Thailand cuts visa-free stay for tourists to 30 days

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Thailand is rolling back part of the liberal visa measures introduced after the pandemic to support tourism. The government has approved reducing the visa-free stay period from 60 to 30 days for citizens of 93 countries and territories. Officials say the move is aimed at tackling crime and illegal employment involving foreign nationals, Bloomberg reports.

Tougher rules for tourists in Thailand

On May 19, 2026, Thailand’s cabinet approved the cancellation of the 60-day visa-free entry programme introduced during the post-Covid recovery of the tourism sector. According to a government statement, travellers from 93 countries and territories will now be allowed to stay in Thailand visa-free for only 30 days. The list includes the United States, Australia, Russia and Singapore.

For some nationalities, visa-on-arrival requirements will also be reinstated. Authorities say the decision was prompted by abuse of the existing system. The government believes international criminal networks exploited the programme, while some foreign nationals worked illegally in occupations reserved exclusively for Thai citizens.

The decision comes amid a decline in tourist arrivals to the kingdom. However, authorities argue that long-term stays are generally outside the scope of regular tourism and are more commonly used for residence rather than holidays.

Thailand tourism: declining numbers

Thailand’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism, which accounts for around 12% of GDP. However, visitor numbers in recent years have remained below pre-pandemic levels. Earthquakes, floods and the conflict with Cambodia have weighed on tourism, while since spring 2026, the war in the Middle East has begun to reduce visitor numbers further.

Experts believe the decline could become significantly sharper, potentially resulting in the loss of up to 3 million tourists and approximately $6 billion in revenue.

Thailand welcomed nearly 40 million foreign visitors in 2019. In 2025, the country recorded 32.97 million arrivals, down 7.23% from 2024. Most visitors came from Asia (22 million), followed by Europe (8.25 million). More than 750,000 arrivals came from the Middle East.

From January 1 to May 10, 2026, arrivals fell by 3.43% to 12.4 million. Thailand’s economic planning agency has downgraded its 2026 tourism forecast from 35 million to 32 million visitors.

Impact of the Middle East war

One of the key consequences of the Middle East conflict for Thailand is rising travel costs. Higher oil prices are already increasing airline operating expenses, forcing carriers to revise fares. This is particularly significant for long-haul routes, where fuel costs account for a substantial share of operating expenses.

For Thailand, the issue goes beyond logistics. The country’s tourism model relies heavily on price-sensitive mass tourism. Rising airfare costs may influence travel decisions even more than safety concerns. The risks are particularly relevant for travellers from Europe and parts of Asia, who often choose destinations based on overall travel budgets.

Thailand’s new tourism strategy

Facing the risk of declining mass tourism, Thai authorities are increasingly focusing on wealthier travellers. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the kingdom is placing greater emphasis on sustainability, safety and social benefits. The government’s goal is to position Thailand as a destination for long-term stays and premium travel, which it sees as more beneficial for economic growth.

The Middle East has become one of the priority markets, with Thailand aiming to attract an additional 200,000 visitors from the region. These tourists traditionally spend more than average, with expenditures reaching around 80,000 baht ($2,560) per trip. By comparison, European visitors spend around 61,000 baht ($1,950), while Asian tourists spend about 39,000 baht ($1,250).

The strategy extends beyond beach tourism. Medical tourism has become an important focus, with authorities expecting healthcare, wellness services and premium leisure offerings to increase average visitor spending.

What this means for investors

Analysts at International Investment note that the new tourism model has clear limitations. Even if arrivals from Gulf countries increase, their numbers remain far below those of Asian and European markets. Offsetting losses in the mass tourism segment, which is particularly sensitive to rising airfare costs, will be difficult in the short term.

The reduction of the visa-free period is unlikely to affect regular tourists significantly, but it may reduce the number of people choosing to spend several months a year in Thailand, including winter residents, digital nomads and some long-term renters.

For real estate investors, this signals a gradual shift in demand patterns. Properties focused on short-term rentals in prime tourist locations, medical tourism and higher-income visitors may prove more resilient. At the same time, pressure could increase on segments dependent on long-term foreign stays and budget-conscious tenants.

In the medium term, the market is likely to become more selective. Location and price will remain important, but so will the target audience profile, transport accessibility and a property’s ability to adapt to changing international travel patterns.