Indian passport holders will soon be able to enter Thailand without a visa again. This time, the visa-free stay is limited to 30 days, replacing the current visa-on-arrival system.
The decision follows a sharp fall in Indian tourist arrivals after Thailand scrapped its earlier 60-day visa-free scheme in May 2026.
Thailand New Visa-Free Entry for Indians
As per a report by Bangkok Post, Thailand’s Cabinet has approved a revised visa policy allowing travellers from 59 countries to enter without a visa for up to 30 days. For Indian travellers, this means:
- No need to apply for a Visa on Arrival.
- Visa-free entry for stays of up to 30 days.
- Easier access for short holidays, family trips and leisure travel.
India is among the countries included in the updated policy, alongside Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Malta and the Maldives.
Why Thailand Changed Course
Thailand ended its 60-day visa-free programme for 93 countries, including India, earlier this year after authorities said the longer stay period was being misused and raised security concerns.
The impact was immediate. Official data from Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports showed Indian arrivals fell by nearly 20% after the policy reversal.
This latest decision reflects a trend many tourism-dependent destinations are following: tightening long stays while keeping short holiday travel easy.
Why Only 30 Days?
Thai authorities appear to have matched the policy to actual visitor behaviour. Indian tourists spend an average of just 7.2 days in Thailand, making a 30-day visa-free stay more than enough for most travellers while addressing concerns linked to longer stays.
When Will It Start?
The new rules will take effect 15 days after they are published in Thailand’s Royal Gazette. Travellers entering Thailand before the revised rules come into force can continue their trip under the conditions that applied when they arrived.
What It Means for Indian Travellers
The return of visa-free entry removes one more travel formality for Indians flying from cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad, where airlines operate frequent direct and connecting flights to Thailand.
For travellers planning a quick beach break, shopping trip or family holiday, the process becomes simpler again, even though the maximum stay is now half of what it was before.
Travelobiz Take
We think Thailand has found a practical middle ground. Indian travellers regain visa-free access, while authorities keep longer stays under tighter control. For most holidays, 30 days is more than enough.
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