BANGKOK – Thailand is moving toward shorter visa-free stays for tourists, while also trying to keep domestic air travel affordable ahead of Songkran. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wants to reduce visa-free entry from 60 days to 30 days, saying the longer period has raised security concerns and invited misuse.
At the same time, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has worked with airlines to lower fares and add seats for the busy holiday period, even as the Middle East conflict continues to affect air travel.
Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow shared the visa plan on Tuesday during a seminar with Thai consular officials. He said the proposed change would not hurt tourism. Instead, he said it would help close gaps that some foreign visitors have used for reasons unrelated to travel.
Visa-Free Stay Could Drop to 30 Days
Thailand’s current 60-day visa exemption started under the previous Srettha Thavisin government and has been in effect since July 2024. It covers passport holders from 93 countries and territories. Under the policy, visitors can enter Thailand without applying in advance for a visa if they are traveling for tourism, short-term business, or urgent work.
According to Sihasak Phuangketkeow, most real tourists do not need 60 days. He said many visitors stay about 30 days, so a shorter visa-free period would still match normal travel patterns. He also said the shift would help improve security, because some travelers have reportedly used the program for reasons beyond tourism.
Under the new plan, eligible travelers would get 30 days on arrival without a visa. After that, they could ask immigration for a 30-day extension, but approval would depend on official review. The ministry’s visa committee found that the 60-day stay can make abuse easier. Officials pointed to cases involving people tied to online scam networks who have used Thailand as a temporary base before moving on to nearby countries.
Authorities say the proposal does not single out any one nationality. Instead, they say it is part of a wider effort to tighten border checks. The Immigration Bureau and some tourism businesses support the move, saying 30 days is enough for most visitors. Public concern has also grown after crimes involving some foreign nationals received attention online, adding pressure for tougher screening and a stronger focus on so-called quality tourism.
Main points of the visa proposal:
- It would affect travelers from 93 countries and territories now allowed 60-day visa-free entry.
- The visa-free stay would drop to 30 days at first.
- Visitors could still request one more 30-day extension.
- Officials say the main reasons are security risks and misuse for non-tourism activity.
- The government has not announced a start date yet.
Anyone planning a trip to Thailand should keep an eye on updates from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Thai embassies, because entry rules can change quickly. Extensions may still be available, but they are not automatic.
Examples of Thailand entry stamps in passports. Travelers should always check the exact number of days stamped on arrival.
CAAT Works With Airlines to Cut Songkran Fares
While the visa debate continues, CAAT is focused on holiday travel inside Thailand. Songkran, the Thai New Year water festival, runs from April 10 to 15, 2026, and it usually brings a large wave of domestic travel.
To help manage demand, CAAT has reached agreements with six major airlines: Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and Thai Vietjet. These carriers will reduce fares by 15% to 30% on 11 popular domestic round-trip routes. The list includes major routes such as Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Hat Yai, Samui, and Khon Kaen.
The plan covers 191 flights and adds more than 29,000 seats during the holiday period, with the total set at 29,685 seats. Bangkok Airways will operate 24 extra flights to Samui, creating 1,680 more seats. Thai Airways also plans to use wide-body aircraft on selected routes to carry more passengers.
CAAT Director-General ACM Manat Chuanprayoonsuk said close fare monitoring matters during peak travel periods. These steps are meant to help families traveling home for the holiday, as well as tourists moving around the country during one of Thailand’s busiest festivals.
Examples of Songkran discount routes:
- Bangkok ↔ Chiang Mai
- Bangkok ↔ Phuket
- Bangkok ↔ Hat Yai
- Bangkok ↔ Samui
- Bangkok ↔ Krabi
- Bangkok ↔ Khon Kaen
- Plus five other domestic route pairs
Extra support for Songkran travelers:
- More than 29,000 additional seats
- Fare discounts from 15% to 30%
- Six major airlines taking part in the program
Lively scenes from Thailand’s Songkran festival, when millions of people travel across the country to celebrate with family and friends.
Middle East Conflict Continues to Affect International Travel
CAAT is also watching the conflict in the Middle East, because it has pushed jet fuel prices higher and disrupted airline operations. Those issues are starting to affect travel to and from Thailand.
Routes that depend on Middle Eastern transit hubs have seen the biggest impact. Since late February 2026, more than 1,000 flights operated by Middle Eastern airlines to Thailand have been canceled. Suvarnabhumi and Phuket have been among the most affected airports. These cuts have reduced links from Europe and other long-haul markets.
Direct flights between Thailand and Europe are still running as normal. Airlines have changed their routes to avoid risky airspace. Because of that, many passengers who used to connect through the Middle East are now choosing direct services instead. However, those flights often have fewer low-cost seats left, which pushes travelers toward more expensive fares.
Some passengers are turning to connections through China. These routes can be cheaper, but they usually take longer. A few Middle Eastern airline services have returned, yet capacity remains below normal levels.
CAAT has urged travelers connecting through the region to check flight schedules and airline rules before departure.
How the Middle East situation is affecting Thailand travel:
- More than 1,000 flights to Thai airports have been canceled
- Higher fuel costs are raising pressure on airlines
- More travelers are shifting to direct long-haul flights
- Fewer lower-priced seats are available on some routes
- Longer trips may be needed through Asian transit hubs
Busy operations at Suvarnabhumi Airport, where changing international flight patterns are forcing travelers to plan more carefully.
Foreign Minister Highlights Wider Consular Work
At the same seminar, Sihasak Phuangketkeow also spoke about broader work by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He said the ministry has improved consular services, including faster passport processing and more support centers for Thai citizens overseas.
He also said the ministry has made the safety of Thai nationals in the Middle East a priority. So far, officials have helped more than 1,000 Thai citizens affected by the conflict.
Vice Minister Vijavat Isarabhakdi outlined a people-focused diplomacy policy that puts more weight on technology, including AI, stronger support networks, and ethical standards. He said these steps can help improve emergency response and overseas assistance.
Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, who announced the visa proposal and also oversees Thailand’s consular work abroad.
Thailand’s proposed visa change shows that officials want to protect tourism while also tightening security and enforcement. The country still depends heavily on tourism, and leaders say the shorter visa-free stay should not discourage regular short-term visitors.
At the same time, Songkran fare cuts and extra flights should make holiday travel easier for both Thai residents and overseas visitors. That matters during a peak season when demand usually drives prices up.
Travelers should take a few simple steps:
- Check the latest visa rules before booking flights
- Reserve domestic flights early to get lower Songkran fares
- Watch for updates on international routes, especially if flying through or near the Middle East
- Use official sources such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and CAAT for current travel information
As Thailand deals with rising security concerns and outside pressure on global air travel, these moves show a two-track approach. On one side, officials want tighter controls at the border. On the other, they are trying to keep travel practical and affordable for the people who help power the country’s tourism economy.
