PATTAYA, Thailand – Major international media outlets including BBC, The Guardian, AFP, and The Economic Times have widely reported on Thailand’s decision to scale back its 60-day visa-free entry policy for travellers from more than 90 countries, describing the move as a major shift from tourism-driven recovery policies toward tighter national security controls. The reports noted that Thailand only introduced the extended 60-day visa-free stay in July 2024 as part of efforts to revive the tourism sector after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, foreign media say the government is now prioritizing security concerns, immigration control, and crime prevention over unrestricted tourism growth.
Several outlets cited statements from Thai officials acknowledging that while the visa-free policy helped stimulate the economy, it also created loopholes that allowed some foreign nationals to exploit the system for illegal activities. International coverage has strongly linked the policy shift to recent crackdowns involving foreign nationals accused of criminal offenses in Thailand. Western and regional media pointed to growing concerns over transnational crime networks, drug trafficking, illegal business operations, human trafficking, and visa overstays.
British media also referenced recent arrests involving foreign suspects in narcotics cases, alongside investigations into illegal international schools, nominee businesses, and foreigners allegedly working without permits in tourist destinations across Thailand. Foreign reports further highlighted concerns within Thailand’s immigration framework itself. According to multiple media analyses citing Thai government sources, overlapping bilateral visa agreements created confusion and weakened immigration screening systems. Thailand is now expected to adopt a “one visa exemption per country” principle to simplify regulations and close legal loopholes.
Travel industry websites and expat communities have also begun discussing the practical impact on visitors from countries including the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, China, and members of the Schengen area in Europe. Under the expected revisions, many travellers may no longer automatically receive 60-day stays upon arrival. Some nationalities are expected to revert to previous bilateral agreements allowing stays of 30 days, while others could face shorter limits depending on future decisions by Thailand’s Visa Policy Committee.
Foreign media also warned that visa extensions inside Thailand may become more difficult, with immigration authorities expected to apply stricter scrutiny and require stronger documentation instead of routinely approving extensions. According to the reports, the tighter measures will not take immediate effect but are expected to become active 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette. Travel agencies and foreign embassies have already started advising travellers to monitor official Thai announcements closely for updated entry conditions based on nationality. (TNA)
