Thailand Rethinks Its 60-Day Visa Free Stay - So Don’t Unpack Just Yet
If you were planning on turning your two-month Thai getaway into an extended “find yourself” sabbatical, you might want to hold off on booking that third coconut latte. The Thai government has just announced that it’s reassessing its 60-day visa exemption — the very same one that’s been making life a little sunnier for travelers since July 2024.
No need to panic (yet). Nothing’s changing today. But officials are openly wondering if maybe, just maybe, 60 days of visa-free beach life was a little too generous.
What’s Going On
On October 24, Thailand’s Department of Consular Affairs held a meeting with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports — chaired by Minister Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn, who probably didn’t get a holiday either — to chat about the “impacts” of the 60-day policy.
The goal? To “strike a balance between promoting tourism and enforcing immigration regulations,” which in plain English means: “We love tourists, but please stop pretending to be digital nomads forever.”
The 60-day visa exemption currently lets citizens from 93 countries stay in Thailand for up to 60 days for tourism, business, or short-term fun. It was introduced to boost tourism after the pandemic, and boost it did — along with, apparently, the number of people “forgetting” to leave.
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Why the Change of Heart
When the 60-day visa rule launched in July 2024, it was hailed as a win-win: tourists got more beach time, and Thailand got more spending. But by late summer, murmurs started surfacing about visitors stretching the limits — working remotely, running online businesses, or generally acting like long-term residents with great tans.
Thai officials have been dropping hints since August about returning to the old 30-day limit, saying the system needs “fine-tuning” to prevent abuse. (Translation: Too many people treating Thailand like a long-term Airbnb.)
This latest review is part of a planned biannual evaluation, meaning the government always intended to check in after a few months — they’re just making sure the visa holiday hasn’t turned into a permanent one.
What Might Change
One big talking point: returning travelers. The Ministry says they’re looking at whether people hopping in and out of the country under the exemption might be getting too comfortable. So, if you’ve been bouncing between Bangkok and Bali to reset your visa clock, your days might be numbered.
The proposals will now go to Thailand’s Visa Policy Committee (a group that sounds like they throw thrilling parties) before any recommendations are made to the government.
For now, nothing has changed. You can still stay in Thailand for up to 60 days visa-free, and even extend by another 30 days once you’re there. If you’re not on the lucky list of 93 nationalities, you’ll still need an e-Visa — plus the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), which remains mandatory for all visitors.
The Bottom Line
Thailand’s not pulling the plug on the 60-day visa just yet — it’s more of a “We love you, but we need to talk” moment.
The Tourism Ministry insists the goal is to keep Thailand “an attractive destination” while keeping an eye out for illegal work and long-term stays in disguise. They even said the review should “significantly help build tourist confidence,” which is a polite way of saying, “Don’t freak out — we still want you here.”
So for now, keep enjoying the pad thai, the sunsets, and the smiles — just maybe don’t unpack like you’re moving in permanently.
