DestinationsThailand has increased the number of countries under its visa-free entry scheme from 57 to 93 to boost tourism numbers.

Thailand extends visa-free access to 93 countries

By Travel Weekly Asia

Jul 19, 2024

Thailand welcomed 17.5 million foreign tourists in the first half of 2024, marking a 35% rise from the previous year but remaining below pre-pandemic levels. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/bnoragitt

Thailand has significantly expanded its visa-free entry scheme, now covering 93 countries and territories, up from the previous 57. The new policy, effective 15 July 2024 allows visitors to stay for up to 60 days without a visa.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to revitalise Thailand's tourism industry, which has not fully recovered from the pandemic. In the first half of 2024, Thailand recorded 17.5 million foreign tourist arrivals, a 35% increase from the same period last year, but still below pre-pandemic levels. Tourism revenue during this period reached 858 billion baht (US$23.6 billion), falling short of government targets.

Additional measures include:

A new five-year visa for remote workers, allowing stays of up to 180 days per year
A one-year post-graduation stay option for international students
Extension of a waiver on hoteliers' operating fees for two more years
Scrapping of a proposed tourism fee for air travelers

However, industry stakeholders have expressed concerns about infrastructure readiness. Kantapong Thananuangroj, president of the Thai Tourism Promotion Association, stated, "If more people are coming, it means the country as a whole has to prepare our resources to welcome them. If not, [the tourists] may not be impressed with the experience they have in Thailand and we may not get a second chance."

Chamnan Srisawat, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, warned of a potential "bottleneck in air traffic as the incoming flights may not increase in time to catch up with the demands of the travellers."