PHUKET, THAILAND – Thailand signalled a sweeping reversal of its entry policy, with plans to abolish 60-day visa-free stays and visas on arrival for 124 countries.
Minister announces end of all 60-day visas
Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul announced that the 60-day visa-free entry scheme for 124 countries would be completely abolished. The plan would affect 93 states currently enjoying visa exemption as well as 31 with a visa-on-arrival regime, including Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The proposal was to be submitted to the cabinet, but the minister did not specify when it might take effect. Authorities indicated that Thailand was fundamentally tightening its entry rules, and travellers planning to visit under existing conditions were urged to monitor developments closely.
Speaking at the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference 2026 (GSTC 2026) in Phuket, Surasak outlined the core of the reform.
“The first step is the abolition of all 60-day visas for all countries. We do not discriminate — we abolish them all.”
said Surasak Phancharoenworakul, Tourism Minister.
All countries would be treated equally under the new framework, regardless of earlier special arrangements. The Foreign Ministry was leading the review, with security agencies involved in the process.
Future visitors would be expected to apply for visas in advance in their home countries and undergo tighter checks.
“Stricter screening and more careful examination will be the new standard,”
said Surasak, adding that cabinet approval was still required before any change could be implemented.
Abuse of tourist status cited as key trigger
Officials linked the planned overhaul to documented misuse of the 60-day rule. Foreign nationals had used the status to live in Thailand long term or to conduct business activities, both of which were illegal under that category.
According to Surasak, authorities had compiled data across several sectors and concluded that action was needed. Local agencies in Phuket were already investigating specific cases, including online posts advertising tax-free living in Thailand.
Another figure underpinned the minister’s argument: around 90 percent of tourists stayed between one and 30 days. In practice, the 60-day allowance mainly benefited those using the country as a de facto place of residence without holding the appropriate visa.
Tourist numbers under pressure
The announcement came as overall arrivals declined. In the first quarter of 2026, Thailand welcomed 9.31 million tourists, a drop of 2.51 percent compared with the same period in 2025.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) had already revised its annual forecast downward, cutting expectations from 36.7 million arrivals to between 30 million and 34 million. The agency cited geopolitical uncertainty and higher long-haul airfares linked to the US-Iran conflict as the main causes.
Despite the weaker numbers, the government’s direction remained clear: quality over quantity. Officials said they wanted fewer visitors overall, but with higher spending power, and framed the visa reform as a form of entry control rather than a deterrent to affluent travellers.
Impact on long-stay residents and winter visitors
The changes would mark a major break for people who had entered visa-free twice a year and then extended their stays at immigration offices. If the 60-day exemption were removed, every stay would need to be covered by a pre-approved visa.
Options mentioned included a tourist visa, a retirement visa, or the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) introduced in 2024. The DTV cost 10,000 baht, required proof of 500,000 baht in funds and had to be obtained outside Thailand.
Officials stressed that nothing had been formally decided and that no implementation date was in place. Travellers planning to spend autumn 2026 or the winter season 2026/2027 in Thailand were advised to start looking at alternatives and to follow the visa debate closely.
The report was based on statements by Minister Surasak at GSTC 2026 in Phuket on 23 April 2026, corroborated by Bangkok Post and Nation Thailand. Binding information was available only from the Thai Foreign Ministry and the Royal Thai Embassies in each traveller’s country of residence.