Accordingly, in an effort to optimize entry policies and promote tourism, the Thai government is considering adjusting the visa exemption period. According to information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, in-depth discussions have been conducted with the participation of government agencies and the private sector.
After extensive discussions, all stakeholders reached a basic consensus on proposing the Government to issue a new policy. This policy will adjust the visa exemption period from the current 60 days to the previous 30 days. This decision was made after careful consideration of economic, social and national security factors, aiming to ensure a balance between attracting tourists and effectively managing the flow of people entering the country.
According to Mr. Soravong, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand have discussed this issue with public and private sector agencies in recent times.
The Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports stressed that further details of the new policy will continue to be discussed and finalized before it is officially announced. This is to ensure that every aspect of the adjustment, from the impact on the tourism industry to issues related to immigration management, is fully considered.
It should be recalled that, since June 2024, the Thai Government has applied a 60-day visa exemption policy for citizens from 93 countries and territories, allowing them to enter for tourism purposes. This policy has brought positive results, contributing significantly to the recovery of the Thai tourism industry. In 2024, the Golden Temple country welcomed more than 36 million international visitors, an impressive number showing the strong attraction of Thai tourism on the world tourism map.
Thailand has agreed in principle to reduce the visa-free period from the current 60 days to 30 days due to security concerns.
Although the 60-day visa waiver policy has brought significant success to the Thai tourism industry, concerns about its abuse have recently begun to surface. Many travel agencies and the Thai Hotel Association have voiced their deep concerns that some businesses and foreigners are taking advantage of the program to conduct illegal work or business activities.
The proliferation of fake rental apartments, which foreigners use for business purposes without complying with legal regulations, is one of the obvious consequences of abusing the visa exemption policy. This not only causes loss of revenue to the state budget but also creates unfair competition, negatively affecting local tourism businesses operating legally.
This is considered a big step to prevent situations that damage the image of Thailand tourism in the eyes of international friends.
In response to this situation, the Thai Tourist Police has launched a campaign to investigate and strictly handle illegal tourism businesses in popular tourist destinations such as Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Phuket and Koh Samui. The campaign aims to protect fairness and transparency in the tourism industry, while ensuring security and social order.
The results of this campaign show the strong determination of the Thai government in fighting against illegal activities in the tourism sector. To date, more than 40 businesses have had their tourism business licenses revoked, a number that shows the government's seriousness in enforcing the law and protecting the rights of legitimate tourism businesses.
The adjustment of the visa exemption period is not just a simple change in the entry policy, but also a far-sighted strategic move towards the comprehensive optimization of Thailand's entry policy.
Thailand, as one of the world’s leading tourist destinations, is always looking for innovative solutions to develop its tourism industry in a sustainable manner. The visa exemption adjustment is part of that effort to create a healthy, transparent and responsible tourism environment.
In the context of the global tourism industry facing many challenges, Thailand's proactive adjustment of its entry policy demonstrates the country's flexibility and adaptability. This is a testament to Thailand's commitment to maintaining and sustainably developing the tourism industry, one of the country's important economic drivers.
