Thailand cuts visa-free stays, citing crime by foreigners

Thailand is drastically cutting the length of visa-free stays for tourists from more than 90 countries in an effort to curb crime involving foreign nationals.

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The country’s foreign minister, Sihasak Phuangketkaeow, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted a plan to reduce the visa-free stay period for most foreign tourists to Thailand from 60 days to 30 days.

Thailand’s cabinet approved the changes on Tuesday, but the timeline for when the changes would come into effect is unclear.

In addition, Thai authorities will check other visa types to ensure ‌that individuals entering the country comply with the purpose of that visa.

Under Thailand’s current tourism scheme, travellers from more than 90 countries, including the US, UK, Europe’s 29-nation Schengen area, and Australia, are eligible to visit for up to 60 days without a visa.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is following media reports that the Thai cabinet has approved these visa changes.

The new visa-free duration would be decided on a country-by-country basis, with most foreign nationals granted stays of up to 30 days, while some could receive only 15 days, Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul told reporters in Bangkok.

Tourists will be able to renew visas once by visiting an immigration office, a government spokeswoman told AFP.

“The 60 days was automatic, but the renewal will be decided by the officer and tourists will have to explain why they are staying longer,” the spokeswoman said.