• Thailand cuts visa-free stays to curb crime by foreigners.
• The new policy will limit stays to 30 days for most, with some only getting 15 days.
• High-profile arrests have prompted the visa policy review.
• Tourism remains vital, accounting for over 10% of Thailand's GDP.
• Changes are slated to take effect soon after publication in the Royal Gazette.

In a significant policy shift, Thailand is cutting the length of visa-free stays for tourists from over 90 countries. The move aims to address a rising tide of crime associated with foreign nationals, including cases connected to drug trafficking and unauthorized business operations. Previously, visitors enjoyed a 60-day visa exemption that was introduced to bolster tourism post-pandemic, but this will now revert to a tiered system offering stays of 30 days for most and potentially as little as 15 days for certain nationals, according to Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.

The decision to implement these changes was publicly announced by Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul, who indicated that the adjustments were made in response to security concerns while still recognizing the essential role of tourism in the national economy. "The current scheme has allowed some people to exploit it," said government spokesperson Rachada Dhanadirek, emphasizing that the scheme had inadvertently facilitated illicit activities that undermined regulatory frameworks in Thailand, as reported by BBC.

Authorities noted that they are not targeting specific countries but rather addressing individuals who misuse the visa system. Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow pointed out that recent incidents of foreign involvement in serious crimes prompted the reevaluation of the visa policy. Such high-profile arrests include foreigners engaged in drug offenses and operating unauthorized businesses, raising alarms in the Thai government, according to reports from Al Jazeera and Channel News Asia.

While the new visa measures aim to mitigate illegal activities, they also respond to a gradual decline in foreign tourist numbers. According to government data, 2026 has already seen a 3.4% reduction in foreign arrivals compared to the previous year, mostly due to a sharp drop in visitors from the Middle East. The government still anticipates welcoming approximately 33.5 million tourist arrivals this year, despite the adjustments to visa policies and ongoing recovery efforts post-COVID-19, as stated in BBC and Al Jazeera.