Thailand’s Cabinet voted Tuesday to end the country’s 60-day visa-free entry scheme for nationals of more than 90 countries, closing a two-year experiment that officials say was increasingly exploited by criminals operating under the cover of tourism.
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul announced the decision following the Cabinet meeting on May 19, 2026, confirming the cancellation of the 60-day visa-free scheme for more than 90 countries. All affected countries will return to their previous visa categories, with most visitors reverting to the former 30-day visa-free allowance.
The 60-day scheme was introduced in July 2024 as a pandemic-recovery incentive, granting citizens of 93 countries the right to enter Thailand without a visa for up to two months. The policy was credited with drawing in long-stay travelers and digital nomads, but security authorities increasingly flagged it as a gap in border controls.
Thai officials acknowledged the generous 60-day window had inadvertently opened loopholes, allowing a surge in illicit grey-market enterprises, unauthorized foreign workers, and online scam operations. The policy reversal follows a series of high-profile arrests involving foreign nationals engaged in drug trafficking, human smuggling, and running unauthorized local businesses such as hotels and language schools. Government spokesperson Rachada Dhanadirek told reporters in Bangkok that while tourism remains an indispensable pillar of the Thai economy, security concerns have taken priority.
The scrapped policy covered a broad list of nationalities. According to a summary presented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 19, 2026, the 54 countries and territories initially confirmed as affected include Australia, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, and several others across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
Under the new framework, the rollback is not a flat one-size-fits-all reduction. Most foreign nationals will be able to stay in Thailand for around 30 days without a visa, while citizens of some countries will be subject to a shorter 15-day allowance depending on their nationality. The Visa Policy Committee will reassess each country individually, weighing both security and economic considerations before finalizing the new arrangements.
Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said the measure does not target any specific nationality, but rather individuals abusing the visa system to evade law enforcement. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said it will enforce a strict cap of two visa-free entries per calendar year via land borders for the standard 30-day tier, mirroring protocols used before the 2024 expansion.
Despite the headline-grabbing nature of the reversal, officials are downplaying its impact on ordinary tourists. Data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports shows the average foreign tourist stays in Thailand for just nine days, leading authorities to conclude that returning to a 30-day limit will have little effect on the mainstream travel market.
Minister Surasak said the government’s priority has shifted toward attracting quality tourists rather than simply maximizing arrival numbers, citing direct instructions from the prime minister to tighten the visa system in a way that improves safety and elevates tourism standards overall.
The overhaul doesn’t stop at cutting days. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is also preparing to introduce an entry fee of 300 baht per person for air arrivals, commonly referred to as a landing fee, with revenue directed toward the Tourism Promotion Fund and improvements to border screening infrastructure.
No specific implementation date has been announced, with Minister Surasak stating only that all relevant agencies and immigration authorities will be notified of the Cabinet’s resolution. Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website still lists the 60-day exemption for affected nationalities, and travelers are advised to monitor official channels for the updated entry rules before booking.
For those who need more than 30 days, Thai authorities say alternatives remain available, including the Destination Thailand Visa and the 10-year Long-Term Residence scheme.
The decision signals a clear pivot in Thailand’s approach to international tourism — away from the post-pandemic “come in, stay as long as you like” mindset that defined 2024, toward a model that prioritizes security vetting and high-value visitors over raw arrival numbers.
