BREAKING: Thailand reverts 60-day visa-exemption to 30 days for Indians, 21 May 2026

Thai Cabinet on 19 May 2026 decided to revert the 60-day visa-exemption back to 30 days, effective 21 May 2026. The exemption itself is still in place for over 90 countries including India, only the duration shortened from 60 days back to 30. Same FREE stamp, just half the duration.

Sources: Al Jazeera reporting "Thailand to slash tourist visa-free stays" (20 May 2026), BBC reporting "Thailand cuts visa-free stay period for more than 90 [countries]" (20 May 2026), Business Today + Gulf News (20-21 May 2026). The Thai Cabinet decision is dated 19 May 2026; effective date 21 May 2026.

What changed for Indian passport holders:

- Was (Jul 2024 – May 2026): 60 days visa-exempt per entry, free - Is now (effective 21 May 2026): 30 days visa-exempt per entry, still free - TDAC mandatory: Thailand Digital Arrival Card must be submitted online (free) within 72h of arrival, replaces the old TM6 paper card. - If you need 31+ days: apply for the paid e-Visa (~INR 3,000 single-entry) OR the DTV digital-nomad visa (180 days per entry, multi-entry) BEFORE flying.

Why Thailand reversed:

The 60-day rule was a 2024 tourism push to recover from COVID-era visitor declines. Thailand's tourism authority reviewed the impact in early 2026 and concluded:

1. Overstay rates climbed, visitors using the 60-day window for unofficial digital-nomad work 2. Tourism revenue per visitor dropped, longer stays didn't translate to proportionally more spend 3. Border-run cycling, flights to KL/Singapore for visa resets created enforcement headaches

Impact on Indian travelers:

- Short trips (under 30 days): No change to the stamp; only difference is filling the new TDAC online before arrival. 90% of Indian tourist trips to Thailand are 5–14 days. The 30-day window covers comfortably. - Long stays (digital nomads, snowbirds): Need to pre-apply for the paid e-Visa (~INR 3,000 single-entry) OR the DTV digital-nomad visa (180 days per entry, multi-entry). Adds 5-7 day paperwork lead time. - Backpackers doing SE Asia loops: If Thailand was your hub for 6 weeks before scattering to Cambodia/Vietnam/Laos, you now need either (a) the paid e-Visa, (b) the DTV digital-nomad visa, or (c) a different hub (Malaysia still offers 30 days visa-free with MDAC, Vietnam has a paid 90-day e-Visa at $25 single / $50 multi).

When does it take effect?

The Cabinet decision is dated 19 May 2026; effective date 21 May 2026. Travellers landing after that date receive 30-day stamps. Travellers booking flights from late May onwards should plan for 30 days and complete TDAC online (free) within 72h of arrival.

What to do if you have a trip booked:

1. Trip is 30 days or shorter: No action needed beyond filling TDAC online. 2. Trip is 31+ days: Apply for the paid e-Visa (~INR 3,000) or the DTV digital-nomad visa BEFORE flying. Border-run cycling no longer works as a reliable workaround.

NoMadYa's Thailand visa guide has been updated with the new 30-day rule. Thailand 7-day template still works, 7 days is well under the 30-day limit. For the extension path see Extending Thailand visa from India 2026, and pair with Vietnam vs Thailand if you are rerouting.

Most Thailand trip articles published before today still say "60 days." That's outdated as of 19 May 2026. Country page at the Thailand destination guide.