Visa-free stays in Thailand may soon be limited to 30 days, down from 60 days, in a move partially aimed at closing loopholes that enable cross-border scam operations.
The visa exemption will continue to serve its purpose of easing travel for eligible visitors entering the country for leisure or short-term business.
The 60-day stay was deemed longer than necessary for most travellers arriving for standard business or leisure purposes, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow was reported to have said.
Moreover, the lengthy exemption is believed to open up loopholes for less desirable travel purposes.
Sihasak explained that the proposed change was aimed in part at tackling online scam syndicates, with authorities detecting scam-linked individuals using the lengthy visa exemption to travel to neighbouring countries via Thailand.
He was quick to emphasise that the proposal does not target particular nationalities, but rather, is geared towards preventing abuse of the exemption scheme for activities that threaten security.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' proposal will involve shortening the visa-free stay from 60 days to 30 days, with travellers having the option of applying for an additional 30-day extension.