Visa change finalized

[Bwana_LB 3,259]

Seems it's a done deal. Tourist visas will now be standardized at 30 days rather than 60 day. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/travel/thailand-visa-rules-americans.html?unlocked_article_code=1.j1A.Ahta.QLySZUwGY2ie&smid=url-share

Brilliant move. Tourism remains below pre-pandemic levels, so Thailand decides it will take those tourists who do come and cut the amount of time they can stay in country by 50%. Of course that means some subset of tourists will be spending a lot less money in Thailand.

My last two trips were to Argentina and Brazil. In both cases I received a 90 day visa.

TIT, right?

[lbshagger 226]

I read earlier that the Thai government researched how long the majority of tourists who are entitled to stay upto 60 days actually do stay. The numbers were in the 10-14 day range. Less than half of the previous and soon to be reinstated 30 day system. So the effect will be minimal for the majority. It was noted that the number of people with 60 day visas who then extended them with visa runs was getting high. Allowing people to live in Thailand on a tourist visa, something they have been trying to discourage for years. Looks like now they are getting more serious about it.

There are options for legitimate people who wish to stay longer than the average tourists.

[CJ-BLF 384]

4 hours ago, Bwana_LB said:

Seems it's a done deal. Tourist visas will now be standardized at 30 days rather than 60 day. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/travel/thailand-visa-rules-americans.html?unlocked_article_code=1.j1A.Ahta.QLySZUwGY2ie&smid=url-share

Brilliant move. Tourism remains below pre-pandemic levels, so Thailand decides it will take those tourists who do come and cut the amount of time they can stay in country by 50%. Of course that means some subset of tourists will be spending a lot less money in Thailand.

My last two trips were to Argentina and Brazil. In both cases I received a 90 day visa.

TIT, right?

Visa waivers are 30 days, actual tourist visas are still 60 days. The Chinese have a 30 day wavier now but the Indians are back to 15 day VOA status. The vast majority of visitors do not have 60 days to spend.

[Mark22 571]

Going to be a pain in the arse this one as usually I stay between 30 and 40 days at time and was also planning a slightly longer trip for later this year.

Loads of options available but all will cost a fee and require paperwork etc.

Simple answer is to stick to 30 days but there aren't any winners doing that.

[Mark22 571]

That said it might make me get my ducks in a row and apply for the DTV which is multiple entry for 5 years and is 180 days at a time. Technically I do need it anyway as I'm working remotely whenever I'm in Bangkok.

[CanadaVisitor 930]

It's not hard to apply and get the 60 day tourist visa, but just an extra hassle and an extra expense.  Except for one trip, I have always stayed longer than 30 days so I have done the 60 day tourist visa process a few times.

Even if you don't technically qualify for the DTV or one of their newer visas it might be worth applying. One doctors appointment used to be good enough to get you the 5 year visa when it first came out and meeting the "soft activities" criteria used to be very easy...register for 1 cooking class or muay thai lesson and that sort of thing.   

[Denbosch1971 8,716]

Reducing the number of days from 60 to 30 days for a Visa Exemption will not be a problem for me for now, unless my boss suddenly decides to double my amount of vacation days 

Here's the latest revised VoA and Visa Exemption scheme:

[jjason12 2]

no visa free for indian brothers 555

[Denbosch1971 8,716]

2 hours ago, jjason12 said:

no visa free for indian brothers 555

Oh please, don't let there be a shortage in watch-sellers 

[taaseesanuk 5,264]

27 minutes ago, Denbosch1971 said:

Oh please, don't let there be a shortage in watch-sellers 

Think of the downturn in straws!

@SAGuy will be gutted, he loves a stroll behind them as he makes his way along Soi11 

[lb_beginner 790]

On 5/20/2026 at 11:58 PM, lbshagger said:

I read earlier that the Thai government researched how long the majority of tourists who are entitled to stay upto 60 days actually do stay. The numbers were in the 10-14 day range. Less than half of the previous and soon to be reinstated 30 day system. So the effect will be minimal for the majority. It was noted that the number of people with 60 day visas who then extended them with visa runs was getting high. Allowing people to live in Thailand on a tourist visa, something they have been trying to discourage for years. Looks like now they are getting more serious about it.

There are options for legitimate people who wish to stay longer than the average tourists.

Yes they actually did some research. And a lot of the illegal activites are exploiting these 60 day excemption. Several news storys of bust mention this specifically. 

[CanadaVisitor 930]

Currently it is 60 days for the Cambodian girls (and they can apply for a 30 day extension).  Land borders still not open and changing to only 14 days by air...hopefully they will get education visas or something like that.