Thailand Tightens Entry Rules to Focus on ‘Quality Tourism’

Skift Take Thailand's shorter visa-free stays are likely to hit long-haul itineraries harder than short breaks — and the property market harder than hotels. For travel companies, the business impact will depend more on trip length and asset class than visitor volume. Thailand is cutting visa-free stays for travelers from more than 90 countries and territories starting Tuesday, reversing a pandemic-era expansion as the government seeks to curb misuse of visa privileges and illegal activities involving foreign nationals. More than 60 nationalities — including most Schengen countries, United States and Australia — will see visa-free stays reduced from 60 days to 30. Some nationalities will receive 15-day exemptions, while others, including Azerbaijan, Serbia and Belarus, will shift to visa-on-arrival. The new rules also limit visa-free entries to two per year, restricting travelers who repeatedly lea