Thailand will halve the size of visa-free stays for vacationers from greater than 60 nations and territories to 30 days, efficient September 15, the international ministry stated Tuesday.
Tourism is significant to the Southeast Asian nation’s economic system, however officers say the transfer is a part of an effort to curb crime involving international nationals.
A string of latest arrests has included foreigners accused of drug offences, trafficking and working companies comparable to resorts and faculties with out correct permits.
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Below Thailand’s present tourism scheme, travellers from greater than 90 nations, together with Europe’s 29-nation Schengen space, China, India, the US and several other South American nations, are eligible to go to for as much as 60 days with no visa.
The discount to 30 days visa-free applies to over 60 nations and territories, together with China, the US and 27 EU nations, the Thai international ministry’s consular affairs division stated on Tuesday.
The visa-free standing for round 20 different nations was unclear, with a international ministry official declining to touch upon Tuesday.
Guests from Peru, Brazil and South Korea shall be granted 90-day visa-free stays, up from 60 beforehand.
Vacationers will be capable to prolong their stays as soon as, on the discretion of an immigration officer, a authorities spokeswoman advised AFP in Could when the cupboard authorised the measure.
International Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow stated that month that the plan to trim visa-free visits was a part of a crackdown on people abusing the visa system by committing crimes within the nation.
Thailand has attracted 20.9 million international vacationers because the starting of the 12 months, down three per cent on the identical interval in 2025, in accordance with the most recent official figures.
