In a bid to reduce the risk of irregular business abusing the visa exemption scheme, Thailand will reduce the period of visa-free stays from 60 to 30 days, the Tourism and Sports Ministry has said.
Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister, Sorawong Thienthong, said the Foreign Ministry was aware of the matter, as it had been discussed by stakeholders in recent weeks, VisaGuide.World reports.
According to him, the decision to reduce the period of stay from 60 to 30 days for citizens from countries included in the visa waiver agreement was unanimously supported. However, additional details on the matter would be discussed before announcing the changes to the regulation formally.
Expansion of Visa-Free Scheme to 93 Countries
In July 2024 authorities in Thailand announced that its visa waiver scheme was expanded to 93 countries.
Back then, Thailand’s Ministry of Interior, the decision is a significant increase from the previous 57 regions. It was also announced that visitors would be able to stay for up to 60 days.
The new changes, according to the Ministry of Interior, were taken in a bid to boost tourism and make the travel process to Thailand easier for travelers from a large number of countries.
Tourism operators have expressed concerns over the extended period as long-haul tourists stayed just for 14-21 days on average and short-haul tourists spent less than two weeks per trip or about seven days on average, according to a report from Bangkok Post.
Concerns Among Association of Thai Travel Agents
The Association of Thai Travel Agents raised concerns with the ministry, noting an increase in foreigners’ irregularly working or running businesses in Thailand.
Following a call from a former member of parliament in Phuket calling on the government to crack down on foreign businesses using nominees and reduce the visa-free period to 30 days, the ministry’s permanent secretary, Natthriya Thaweevong told Bangkok Post that the ministry has instructed the Tourism Department to enforce the Tourism Business and Tourist Guide Act more strictly.
According to her, a special joint center, operated by six authorities including the Tourism Department and Tourist Police, has been investigating irregular activities in Phuket and in five other major tourist areas including the following ones: Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Koh Samui, and Bangkok.