Thailand’s cabinet has approved a sweeping overhaul of its visa-exemption programme, reducing the visa-free stay for travellers from 93 countries—including China—from 60 days to 30 days. The change, announced on 14 June 2026 and expected to take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette, reverses an expansion adopted in 2024 to revive tourism. Thai officials said the shorter window was necessary to curb rising overstays and crime by foreign nationals. Chinese citizens currently account for the largest share of long-stay visa-free arrivals, and Bangkok says tighter limits will help immigration officers distinguish genuine tourists from undeclared workers. After day 30, visitors will have to exit and re-enter on an appropriate visa, or apply in advance for a longer-term entry permit. For Chinese companies scheduling incentive trips or buyer delegations, the new rule compresses itineraries and may require switching to the 60-day single-entry tourist visa (THB 2,000) or the multiple-entry business visa, which carries stricter documentation demands. Travel managers should audit existing bookings that span July and August to avoid inadvertent overstays that can trigger daily fines or blacklisting. Thailand welcomed nearly 12 million tourists in the first five months of 2026—about 15 percent of them from China—approaching pre-pandemic levels. Hoteliers worry the rule change could cool demand during the upcoming Mid-Autumn ‘Golden Week’, although authorities stress that visa-exempt entry is still among the most generous in ASEAN. Bangkok says it will review stay lengths on a reciprocal, country-by-country basis going forward, leaving the door open to future adjustments. Chinese tour operators meanwhile are urging clients to purchase flexible tickets and ensure passports have at least six months’ validity. They also recommend travellers keep proof of accommodation and outbound flights on hand; Thai border officers have become more rigorous in secondary inspections since early 2026.
Source: OnPoint Info
