Thailand Restores 30-Day Visa-Free Entry for Indians After Sharp Drop in Tourist Bookings

Following the Cabinet meeting, Thailand's Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said uncertainty surrounding the proposed visa policy changes had created significant confusion among Indian travelers. As a result, the number of visitors arriving from India had declined rapidly. He emphasized that India remains one of Thailand's most important tourism markets, prompting the government to immediately approve the return of 30-day visa-free entry to regain the confidence of Indian tourists.

Previously, Indian citizens had been allowed to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days without a visa. Indian travelers rank as the third-largest group of international visitors to Thailand, behind tourists from China and Malaysia. However, in May, the Thai government indicated that it was considering reducing its visa-free program by cutting the number of eligible countries from 93 to 54. Concerns that India could be excluded from the revised list led to widespread uncertainty among Indian travelers, resulting in canceled bookings and a noticeable decline in travel demand.

In response to growing dissatisfaction among tourists and falling reservations, the Thai government revised its plan and retained India within the visa-free category. Under the new policy, Indian citizens can now travel to Thailand without obtaining a visa and stay in the country for up to 30 days. The Tourism Minister said the 30-day duration closely matches the travel patterns and average stay of Indian visitors. However, the government also stated that the policy may be reviewed in the future if required.

Along with India, Thailand has also granted 30-day visa-free entry to citizens of Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, and the Maldives. Following the latest decision, the total number of countries and territories covered under Thailand's visa-free program has increased to 60. In addition, the Thai government is expanding visa-free access for all 27 member states of the European Union in an effort to facilitate easier access to Schengen visas for Thai citizens.

Indian tourists continue to play a dominant role in Thailand's tourism industry. They are the third-largest source of international visitors after China and Malaysia. Beyond their large numbers, Indian travelers are also known for significant spending on shopping, accommodation, dining, and leisure activities. Even a slight slowdown in arrivals from India can have a substantial financial impact on local businesses, hotels, and tour operators across Thailand.

Thailand's economy remains heavily dependent on tourism. During 2025, the country welcomed approximately 33 million international visitors, generating nearly 50 billion US dollars, equivalent to more than 4 trillion Indian rupees in tourism revenue. By the first week of July this year, more than 16 million foreign tourists had already visited Thailand. The government continues to simplify and strengthen its tourism policies to maintain this growth momentum and ensure the country's tourism sector remains competitive in the global market.