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Thailand Cuts Visa-Free Period to 30 Days and Drops 34 Countries
Thailand's cabinet voted on Tuesday 14 July 2026 to significantly tighten its visa-free entry scheme, cutting the permitted stay from 60 days to 30 days and removing 34 countries from the programme entirely. The new rules take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette, and visitors already in Thailand under the previous terms can remain for their originally permitted duration.
What Changed
The old scheme covered 93 countries and allowed stays of up to 60 days. Under the revised policy, only 59 countries retain visa-free access, and that access is now capped at 30 days. Cabinet ministers cited abuse of the 60-day window and national security concerns as the reasons for tightening the rules.
Who Gains, Who Loses
Not everyone is affected equally.
Six countries were upgraded under the new scheme: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, India, Malta, and the Maldives. All 27 EU member states now receive the same 30-day visa-free treatment, bringing them into alignment with each other.
India is a notable addition. Previously Indian nationals needed a visa-on-arrival; they now qualify for 30 days visa-free. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul noted that when India lost its prior 60-day visa-free access under an earlier cabinet decision, arrivals fell by around 20%. The new 30-day visa-free access is intended to reverse that decline. The average Indian tourist stays 7.2 days per visit, so a 30-day allowance is well above what most visitors actually need.
Seychelles and Mauritius receive 15-day visa-free stays. Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia gain visa-on-arrival access.
On the other side, nationals of 34 countries that previously entered visa-free will now need to obtain a visa before travelling.
What This Means for Visitors to Koh Lanta
If you were planning a long stay, the halved allowance matters. A 30-day limit is tight for travellers who want to explore Thailand at a relaxed pace, island-hop, or spend a full month on Lanta. Anyone who would have previously relied on the 60-day window will need to either apply for a tourist visa in advance, plan a border run, or look at longer-stay visa options.
The shorter window also raises the risk of accidental overstays, particularly for travellers who lose track of dates or encounter travel disruptions near the end of their permitted period.
Digital Screening Changes
Thailand also announced that the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system will be strengthened alongside these changes, with greater data sharing between government agencies for background screening of incoming visitors.
Quick Reference
<table> <thead> <tr> <th>What</th> <th>Old rules</th> <th>New rules</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>Countries covered</td> <td>93</td> <td>59</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Permitted stay</td> <td>60 days</td> <td>30 days</td> </tr> <tr> <td>India</td> <td>Visa-on-arrival</td> <td>30-day visa-free</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Seychelles & Mauritius</td> <td>Not listed</td> <td>15-day visa-free</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Azerbaijan, Belarus, Serbia</td> <td>Not listed</td> <td>Visa-on-arrival</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>
The resolution was announced by Deputy Government Spokeswoman Ploythalay Laksameesaengchan.
Information sourced from Bangkok Post.