More and more foreigners are devoted to illegal businesses or commercial activities while they claim that they are visiting the reasons for tourism.
Thailand Announce It will reduce the number of days in half Foreign tourists can stay in the country without a visa, 60 to 30 days. The Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sorawong Thnetong, announced that this measure occurs at a time when a country of Southeast Asia is taking radical measures against travelers who benefit from the exemption To implement illegal commercial activities. Tourism and local hospitality societies also expressed concern about visitors who rent accommodations without official permission.
Reduces the visa exemption to stop illegal companies
Since July 2024, Passports owners from 93 countries They can stay in Thailand for tourist purposes up to 60 days. When the number of days is reduced to 30, the government says it hopes to stop using the exemption period inappropriately Without hurting tourism.
The Travel Agencies Association in Thailand expressed Anxiety about the increasing number of foreigners Imported business or illegal businesses with the claim of visiting tourism reasons. The Thai Hotels Association raised another major issue: that the residence that precedes 60 days causes Increase in renting illegal apartments For foreign visitors, the Bangkok Post mentioned.
Thinkong stated that the procedure was agreed upon by the main ministries and that an official date for change be announced soon. Apparently, there will be possible exemptions or Transient measures for travelers who have already have reservations.
How will tourism affect the visa exemption period in Thailand?
The 60 -day residence in Thailand was a blessing for many travelers who wanted to take long trips, including Bedouin digital and retired. About 7 % of the reserves to Thailand between January and February were It remains more than 22 nightsAccording to the front keys.
The authorities claim that reducing the number of days without a visa can have a small negative impact on the tourism sector, which is a vital engine for the Thai economy, but The sector faces other challenges.
New challenges for the tourism sector in Thailand
“The political procedure adds to An increasing list of factors weighing the sectorAlong with attention Safety of Chinese tourists Y The most narrow budgets Among the American and European travelers, Bloomberg wrote this week in a report.
The Thai authorities are looking for Foreign tourist expatriates exceed 40 million in 2025Which will overcome the country’s record in 2019. Between January and mid -March, The number of Thai visitors It has already increased 3.9 % compared to 2024.
