Thailand Visa Rules: Thailand has ended the 60-day visa-free entry period for Indians. Travelers will now need to obtain a Visa on Arrival or e-Visa and can only stay for 15 days.
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Thailand Visa Rules: If you were dreaming of visiting Thailand this summer or were recently planning a long vacation, this news may change your plans. The Thai government has decided to end the 60-day visa-free entry facility available to Indian travelers. Indians will now have to obtain a Visa on Arrival (VoA) or e-Visa again. This decision could increase the difficulties for those planning a sudden trip.
Travelers will now be allowed to stay for only 15 days.
The Thai Cabinet approved this new rule on May 19, 2026. Previously, people from 93 countries, including India, were allowed to stay for up to 60 days without a visa, but this facility has now been completely abolished. Under the new rule, Indian travelers will have to obtain a Visa on Arrival at the airport or apply for an e-Visa online before traveling. The e-Visa fee is estimated to be around 2,500 Thai Baht, or approximately ₹5,800. The most significant change is that a single stay in Thailand will now be limited to 15 days.
Travel experts believe that this decision will especially impact those who plan impromptu and budget-conscious trips. According to Ravi Gosain, President of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), people will now have to incur advance planning, documentation, and additional expenses, which could reduce spontaneous trips. However, he also said that Thailand will still remain a favourite destination for Indians because it is easy to reach, costs less and offers many great travel options.
A shift towards other countries may increase
Long-term travelers, digital nomads, and family travelers may be most affected. Hari Ganapathy, CEO of travel company Pickyourtrail, says that people won’t stop traveling, but they may now turn to other countries. Countries like Malaysia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Bali may become more attractive to Indian tourists due to easier entry rules. For those with flights scheduled in the next few days, the new rule will not apply to existing travelers. Those who entered under the old rules will be able to stay for the specified period.
Why was this major decision taken?
In fact, Thailand eased its tourism regulations in 2024 to boost tourism. To revive tourism after the pandemic, 93 countries were granted visa-free stays of up to 60 days. This led to a large influx of Indian tourists. However, in the past few months, incidents of illegal trade, online scams, visa overstays, and tourist misconduct have increased. After videos of misbehavior and drunken brawls at temples went viral on social media, pressure on the government to take stricter action increased. Now, Thailand has taken this major decision to increase surveillance at its borders.
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