Overview
- The Thai Cabinet approved the overhaul on Tuesday, May 19, ending the temporary 60‑day visa‑free scheme and replacing it with country‑by‑country exemptions.
- Under the new framework most countries will be moved into 30‑day or 15‑day visa‑exemption tiers and the Visa‑on‑Arrival list is cut to four countries, with India shifted into the VoA category.
- The measures take legal effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette and the Visa Policy Committee must publish definitive country lists and operational rules before they are enforced.
- Travelers already in Thailand under the old 60‑day rules may remain until their current stamped expiry but future arrivals will need the new exemption, a bilateral agreement, an e‑Visa, or a VoA.
- Officials say security and immigration concerns, including recent arrests for alleged drug offences, trafficking and unlicensed businesses, prompted the rollback, and the tourism industry warns the change will hit long‑stay visitors, digital nomads and spontaneous trips.