Thailand’s cabinet has voted to abolish the temporary 60-day visa-free stay that was introduced in 2023 to revive tourism after the pandemic. Once the change is published in the Royal Gazette—expected within the next two weeks—tourists from all 93 previously eligible countries and territories will revert to the pre-Covid framework. For most, that means a maximum stay of 30 days on arrival, while a handful of markets will shift to a 15-day exemption or visa-on-arrival. The roll-back was driven by mounting concern that the longer allowance had been exploited by foreigners who used back-to-back runs to set up “grey” businesses ranging from small cafés to online gambling operations. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul told reporters that immigration authorities had documented a marked rise in non-compliant commercial activity and criminal cases linked to long-staying visitors. The decision follows similar crack-downs in neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia. For Hong Kong passport holders the practical impact is limited. Hongkongers (and Macau residents) were never on the 60-day list and will continue to receive 30 days visa-free under a standing bilateral agreement. Nevertheless, regional mobility managers should brief travellers on the tighter enforcement climate. Expatriates doing frequent market visits will need to watch cumulative days in country and consider applying for a business visa or the new “Destination Thailand” long-stay permit if their activities go beyond tourism. From a corporate-travel perspective, the shorter permitted stay narrows scheduling flexibility. Road-warriors who used to stack multiple trips into a single two-month window will now face additional border runs or paperwork. Companies with project teams in Bangkok are advised to audit current visit patterns and budget for potential visa fees and processing time.
For Hong Kong–based travellers suddenly weighing formal visa options, VisaHQ’s Hong Kong portal (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) can simplify the transition. The platform aggregates the latest Thai entry rules, offers step-by-step online applications and, where applicable, arranges courier collection and express filing—ideal for firms pivoting from visa-free hops to documented stays.
Travel management firms also expect a spike in fast-track and concierge requests in the fortnight before implementation as passengers rush to beat the cut-off or convert to alternative permits. Thailand’s Visa Policy Committee has been tasked with studying a comprehensive overhaul of entry categories later this year. Mobility professionals should therefore treat the latest move as the first step in a broader recalibration rather than a one-off tightening.
