For years, Thailand sold itself as the easiest tropical escape in Asia — warm beaches, buzzing nightlife, cheap food, smiling hospitality and almost effortless entry rules. But after a surge in complaints about unruly foreign visitors, illegal businesses and crime linked to tourists, the kingdom has decided enough is enough.
Thailand is rolling back one of its most tourist-friendly policies: the 60-day visa-free entry scheme introduced in 2024. In its place, visitors from 54 countries and territories will now receive only a 30-day visa exemption, while travellers from three locations will get a 15-day visa waiver.
The message from Bangkok is clear: Thailand wants tourists, but not trouble.
The 60-day visa waiver was introduced after Covid to revive Thailand’s tourism-dependent economy. Before the pandemic, nearly 39 million tourists visited the country annually. Last year, arrivals recovered to around 33 million.
But authorities now believe the relaxed entry system created unintended consequences. Instead of encouraging longer holidays and higher spending, officials say many foreigners used the generous stay period to quietly settle in the country, operate businesses illegally, purchase properties through loopholes or run scams targeting tourists and locals alike.
Recent months have seen Thai social media flooded with viral videos of drunken street fights, thefts, public indecency and aggressive behaviour involving foreign visitors. Reports of kidnapping rings, online scam operations and armed robberies allegedly involving foreign nationals added to public anger.
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said the move was not aimed at any particular nationality. “We are targeting activities that could create problems for Thailand,” he said while announcing the policy shift.
Popular tourist destinations such as Phuket, Krabi and Koh Phangan have increasingly seen complaints from locals about foreigners allegedly running businesses through Thai proxies or overstaying under repeated visa renewals.
Business groups in tourist-heavy cities have largely backed the rollback. Chutima Jiramongkol, president of the Pattaya Business and Tourist Association, described the shorter visa period as a “reset” that would help authorities regain control.
Many ordinary Thais also appear supportive. Social media reactions after the announcement reflected growing frustration that some visitors were exploiting Thailand’s hospitality while contributing little to the economy.
Thailand’s tougher stance comes at a delicate moment for regional tourism competition.
Neighbouring Malaysia and Vietnam have aggressively relaxed visa rules to attract travellers. Malaysia drew around 42 million visitors last year, while Vietnam recorded a record 21 million arrivals.
Thailand, meanwhile, has been facing multiple pressures:
A stronger baht making holidays more expensive
Higher airfares due to geopolitical tensions
Concerns over trafficking networks and scam centres
Increasing competition from neighbouring destinations
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has already lowered its 2026 visitor forecast to 30 million arrivals.
Yet officials remain optimistic that wealthier long-haul travellers and tourists from smaller Chinese cities will continue to support the sector.
For years, Thailand became a haven for digital nomads, semi-retired foreigners and long-stay budget travellers who found ways to stretch short-term visas into near-permanent stays.
The new rules suggest the country is trying to reclaim a balance between openness and control. A 30-day visa-free stay is still generous by global standards. But the era of easy back-to-back visa runs and loosely monitored long stays may finally be fading in one of Asia’s most visited destinations.
