourists from 60 countries and territories from 60 days to 30 days, with the new rules officially taking effect on September 15, 2026, following publication of the Interior Ministry’s announcement in the Royal Gazette on August 31. The change ends the special 60-day visa-exemption arrangement that had been in place since July 2024 and restores the standard visa-free period that applied prior to that measure.

Thailand to revoke visas of troublemaking tourists amid growing concerns

From September 15, holders of passports or travel documents from the listed nations may enter Thailand for tourism for up to 30 days without a visa. Travelers arriving before the new rules take effect, up to and including September 14, will still receive the current 60-day stamp, and those already in the country will retain the period of stay already granted. A one-time extension of up to an additional 30 days remains available, subject to immigration approval.

The new 30-day visa-free scheme covers 60 countries, including Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, most European Union nations, Japan, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Taiwan. The exemption is now explicitly limited to tourism, with previous wording allowing short-term work or business removed. Officials stated the revision was made to reflect current circumstances, balancing national security and economic considerations while streamlining screening for quality tourists.

Under the new framework, visa-exempt entries through land-border immigration checkpoints are generally limited to twice per calendar year, though this restriction does not apply to nationals of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore. Meanwhile, Mauritius and Seychelles will have a separate 15-day visa-free tourism exemption. Visa on Arrival will be available only to nationals of Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia.

Thailand Halves Visa-free Stay To 30 Days

Existing bilateral visa-exemption treaties remain in effect, providing 14 days for Cambodia and Myanmar, 30 days for China, Hong Kong, Laos, Russia, Vietnam, and others, and 90 days for Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and South Korea. Foreign nationals not covered by the new exemption lists or a bilateral agreement will need to obtain a visa through Thailand’s e-Visa system.

-Thailand News (TN)

Similar Posts

  • Thai F-16 Bombs Key Cambodian Bridge in Strategic Escalation

    BANGKOK – The Royal Thai Air Force has escalated its military campaign by deploying a precision-guided munition to strike a strategic bridge in Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province. The target, the O-Jik Bridge, serves as a critical supply route to front-line Cambodian forces near the contested Ta Kwai ancient ruins and Mount 350 in Thailand’s Surin […]

  • Cambodia Pushes for Immediate Ceasefire as Border Talks Resume

    BANGKOK – Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Seiha has formally called for an immediate end to hostilities and full implementation of existing ceasefire agreements in a letter to his Thai counterpart. The proposal, dated December 22, urges a return to the terms of the Kuala Lumpur ceasefire agreement signed on July 26 and the Joint Declaration […]

  • Thailand Cuts Diesel and Gasohol Prices for Songkran

    BANGKOK — Fuel supplies will remain adequate throughout the Songkran holiday period, while retail oil prices were set to fall from Saturday after the Oil Fuel Fund Executive Committee approved cuts to levy rates, Energy Minister Akanat Promphan announced. Refining Margins to Be Lowered, Diesel Set to Drop by 2.14 Baht Speaking on Saturday, Akanat […]

  • | |

    JI expands nationwide protest over fuel levy and i…

    ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) held protest sit-ins in several major cities on Monday for the second consecutive day, intensifying its campaign against high petroleum levies, rising inflation and increased utility bills. The protests were organised in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and other cities across the country. The party said its demonstrations would continue until the government addresses its demands. Addressing a sit-in in Lahore, JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman described the protests as the beginning of a broader nationwide movement. He said the party had prepared a strategy to expand the campaign and expressed satisfaction with the participation in different parts of the country. JI leaders criticised the government over the growing financial burden on ordinary citizens. They argued that higher fuel-related charges have contributed to increased prices of essential goods and made household expenses more difficult to manage. In Karachi, a JI demonstration was held outside the Governor House. Party leaders accused the government of relying excessively on petroleum levies and taxes to generate revenue. JI Karachi women wing leader Javed Fahim called on the government either to withdraw what she described as unnecessary financial burdens or face stronger public resistance. She warned that the party could expand its sit-ins to major roads across Karachi if its demands were not accepted. JI Karachi Emir Monem Zafar Khan said the party’s demands included a reduction in fuel prices and a forensic audit of independent power producers (IPPs). He said controlling inflation should be among the government’s top priorities and argued that ordinary citizens were bearing the impact of rising fuel costs, electricity bills and prices of daily-use commodities. The protests come after the government recently increased the petroleum levy on diesel by Rs1 per litre, taking it to Rs77.28. The levy on petrol remained at Rs80 per litre, while the levy on kerosene was unchanged at Rs20.36 per litre. JI leaders said they would continue mobilising supporters across the country and would consider further expanding the protest movement if their demands were not met.

  • | |

    Hollywood source speaks out after Meghan Markle an…

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are making headlines again after announcing plans to return to the UK with their two children. The unexpected move comes six years after the couple stepped away from royal duties and relocated to California. The Sussexes are expected to return to Britain later this month and spend an extended period near London. However, they will remain private citizens rather than working members of the Royal Family. Their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are also expected to attend school in the UK. (Reuters⁠) The announcement has reportedly surprised people on both sides of the Atlantic. A royal source told Entertainment Tonight that members of the Royal Family were “blindsided” by the decision, particularly because the move was not discussed during Harry and Meghan’s recent private meeting with King Charles. (ELLE⁠) But the biggest reaction may be coming from Hollywood. Harry and Meghan moved to California in 2020 with hopes of building a new life and creating a successful entertainment empire. They signed major deals, including partnerships with Netflix and Spotify, while launching Archewell Productions and developing projects for global audiences. However, their Hollywood journey has reportedly been more complicated than expected. Recent reports have described strained industry relationships, disappointing projects and declining opportunities. Variety previously reported that the couple’s relationship with Netflix had become increasingly difficult, while other entertainment reports have questioned their long-term position in Hollywood. (Variety⁠) One recent Hollywood-focused report went even further, claiming that the couple had “worn out” their welcome in the entertainment industry. It pointed to the end of their Spotify partnership and challenges surrounding their media projects as signs that their American dream had not developed as originally expected. These claims come from unnamed industry sources and should therefore be treated as allegations rather than established facts. (Page Six⁠) Their return to Britain has consequently sparked speculation about whether the Sussexes are turning the page on their Hollywood chapter. Still, the move does not necessarily mean they are abandoning America completely. Reports indicate that Harry and Meghan plan to retain their California home while establishing a base in the UK. Meghan is also expected to continue working on her lifestyle brand and other projects. (Business Insider⁠) The couple’s relationship with the Royal Family also remains complicated. Their recent meeting with King Charles appears to have created some hope for improved family ties, but tensions with Prince William remain particularly strong. (The Guardian⁠) For now, Harry and Meghan’s return marks a dramatic new chapter. After leaving Britain to build an independent life in Hollywood, they are once again heading home—this time as a family of four, with their future firmly under the spotlight.

  • Thailand Raises Departure Fees by 390 Baht at 6 Major Airports

    BANGKOK, Thailand — Thailand has officially raised the Passenger Service Charge for international departing passengers, with the new fee structure taking effect on June 20, 2026. The adjustment increases the charge by 390 baht, bringing the total cost to 1,120 baht per person for eligible travelers. Thailand Raises Airport Departure Fee 53% From June 20 […]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *