Thailand Expands Visa-Free Entry Scheme to 93 Countries
Thailand has expanded its visa-free entry scheme to 93 countries and territories in a bid to revitalize its tourism industry.
Excel Magazine International learnt under the new scheme, which took effect on Monday, visitors can stay in the Southeast Asian nation for up to 60 days. This marks a significant increase from the previous policy, which allowed passport holders from 57 countries to enter without a visa.
Tourism is a key pillar of the Thai economy, but it has not fully recovered from the pandemic. Official data shows that Thailand recorded 17.5 million foreign tourist arrivals in the first six months of 2024, a 35% increase from the same period last year.
However, these numbers are still far below pre-pandemic levels. Most visitors were from China, Malaysia, and India.
Tourism revenue during this period was 858 billion baht ($23.6bn; £18.3bn), less than a quarter of the government’s target. Millions of tourists are drawn to Thailand every year for its golden temples, white sand beaches, picturesque mountains, and vibrant nightlife.
The revised visa-free rules are part of a broader plan to boost tourism. Also on Monday, Thailand introduced a new five-year visa for remote workers, allowing holders to stay for up to 180 days each year.
Additionally, the country will permit visiting students who earn a bachelor’s degree or higher in Thailand to stay for one year after graduation to find a job or travel.
In June, authorities extended a waiver on hoteliers’ operating fees for two more years and scrapped a proposed tourism fee for visitors flying into the country. However, some stakeholders are concerned that the country’s infrastructure may not be able to keep up with the increased demands of travelers.
“If more people are coming, it means the country as a whole has to prepare our resources to welcome them,” said Kantapong Thananuangroj, president of the Thai Tourism Promotion Association. “If not, [the tourists] may not be impressed with the experience they have in Thailand and we may not get a second chance.”
Chamnan Srisawat, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, foresees a “bottleneck in air traffic as the incoming flights may not increase in time to catch up with the demands of the travelers.”
Safety concerns have also been raised after rumors that tourists have been kidnapped and sent across the border to work in scam centers in Myanmar or Cambodia. Additionally, a fatal shooting in Bangkok’s most famous shopping mall last year has caused concern among visitors.
