Thailand restores visa-free entry for Indians, 30-day limit

Thailand has reinstated visa-free entry for Indian passport holders, but with a key change: the maximum permitted stay has been reduced from 60 days to 30 days. The Thai cabinet approved the revised policy on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, following a period of uncertainty that saw a significant drop in Indian tourist arrivals.

The decision reverses a previous, unimplemented proposal from May 2026 that would have removed India entirely from Thailand's visa-exemption list. That earlier plan, which sought to reduce the number of eligible countries from 93 to 54, contributed to a nearly 20 percent decline in visitors from India despite never taking effect. India is Thailand's third-largest tourism source market, trailing only China and Malaysia.

Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul stated that the new 30-day window aligns with the typical travel patterns of Indian tourists, who spend an average of 7.2 days in the country per visit. He added that the government could review the measure if problems arise in the future. The policy is set to take effect 15 days after its publication in Thailand's Royal Gazette. Travelers entering before that date will be governed by the conditions in...