Thai Cabinet approves new visa-free rules capping foreign tourist stays at 30 days

The Thai Cabinet has approved updated criteria for visa-free entry, capping the maximum stay for foreign tourists at 30 days, according to a July 16 report from TrueID (in Thai).

While full details of the rollout are still pending, the resolution marks a shift in how long visitors can remain in the country without applying for a formal visa in advance.

Preparing for the 30-day limit

If you rely on visa exemptions for short visits, border runs, or scouting trips before securing a long-term visa, you will need to plan around a strict 30-day limit. Because this update stems from a preliminary Cabinet announcement, the exact implementation date and the specific list of affected passports have not yet been published in the Royal Gazette.

Until the official rollout is clarified, you should:

• Check your entry stamp: Always verify your exact "admitted until" date before leaving the immigration counter.
• Apply in advance: If you know you need to stay longer than 30 days, apply for an appropriate Tourist Visa (TR) or Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) at a Thai embassy or consulate before traveling.
• Monitor official channels: Wait for the formal Royal Gazette publication to confirm if any specific nationalities are exempt from this new 30-day cap.

In a separate immigration update on the same day, the Cabinet also approved a one-year work permit extension for migrant workers from three neighboring nationalities, according to Bangkokbiznews (in Thai).