Tourists in Thailand Face Visa-Free Stay Cuts

The 60-day visa-free stay introduced two years ago aimed at boosting tourism and encouraging longer stays. However, this week, the Thai government announced plans to shorten the duration of these visa-free visits for tourists from over 90 countries as part of efforts to curb crime.

This move has been met with mixed reactions among travelers. Alex Brady, an Irish backpacker who was planning a five-week stay in Thailand, expressed concern that the new one-month limit would significantly restrict his itinerary. Brady and his friends initially arrived without any fixed plans, intending to explore more of the country at their leisure.

The reduction in visa-free stays has also been criticized by tourism industry experts. Tourism contributes over 10 percent to Thailand’s GDP, yet visitor numbers have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. The recent high-profile arrests of foreigners involved in drug offenses, public indecency, and running illegal businesses without proper permits has fueled public backlash.

The new policy allows tourists to extend their stay by renewing a 30-day visa once for another 30 days at the discretion of an immigration officer before they must leave the country. However, the specifics on how this will deter crime or prevent overstaying have not been disclosed.

For some travelers like Elin Ovrebo, director of a US university study abroad program, the policy change could impact their ability to extend stays but would not deter them from visiting Thailand altogether. Anna Heindrich, an 80-year-old German tourist who has spent three months in the country and plans to stay for another two weeks, is also affected by the new rules.

The Bangkok Buddy agency, which offers visa runs allowing tourists to re-enter Thailand on a different visa status after their initial stay, anticipates that the new policy could impact its business. However, it may also present opportunities as some travelers opt for cheaper destinations like Vietnam.