Thailand turns around: halved from 60 to 30 days the period you can enter the country without a visa

Thailand has decided to backtrack on the period during which visa-free travel to the country will be possible. In July 2014, in fact, the Kingdom had announced the extension from 30 to 60 days of the maximum period of stay without the need for a visa and with just a valid passport.

In contrast, the Ministry of Sports and Tourism has announced in recent days the turnaround, with a return to a visa-free stay period of 30 days, as reported by the Bangkok Post. This is because according to an analysis of tour operators, it has been observed that the average stay of those who vacation in Thailand from distant countries is between 14 and 21 days, while those from neighboring countries stay there for less than two weeks on average.

At the same time, it was expressed by government authorities ihe fear that the extension of the visa-free policy to 60 days is encouraging more foreigners to work illegally in the country or conduct business therei, activities that should be authorized and regulated by the granting of a visa.

The specific date of the return to the old 30-day policy has not yet been finalized. Stay Unchanged the number of countries whose citizens can enter Thailand for tourism without a visa, which in July 2024 had been increased from 57 to 93 and among which is Italy.