Thailand visa-free for Indian passport, the 60→30 day reversal (May 2026)

Major update, 19 May 2026: Thai Cabinet officially scrapped the 60-day visa-free entry. Indian passport holders now get 30 days. (See our breaking-news post for full sources and impact analysis.) The rest of this article is updated for the new 30-day rule.

Thailand offered Indian passports 60 days visa-free from Nov 2024 through May 2026, among the most generous SE Asia entry policies ever. The Cabinet cut it back to 30 days citing overstay rates and tourism-revenue-per-visitor metrics.

At immigration (post-19 May 2026), the officer needs three things: passport (≥6 months validity from entry), proof of onward travel within 30 days (changed from 60), and ₹15,000 cash equivalent (now checked more often after the visa-free cut; have a screenshot of your bank balance ready as backup).

Onward ticket is the one most travellers fail on. AirAsia and IndiGo refuse boarding for one-way tickets unless you can show onward. A throwaway ₹600 bus ticket from 12Go Asia (Bangkok to Phnom Penh) satisfies airline staff. Don't buy a refundable flight just for this. The ticket MUST be dated within 30 days of arrival now.

Extension beyond 30 days requires a TR (Tourist Visa) application at the Thai embassy in Delhi/Mumbai/Chennai BEFORE flying. THB 2,000 (~₹4,800), 60-day stay, processing 5–7 working days. The old "extend in-country at any Immigration Bureau" route still works for the standard +30 day extension at THB 1,900, total stay up to 60 days but with paperwork inside Thailand.

Border runs are myth. Old advice said 'exit to Laos for the day, come back for another 60.' That doesn't work anymore, Thailand caps land-border entries at 2 per calendar year for tourists. If you want longer than 60 days total, apply for a TR Visa from Mumbai/Delhi (₹3,500, 60-day stay, 1-month extendable) BEFORE flying.

For a Vietnam plan from Chennai or Thailand+Bali combo, open the architect.