Thailand has shortened its permitted visa-free tourist stays from 60 days to 30 days for 60 countries and territories, according to an Interior Ministry notification published in the Royal Gazette on August 31, 2026. The policy revision, which takes effect on September 1, 2026, according to Globe.co.th, or September 15 according to the Nation/Asia News Network, ends an expanded exemption programme introduced in July 2024 and implements stricter land-border entry limits.
New Thailand Visa-Free Rules and Eligible Countries
The revised visa-exemption framework applies to passport holders and eligible travel-document holders from 60 countries and territories, including the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and Taiwan. According to the Interior Ministry, the updated regulations were issued on August 26, 2026, following Cabinet approval on July 14, 2026, and signed by Anutin Charnvirakul in his capacities as prime minister and interior minister. Globe.co.th notes that the policy replaces the previous 60-day arrangement that allowed foreign nationals traveling for tourism, short-term business, or work purposes to remain in the country without a visa for up to two months. Additionally, the notification officially revokes earlier ministry announcements from March 4, 2019, and June 21, 2022.
Land-Border Entry Restrictions and Country Adjustments
Travelers utilizing the visa-exemption scheme to enter Thailand through land-border immigration checkpoints face a new restriction limiting entries to no more than twice per calendar year. However, according to source documentation, this twice-yearly cap does not apply to nationals of Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, or Singapore. The notification also grants the interior minister authority to designate nationals of other countries who may cross land borders more than twice annually. In a separate adjustment, visitors arriving from Peru, Brazil, and South Korea will now be granted extended 90-day visa-free stays, an increase from the previous 60-day limit.
Official Rationale Behind the Policy Shift
The Interior Ministry stated that the list and associated conditions were revised to reflect current circumstances, balancing national security and economic considerations alongside ongoing efforts to support Thailand’s tourism industry. By tightening duration caps for standard tourist arrivals while adjusting specific bilateral exemptions, authorities aim to manage long-stay tourism patterns under the updated regulatory framework.
Did you know? Nationals from Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, and Singapore are exempt from the newly introduced twice-yearly limit on land-border entries under Thailand’s revised visa-exemption scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new maximum duration for visa-free tourist stays in Thailand?
The maximum permitted stay for eligible visa-exempt tourists is now 30 days, reduced from the previous 60-day limit.
When did the new visa-free rules take effect?
The changes were published in the Royal Gazette on August 31, 2026, with implementation dates reported as either September 1 or September 15, 2026, depending on the official ministerial release details.
Are there any exceptions to the land-border entry limits?
Yes. Nationals of Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, and Singapore are exempt from the rule limiting visa-exempt land-border entries to twice per calendar year.
Which countries received extended visa-free stays?
Visitors from Peru, Brazil, and South Korea are now granted 90-day visa-free stays, up from 60 days previously.
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