Thailand has scrapped its 60-day visa-free policy for 93 countries, including India, in a bid to tighten security checks and curb crimes involving foreign nationals.
The move means Indian travellers will revert to a 30-day visa-free stay arrangement, existing before Thailand expanded the exemption period in 2024.
The decision comes amid high-profile cases involving foreigners allegedly linked to drug offences, sex trafficking, and operating businesses without proper permits.
Thai authorities have said some visitors exploited the extended visa-free regime to stay longer in the country illegally.
The government clarified that the policy change was not directed at any specific country, but at individuals abusing the visa system.
Travellers will still be allowed to renew their visas once through immigration offices, though extensions will no longer be automatic and will depend on officers being satisfied with the reason for a longer stay.
Indian travellers are advised to check the latest visa requirements before booking, as more details are expected once the government releases a country-by-country breakdown of the revised visa policy.
