Thailand Cuts Visa-Free Stays to 30 Days for 90+ Countries as Tourist Backlash Grows
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 2
Thailand Cuts Visa-Free Stays to 30 Days for 90+ Countries as Tourist Backlash Grows
5 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 2
Thailand will halve visa-free stays to 30 days from 60 for travelers from more than 90 countries, though officials have not said when the tighter rules will take effect.
Government officials tied the move to rising anger over misbehaving tourists, illegal business activity and security concerns, saying the longer allowance had become a loophole for people with bad intentions.
Tourism still contributes up to 20% of GDP, so authorities are trying to curb abuse without hurting a sector that supports hotels, transport and small vendors across the economy.
Business groups say the impact should be limited because most visitors stay well under 30 days, though some longer-stay travelers said the change would alter their plans and may not stop bad behavior.
The shift reflects a broader hardening in Thailand, where public tolerance for disruptive visitors has fallen and politicians are pressing for tougher screening of long-term visa and residency holders.
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