Thailand Ends Visa Exemption for Tourists from India and Other Nations

Bangkok. Thailand has introduced a rule requiring a visa for citizens of India and some other countries to stay for more than 30 days. From July 2024, tourists from 93 countries were allowed to stay in Thailand for 60 days without a visa. This step was taken to boost the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, on Tuesday, the Thai government approved a plan to end this exemption.

Now, the length of stay for visitors will be determined individually for each country. The government has cited security concerns and a complex visa system as reasons for this change. Recently, there have been several high-profile arrests of foreigners in Thailand, including issues related to drugs and sex trafficking. The government feels that the current economic and national security situation necessitates a policy change, said Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Countries that benefited from the 60-day visa exemption included Australia, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Spain, and the United States. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that citizens of many of these countries will now have to obtain a visa to stay for more than 30 days.