How will Thailand’s decision to shorten visa-free stays affect travellers from countries such as the UAE, India, the UK, and the US?

Travel industry observers say the move could make long flexible holidays more difficult for backpackers, remote workers, and extended-stay tourists who previously benefited from Thailand’s 60-day visa-free policy, especially in destinations like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Koh Tao, while Thai authorities argue the shorter stay limits are aimed at curbing visa overstays, illegal business activities, and crimes involving foreign nationals. Under the revised rules, visitors from more than 90 countries—including the UAE, India, the US, and the UK—will generally receive 30-day visa-free entry with the possibility of one 30-day extension at the discretion of immigration officers, though tourism experts warn the stricter system may push some travellers toward alternative Southeast Asian destinations such as Vietnam.

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