Thailand Reviews Visa-Free Stay, May Cut Limit to 30 Days
Thailand is reviewing its visa-free entry policy, proposing to slash the permitted stay from 60 days to 30 days to prevent misuse and security risks, according to the deputy prime minister.
BANGKOK — 12 May 2026, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, confirmed the government is reviewing its visa-free entry scheme for tourists by reducing permitted stays to no more than 30 days to prevent foreigners from misusing the system or engaging in activities affecting national security.
Speaking before a Cabinet meeting regarding the review of visa-free measures at Government House on 12 May, Sihasak said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out the existence of multiple visa types, believing the current 60-day visa-free period for tourists may be excessive. He noted that some visitors might not be genuine tourists and could exploit these measures, necessitating stricter regulations.
The proposal had originally been prepared since the first term of the Anutin-led administration, but was postponed because of the election period, Sihasak said. He added that the government now intends to move forward with the review urgently.
Under the process, the Secretariat of the Cabinet will consult relevant agencies, although Sihasak said he believed there will be no issues as the Foreign Ministry-led visa committee already closely monitoring the situation from related agencies.
Sihasak said he discussed the issue with Prime Minister on 11 May. He said Thailand currently has a large number of visa categories being pushed by various agencies, and while these initiatives are introduced with good intentions, including for foreign experts and soft-power support, but added that some measures may exceed actual necessity and should be reassessed.
Asked when the conclusion on streamlining visa criteria would be reached, Sihasak said the first priority was reviewing visa-free tourist entry following recent incidents involving Chinese citizens in Thailand. He clarified that his comments on the visa policy were not merely a reaction to these events, as the review had been initiated long before. Furthermore, the government plans to conduct a comprehensive review of all visa categories to determine if they are truly necessary or can be consolidated.
Asked whether the visa-free status for Chinese nationals would be shortened or revoked entirely, Mr. Sihasak emphasized that the government is not targeting any specific country. Instead, the focus is on activities that may pose risks to Thailand. Tourist visas should be granted for a duration appropriate for tourism, likely not exceeding 30 days, with criteria strictly aligned with their intended purpose.
He added that the focus is on if visitors are following their visa conditions. The government is not targeting any specific group, but it must tighten enforcement against those involved in illicit activities or security threats, as seen in the recent case of the Chinese suspect who was taken into custody.
