The End of the 60-Day Holiday
For the past couple of years, Indian tourists have enjoyed a generous 60-day visa-free stay in Thailand, a policy that made longer holidays and flexible travel plans incredibly simple. That era is now officially coming to an end. The Thai Cabinet has
approved a plan to discontinue this extended visa exemption for 93 countries, including India, as it moves to streamline its immigration policies. The decision is part of a broader strategy to balance the booming tourism sector with national security and immigration control, marking a significant shift from the post-pandemic policies that were designed to attract visitors for longer stays.
A Confusing U-Turn on Visa Fees
The initial news in May 2026 caused considerable alarm among prospective travellers. The first proposal suggested that India would be moved back to the Visa on Arrival (VoA) list. This would have meant not only a shorter stay of just 15 days but also the reintroduction of the THB 2,000 visa fee payable at the airport. The announcement led to a reported decline in travel bookings from India, one of Thailand's largest and most important tourism markets. Listening to this feedback, the government revised its plan in July, scrapping the idea of a paid VoA and opting for a more moderate approach that preserved the visa-free benefit.
The New Reality: 30 Days, Still Free
So, what is the new rule? Instead of paying for a visa on arrival, Indian passport holders will be placed on a 30-day visa-exempt list. This is the core of the 'reduction, not removal' policy. You can still fly to Thailand without applying for a visa beforehand and without paying a fee upon entry. However, the permitted stay will be capped at 30 days, down from the previous 60. For the vast majority of tourists who visit for a week or two, this change has little practical impact. It’s a policy tweak that tightens the duration but keeps the process simple and cost-free for short-term tourism.
When Do the New Rules Apply?
This is the most critical detail for anyone planning a trip soon. While the Thai Cabinet has approved the 30-day visa exemption, the new rule is not yet in effect as of late August 2026. The change will only become official 15 days after it is published in the Royal Gazette, the government's official journal. Until that publication happens, travellers arriving in Thailand may still be granted the older 60-day stay. This creates a transitional period of uncertainty. The best advice for travellers is to monitor official announcements from the Royal Thai Embassy or the Tourism Authority of Thailand before their trip to confirm which rule is active.
How This Affects Your Travel Plans
For most Indian tourists, planning remains straightforward. If your trip is under 30 days, you are all set once the new rules take effect. For those planning a longer stay of over 30 days, you will need to plan ahead. The most direct option is to apply for a 60-day tourist e-visa through the official Thai government portal before you leave India. This process requires submitting documents online and paying a fee, but it secures your longer stay in advance. Regardless of your length of stay, remember that all travellers must still complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within 72 hours before arriving in the country.
