PATTAYA, Thailand – Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports has confirmed that the Cabinet has approved the cancellation of the 60-day visa-free scheme for more than 90 countries, reverting entry conditions back to previous bilateral arrangements. Most affected nationalities will now return to a standard stay period of around 30 days, depending on their respective agreements with Thailand. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Pancharoenworakul said the move also applies to cases where multiple-entry visa-free arrangements had previously been extended under the same policy. From now on, all countries will be reassessed under their original visa frameworks.
The decision will be followed by formal notifications to relevant agencies, while a separate review process will be conducted by the National Committee on Immigration Policy. The committee is expected to re-evaluate each country individually, determining appropriate visa categories based on both economic impact and national security considerations. For key tourist destinations like Pattaya, the rollback could bring noticeable shifts in visitor behavior. The city, which relies heavily on short- and medium-term international arrivals, may see some travellers adjusting trip durations or reconsidering travel plans due to reduced stay flexibility.
Long-stay “budget lifestyle” visitors, especially from Europe and other visa-free markets, have been a steady presence in Pattaya’s hospitality, rental, and nightlife sectors. A reduction from 60 days back to roughly 30 days could shorten average stays, affecting occupancy rates in serviced apartments, guesthouses, and monthly rental markets. Tour operators and small businesses may also feel the impact if repeat-entry travel becomes more restricted or administratively complex. However, officials argue the revised system is intended to create a more balanced framework that aligns immigration policy with both security concerns and long-term economic strategy. Authorities have stressed that the policy is not final for all countries, as future visa conditions may still be adjusted on a case-by-case basis under the new review mechanism.
