In a recent update, Thailand has announced to continue its popular visa-free entry scheme for Indian passport holders, which comes as a relief to thousands of Indian travellers. But there’s a small catch which every Indian traveller should know before booking their next holiday. The Thai government has reduced the maximum visa-free stay to 30 days. The move comes after weeks of uncertainty over reports suggesting that Thailand could completely withdraw visa-free access for Indian tourists. But Thai authorities have chosen to retain the scheme while shortening the permitted duration of stay.A relief for Indian travellers
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India remains one of Thailand’s biggest international tourism markets. The proposed withdrawal of visa-free entry had reportedly created uncertainty among travellers. As per reports, this led to a decline in bookings from India. But soon the Thai government realised the importance of Indian visitors and decided to scrap the visa-free arrangement altogether.What’s the catchUnder the revised policy, Indian citizens can continue entering Thailand without obtaining a visa in advance, but they can now stay for up to 30 days instead of the previously permitted 60 days. For most leisure travellers planning a week-long beach vacation in Phuket, an island-hopping trip to Krabi, or a shopping break in Bangkok, the revised limit is unlikely to have a major impact. Why did Thailand change the rules?In a bid to revive tourism, Thailand had expanded visa-free stays to 60 days in 2024. But later the Thai authorities expressed concerns that the generous visa exemption was being misused. Officials cited instances of foreigners overstaying or operating businesses illegally and other misuse.To address this issue, Thailand decided to reduce the visa-free stay back to 30 days. The government has stressed that the change is aimed at strengthening immigration controls rather than discouraging tourism.What does this mean for Indian travellers?
For the majority of Indian tourists, very little will change. Most holidays to Thailand typically last between five and ten days, making the new 30-day limit more than sufficient.Things travellers should keep in mind:Visa-free entry remains available for Indian passport holders.The maximum permitted stay under the visa exemption is now 30 days.Travellers planning to remain in Thailand beyond 30 days should apply for the appropriate tourist visa before travel or check eligibility for an extension through Thai immigration authorities.Some popular destinations include:
BangkokPattayaPhuketKrabiKoh SamuiChiang MaiMeanwhile the visa-free policy has played a major role in boosting travel and last-minute bookings from India. Industry experts believe retaining the scheme will help Thailand remain competitive against other Southeast Asian destinations such as Vietnam and Malaysia, among others.In short, the only major change is the reduction of the visa-free stay from 60 days to 30 days. For most tourists, this will make little difference, but those planning a longer stay should ensure they obtain the appropriate visa before travelling.Sources: Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA Thailand), Royal Thai Embassy New Delhi, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Reuters
