Thailand is cutting visa-free stays to 30 days
What it means for you
For a one or two week Phuket holiday this changes nothing — but fill in the free TDAC before you fly, because that one does catch people.
On 19 May 2026 the Thai cabinet approved revoking the 60-day visa exemption for all 93 countries and territories that had it. In its place the 30-day tourist exemption is itself trimmed, from 57 countries and territories to 54.
It is not law yet. The change takes effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette, and as of 7 August 2026 that publication has not happened. Until it does, the border is still issuing 60-day stamps.
All six GCC countries — the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar — are named on the new 54-country list. They move from 60 days to 30, but none of them loses visa-free entry.
The change is not retroactive. If you are already in Thailand, or you enter before the effective date, you keep the stay you were stamped for.
Separately, and far easier to forget: everyone must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online within 72 hours of arriving. It is free at tdac.immigration.go.th, and any site charging for it is a scam.
What to do about it